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Showing posts from 2010

Writing on the Run

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This year was the first year I have worked almost full time, have a broken foot, and finishing a class, while trying to accomplish Christmas season tasks. Really this has been a journey of learning balance and creative ways to get things done or undone if that is the solution!  I have never baked butter tarts at six in the morning before, and I must say I actually enjoyed the peace and pleasure in creating something wonderfully sweet first thing in the morning.  During my baking time, I prayed, enjoyed the silence of my home, and felt an urge to write! So here I am, writing on the run (or multi-tasking) between baking tarts and getting ready for work. My home now smells like sugar and butter. What started this urge was a thought from simple living.  Following the picture below are the ideas I had after musing over the the simple thought.  I would enjoy reading your comments on the picture and quote. Real Simple "A home without a grandmother is like an egg without salt."

a winter paradise in Saskatchewan

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A few weeks ago, my husband and I took a retreat away from the city to a cabin in the woods, by a lake--sounds like a strange thing to desire in the midst of winter, but is was truly amazing. I would take up the challenge again. Heating the cabin with a wood stove was interesting, we are not used to it and were concerned that if we let the fire go out the cabin would be to cold. It was so hot I could not sleep, and my husband did not sleep due to stoking the fire all night. Next time we will let the cabin become cold! Maybe we will try hot water bottles at the end of our bed. My husband had a hard time with no noise, for him it was way to quiet. I enjoyed the peace and stillness. The music in this video is choppy, the pictures, however are amazing. The music is by John Friesen. Love to all, Robin P.S I was tried of the brown blog...I was into having a new skin...here we go! Bright and joyful!

I am starting again!

 Hi Everyone, I sure have not been faithful to writing on my blog.  I have been learning about silence and it seems to have rubbed off on my writing.  In November I hurt my foot, and life went into a whirl, tonight is the first time since October I have been on my blog.  It does feel good to write.  Thanks Angel for the invite to visit your blog, which lead me to finding The Robin Nest.  Robin is giving away free items on her blog, if you are interested visit her blog .  Even if you are not interested in free things this blog is worth visiting especially if you are the crafty type!  Blessings and love, Robin

Ministering

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                      Ministering                Henri J.M. Nouwen The question is not to prepare [for ministry] but to live in a state of ongoing preparedness so that, when someone who is drowning in the world comes into your world, you are ready to reach out and help. It may be at four o'clock, six o'clock, or nine o'clock. One time you call it preaching, the next time teaching, then counseling, or later administration. But let them be part of your life in God--that's ministering. Source: Time Enough to Minister in the journal Leadership (Spring 1982)

Update on Robin's Travels

The last three month's have been full of wonder, travel, learning, engaging in new conversations, and enjoying the beauty found in this world.  Last week while at Carey Theological College on the UBC campus, a professor played a piece of music by cellist John Friesen, it is absolutely beautiful.  Somehow, I wanted to share what I have seen, touched, and heard, so...I created a You Tube video with a few pictures from my travels this summer combined with the beautiful music by John Friesen. If you have 5 minutes, listen to the beautiful music below on the You Tube video.  Sit back and let the music speak to your soul.  I did not place words within video so the pictures and music could lead. I am off on another adventure in 5 hours and will be back after Thanksgiving.  I hope to have more time to write when I get back. I have been completely blessed over the last three month's with all of the new adventures that have come my way.  Love to all... Robin Be sure to check

I can do this!

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 Picture was taken by the south Saskatchewan River Over the last six month's numerous task, responsibilities, and request were added to my already full day-timer, which left me longing for a break in routine. Longing to have moments even days to focus only my relationship with God. Now my balance is completely off and trying to be in the moment is hard to accomplish.  The break is nice, and time to write is relaxing, however I am experiencing out of balance feelings and not knowing if I have the strength to enter another season of ministry. Why I am writing this today is to say, God has amazing ways of speaking to us when it is hard to get balanced or when life seems to moving to fast. I opened an email today which blessed, encouraged, and inspired me to write this post. The email was from Day Spring writer Holly Gerth. Hope her words inspires you also... You can do this - I know it Hey, you. Yep, you. The one feeling a little weary. Carrying that load. Fighting this b

"I will Never!"

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Picture from Simple Living "I will never"...were the words that flooded my mind when I first thought of the idea of actually speaking on a Sunday morning in my Church. First, I really never thought I would be asked. Secondly, I did not believe I could actually speak without throwing up or completely shaking in my shoes or shuddering uncontrollably. Thirdly, I did not believe I would have anything to say that someone would want to listen to. Well, I have learned not to say, "I will never!" I was completely wrong about all three of my assumptions. I was asked to speak for the seniors Sunday on May 16, it was totally appropriate considering I am on staff and the director for seniors ministry in my church. Secondly, I did not even feel like throwing up and I hardly shook at all. God has really been revealing to me that I have nothing to fear except for Him. Fear of man can paralyze a persons soul stopping them from being authentic and real. It does not m

The Resurrection

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Picture is a Robin Original Concluding thought from my sermon on the Resurrection: Then and Now. All of the authors that I have read over the last few weeks agree that if there was no resurrection there would be no story, it is as simple as that. Without the resurrection Jesus would have been like other messianic pretenders and would have simply died, end of story. Throughout history faithful witnesses have confessed God’s plan of salvation through Jesus death and resurrection. The central part and core of the Christian faith is the resurrection of Christ. In Closing I would like to conclude with a thought on how we need to share the light of Christ with not only those within our church, but with the world in which we have influence: “On Good Friday evening, Greek Orthodox churches have a service. Afterward, the holy picture that represents Christ, decorated with flowers and candles, is brought to the village square. A solemn procession comes from each church; and a brief se

Good Friday Reflection: Mary's Journey

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Picture: Dieric Bouts's Sorrowing Madonna As I entered Mary’s story, the Mother of Jesus, and reflected upon her mother’s heart and considered how she must of felt watching her son be crucified, my own mother’s heart broke. What mother could bear the pain and suffering of watching helplessly as people mocked, ridiculed, spit upon, and tortured their precious child? Somehow, I thought Mary would have been spared some of the anguish most parents face. However, her anguish and body numbing pain, was the kind that cuts deep into the heart and soul. Mary’s story is one of incredible faith and trust, in the midst of immense mystery, rejection, humiliation, suffering, and sorrow. Numerous times throughout Mary’s life journey she pondered and treasured within her heart all the events that took place. The words spoken by the angel Gabriel concerning how she had found favour with God, that she was not to be afraid, she would give birth to a son, he would be great and would be called Son of

Wierd!

I know it has been a long time since I have posted. I am three days away from being completely finished! The amazing thing is it is right before Good Friday. I will be moving into April paper free! The last three month's were very interesting, and full. I have a question to those among us who know blogger well. It seems like the pictures I have downloaded onto blogger have disappeared or are not able to be seen. Has this happened to anyone else? I can not wait to start writing for fun! Love Robin P.S. I am going to leave this post, but now my pictures are showing up. Okay, here are my conclusions: One: The pop-up blocker on my computer was not letting the pictures load. Two: My computer knows when I am in hurry and decides to be completely slow moving. Three: A complete attack from the enemy of my soul (this happens often when I am writing.) Four: I am extremely impatient! I am working on all of these.

Stuck was the Theme Word

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Picture and Quote from Living Simply “Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.” –Emily Kimbrough I really did not have time to post today, but felt I needed to share a part of my journey from last week. Have you noticed that when God wants to bring a revelation and if you are willing to except it, everywhere you go or look there are points along the way to reflect upon as you journey towards having a revolution of changing heart desires. My journey started with the word stuck last week at the grief share class I facilitate every Monday. As I journeyed through the week this word and theme kept coming up to my catch my attention. I read both the gospels of Mark and Luke, pages from a history text, and a book by Kathleen Norris, titled Acedia & Me. As I read through each of these books, the word “stuck” stood out even more and became even clearer. I would like to share a prayer that came out of last Monday n

Moving on Slowly

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(Picture from Simple Living) “In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don’t.” ―Blaise Pascal Over the last month, I have had numerous tasks that needed to be finished and attended to. I am currently on a steady but slow pace towards a finish line of completing two classes with a final destination of receiving a diploma in Pastoral Ministry. I feel like a tortoise with a heavy shell, slowly moving forward, while others have long finished this race. However, I am going to finish this journey well! Following are a few thoughts from my journey this week: If you feel stuck, stop and spend time with Jesus. He will encourage your soul, and grant the strength you need to keep moving forward. If you feel like me and have a heavy load on your back, keep going one step at a time, looking to Christ who is our hope. If the circumstances are causing fear, unbelief, or anxious feelings, ask Jesus to help you rise above and rest in his peac

Prayer for the Military

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I do not even know how to begin to express what I am feeling and experiencing within my mind, heart, body, and soul as I write this post. Today, at 6 am I watched my son board an Air Canada plane, his destination Fort Jean Quebec to complete his training in the Canadian Armed Forces. As a mother I am sensitive to the topic of praying for our troops over seas. I have been teary all day. When we are sensitive to a topic it seems everywhere you look there are signs and information on how to pray or signs of what the spiritual climate might be. It is like when you are pregnant you see all of the pregnant women everywhere. I know many who read my blog are from the US, but I would say the following article applies for your troops over seas also. I am sad today, and uncertain what my son's future might hold, one thing I have and know without a doubt is that God knows my heart and hears my prayers for my son. This article just arrived in my mail box...so I am posting it. Please comment