robin's journey

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...

It is Saturday night, and I am still trying to catch up on all that needs to be completed before my husband and I leave for a week trip into the mountains. I had good intentions to write a devotional for Spiritual Sunday before leaving, but it just is not going to happen. We are traveling on business to the interior of British Columbia. Instead of a devotional here is another quote from Joyce Rupp to ponder: "Without some quiet reflection, some solitude and stillness, our inner eyes will eventually be too blurred and weary to discover God in the rushing of our demanding days." This quote sums up the theme for the last week of my life, in what I read, and experienced! Please pray for my youngest son Mike, who arrived safely in St. Jean, Quebec today to start a 13 week training program in the Canadian Armed Forces. And for this mother who has had waves of emotions as she releases her baby. My prayer is that Mike will preserve when it gets tough and that he will make lastin...

I was reading, Prayer, by Joyce Rupp and this paragraph stood out: False justifications for not praying fall away when we perceive the priceless value of our union with God. If we have time to shop, we have time to pray. If we have enough minutes to read the daily newspaper or work a crossword puzzle, we have enough minutes to pray. If we have space in our schedule to watch television or browse the Internet, we have space to pray. All rationalizations and excuses for being unable to pray are left behind once we allow God to claim our heart. I can honestly say I have done all of these things, and know God is drawing me into prayer, but resist the pull. I really have no excuses not to pray. My prayer for all who read this quote is that we will allow God to direct our hearts into His love today through prayer.

News paper articles about your ministry make you humble. I have had a hard time reading through the post from Saturdays Star Phoenix, a local news paper in my city. The title for the article is "Seniors Discover Role in Ministry, " written by Darlene Polachic. I am having a issues with Sloboda said! Today, I was extremely aware of how our words influence others. I thought it would be the picture that I would cringe at...but today it was my words. When they are in print you are accountable. If you would like to check this article out click on the title. Please pray for the seniors conference being held on Thursday September 24, 2009. I am learning to cast my anxious thoughts on Christ...this sounds like a scripture verse. Nothing like the article being past around at church when you are cringing at the words you have said. Humbling. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the ...

Father, I long to come out and dance but I have forgotten how. All I know in this moment is how to hide under waves of must do’s, one is completed, another arrives, luring my soul farther away from your presence. Will you hear my faint whispers that are hard to voice from hidden places under deep covers of activity? My soul longs for silence. My soul longs to be heard. Teach me how to let go of lists that bind. Teach my soul God how to dance again with you in silence and solitude even when demands of life are presen...

Over the last three years, my youngest son has been contemplating enlisting into the Royal Canadian Army. He is now twenty, and decided this summer it was time. We just received a call today that he will be starting his training at the end of September. This means he will be going to Ontario and leaving home for about three years. As a mom, I am trying to be brave (not showing to much emotion) and encouraging (not saying to much concerning how I really feel.) My husband is being strong and encouraging with his counsel. It is terribly hard sometimes to let your children make choices for their lives that are contrary to what you want for them. I believe, God is in control of my son's life, and this decision will be for God's glory. One more thought in closing: Over the last few years I have felt a need to either write prayers in a book to share with others or to start a prayer blog. I am not alone in this heart passion. I personally had kept a hard prayer journal for 12 years...

It is now 5:30 a.m. I have been up for an hour. I believe the reason could be the change of life thing kicking in, I am sure! My solution was not to waste an hour laying in bed, but to write. Here is my unedited poem from an early morning attempt to pen some poetry, and pray, until sleep arrives taking me back to bed. Life is a gift or so I have heard it said yet often like other gifts it is disregarded, taken for granted, abused, not embraced or cherished. Each life is unique, full of colors and textures, to create a beautiful portrait that fits into a larger frame marked by grace. When pictures fall or fade away into darkness colors are washed away and textures become broken and dull only loves unconditional color can bring back light to reveal a present worth a second chance to open and explore numerous new possibilities. Life is a gift to hold, and explore questions to ask are: how has your portrait been painted? who has painted it? what color is your world? Pax Robin (who is now g...

A dream or rather a desire I have had for years, since 1999 to be exact, was to go to Kansas City and visited the 24/7 House of Prayer. Over the last ten years numerous 24/7 houses of prayer have appeared around the world. I still have not had an opportunity to be part of 24/7 prayer room. On Tuesday July 7, 2009, the WindFarm Prayer Room was launched. I now can participate in a 24/7 prayer room whenever I am able. I do not need to leave my home to pray with community, and the bonus, I can listen while at my office or out on my deck. Brian Hardin from the Daily Audio Bible, had a vision for the DAB community coming together in prayer, his vision has come to fruition. And as he mentions often it is only going to grown from here. I have been listening to the WindFarm Radio for several weeks. It is amazing to hear worship music, mixed with prayers prayed by listeners for the DAB community and heart prayers for the world. If you have not checked out the DAB (Daily Audio Bible ) community ...

Over on my other blog for seniors in my church, titled Emmanuel's Senior Journal, I have been trying to dedicated Thursday's as a day to post a prayer thought, or prayer concerns for the week. I have titled this regular post, "Thursday Prayer Rumination." This week, my heart has been heavy as I have mentioned earlier today for seniors who are going through life changes. If you are interested check out the blog, another post to check out on that blog is Robin leading a morning "Wake up, Shake up" at the adult retreat (totally hilarious.) Pax Robin

Over the last week my heart has been extremely heavy for all the seniors in my church who are ill, going through change, and who are battling cancer. Also my heart is heavy for my four children and their mates who are not following Christ, and the papers I am still finishing. The burdens were way to heavy yesterday, so I decided to drive out to my favorite hiding place. About 11km outside of my city there is a prayer wall, prayer path, and prayer labyrinth. I usually go out to walk the prayer labyrinth, but yesterday I did not get past the prayer wall. I just sat and reflected on the heaviness within my heart for all who are dear to me. I was there for about three hours. Communication with God when the heaviness is too much to carry is like a body message for the soul. Jesus to you I pray Your beams of love fall around Even when I can not see Hold each burden Hear each prayer Help my soul to release Knowing deep within you hear my prayers. I am a person who loves symbols. The rock...

On May 18th, I posted a youtube announcement for the Global Day of Prayer on May 31, 2009. I did not take the time to see if there was a link for prayer incentives to lead a group. Yipeng from Mark by Faith posted a link for prayer guides and audio prayers for the next 10 days. If you are interested it is never to late to start. He is posting the daily prayer on his blog, it can also be found through this link: Global Day of Prayer Incentives for the next 10 days. Script and Audio Prayers: Many people will not be able to physically attend the 10 Day Prayer gatherings or the Global Day of Prayer event. In order to include these people, we have incorporated audio recordings and the accompanying scripts of prayers for each of the 10 Days, the Prayer for the World as well as a Radio Advertisement to be used in Radio broadcasts, hospitals, prisons etc. I am going to use the daily prayer guide during my own prayer time, since I do not have contact with a local prayer group focused on th...

Isaiah 56:7 "For My house will be called a house of prayer for ALL nations." I remember when an intercessor friend of mine went to South Africa, in 2001 for the first Global Day of prayer. How exciting it is to know God's people are still responding to His global call to pray as one body, eight years later. Greater things are yet to come!

Three month's ago I watched this video /prophecy from Faytene Kryskow . As I watched/listened my spirit came alive and excited concerning my blogging. I encourage all Christian blogger's to listen to Faytene's message. The message is 10 minutes long (try to listen to the whole message) it is extremely encouraging. I felt in my spirit I needed to share this message. I just listened to her message again, and I can see how God's Spirit has been working in my life over the last three month's. I do not want to be one of the sleeping virgins Jesus talks about in Matthew 25 . I desire to be fully awake to what God is doing in our world. Jesus wake our spirits up, let us be in tune to what you are doing in the world. Let us all be awake and walking fully alive in our new life in Christ. Amen! Blessing to all you Holy Spirit filled Blogger's! And remember the cream is rising to the top! Oh, one more thing...The new song on my player fits the posts I have read tod...

Tonight I visited an amazing blog, it is very simple, it is a commentary, and it is full of God's word from Genesis. Genesis 1:6 - When The Skies Were Created And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. Through the power of God's word and wisdom, the skies were spread out to divide the waters from the waters. (Job 37:18; Psalm 33:6; 136:5; Jeremiah 10:12). The You Tube clip is amazing on how the Sky is yet another body of fluid. I am in awe! Check out it on Provident 360 I have always wondered what divide the waters from the waters meant...Amazing! I believe God is going to use Provident 360 to touch many around the world. I felt a call to pray for the nations while visiting. Another site to check out for the prayer warriors among us: Way of a Pilgrim

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul,"therefore I will hope in him." Lamentations 3:22-24 My focus this weekend will be on the wonderful hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness." God truly has been faithful each morning! His sweet mercies flow upon my home and life daily. I can honestly say, after journeying through the last two weeks of my life, I have placed my hope in Him. Great is Thy Faithfulness Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee; thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; as thou hast been thou forever will be. Refrain: Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars in thei...

Thank you, Lord, for your reminder that during difficulties I most effectively bear witness. From the Company of Prayer "Take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children, and your children's children. " -- Deuteronomy 4:9 My life over the last few weeks has been full of difficulty. Through the deep waters of struggle and uncertainty, what I have noticed, is how God is using me to touch others with His love and peace. Over the years, even though I dislike hardship, what I have experienced is God's faithfulness, and closeness during the struggles of life. I have also been aware lately that this is when my witness of what Christ has done for me has been the most evident. If you are experiencing a hardship in your life, I encourage you to keep your eyes focused on Christ, He will not leave you or forsake you. God is faithful and alwa...

Since 1999, I have felt the hunger and passion to pray for my nation and the world. My prayer is God will continue to draw me to be a watchman on the wall. I pray the spirit of intercession will fall upon me in even a stronger way. I feel called, but have no idea where God is leading me with this deep passion, so I will continue to pray on my own in my prayer closet until He reveals more. If you have thoughts on 24/7 prayer and watchmen for the nations please comment. “If men would pray as they ought to pray, the marvels of the past would be more than reproduced. The Gospel would advance with a facility and power it has never known. Doors would be thrown open to the Gospel, and the Word of God would have a conquering force rarely if ever known before.” E. M. Bounds

"At times the strength of spiritual community lies in the love of people who refrain from getting caught in the trap of trying to fix everything for us, who pray for us and allow us the pain of our wilderness, our wants, so that we may be more deeply grounded in God." Quote by Rosemary Dougherty With having three young adults and two young children living in my home it takes great strength and discipline not to fix all of their problems but to hold back, pray, and give suggestions as they stumble along. I pray each one of my young adults will one day find their way closer to our Fathers heart. I really could try to fix all of their problems but they would not learn the great life lessons along the way that they need to live well. I pray I will have the strength and discipline I need, to stand and pray without getting in the way of spiritual growth.

Thursday afternoons are one of my preferred times during my hectic week to enter into holy ground, while listening to life stories. I truly enjoy volunteering as a spiritual care Chaplin at a local hospital. Each week I come home with a story that touches my heart and makes my Christian journey a fulfilling adventure into God’s world. Today my son borrowed my car, which meant my husband drove me to the hospital, and would pick me up after we were both finished work. His work kept him over-time, which then meant I needed to take a taxi home. I have not taken a taxi in years and was really having a hard time justifying spending $20.00 on the fare. It was not my preference to phone the cab company, but waiting for another hour was not my desire either. What I did not realize moments before I entered the cab was that I was about to enter into another life journey through story. I am not sure how our conversation led to the taxi driver sharing his story, but he d...

What a week! Learning patience perhaps, but love is what motivated this grandma of choice, to open her home and heart. My journey with Sasha (mom), and her two daughters, Haliey (5) and Teela (18 month's), has been an interesting adventure. I have written about them in past posts. Sasha came into our life five and a half years ago when Haliey was three months old. Mom was a struggling single eighteen year old who was trying to raise a child on her own. Haliey entered our life and we have never let go. My husband and I intentionally choose to become grandparents of choice. On the ongoing drama-journey with Sasha, Sunday night March 8th, brought forth a new dimension to the plot. Please know as you read this story of life, it is love (Jesus) that guides my husband and I. All glory belongs to God; he is the one who has given us the resources and compassion to open our life to a widow and two orphans. I have decided life (God) likes to throw humor my way. On Saturday night c...