robin's journey

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... Rob...

(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...

Today for the Spiritual Sunday post, I am posting one of the Real Simple email thoughts that arrived today in my in-box. I believe, this thought by Mother Teresa was appropriate for this weekend. “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”―Mother Teresa Now that Christmas is over we need to remember we need each other and one more thought that arrived this week: "Appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder and even ecstasy, however stale these experiences may have become to others."- Abraham Maslow Be sure to check out the inspirational writings at Spiritual Sundays . Thanks to Ginger and Charlotte for hosting this site and encouraging us today to seek the Lord. With love and peace, Robin

Since the middle of September, I have been focused on: What does it means to really love God, myself, and others. In Mark 12:29-30 , when asked what are the great commandments Jesus states it is to love God and others as yourself. Okay, this sounds great and easy, but to actually walk it out in daily life can be a daunting task. I asked God to take me through this life long journey of learning to truly love Him with all of myself, and to love others deeply, as He is teaching me to love myself. So...What does it mean to love self well? I have been hanging out in the letter of 1 John for the last 19 days, with the desire that God will reveal to my heart what needs to be transformed and acknowledged, concerning the way of love. In 1 John 3:16-24 John is clear on a few points of what love is. As far as he is concerned, it all points to Christ sacrifice of his life for us and that we too need to live with the same attitude towards others. In verses 18-20, John writes that by practicin...

Yesterday I was browsing through health websites when I found myself on the Canadian Johnson and Johnson web page. They were asking a question which I found intriguing so I answered it. Following is the question and my response: How do you keep from blowing your top and damaging relationships? I believe through daily spiritual rhythms and practices I have set the foundation and safe guard towards not blowing my top and leaving behind me damaged relationships. The first step, is to take time to be alone with God, asking him to guide and direct me through out the day. My love relationship with him is vital in maintaining my cool in the heat of conflict. Knowing how much he loves me makes a difference in how I respond to others. Second, is to let the Bible (his word), change my heart by not demanding my own way, but taking time to listen well, hold my tongue, and stop anger immediately through praying breathe prayers. Not blowing my top and keeping control of my tongue, is a step towa...

I thought for my spiritual Sunday post I would share a few email quotes that I found worth reflecting upon. It is our choices…that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. -J.K. Rowling (Copyright © 2009 Time Inc. Lifestyle Group Simple Life Magazine.) Today is your day to paint life in bold colors, set today's rhythm with your heart-drum, walk today's march with courage, create today as your celebration of life. -Jonathan Lockwood Huie Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were. -Cherie Carter Scott (Copyright © 2009 Time Inc. Lifestyle Group Simple Life Magazine.) From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16 Pax Robin Be sure to check out the inspirational writings at Spiritual Sundays . Thanks to Ginger and Charlotte for hosting this site and encouraging us today to seek the Lord.

Always wrapped in color creator draws me closer to center with hope all prayers will be answered in peace no matter what has taken place, is happening, or what will be in future days my trust is placed in all power of His Name and Word. Mediation from Philippians 1:3-11 Love to all, Robin Be sure to check out the inspirational writings at Spiritual Sundays . Thanks to Ginger and Charlotte for hosting this site and encouraging us today to seek the Lord.

How Great Thou Art O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy Hand hath made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, Thy pow'r throughout The universe displayed; When through the woods and forest glades I wander I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze; Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art! And when I think that God, His Son not sparing sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, he bled and died o take away my sin. When Christ shall come, with shouts of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim, "My God, how great Thou art!" Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou ...

I usually post a thought for Spiritual Sundays early Saturday morning. However, this week I had a class in another city in my province, and did not have time to post before I left yesterday. My thoughts tonight are still focused on Church History. The class was totally satisfying for my faith and inquisitive mind. All the way home, I was reflecting upon faith and reason and how it threads through church history. For those who enjoy history here is an interesting thought from Plato titled Plato's Cave on youtube. This video had me contemplating deeply what Plato was trying to say. If you would like to post thoughts on this video, I would enjoy reading comments. Tonight, I have decided to post a link to Psalm 138 from Bible-gate-way. This Psalm spoke healing and hope into my life as I read through it this week. It is incrediable how God's word comes alive when I least expect it, and also brings transformation in my attitude. A complete mystery! My musings on three verses...

Blogger is losing my words today! It is good to be back into routine, however it was good to get away from the daily demands. I am posting a few points from the sermon I will be giving tomorrow night at a seniors service in my community. The title of my sermon is "Thanksgiving and Prayer"--It is Thanksgiving on Monday here in Canada. Philippians 1:3-5 Point One: Paul viewed the past with a thankful heart to God. In this passage, Paul demonstrates how to view the past by having a thankful heart towards God for all that he has been given. He was able to be content because when he looked at the past he did so with a thankful heart. He recognized that in Christ he was able to do all things and the key was to be thankful for God’s direction and the encouragement he received from other believers. Philippians 1:6-8 Point Two: Paul viewed the present with confidence in what God is doing. As Paul remembers and thinks about the Christians in Philippi, he was flooded with emotio...

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...

Reading through Acts, the story of Philip meeting the Ethiopian has had me reflecting and contemplating how God speaks and works in my life. A few thoughts that stood out from this New Testament story found in Acts 8:26-40: God spoke to Philip with clear instructions to follow. He was told to go out into desert territory alone. He obeyed without questioning or stalling with the “what if’s.” The Holy Spirit continued to speak and direct Philip. In the middle of nowhere Philip shared the message of Christ. He was bold in sharing the gospel message. Philip and the Ethiopian official traveled together on the desert road. With the time spent together Philip taught the Ethiopian about Christ. In the desert they came upon water and the eunuch was baptized. Then God simply took Philip out of this relationship. What was shared left the Ethiopian rejoicing in the Lord. How cool is that… This is a great illustration on how to share the gospel message! Definitely this whole event was a divine app...

Last week, after I posted the “I will” statements from Psalm 118, an online friend (Yvette) suggested that each of the statements would make interesting devotionals. For Spiritual Sunday this week and the next several weeks, I will post a few thoughts on each of the “I will” proclamations from this Psalm. Psalm 118 is an interesting Psalm to mediate upon. As you read through it is apparent that an individual worshiper is coming before God in prayer representing the people of Israel. All of Israel had experienced God’s goodness and magnificent display’s of His unconditional love that was constantly sustaining them. Originally the worship leader would have been a king or priest, but today anyone can come before God reciting His acts of goodness and mercy before God’s people. God desires that we bless him with our heart felt responses of gratitude through our prayers. The Psalmist knew that no matter what they were facing in life God was always with them. Today, God through his Holy ...

1. vs 6 "I will not be afraid." 2. vs 7 "I will look in triumph on my enemies." 3. vs 17 "I will not die but live." 4. vs 17 "I will proclaim what the Lord has done." 5. vs 19 "I will enter and give thanks to the Lord." 6. vs 21 "I will give Him thanks." When a spiritual battle is raging around us, we need to remember who is with us. We need to keep our eyes focused on Christ. God is always with us, he is our helper when conflict and spiritual warfare is upon us. When we are steadfast in our faith, and focused completely on Jesus we will be able to say as the Psalmist has written, "I will..." In the name of the Lord, we will have victory over our enemies in this world, as we remember to say "I will..." With Love Robin Be sure to check out the inspirational writings at Spiritual Sundays . Thanks to Ginger and Charlotte for hosting this site and encouraging us today to seek the Lord.

This week the staff at my church gathered for a two-day fall retreat. It was rejuvenating for my soul and the worship was wonderful. It is amazing when we seek God’s presence together through prayer and song. Our worship pastor open the worship time with a new song, Speak to us, it was beautiful. I would like to share the lyrics with you for this Spiritual Sunday post. I am sorry that I could not find the song on-line to share the audio with you. The words written speak cries of the heart for each of us identify with. Following the worship song, are a few thoughts from Scripture on hearing from God. Speak to us What do you want from our lives? We need to know O Lord, speak to us Where would you want us to go for your glory? O Lord, speak to us For the lost and lonely people we meet each day O Lord, speak to us Give us the words to say, and help us listen O Lord, speak to us We hear the sounds of a thousands voices The world calling our name Remind us that you came to redeem us O Lord,...

“They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off.” Psalm 118:12 Today in our world daily life seems to be on overdrive. I am sure almost everyone who reads this post will totally agree and understand. When I decided to take up Cliff’s invitation to add a short devotional to Spiritual Sundays, I did not consider it would cause me to enter into another spiritual warfare with a swarm of bees. I seem to enter this place often! I know, I am still learning how to say, "No." Life a few days ago was full, but manageable. However, today numerous pulls of busyness came at me like a swarm of nettlesome bees. What I need to remember is to remain in Christ when the bees of spiritual warfare surround me. Spending time in God’s word and prayer is a daily commitment I must keep for health and peace. By being constant in my spiritual life and focused on Christ, I am able to still and silence the daily demands that bring ...