Category: Strength

Happy Anniversary .... Almost

8/4/2013

Nearly 50,000 of you have been on this particular journey with me now for mere days shy of a full year. And, oh, what a year it has been! As I look back over this span of time, I see that it has been filled with many changes that resulted in adventures, as well as a number of detours to our otherwise normal, day-to-day living.

This last year has brought with it a birth and several deaths; a near-divorce in one quarter and an approaching wedding in another; job and residence changes; thousands of miles of anticipated travel, and another thousand or two of unplanned travel on top of that; both destruction and construction home projects; overall, our household has been bursting with good health, with the exception of one memorable urgent emergency room visit for a ruptured appendix –  always in the middle of the night. Why is that? – that resulted in surgery and a longer-than-normal hospital stay; newly-formed friendships, reaffirmation and strengthening of older friendships, and, sadly, the deterioration of relationships due to challenges that have yet to find an amicable resolution.

All of these occurrences were tucked in between the normal demands and obligations of everyday home- and work-life.   No doubt, if you were to review
the previous twelve months of your life, it, too, would be filled with tales of
similar trials, changes or rough patches.

John 16:33 (NASB) “These things I [Jesus] have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation [trials and distress and frustration], but take courage; I have overcome the world.” [Emphasis mine.]

Through it all – through every one of the ups and downs and sideways movements of life – God’s presence can be clearly seen as He silently wove His way in and out, around and through each and every circumstance, guiding and strengthening so we could successfully navigate these unexpected storms. He stood firm and unchangeable as the one constancy in the midst of the chaos. And He will always stand firm.

While change is a constant and keeps our life in perpetual flux, there is a much better, consistently reliable Constant available to us.

Hebrew 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

He is our strength giver …

Isaiah 40:29 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the
weak.”

and  our wisdom imparter.

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

He is our Rock …

Psalm 18:2 “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

and He is our peace.

Isaiah 26:3 “You [God] will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

None of us know what tomorrow will hold (let alone over the course of the next year),
but God does and He will be with us until the end.

Psalm 48:14 “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.”

With whom will you place your trust today for the changes to come in all of your
tomorrows? The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

~~~~~~~

Dear Fellow Travelers,

A known change is ahead. I am being led onto a new path which will result in either less time being spent here on this site, or else may indeed lead me away from it altogether.  Until that is known, I will write pieces as I am able that will continue to show that God truly is present in everyday things each day of our lives. Do please check back for the new postings, or else to re-read postings that have previously been published. They will continue to be available for you to read over the course of the next twelve months.

Thank you again for traveling this particular path with me. I hope to meet each one of you in heaven.  Remember, the choice is yours.

Be blessed,
Robin

0 Comments

The Unseen Hand

5/28/2013

0 Comments

For a number of years, a large black and white portrait of me was displayed inside my childhood home. Regardless of the many houses we lived in, that picture could be found along with other family photographs either hanging on a wall or else sitting on top of a table somewhere in the house; many times in a prominent location to afford guests the opportunity to view it as well.

In this picture, a months-old chubby me is sitting upright on some type of thick towel-like material that had been arranged in such a way that a wide mound of it was immediately behind me. I always thought that it was the photographer’s way to add further dimension or interest to
the picture. It was not until many years later as my mother and I sat talking around the kitchen table that she shared the story of the events surrounding this photographic session.

The photographer had wanted me placed in a specific pose, yet I was still too young to sit upright on my own. To get the effect he wanted, the photographer had my mother place her hand underneath the mounded material behind me to steady me and give me support long enough for the camera shutter to be snapped.   Her hand is not visible to anyone who views the end result, yet her unseen steadying presence made me appear stronger than I was.

God’s unseen hand does the same for His children as my mother’s hand did for me in the photograph. He strengthens and helps us.

Isaiah 41:10 “I [God] will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

He watches over and guides us.

Psalms 32:8 “I [God] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”

And He cushions us from the jagged parts of reality that threaten to harm us.

Psalm 32:7 “You [God] are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

While we may not be able to see His hand in our current situation, we have the assurance that He is always with us.

Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

If we really take a look back to the times when we have come through difficult circumstances, we can see the evidence of God’s Hand in these many situations that we have encountered and have somehow – impossibly – come through only because of the strength, protection and guidance He steadily gives us.

THE UNSEEN HAND
By A.J. Sims

There is an Unseen Hand to me
That leads thru ways I cannot see
While going through this world of woe
This hand still leads me as I go.

I’m trusting to The Unseen Hand
That guides me through this weary land
And some sweet day I’ll reach that strand
Still guided by The Unseen Hand

His hand has led through shadows drear
And while it leads I have no fear
I know t’will lead me to that home
Where sin nor sorrows e’er can come.

I’m trusting to The Unseen Hand
That guides me through this weary land
And some sweet day I’ll reach that strand
Still guided by The Unseen Hand

I long to see my Saviors face
And sing the story saved by grace
And there upon that golden strand
I’ll praise Him for His guiding hand.

I’m trusting to The Unseen Hand
That guides me through this weary land
And some sweet day I’ll reach that strand
Still guided by The Unseen Hand

This assurance of His unseen hand is available to you, too.  The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

0 Comments

Spring Cleaning

2/7/2013

0 Comments

While much of the country is still deep in the grip of old man winter, the southern areas are just beginning to see the first promises of spring’s arrival as buds appear on trees and bushes, the grass begins to lose some of its brownness as the first blush of green appears, and early flowers begin to show their eye-popping colors of yellows and deep pinks as they spread wide their petals to bathe in the warmth of the sunshine.

Though many of us have several weeks of the winter whites and grays ahead of us, the first vestiges of spring fever are starting to stir deep within us.   Gardeners everywhere – who have probably been forming this year’s planting strategy since late last fall – are eagerly watching the calendar for the perfect date to begin their seeds indoors and to also schedule the transplantation of the anticipated seedlings outdoors a few weeks later.

Full of enthusiasm and visions of lushness for the upcoming growing season, the
hopeful gardener looks over their outdoor space only to realize that prior to
planting anything – seed or otherwise – the cleanup that should have been
performed in the fall and wasn’t done because of time or weather constraints now
needs to have some serious time spent on it to remove the damages caused by the
wear and tear of the winter weather on shrubs and trees.

Pruning isn’t a bad word, though by the time many hours are spent lopping off wayward branches or dead limbs and expending much energy in carting off the amputated appendages, you may think that it is.  I assure you that it is not.  Quite the opposit in fact.  By making the effort and taking the time to invest in the spring clean-up process, you make conditions more favorable for your tree, bush or shrub to not
only be more esthetically pleasing, but also to reap the benefits for a healthier, more productive life.

What are some of the benefits of pruning?    Irregular growing habits can be corrected; it can bring about an earlier bloom period; it can encourage larger flowers and fruits to be produced; it can cause a tighter root structure to form thus increasing the chance for greater survival if the plant should be transplanted elsewhere; it can aid in controlling disease and pests; and it is also vital to keep the plant’s energy from being drained by trying to keep the dying or dead portion(s) alive.

When each person makes the choice to accept Christ into their heart as their Lord and Savior, immediately he/she stands spiritually perfect before the Father at that
moment of acceptance. What remains oftentimes, however, are the previous habits, responses, attitudes and behaviors of our physical existence that have been learned over a lifetime of living in everyday life that need to be broken as well as new ones formed that are more pleasing to God and that better reflect our new status as His child.

What is needed is pruning. It is just as vital of a process in a person’s life as it is for the survival and flourishing of the vegetation as listed above. And the very same benefits mentioned earlier for the plants are equally beneficial to us.   Spiritually speaking, acceptance of the pruning process ensures better health, greater strength and more vitality that will be evidenced by the size of the fruit (i.e. love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23)) that we bear.

Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

As long as we let Him, pruning remains a life-long process as He consistently molds
us more and more into what He’s designed us to be.

Isaiah 64:8 “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

For people, pruning can be a painful process as we strive to hold onto what is familiar; it (whatever ‘it’ may signify for you) is what we have always known and have gotten used to living with.   But greater life – healthier, stronger and more fruitful – lies within the process of letting go of what is at best mediocre (or else completely
life-draining unto death at worst) and grasping hold of the better living which is ours through the trusting acceptance of Him and His reshaping of us.

John 15:1-4 “I [Jesus] am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts
off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear  fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.   You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.   Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

This spring, as you spruce up your outdoor environment in preparation of the planting
and growing of your chosen vegetation, I would encourage you to also spend time
allowing Him to tend to the garden of your heart.  You won’t be disappointed in the lushness of your harvest.

John 10:10b “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

0 Comments

In the Midst of Chaos

11/26/2012

0 Comments

At this time of year in many parts of the country, the outdoors is transformed into a magical place as pristine blue-white snowflakes fall to blanket the dreariness and drab colors that remained after the beautifully colored leaves of fall dropped to the
ground. For those areas without snow, holiday lights strung in windows, in doorways and on trees can make the humblest of structures appear enchanted and festive.  Everywhere we turn, Christmas carols fill the air.  Our childlike wonder awakes and, for a brief moment, we feel the joy and expectation of the holiday season.

Until we have to go shopping.

While the stores have Christmas decorations up and have well-remembered carols playing in the background, holiday cheer is blatantly amiss amongst the majority of the masses as they try to navigate their shopping carts down store aisles that more closely resemble rush hour traffic that is at a near stand-still. Some, impatient to get the items they need, plow rudely and heedlessly through other holiday shoppers with dogged determination and without so much as an “excuse me”as they cut others off, then bang and bump on their selfish way, ticking off both the items on their list as well numerous people along their route.

And yet, even in the midst of all of this stress and chaos of this shopping experience, simple childlike wonder could still be found.

We heard her singing before we actually saw her. A four-year-old girl was sitting in a shopping cart as her expectant mother tried to maneuver their cart through the store.
Completely oblivious to the stress, impatience and disgusted looks on the faces of the adults around her, she sat intently playing with a small toy while she absent-mindedly sang a Christmas song to herself.   It was obvious that she felt no stress, was completely secure in her environment, and knew that she was safe with her mother watching over her.

There were several of us standing around – in yet another buggy traffic jam – who couldn’t help but hear the words she sang. This melodic reminder out of the mouth of a child about the joy of the holiday season helped to mitigate some of the hectic feelings that had been growing since we had entered the store. We smiled towards this precious singing soul before turning to also share the smile with our buggy-neighbors. Many of the hearers began to hum along with her and, as they gently eased their buggy on their way, were no doubt better able to enjoy the remainder of their shopping experience.

Seeing this little girl and her mother in the midst of the holiday craziness was a beautiful reminder of the relationship between God and His children.

As His child, we do not have to carry anxiety.

Philippians 4:6  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petitions, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

As His child, we can feel secure because He is always with us.

Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

As His child, we are safe in His care.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”

Once we accept the assurance of God’s promises, we will be able to perform tasks in our life with more ease as we live in the security of His constant care. And with a joyful heart, we can sing our praises to Him.

Start your Christmas gift exchange early this year. God has a very special gift to give you and there’s nothing better you can give to Him than yourself. He’s waiting for you.

Luke 18:17 “I [Jesus] tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

0 Comments

Thanksgiving

11/19/2012

0 Comments

This week, many across our beloved country will be busily preparing a Thanksgiving feast for their family and/or friends this Thursday. It’s an exciting time of traditional recipes, or for the more daring, new recipes that we hope will turn out picture-perfect and become a new favorite. In addition to all of the food we will overindulge in, there are football games to enjoy – “Please, God, if you’ll just let my team win, I’ll thank you from the bottom of my heart!” – as we head into ‘Black Friday,’ the day that usually begins in the wee hours of the morning for many die-hard shoppers so that not one door buster sale is missed.

Yet Thanksgiving is so much more than overeating, watching too many football games or spending more money than we can repay before Christmas the following year. In our state of bountifulness, it is easy to think that everyone else is also experiencing the same level of plenty. The truth is that many of the holidays on our calendar can be painful to people who are alone, feel forgotten, or who do not have the opportunity to feast and spend as others do. For all of us, regardless of where we fall on the ‘plenti-meter,’ Thanksgiving is an attitude that begins in the heart.

Psalm 9:1 “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your
wonderful deeds.”

What wonderful deeds has the Lord done for you? Or do you have a difficult time recognizing any of them because you haven’t received what you think you should have by this stage in your life? If you are having a hard time seeing them, then start simply and thank God for Who He is.

Thank Him because He gave us life.

Revelations 4:11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their
being.”

Thank Him for His love and faithfulness.

Psalm 115:1 “Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

Thank Him for the wisdom …

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

… and for the strength He offers to us.

Psalm 18:32 “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”

Thank Him for His constancy.

Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

And, best of all, thank Him for the gift of eternal life through His Son.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Start a new tradition this Thanksgiving and take time to thank God for all of the good He has given to us, for “apart from you [God], I have no good thing.” (Psalm 16:2) You will discover that the more you give thanks to Him, the more you will find to thank Him for. He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

0 Comments

The Strength in Waiting

8/23/2012

1 Comment

We spend the bulk of our lives waiting for something. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting …. for a particular birthday to be reached, for the arrival of a baby, for our turn in the checkout line, for the light to change to green, for Friday to get here and everything else in between. If it is an important issue to you, I know that you have had to wait for a span of time for it just as we all have.

Most of the time we endure this excruciating period of imposed inactivity with such a high level of impatience that we generate
needless stress for ourselves. (We want what we want when we want it, right?) We get frustrated and out of sorts as we expend precious energy to try to manipulate circumstances – which we have no control over – so as to bring an end to our time of waiting. Our anger over having to endure this forced wait is taken out on the ready-made target(s) around us, as if they could have done something about it and have chosen not to. It’s no wonder we are exhausted at the end of the day.

So why would anyone want to willingly add one more thing to wait on when we already spend so much of our time waiting when so many things have yet to get accomplished today?

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

In The American Heritage Dictionary, one of the definitions for‘wait’ reads, 3. “To follow as a result; depend upon.” In light of this definition, the above verse could read, “But they that follow and depend upon the Lord, shall renew their strength;…”

Why follow Him? Why depend upon Him?

Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

As I accept His plan for me, long lines (or weeks/months/years) of waiting will seem shorter and sweeter as I ‘wait’ with the knowledge that the plans the Lord has for me – full of hope - will unfold at just the right time. And in the waiting, I shall find Strength.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

1 Comment

Happy Anniversary .... Almost

The Unseen Hand

Spring Cleaning

In the Midst of Chaos

Thanksgiving

The Strength in Waiting

Author

Archives

Categories