The Word

It has the power to save our souls. James 1:21

It is our life. Deuteronomy 32:47 ; Psalm 119:37 ; Proverbs 4:4

It is Truth we can trust. Psalm 33:3 ; John 17:17

It keeps us from sin. Psalm 119:11

It revives and encourages us. Psalm 119:25 ; Psalm 119:28

It is eternal. Psalm 119:89 ; Isaiah 40:8; Isaiah 59:21 ; Matthew 24:35

It is our guide. Psalm 119:105

It is a source of hope. Psalm 119:74 ; Psalm 119:81 ; Psalm 119:114

His Word is so much more than this!  What is it to you?

Filled or Flowing?

A lot of people talk about serving and giving to others “out of the overflow”,  speaking of the overflow of God’s presence and love.

I’ve been thinking about this for some time now.

I’m not sure we really serve or love from an overflow.

That idea conveys that we hang on to something, that we get “filled up” and that we can’t give if we’re not filled.

Maybe it’s only a matter of semantics, but I’m gaining a different perspective.

What if we think of ourselves as a conduit?  A pipe.  Open-ended.  A conduit allows things to flow through from the a source.  It never fills up…..it can’t overflow.

And, what if we see ourselves as connected to The Source....an open-ended pipe with an everlasting supply of  Living Water flowing from our hearts and lives to those around us?

 Then we'll never be  filled up.  If we are, we’re hanging on to something that doesn’t even belong to us.

Love always gives, always serves.  It isn’t selfish enough to stay inside, because….well, then, it isn’t truly love.


John 7:37-38-- Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” NLT

What do you think? Does that idea give you a different perspective?   Filled or flowing?

Dread or Great Expectations?

So you're headed to your in-laws tomorrow.  Anxiety is already building, causing spats with your spouse and conflicts with your kids.  You're already dreading the prying questions your Aunt will ask, the tension and comparisons with your siblings, the unresolved issues with your dad.  Or things even worse.

Thanksgiving?  Ha!  It will be more like "Terrible Taunting Turkey Day".  A day you can't wait to be over...and then, there will be Christmas to think about and all those issues to be  revisited again!

But get this!

God's word tells us in Ephesians 3:20

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! (The Message)

How?

through his mighty power at work within us (New Living Testament)




Is it possible  in pressing circumstances that we could be setting limits on the power of God working in our behalf ?  Might this scripture indicate that He will do just as much for us as we will allow him to do in us?

So why dread the day?

Instead, allow His Spirit to have free reign in your heart, and go to your extended family gathering with a great expectation! Watch for His Divine encounter.   According to His power within us, He can  do more than we can even think or guess or imagine!!




Now, that's a great and freeing thought!!

I had it Backwards

No, not my shirt, but I’ve done that before.  You know, half-asleep, or in the dark, you slip your shirt over your head, and it just doesn’t feel right.  And then you realize, Goofy... you put it on backwards.



Just today, after a very long time, I figured out I was doing something else backwards….in my thinking, in my heart.



I discovered yet another way I get offended.



‘Bout time, you say.



Well, thankfully, He isn’t through with me, yet!  I’m still learning.



I discovered that I expect other people to treat me the way I would treat them.   I know.  A revelation, huh?



When someone, especially someone I expect to know better,  does or says something to me that I would NEVER do or say to them, it is offensive to me.  I take it personally. I get a little bit indignant.



Self-righteous of me, don’t you think?



You know the scripture.  “Treat others the way you want them to treat you.” (Luke 6:31 NLT)



I just can’t find the one that says “Others will treat you as you treat them.”



If you find it, will you let me know?



Otherwise, I think I’m just going to have to let Him change my backwards thinking, my backwards heart.



And stop being offended.



~Robin

A River Runs Through It

Last night I attended Converge – the first in a series of monthly meetings at the NW campus of Lifechurch.tv. on worship.  There were nearly 100 people who came, bringing their talents in the areas of music and tech.  Chuck Dennie did an outstanding job of casting vision for this group—a vision which included exhorting us all to be servants in the other ministries of Lifechurch.



His words stirred in me something I was able to share with our youngest sons (also musicians) as we were driving home.



Worship isn’t just about singing, playing instruments or singing on the stage during a weekend experience.



Worship is the outpouring of our hearts, even through the most mundane, regular things we do.



Worship is seeing God’s hand in the beautiful sunrise.

Worship is smiling at that little one while you’re changing his poopy diaper.

Worship is choosing to love that office or school mate, even when they are unlovable.

Worship is embracing your circumstances, not merely enduring them.

Worship is thinking of others as more important than ourselves.

Worship is accepting that He is in control, and I am not.

Worship is serving.

Worship is loving.



Worship is a natural outflow of what is in our heart.  It is the River of Life flowing through us.



John 7:38

Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”



Romans 12:1

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.



May we be so connected to the Source of Life that nothing comes from us but pure, joyful, humble worship BECAUSE of our relationship to Him---in ALL that we do.

~Robin

How Do You Measure Love?

Ever find yourself measuring how much you are loved? 

Maybe your measure is the number of people reading your blog.

Maybe it’s the number of times your husband or wife tells you they love you.

Maybe it’s whether or not your family cleans up after themselves.

Maybe it’s when life is going well.

And when those things aren’t happening, we just don’t feel loved.

Why do we do that to ourselves, to our family?

There is only one true measure.  The capacity for how much we are loved is really only measured by the truths and promises of God’s word.  His love for us has no limits!

Why don’t we believe it?  Why do we search in places that will leave us disappointed and let down?

Ps. 103:11 – How great is God's love for all who worship him?  Greater than the distance between heaven and earth!

Eph. 3:17-19 - Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

YOU are loved more than you’ll ever understand.  Believe it!

 ~Robin

Faith and Sight

What are you looking at?

Your checkbook?

Your health?

Your disobedient children (or spouse)?

Your fading hope in dreams that may never come true?

All the pieces of your life that seem scattered and disconnected and falling apart?

Stop right now!

Faith believes God no matter what....it doesn't go by sight or discouraging reports.  Faith = taking hold of Christ, keeping hold, and not letting go.  It's putting your hope and trust in the truth of His Word, and then walking it out.

Whatever the circumstances of your life, keep praying, keep holding on.

Pray prevailing...He's listening even when it doesn't seem like it.

He knows.

~Robin

Dissolving Mountains - an update on Erin

Erin's bloodwork came back and it's still inconclusive.  No chicken pox antibodies showing up.  Her OB is sending her to a pathologist (Dr. Stanley) to have further tests.

And in the midst of all the questions and confusion, she has no fear.  Her faith holds strong.  She shared some thoughts with me today and I encouraged her to write them down and share with you.  Amazing....truly amazing.  It'll blow you away.

Her faith has said to that mountain of fear, "Go throw yourself into the sea" (Mark 11:23).  And in that sea, (the Living Water) that mountain is dissolved in the depths of His Truth.  It's gone!

What mountain do you need to dissolve in the Truth of His Word?

~Robin

God's Thoughts on Our Thoughts

"I think if I sat down with a psychologist and told him my thoughts, he'd say there is something really wrong with me".

I've heard this statement more than once recently.  It just makes me smile. See?  I think we all feel this way at one time or another, or maybe even quite often.  We think our thoughts are weird and "off-the-wall".  We think we're extreme.  We think we're losing it.

Here are a few of God's thoughts on our thoughts:

for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts        I Chronicles 28:9

No one can know a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit, and no one can know God's thoughts except God's own Spirit.  And we have received God's Spirit (not the world's spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. II Cor 2:11-12

You will keep in perfect peace
      all who trust in you,
      all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 

It looks to me that as our thoughts mesh with His thoughts our minds will be healthy and secure.



 

Robin

God, You Know

Last Thursday, Erin came over to show me her rash.  "Mom, I think I have chicken pox."

Now, that's not a normal thing to hear from your 30-year-old child.  Even if she is the oldest of our seven children AND NONE OF THEM EVER HAD CHICKEN POX!

Yes, they all were exposed plenty of times.  And when the immunization came out later in the 1990's, the three youngest had the immunization.

Here's the hard part....Erin is 12-13 weeks pregnant.  She gets her blood results back today telling us for sure whether or not she has chicken pox.  Her doctor was honest and clinical about the risks to the baby from the virus.  And Web MD isn't favorable at all.

It has my mother-heart wondering, why now?

But, Erin shared with me yesterday that she took a long walk and cried and prayed.  The only prayer she could pray was "God, You know,  You know."

 And she rests in that. 

 Her hope and faith is not in what the doctor says or doesn't say, and it certainly isn't in Web MD.

 Her hope is in God alone.  He knows.

 Whatever you are facing, no matter what anyone says.....God knows.  Take a lesson from Erin's faith today......I am.  ~Robin



She sent me this post this evening:



You know those times when you are going through something super hard and you just don't know what to do?  Your mind won't settle down, you know you should be in the Word and praying like crazy, but frankly you can hardly make yourself function.  What do you do at times like this?

I had moments like this over the weekend as I was faced with hard and bizarre circumstances.  I kept thinking where's that book that tells me step-by-step how to act and what to do when you possibly have the chicken pox (at 30 years old, pregnant with my third child, of all things), and the chance that my unborn child may come into this world scarred, handicapped, or with mental retardation.  Where in the heck am I supposed to get answers?

Well, for me, when my mind won't settle down I need to get my endorphins going and this means some sort of exercise for me.  I went on a 4-mile power/prayer walk and even though I tried hard to pray, about all I could get to was, "God . . . you know."  And really I kept repeating that phrase over and over for the 45 minutes that I walked.

I came home and sat down with my Bible and just chose a Proverb.  I really wasn't getting anything out of it until I read Proverbs 16:20b "Things work out when you trust in God". (The Message)  I closed my Bible.  That is all I need to know.  I prayed that God would keep that verse in my head all day, and He did.

He was able to calm my mind by me just praying, "God . . . you know."  And He would answer, "Things work out when you trust in Me."  And that's all I needed.  I truly believe this.

What do you do when things seem out of control?

Erin

When a Lion or Bear Comes...

I Sam 17:34  "...when a lion or bear comes"

David conquered a lion and a bear before he ever met Goliath, before he was ever chosen as King of Israel. 

 

Just imagine the initial fear David must have had.  And maybe he missed with those stones a few times, only injuring the animal.  Maybe he even failed a few times.

I wonder...did God send that lion?  And the bear? 

I think so.

David needed to know he could conquer a lion, by God's power, before he would ever presume he could conquer Goliath.

And so, the lion was a blessing.  It was God's opportunity.

Every difficult and hard thing that comes along in our life is God's opportunity to show us we can do things far beyond our own limitations.

May God open our eyes to see His blessings beneath the coverings of our troubles, trials and temptations. 

 

What is your lion right now?  By God's strength and power, are you conquering it, or is it conquering you?



 

Robin

Weary

Read this in a very whiney frustrated voice:

 

I often find myself so dang weary from life.  Sometimes I just want to screw it all (can I say that on the ManyMeadows' blog?) and just give up on all the striving.  I mean, does everything in life have to be so hard???  There's nothing I do that just comes easy. 

 

I'm so tired of having to eat healthy to stay thin, having to workout to have a good body, having to save money to buy a house I can actually afford, having to cook good-tasting-affordable-healthy meals (all with less than the best quality of products and/or utensils -due to saving money), having to hold myself in check with my kids since I am with them ALL THE TIME, having to meet my husband's needs so many times when I'm just too tired and ready to wind down, having to clean the SAME things in the house DAY after DAY, having to wash, dry and fold the EXACT same laundry I do WEEK after WEEK, having to read my Bible OVER and OVER because I just don't get it, blah, blah, blah.

 

And then, look at all these other people in life.... just floating by.... no worries, and yet, doesn't it seem like things come so easy for them, that they have it all together?  That is so not fair!  I work my butt off to get everything I have, and make sure I do it the right way!  Why can't I just throw my hands up and forget about it like so many others seem to? 

 

Whew!  OK....I'm done. 

 

But, this is where I find myself many a time if I am striving to do these things with my own will and for myself.  All of these things that I complained about above are things that God has called me to and to have excellence for in my life.  These are good things, things that God calls many a righteous woman to do.  But, with the wrong attitude they are for nothing! 

 

A scripture I hold very close to my heart is, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Gal. 6:9.  When I start to feel weariness, comparisons with other people, moaning, whining, etc. coming into my attitude, God holds me in check.  It's not that He doesn't want me to strive for excellence in these areas; He wants me to do them unto Him and for all His glory, only worrying about what He has called ME to do.

 

Maybe you have other areas you grow weary in or strive for.  What are those areas and how do you stay focused on doing it unto Him?

 



 

 

 

Erin

When Just Enough Hell Breaks Loose

Yesterday was one of those days when just enough hell broke loose to make me doubt just about everything I was doing. 

No need for details.  We home educate two teen boys....enough said?

After a hard day of trying to press through, I finally had time to do my Bible reading.  I know.  It's supposed to be the first thing you do...but it didn't happen.  And even if it had, I'm not sure I would have heard the same message that I heard later in the day. 

Ps. 94:18-19

I cried out, "I am slipping!"
  but your unfailing love, O Lord , supported me.
 When doubts filled my mind,
  your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

 

My doubts didn't go away, and my feelings didn't exactly change, but I'm hanging on to His Truth....His unfailing Love will support me.  I can have renewed hope and cheer, because

 

HE IS IN CONTROL



 

 

Robin

When Life is Hard

Is. 43:2

 When you go through deep waters,
      I will be with you.
   When you go through rivers of difficulty,
      you will not drown.
   When you walk through the fire of oppression,
      you will not be burned up;
      the flames will not consume you.



We've all been in this place-the circumstances of life are overwhelming.  The water is over our head.  Life is hard and difficult; it's like walking through fire.

In this place I've found that God only opens the path right in front of us.  His light doesn't shine down the road, and He doesn't remove life's obstacles from our way before we reach them.  But, He always meets us at the edge of our need and sometimes, it's at the very last moment.

He asks that we trust Him. He wants us to want Him.  Otherwise, we won't need faith to take that next step.  And then, who is in control?

Today, may you willingly grasp His hand and take that next step.  He's there.





Robin

Loving the Begats

The many passages that the Bible offers in way of lineage has often been boring and cumbersome for me,  until I started learning more about the Koran.  Interestingly, the Koran offers NO lineage leading to Muhammad. 

 

No completely amazing and wonderful heritage.

 

I've learned to respect and honor the "begats" now...they lead us to Christ!

 

Next time you’re reading those chapters,  maybe they won’t be so boring!



 

 

Robin

Resolutions? How about Revelations!

I’m not much on resolutions, but I love personal revelations.



Those “a-ha” moments where a light bulb clicks on from a scripture you read, or something you heard.  Something that changed you or your previous way of thinking.

Did you have any this year?

What rocked your world, knocked you upside the head, or just made your heart smile?  Do share!

John 6:63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.







Robin

Home (?) for the Holidays

The feelings of unrest have already started.  There are thoughts of dread, a lack of peace and you’re already anticipating the worst.  Is there no other alternative? 

No.  It’s happening again this year. 

You are going home for the holidays.

Once again you’ll be around those who are supposed to be your support system, but instead they tear you down.  The air will be thick with years of no forgiveness.  Strikes of unkind words will be sent your way. The lies begin:  “I am unloved, my family doesn’t ‘get me’, why is this my family?”

And you’ve been on my heart this week.

How can it be different this year? 

Begin to

Pray

Don’t underestimate the power your prayers have for change…in you, in your family.

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  Matt. 7:8

Know that the power of the Holy Spirit will be with you

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Eph. 3:20-21

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. II Pet. 1:3

 

Wear love and forgiveness

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Col. 3:12-14

Know this.  Your circumstances may never change, but your heart can.

Go with a smile in your heart.  We’ll be praying for you.

 

Robin

The Best Gift - Yourself

I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own;
       it is not for man to direct his steps.  Jer. 10:23 

I said: Let me walk in the field

God said: No, walk in the town,

I said: There are no flowers there

He said: No flowers, but a crown.

I said: But the sky is black,

There is nothing but noise and din.

But He wept as He sent me back,

“There is more,” He said, “there is sin.”

I said:  But the air is thick.

And fogs are veiling the sun.

He answered:  Yet souls are sick,

And souls in the dark undone.

I said:  I shall miss the light,

And friends will miss me, they say;

He answered me, “Choose tonight,

If I am to miss you or they.”

I pleaded for time to be given;

He said: Is it hard to decide?

It will not seem hard in Heaven

To have followed the steps of your Guide.

I cast one look at the fields,

Then set my face to the town;

He said: My child, do you yield?

Will you leave the flowers for the crown?

Then into His hand went mine,

And into my heart came He;

And I walk in a light Divine,

The path I had feared to see.

-George MacDonald

It’s a choice.

Robin

The Best Gift - Kindness

There is a story of an old man who carried a small can of oil with him everywhere he went.  If he passed through a squeaky door, he would pour a little oil on the old hinge.  And if he found a gate hard to open, he’d oil the latch, making it easier for those who came after him.

 

Many people we encounter each day are like those latches and gates.   They may be cranky, and difficult to deal with, hardened from life’s circumstances.

They need the oil of mercy, kindness, gentleness and patience.

While you stand in long lines and deal with tired cashiers, or maybe head home to spend the holidays with your unsaved family, what will be in your oil can?

Our lives may only touch others but once. Will you make their way easier?

During this hectic holiday season, may our countenance and our heart reflect the One who came to give us Life. 

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Col. 3:12

Robin

Thoughts on Mary

Originally written 12/18/07 at www.manymeadows.blogspot.com

I’ve been thinking about Mary, mother of Jesus this week.

Can you imagine the thoughts and feelings she must have experienced finding out that she was going to carry the long awaited Messiah? I’m sure she experienced fear and uncertainty along with morning sickness and all the accompanying child-bearing issues.

But that’s not what I’ve been thinking most about. I’ve been thinking about why she was chosen, why she was found worthy.

You see, we know she was very young, so she had not yet been tested in long-term relationships, or maybe even much temptation. In her short life, she probably hadn’t been through enough to show how she would handle adversity. She didn’t excel at the levels we may consider a “mature”, godly person to have. We sure wouldn’t have chosen her.

But God did. And I think he chose her especially for one reason.

She was willing. Willing to follow the calling on her life. Willing to obey. Willing to do whatever her Father asked of her. She was a servant. She knew the voice of her Master.

Are we willing? Do we recognize His voice enough to be able to listen? And are we even listening?

Oh, may our hearts be willing and may our spiritual ears be open to the gentle voice of our Master! That’s really all he asks of us.





Robin