Changes

I'm doing a little bit of blog thinking and have recently moved our manymeadows.com blog over to this one. Still unsure what my plans are. I'd like to get back to posting...at least occasionally.

~Robin

For Married Men

Saturday, Dirk and I had the opportunity to share during three breakout sessions during a marriage seminar.  This is the hand-out Dirk compiled for the men.  Have any more thoughts or suggestions to add?  Wives, your input is encouraged too!

For the Men

LOVE your wife…with actions and words.  Ex:  open her car door, praying, reading your Bible, tithe, help put the children to bed.

Be the head…not the tail! (or the butt) Spiritually lead her!

Tell her she’s beautiful.

Listen better….turn off the TV or gaming system.

Write love notes

Bring small gifts…it really is the thought that counts!

Give her longer kisses…not just the peck on your way out the door.

Leave work at work.

Continue to pursue her…even though you’ve already caught her.

Hold her hand.

E-mail and text her

Take her on surprise dates

Take care of the cars

Finish those home repair projects (or hire someone to finish them)

Read your Bible and pray out loud for your family

Give her lots of cuddle time

Be her best friend

Tell her you love her often….and tell her why.

Share your dreams with her:  Family Vision

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?

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

A Quick Story

She came on a Wednesday night...was assigned to my group. Her dark skin and shy smile attracted me to her immediately. I'm a hugger....and she readily accepted my tight squeeze.



A good listener, she was not distracted by the normal 6th, 7th and 8th grade girl giggling and whispering that happens weekly in our small group. She is serious and has questions and likes to enter into the discussion.



On the 3rd week of her attendance, during the close, her hand went up as one who was ready to give her heart fully to Jesus. At the end of the evening, she came and greeted me with a bright smile, proudly holding her new paperback New Testmament.



The next week, Switch was a little different, as we spent some time praying over the students in our group. She was one of the first ones in my line...tears already steaming down her beautiful brown cheeks. I remember praying about the future and what God has in store for Jamiyah. About her influence in her family and friends.



Last week, we took a little extra time in our group....in fact, we were late getting back to the experience room for the video. But, it was only because Jamiyah was praying aloud for our group. She prayed for each girl's influence in her family and at school. It wasn't the simple prayer of a young believer, but it was a bold prayer of a young woman who is sold out, unashamedly all-in.



As we quickly made it to our seats, video already running, my heart was full. What Jamiyah doesn't even realize is that she influenced a 54 year old lover of Jesus....my faith was made even stronger by her young, yet passionate new faith!

I wonder why it's called "serving" when I always receive more than I could ever possibly give?

~Robin

Still Overwhelmed, but Completely Blessed

About 2 months ago, Dirk discovered an enlarged lymph on his left side.  It didn’t go away.  He scheduled an appointment with our family doctor who suggested he have it checked out by a surgeon.

The surgeon discovered enlarged lymphs under both his armpits.

Tuesday morning, June 9, Dirk undergoes a surgical biopsy.

Now, I don’t have to tell you where my mind wants to wander with all sorts of fearful and discouraging thoughts.

So, I’m choosing instead, to believe that God works ALL things for our good.  I’m choosing to replace my fears with trust in our Healer, Provider, Warrior, and Friend.

If you’re reading this today, I know you are already praying for all of us.  And I thank you in advance!

You are a blessing to us.

Another blessing



~Robin

Overwhelmed

In juggling the preparation for two weddings in the very near future (our oldest son’s, May 29, and one of our daughter’s, July 31), and beginning a new family corporation, people have been asking me, “How will you get it all done?”.

It reminds me of when our kids were young and I’d hear the same question:

 “How do you do what you do? I sure couldn’t raise seven kids.”

 My answer then was the same as it is now:

 “I don’t get it all done, and sometimes I don’t even do a very good job of what I do.  I just DO it” =)

We all have seasons in our life where we are completely overwhelmed with the tasks at hand.  (And I fully believe God does give us more than we can handle so that we’ll be totally reliant on Him.)

There are some differences in my thoughts during this season of being overwhelmed. Time and experience have taught me:

*it might not all get done, and that’s ok

*no one will love me any more  or any less if everything isn’t perfect

*I will still love myself even if everything is not perfect

*there are still adjustments to be made in order to “get it all done”

And the adjustment in priorities this time will be this blog.  We’re not going away, but you might not see us on here quite as often while we work together to “get it all done” this summer.

Check back occasionally.  We’ll give some wedding updates, force you to see pictures of the cutie grands, and maybe even have some gardening tips and pics. 

Meanwhile, I'm working on NOT being overwhelmed.

~Robin

Our Family Vision Statement

The Meadows’ family vision statement is:

 

Living, loving, learning, leaving a legacy of Christ-followers impacting the world.

 

It’s an easy statement for us to remember, and it is descriptive of many of our core values:

 

Life is school

Family

Leading our family to be Christ-followers

 

Deut. 6:6-8

These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.

Do you have a family vision statement?  Share it!

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

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

Feeling Like a Bad Mom

You know those days when everything you've worked so hard to teach your children just seems to fall apart?  All the things you've preached and lived and breathed into them.  And now it suddenly seems like they never heard a word you said.  Their choices or responses aren't matching up to the efforts you've poured into helping them understand.  The importance of things like responsibility, obedience, honor.



Well, it happened to me again recently.  And it didn't make me feel so happy.  In fact, I felt like a really bad mom....once again.



So, this time I took a moment to reflect on how I was going to handle it. I had to consciously choose to:

• Recognize that my children's choices weren't necessarily against me personally. 


• Try not to transfer my negative feelings onto everything else bothering me in my life and blow it out of proportion.


• Recognize the lies of the enemy desiring to bring discord and destruction into my heart and mind.


• Recognize that this is a time when I start comparing myself to others


• Take all thoughts captive to the Truth

Realizing the truth and not believing the lies didn't change my heart immediately.  I still had feelings of being a failure.  But they were short-lived and I was able to quickly move on with my day, choosing instead to believe that progress can indeed come, even with my failings.



A different perspective gave birth to better thoughts, a better mind-set.



Do you struggle with thinking you're a failure?  Do you have trouble separating the lies from the Truth?







Robin