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!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Name Your Dish
What is your favorite, must-have-at-Thanksgiving dinner dish?
At the Meadows Thanksgiving event, the most asked for side to Dirk's famous smoked turkey, is loaded mashed potatoes, followed by Erin's to-die-for stuffing, and Katie's new asked-for-often recipe, cheesecake squares (minus the nuts). This year we get to sample Abbi's grandmother's corn casserole. Can't wait!
So? Tell us. What is your favorite Thanksgiving food or side-dish?
At the Meadows Thanksgiving event, the most asked for side to Dirk's famous smoked turkey, is loaded mashed potatoes, followed by Erin's to-die-for stuffing, and Katie's new asked-for-often recipe, cheesecake squares (minus the nuts). This year we get to sample Abbi's grandmother's corn casserole. Can't wait!
So? Tell us. What is your favorite Thanksgiving food or side-dish?
Monday, November 23, 2009
Number 19
We gained a daughter-in-love on May 29 this year. Abbi is now a Meadows, bringing the ManyMeadows' number to 19!
We joke that I hand-picked her for my oldest son, Andrew....and maybe it's not really a joke. I knew her before he did!
She's an artist...he's a cowboy. She took him to his first art show, he took her to her first rodeo. She loves New York, he loves home and being outdoors.
And they deeply love each other.
She's a great 5th daughter
and a wonderful 2nd mom to Andrew's daughters, Sierra and Mesa.
Check out her blog, and her creations.
She's quite a girl and we're so proud to have her in our family!
(We now have more members in our family! I'll introduce you to them soon.)
~Robin
We joke that I hand-picked her for my oldest son, Andrew....and maybe it's not really a joke. I knew her before he did!
She's an artist...he's a cowboy. She took him to his first art show, he took her to her first rodeo. She loves New York, he loves home and being outdoors.
And they deeply love each other.
She's a great 5th daughter
and a wonderful 2nd mom to Andrew's daughters, Sierra and Mesa.
Check out her blog, and her creations.
She's quite a girl and we're so proud to have her in our family!
(We now have more members in our family! I'll introduce you to them soon.)
~Robin
Thursday, September 24, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
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
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
Monday, August 31, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Help us Out....Ask a Question
Dirk and I are scheduled to speak at a homeschool event in early September. What would you want to hear from us if you were at the meeting?
After 35 years of marriage, 7 kiddos, 5 sons/daughters-in-love, 6 grands (+ another the end of October!), home educating for about 30 years (and still going), there is one thing we DO have......NO, not all the answers, but we do have a bit of experience.
Go ahead. Ask us anything you want. And it doesn't specifically have to be on home education.
We're going to be on a vacation for a week, but your questions will help us decide what to speak on....and who knows? They might even spark a few blogs from us....now THAT would be something new, huh?
Ready.....set.....ASK!
Dirk and Robin
After 35 years of marriage, 7 kiddos, 5 sons/daughters-in-love, 6 grands (+ another the end of October!), home educating for about 30 years (and still going), there is one thing we DO have......NO, not all the answers, but we do have a bit of experience.
Go ahead. Ask us anything you want. And it doesn't specifically have to be on home education.
We're going to be on a vacation for a week, but your questions will help us decide what to speak on....and who knows? They might even spark a few blogs from us....now THAT would be something new, huh?
Ready.....set.....ASK!
Dirk and Robin
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