On going effects of grief....

Dan and I, along with a couple ladies at our church, are facilitating a GriefShare group. I am honored to be able to bring this ministry to my church and to walk with hurting people who need comfort and love at a very difficult time.

We 'trained' for months, beginning in the Spring and watched all the videos and prepared ourselves. I even read all the blog posts and leader tips and such. I knew it would be emotionally trying, especially the first few sessions as everyone is sharing their loss. However, I don't think I was fully prepared for the resurfacing of so many memories and feelings. If I don't keep in prayer about it, I could easily become overwhelmed. I guess I thought that after so many years, it would be easier.

I am thankful for the Lord and the continual comfort He has provided. I'm thankful for my co-facilitators, especially Dan, who I can pray for and with and I know pray for me. I'm thankful for our church which supports us and encourages us. And I'm thankful the the license to share with hurting people. I have walked a similar road. It isn't easy yet I hope that I can be a source of encouragement in a time of need.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

One Another

Monday September 10, 2012

Good morning everyone!

This morning (and all last night for that matter!) God was placing on my heart some of the things He has in store for our family.  Some of these things I wrestled within my heart, He never said this life would be easy.  In the end God confirmed the work that He is working inside of me.

"So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." Romans 12:5 NASB

Committed followers of Jesus are called to community not seclusion. Jesus had His disciples, Paul had the church, even monks have brothers in the monastery and nuns have sisters in the nunnery. Men and women of faith are not islands of isolation, but a beautiful Body of Christ intricately woven together by God's grace. Just like a physical body relies on a variety of organs and appendages, so the spiritual body is interdependent.  Every believer is a unique work in Christ, tempered by the interaction of the Holy Spirit and providence of God's Holy Word.  Every believer is uniquely qualified to fill the place that Jesus intends them to fill within the body of the Church.

Christ calls us to one another. We need one another. Yes, we are complete in Christ, but we are incomplete without a Christ-centered community. When Christ called us, He called us to Himself and to His body of believers. Spiritual growth slows absent engagement with other sincere souls. We are part of a worldwide movement of faith and good works initiated by the Spirit through the Church of Jesus Christ and His disciples. Our vision radically expands when we are part of a mission much bigger than ourselves. Rely on the Holy Spirit to direct and grow you, not the 'wisdom' gained that belongs this world.
 
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common." Acts 2:42-44

United by faith we flourish by faith. What the enemy seeks to divide, Jesus Christ unifies. Together we align around the God's agenda: share the gospel, feed the poor, plant churches, heal the sick, make disciples, educate, preach, teach and care for widows and orphans. Christians who serve together have no time for the sideways energy of irrelevant arguments. We need one another-like an army we cover each other's back.  Encourage your brothers and sisters in the gifts that God has ordained within them and recognize their uniqueness in Jesus Christ instead of disapproving of their differences.  If Christ is ultimately glorified and His Word is spread then our purpose as a Church is fulfilled.  In doing so, you have seized an opportunity to honor Christ.

We need one another for prayer and perspective. We need one another for protection and encouragement. We need one another because we are in a spiritual war. We need one another because we are weak and vulnerable. We need one another because we are strong and proud. We need one another to protect us from ourselves. We need one another to know one another and to be known. We need one another because God says we do.  Allow acceptance in your heart for those who hold different opinions than yours, so long as they glorify Christ and honor His Word.  God will use these people to help grow your own faith in Him to better equip you for the work He intends you to perform to further God's kingdom.

Religion is not solitary with your Savior Jesus. When you are with other followers of Christ you are encouraged, prayed for, and held accountable. Yes, you can worship in private, but when you gather for public worship you experience the diversity of God's children. The energy and education you receive when you engage other brothers and sisters in Christ is necessary for spiritual growth. If you had a bad church experience, prayerfully participate in a new place of worship. Go where you can better know God.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

Please pray for my family and I over the next few weeks.  We will be taking the final steps to pursue the chaplaincy as our primary ministry.  Among the tasks ahead are the administrative requirements that must be completed through our church, my endorser, and the Navy.  Crissi and I would greatly appreciate your prayers and encouragement as we continue take care of these tasks ahead of us in furthering Christ's kingdom for His glory.


Blessings,


Daniel Robinson

Secure - Not Shaken

Dan has been writing and sending out devotions to a group of people each week. This one really spoke to me and I realized that I should be sharing these on our blog! So, when he sends them out each week, I will be sharing them here!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Hello everyone!  There are some issues that have been on my mind lately and security came to mind.  I'm sure that the LORD has brought some things to your own attention in your life.

When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken." O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. Psalm 30:6-7

Security rests in our Savior, not our stuff. Stuff comes and goes. It is by nature insecure. But when Jesus Christ comes to dwell in our hearts, He remains. He has promised that He will never leave us. Because He is secure we can be secure. But we must beware lest we believe that security resides anywhere else other than the Lord. God has set His seal of ownership on all who believe. He has put His Spirit in our hearts guaranteeing what is to come (2 Corinthians 1:22). We have an escrow account in eternity. God is the guarantor of our eternal security. Because of this, we are secure in Jesus. Our security is not based on feelings, but faith. If our security depends on feeling secure, we are men and women most miserable. The security found in the world is a fleeting falsehood. Feelings of security fade in the face of trouble when placed in the stuff not of God.

If our confidence is based on pleasant circumstances, then we become careless with Christ. Our life becomes nothing more than a roller coaster of reactive responses. If we feel good, we are secure. If we feel bad, we are insecure. If people like us, we are secure. If they do not like us, we are insecure. If we have money, we are secure. If we lack money, we are insecure. If we are healthy, we are secure. If we are unhealthy, we are insecure. If our job is certain, we are secure. If our job is uncertain, we are insecure. If our children are obedient, we are secure. If our children are disobedient, we are insecure. If things go our way, we are secure. If things don't go our way, we are insecure. We eventually grow weary and wither under the whiplash of insecure living.

Do not place your security in success or failure. The fumes of success can smother your faith as fast as failure can extinguish your hope. Do not allow your material gains to become a substitute for your security in Christ. Stuff is at the top of insecurity's heap. It is the security we find in Jesus that never changes. He is our rock and our refuge. He never moves. He is not shaken. Critics could not rattle Christ with their mockery and meanness. He stood firm in His faith in His heavenly Father. Physical abuse did not drive Him to abandon the Almighty's call on His life. Rather, it emboldened Him. Adversity did not make Him compromise His moral purity. Indeed, suffering became His launching pad for secure and pure behavior. Hope warmed His heart with security.

If left to our own devices, we are insecure people. Anytime we seek security outside of Christ we become insecure. It is ironic that the search for security results in insecurity when we marginalize our Master. He is not our Lord for the last minute. He is our "go to" God first. Secure people wrap everything about themselves around Jesus. Relationships come and go, but your relationship with Jesus remains secure. You grow smarter and wiser with learned experience, but you shun intellectual snobbery and stay humbly secure in Christ. Your balance sheet balloons with net worth, but you keep your ego from inflating by remaining secure in Christ alone. Generous givers are secure. Insecurity arises when we add something to our faith in Christ. Therefore, be secure in your fidelity to faith. You are secure because your security is eternal. Shun earthly securities and embrace heaven's security. Faith needs no help when it is placed in Christ. Above all else, the faithful are secure, not shaken.


Blessings,


Daniel Robinson