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
July 25, 2009
What God has brought together....
Monday, September 10, 2012
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
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
Monday, May 28, 2012
Memorial Day!
My dad served our country in the Army for 20 years. Although I was proud of him and proud to be an Army brat, I vowed to never marry a military man. It's a hard life and I'm inherently selfish and whiny!!!
Apparently God had other plans! I did marry a military guy, an Army soldier in 2000. We had a busy life, lots of children and trainings and moving and all that. And then he entered his greatest battle, the battle for his life against brain cancer. He lost that battle in 2006, well, I guess he actually won because he is now in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ!!!
After all of that, I was even more determined to not be affiliated with the military!! No way! But again, someone greater than me was in control, God! In 2008 I met a wonderful Godly man, whose heart is set on serving those in the military. After 15 years of active duty service in the Navy, his heart is to be a Navy Chaplain. I will proudly and willingly stand by his side as he pursues this calling. I'm still inherently selfish and whiny, but I am thankfully a little more mature! God has given me a desire to follow His plans!!
We have no idea when, where or how we will serve the military. In the meantime, we are following His leading in our life and serving where we are.
This Memorial Day I am reminded of the sacrifice of those who serve and those who stand by. Some pay the ultimate price serving our country. Take a moment today to thank a soldier, sailor, Marine; past or present!
Apparently God had other plans! I did marry a military guy, an Army soldier in 2000. We had a busy life, lots of children and trainings and moving and all that. And then he entered his greatest battle, the battle for his life against brain cancer. He lost that battle in 2006, well, I guess he actually won because he is now in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ!!!
After all of that, I was even more determined to not be affiliated with the military!! No way! But again, someone greater than me was in control, God! In 2008 I met a wonderful Godly man, whose heart is set on serving those in the military. After 15 years of active duty service in the Navy, his heart is to be a Navy Chaplain. I will proudly and willingly stand by his side as he pursues this calling. I'm still inherently selfish and whiny, but I am thankfully a little more mature! God has given me a desire to follow His plans!!
We have no idea when, where or how we will serve the military. In the meantime, we are following His leading in our life and serving where we are.
This Memorial Day I am reminded of the sacrifice of those who serve and those who stand by. Some pay the ultimate price serving our country. Take a moment today to thank a soldier, sailor, Marine; past or present!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Miss Caitlin is 1!!!
Our sweet Miss Caitlin turned 1 on April 3! We had a family party for her on Sunday the 1st to celebrate with everyone! It was so fun to have most of my family present.
She really enjoyed her cake......
And her tricycle!
Throughout the day I reflected on the many blessings of my children! God is so good and so faithful! I'm a happy mommy with a full heart!!!
Happy Birthday Miss Caitlin!!!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Our Pink Party
If you know me well, or have followed this blog for any length of time, you know that until 2 1/2 years ago I was a widow. I was raising my 5 children on my own.
As many single people know, holidays can be hard, especially Valentines Day! While I was feeling alone and sad, my children desperately wanted to 'celebrate'. The first Valentines Day after Phillip died, I don't even remember what, if anything, we did. But the second, 2008, I was determined not to allow my heartache to cause me to miss life anymore. John 10:10b was brought to mind "I have come that they may have life, and they they may have it more abundantly."
This had actually been a decision I had made right before Christmas 2007. I felt God speaking to me and reminding me that He had plans for my life and that part of those plans were for me to actually enjoy life!! Whether I would remain single or remarry, He wanted me to trust Him and to enjoy where He had me at the time and those around me, mainly my children!
So, as Valentine's Day drew near, I decided to love on my children! I planned out a fun party; heart shaped pizza from Papa Murpheys, candy, cake, balloons, decorations and of course Valentines! We had a blast and The Pink Party was born!
The Lord blessed me with a wonderful man to spend the remainder of my life with later that same year and still Our Pink Party is our tradition. Even last year when we were at our other house trying to prepare it for renters and without our decorations, we improvised and still had our pink party!
This year, as we prepare for our Pink Party, I am thankful for the blessings the Lord has given me. I have been reflecting on His unfailing Love! And I am fervently praying for others who are heartbroken and hurting, that they may be comforted by Him and rest in His love.
As many single people know, holidays can be hard, especially Valentines Day! While I was feeling alone and sad, my children desperately wanted to 'celebrate'. The first Valentines Day after Phillip died, I don't even remember what, if anything, we did. But the second, 2008, I was determined not to allow my heartache to cause me to miss life anymore. John 10:10b was brought to mind "I have come that they may have life, and they they may have it more abundantly."
This had actually been a decision I had made right before Christmas 2007. I felt God speaking to me and reminding me that He had plans for my life and that part of those plans were for me to actually enjoy life!! Whether I would remain single or remarry, He wanted me to trust Him and to enjoy where He had me at the time and those around me, mainly my children!
So, as Valentine's Day drew near, I decided to love on my children! I planned out a fun party; heart shaped pizza from Papa Murpheys, candy, cake, balloons, decorations and of course Valentines! We had a blast and The Pink Party was born!
The Lord blessed me with a wonderful man to spend the remainder of my life with later that same year and still Our Pink Party is our tradition. Even last year when we were at our other house trying to prepare it for renters and without our decorations, we improvised and still had our pink party!
This year, as we prepare for our Pink Party, I am thankful for the blessings the Lord has given me. I have been reflecting on His unfailing Love! And I am fervently praying for others who are heartbroken and hurting, that they may be comforted by Him and rest in His love.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Multiple Blessings
We finally trimmed the tree last night! It seemed that we would never get to it this year. The kids had so much fun and it looks beautiful. Our tree is full of ornaments with sweet memories, underneath is stacked with presents that will bring more memories and my heart is full!
As I look at the gifts placed under it, including 10 pair of pajamas for kids (our Christmas tradition), I thought of our mismatched family. We will celebrate with 10 children this year (and for you 4 who are technically adults, you're still kids to me). Three weren't born into our family but they are part of it now! Because of life, we won't all be together at the same time either, but we will have time with all of them at some point. What this means is a lot of planning, a lot wrapping paper and a lot of love! God is good and I am so blessed!!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Hard conversations
Yesterday, Chloe and I were driving home. She said "What do you think my dad (Phillip) would think if he met dad (Dan)? That would be weird wouldn't it?" Where was I suppose to go with this one?
I responded, "When they do meet, in heaven, I bet your dad will say thank you. He knew that he wasn't going to be around to raise you and he wanted you to have people in your life who loved you. He would be happy that Dan made the choice to be your dad here on earth since he couldn't. And I know that your dad is watching you grow up and he is so proud of who you are becoming."
Sometimes it saddens me to know that they have to wonder these things and process through so many difficult things. Yet, I know that God has a plan and that He works all things together for good! And I'm so thankful that He is working in my children's lives and that they have so many people who love them.
I responded, "When they do meet, in heaven, I bet your dad will say thank you. He knew that he wasn't going to be around to raise you and he wanted you to have people in your life who loved you. He would be happy that Dan made the choice to be your dad here on earth since he couldn't. And I know that your dad is watching you grow up and he is so proud of who you are becoming."
Sometimes it saddens me to know that they have to wonder these things and process through so many difficult things. Yet, I know that God has a plan and that He works all things together for good! And I'm so thankful that He is working in my children's lives and that they have so many people who love them.
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