Sometimes it sprinkles outside and we still are able to get out there and get our errands ran or mess around in the yard because it kinda feels good to have the raindrops hit our head every now and then. We are able to continue on with what we have planned when it's just sprinkling outside.
Then there are times when it is raining pretty hard and we look at it and decide to still run to the mall and take our biggest umbrella to shield us from the rain. There is no chance of running around without some type of shield from the rain that is coming down in these circumstances.
And then there is the full fledged storm where the rain is so bad that you can barely see in front of your own face, the trees are swaying in the back yard, and the thunder and lightning are constant. You decide to definitely stay inside, curl up on the couch, and watch your favorite show or read your favorite book until the storm is over. Everything is called off when it is storming. You can't even bake a cake when it is storming outside.
Well, sometimes we need to get off of the couch, turn off the TV, grab our best rain coat, put on our boots and walk out in the storm ready to see the rainbow that follows.
With every shower there is more growth in the ground. With every raindrop there is a flower that shouts "thank you".
We often run from the storms that sometimes we should get out and play in. Remember when we were kids and we begged our parents to go outside and play in the rain? Well, maybe as adults it is time to get out in the storm and play some. The storms will always come. Some are worse than others. Some have thunder and lightning and we have to be a little more cautious when we go out in them, but if it is just a bad rain storm, then mount up with your best rain suit (the armor of God) and get out there ready to get drinched in the rain but more ready to see the growth to follow after the storm.
The rainbow is here as a promise that God will never flood the earth again. There may come storms that knock us down as we continue to try and walk, but we will never be flooded to the point where we can't get back up and dredge through the water to dry land.
Growth comes from the rain. It may not be easy to walk through it. It may mean you have to look ridiculous as you "suit up" with the rain coat, umbrella, waterboots, etc. But if we are willing to stand through the rain, holding onto God's promise of no flood, and represent Him as we get a little rain on our hat, there will come sunshine and growth from it. A flower will come out of the soil that was just watered and maybe even some fruit will fall from the tree.
Don't be afraid of the storms even when they knock us down a bit. We may have to crawl through the storms sometimes because sometimes that is the only way to get through them.
Today it may be sunny, but we never know when the rain is going to come. Be strong in the storms that come in life. Put on your raingear and stand in the storm...the growth that comes from it will be beautiful.

God will never leave us nor forsake us!!!!!!

My pastor is doing a series on the book of Hebrews. For three weeks now he has been on Hebrew 12:1-2. I started ANOTHER journal, I am the worlds worst at finishing what I start. I am using it especially to write down what I am learning during this "series". But three weeks on two verses, come on. I want to learn more. Ha Ha. How little I really know or remember when it comes down to it. One may read the same verse every day, but get something alittle different out of it every time. Today I was amazed at what I read in the scriptures, and heard from our pastor. Hebrews 11- is basically the chapter about Faith, and Hebrews 12:1 tells us that WE are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, let us run with perseverance and keep our eyes on Jesus. Sitting in church I began to imagine "keeping my eyes on Jesus". Think about it..... close your eyes and look hard... I can image Jesus sitting at the right hand of our Father. I began to tear up thinking of all the times Jesus has said to our heavenly father.. Father, Amy really needs to feel your presence today, she is struggling.... again...... It is then at that moment I feel the Holy Spirit moving in me- to give me "just what I need" no more and no less. Also with Hebrews 12, Jesus talks about a cloud of witnesses. These witnesses are those that have experienced trials and struggle with problems, just like us. Others before us have "ran the same race". What they have and what we need to pray for more of every day is "FAITH". Life is hard. We must never lose sight of the "Big Picture". My wonderful bible, a gift from a very dear friend, explains that, Suffering is the training ground for Christian maturity. It develops our patience and makes our final victory sweet. WOW- the final victory- the "BIG PICTURE". I cant wait- I feel it is closer than we think. So... Please keep your eyes on Jesus. Everything happens for the good of his kingdom.


Let others see Jesus in you!!!!!


Amy

Our Life's Greatest Mission...........................

Our life's greatest mission is to figure out what to do every day in our life that's ordained by God and then to follow through with it. We must remain single minded as we embrace God's purpose in our life. I told my bible study class the other day that I feel like I have one eye on God and one eye on me! If this continues to be the case then I will miss it. I will miss my purpose in Life!!
With all the distractions in my house right now satan is working over time. I have to tell you that sometimes the way to God is down first. I have not shared with you the hurt and the pain that I have endured in these last few weeks; it is called raising teenage girls. I have had a reality check as a christian parent. I have not done my part in impressing God's truth to my girls. I have been so busy impressing it to other's that they have been pushed to the side and in return they have taken advantage of certain situations. I have quickly realized these last few weeks that the average adolescents brain is "ACT NOW AND THINK LATER." My biggest mistake was somehow I had imagined that my daughter had the same picture in her mind that I did when I would caution her about things to stay away from. And I never stopped to take the time to walk her through different scenario's that she might be exposed to in high school. I have also realized that you have to role play and lay out all their consequences for them instead of assuming they have the cognitive ability to do so on their own. Their brains are not cognitively developed enough to walk down worst case scenario's from poor decision making.
I will tell you I have fallen prey to the flesh more times that I can count these last few weeks. I have allowed the battlefield of the mind to almost paralyze me. This is all part of satan's plan. He wants to distract me from my purpose. And he wants to distract you. He is stepping it up a notch because his time is short. Just listen to the news for five minutes and you quickly realize that the world as we know it is falling apart.
We have to become single minded and focused on God in these last days. It means saying NO to things in order to spend time alone with God.
We don't have the mind of God so we are not going to understand things that are wrecking havoc in our world. Look at this verse for today: Revelation 19:13, He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.....To know the Word is to know God. To believe the Word is to believe God; and to obey the Word is to obey God. Let's commit to God today to read more of his Word and spend time in prayer with Him. God has taken the time for us, he has not pushed us to the side. He has role-played with us and given us all the scenario's this world has offer. He has laid out all our consequences for the decisions we make; and he has given us "free will. " God has done his part. What are we going to do with it? Will we think before we act?
Hang on during these troubling times. Gabriel's lips are already puckered; he is just waiting on the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS to tell him to blow that trumpet. Praise God!
trying to think before I act,
(what would Jesus do?)
Robbie

Friendly Captavity.......................

We must ask ourselves living in these enticing times in the world; Do we have our integrity? What are our standards? Morals? We are growing more and more desensitized to the decaying morals and standards of our culture. The news is toxic, TV shows with sex scenes even some commercials are full of decaying morals and standards. What are you, what am I allowing in our minds?

If we drop our guard even for a minute and think "Oh I will just watch this one show." It want hurt me I know better. I will just play bonco with the neighborhood girls even if their language and jokes are inappropriate ( I want participate). I just want to be included.

Watch out because Satan has a play ground out there and it is called this world. Remember you and I have been assigned to this world but satan has also assigned it to us. He is the prince of this world. Believe me I have experienced it myself, I have even went out and swung on his swing set with him. If you open one tiny little hole, he is coming in. The more we play with Satan's world the more he will take from us. BE ON GUARD!!!! Look at our verse for today: John 10:10; The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. In contrast to the thief who takes life, Jesus gives eternal life! Praise God!!

Satan may bide his time until the perfect moment, but make no mistake he will take advantage of us at any opportunity. We have to spend time with God everyday and build our relationship with him. This in return will help us have a very sensitive spiritual antennae. We have to know our Father's voice. We do that by reading God's word and praying. We have to saturate ourselves in the truth.

It is almost like the average church member lacks deep convictions concerning who Jesus is, to the extent we cower under a raised eyebrow, or whispers that accuse us of being weird. I have told you before that I have had a costume closet in the past, a mask for different friends. Because I worry that they might think I am strange and in return they will not want to be around me. These times we are living in right now prove to me we are in a crisis. A crisis of courage and convictions. We can't become part of the crisis just so we blend in. We have to stand up for the truth that our faith is in Jesus Christ alone. We cannot blend in with the crowd. We have to be willing to live, and die for Him. This is going to take deep convictions and courage to live like this. Let's commit today together to not go by what feels good but on God's word.

Father, how I praise you today for showing us that you can give us the courage and the strength to stand out from the crowd. Help us Father to have priorities that are Christ-centered and not self-centered. We don't want the earthly treasures, they are only temporary happiness. We want joy that only comes from you Father. This world's pace is so fast Father, help us to make time for You. Help us take our eyes off of us and put them on you. We want to please you.

In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

Just remember that separation from the world requires courage, because the world is not going to like you for being different.



Throwing my costumes away,

Robbie

BABYLON................

What does Babylon represent to you? Babylon represents anything against God!

The reason I have not been writing lately is because Satan has tried to take me back to square one. He has done an excellent job these last two weeks. Do you and I understand that the enemy wants to take us to the one place that God himself has called us to leave?? He wants to back us up and take us to the place of our greatest despair. Don't think for one minute that he is going to come at you with horns and a mean look that is scary. He is not going to tell you that backing you up to start over is going to hurt; or cause turmoil in your life. He is going to come at you as a beautiful light. He is going to say this is going to FEEL good!!!
We are captivated in today's world with friendly captivity. It is even more dangerous than we realize because it is ACCOMMODATING to us. If you don't remember anything about this post remember this: (Captivity never remains friendly) It will turn on you every time.
Ask yourself these questions this week, Are we doing the influencing? Or we being influenced? Who is winning here? Us or the enemy? We can be carried away by the things of this world. Beth Moore teaches us in Daniel that we have been assigned to this world but the enemy has also assigned the world to us. What influence will win? Your self will (aka "the flesh") or the power of the Holy Spirit?

The verse of today: PSALM 27:4; One thing I will ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. 5; For in days of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling, he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.....
Our greatest desire should be to live in God's presence every day. Sadly this is not the desire of many believers, we must strive each day to enjoy that relationship that God has so freely given us. Praise him that he is Sovereign!

Trying to live in his presence,
Robbie

comfort zone.....................

As I write this today; I am humbled to say the least. I have had tons of spiritual attacks lately. I feel at times that I can't breath. But God is showing me things and I wanted to share:

Do you feel like God's power is adequate in your life?
How do you know unless you have walked through some dark times? We can't comprehend God's power until we step out of our comfort zone. I know I have been out of my comfort zone this week and instead of relying on God's power, I have depended on myself. I have looked for all my needs to be met through someone or something other than God!
I have questioned his sufficiency! I am so sad that through these trails this past week I have chosen self sufficiency over Spirit-living. The self is weak the Spirit is strong. God's work is not done in my life. He is not done in your life. I long to be the woman God wants me to be. It makes me sad that I have let him down. I just wish that I was further a long in the purification process than I am. It is a hard road but one worth doing. I know God has allowed treasures in my life that are from him like when I hear someone in my bible class say: "I want what you have!" They are beautiful compliments to hear but I have to be honest and tell you I only see all the work God has left to do with me. I am not downplaying the beautiful things God has done in me but I am aware that I want be complete until I stand in the presence of the Almighty and neither will you. That is why sometimes Amy, Jen and I say "COME LORD JESUS COME" I surrender. I am hanging the white flag on my mailbox today, I am done. Don't tarry come!!!!

I have come to realize this week that beauty the kind that comes from God isn't about being perfect and never making a mistake. It is just not possible in this life. But we have a citizenship in another kingdom and that is when we will be made perfect in His site when we stand in the presence of God. Let me share with you a comforting piece of wisdom. You can't sin your way out of Jesus' hands!! Look at the verse Romans 8:38-39; For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present or the future, nor any powers, 39, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is such a comforting promise from God himself. We as believers are still going to have hardships in many forms; whether it is with our kids, job, diagnosis etc. We must remember this verse!! Christ will not abandon his children. His death is proof enough of the love he has for us. We must place our security in him and not in people or things.
He has a plan for my life and yours. Look at Philippians 1:6; he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.... God will continue working on us through our entire life. He will finish it when we meet him face to face. We have the power of the Holy Spirit to help us and pray for us when we can't even pray for ourselves. Don't trust your feelings, if you feel like you aren't making progress in your walk with God remember these verses and stop believing the lies of the enemy that he puts in our minds. Read these scriptures a loud and claim the promises God has given us. Remember that God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow and his word promises he will not give up on us! Don't let satan rob you from growing closer to God.
So if you ever question God's power for your problems, pressures, suffering, stress; remember this verse: Ephesians 3:20; Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. He is all we need. Lean on him. Cry out Abba Father. Take your focus off of you and your present circumstances. Don't just look up GAZE up at Jesus and who knows you just might see Jesus STANDING at the right hand throne instead of seating.
Jesus thank you for loving us enough to refine us. It sometimes hurts Father, but you understand more than anyone. Help us to not lean on ourselves or the things of this world. Father you are true and righteous, show us how to reflect you in our lives even when we are walking through trials. We praise your name.
Trying to grasp that God is adequate!!!
Robbie

Spirit of Heaviness...................

Have you ever felt like your spirit is overwhelmed? The challenges to great? The burdens so heavy? The attacks so fierce?

That is how I have felt this week. I have cried so much this week that I feel like I have tear stains on my face. I am confused and discouraged! Life is simply just not fair!!! Sometimes life can be so hard on us. To be honest, I haven't even felt like praying. I FEEL like Satan has asked to sift me as wheat.

Think about how much we love our kids with all our hearts and when they hurt, their pain becomes our pain. As a mother of three girls, ages 15, 13, and 10. There is always drama; their tears are my tears!
God is our heavenly father, and he so identifies with us his children (he became human and experienced everything that we do) our tears are his tears! God not only LOVES us; He identifies with us!
When we hit a bump in the road in this life with things that make us question God with the; If only God would;---- if only He had---------; If only He had answered my prayers the way I asked him to.---
Sometimes when God is silent in your life is when He is doing His best work. Maybe the adversity in our life is being used to make us strong! We have to learn to endure!!! We have to endure in this life to the point that we choose to praise Him, regardless of the storms within us or around us. If you look in your bibles David understood the secret to victory over adversity by choosing to PRAISE God! Jeremiah knew as did Paul and many others. We must CHOOSE to praise Him! If you don't remember anything about this post remember this: "Learn to walk by faith, not by what your FEELING!!! We have to make a choice! A conscious choice, no matter how bad your world comes crashing down to PRAISE Him!!! Rejoice!! Happiness is circumstantial. Joy cometh from the Lord!!! This is your gold nugget for today. PRAISE HIM!! This is the secret of victory that Paul, King David, and Jeremiah knew: PRAISE Him! Praise is the switch that turns on your light of joy in our lives even when our world is falling apart. Praise keeps Satan from having a foot hole in your life. Here is the meat of this message: When your world is falling apart and you Praise Him even in your darkest moments, the results of Praising Him will cause others to see the Glory of God in our lives!! Amen!

Look at the verse in John 11: 35; Jesus wept.. Jesus often expressed deep emotion, which shows me to never be afraid to reveal my true feelings to him. He understands! Praise God!
Jesus the Creator of the universe, the I AM, had real tears running down his face over Lazarus's death. Even though he knew he was going to raise him from the dead He still wept! Why? Because He loved them (Mary, Martha, and Lazarus) and their tears of grief were on his face! And he loves us and our tears of grief are on his face. If you ever had to bury a loved one; or hear the diagnosis of cancer from a doctor; or lost your job; experienced the pain of spouse betrayal, discovered your daughter has lost her innocence. Our TEARS are on His face!!!!
If you ever think that Jesus just doesn't care what your going through, and He doesn't love you because if He did He wouldn't have let you go through this. Those thoughts are from Satan himself. Those are the thoughts the enemy puts in your head and if your not careful those thoughts will take root in your head and those thoughts will choke out the truth; which the truth is God Loves you, your grief is His, your shock is His, your pain is His.

I cry out to you Abba Father! Thank you so much for being a father with emotions. You have so much compassion on your people. Our sorrows are your sorrows. You have experienced them. Our tears are on your face. Thank you , Jesus.

Tears of relief,
Robbie