Summer Time

"A Dog's Life," (I was at a red light couldn't resist taking this pic.)

 Summer-time is for fried green tomatoes.....(Yes I am from "Sweet Home Alabama.")

 My Belarus child helping me cook dinner who learned how to fry and who loves fried green tomatoes!

Summer time is for Best Friends........(BFF's)

 Summer-time is for hard  good-byes........(sisters that hug the hard!)

     When asked what she will miss the most?  "Hot Showers, and my own bed to sleep in."
I asked her when she would be able to take a shower again?  "Next summer when I get to your house!"
When asked where her bed is? "The broken down couch or a chair that she shares with her sister!"

     Summer time is hard goodbyes that we have endured now for 5 years. Can't wait to hear her voice on the other end of the phone to let us know she has arrived the safe.......she is turning the 13 this year in Jan. and when asked what she wanted for her 13 birthday she said an I-pod with American music like her sisters!

May all your weekend wanderings be one of the gratitude for the many blessings that we have;
such gratefulness to God:

a bed to sleep in
clean sheets
flip flops all over the back steps
finding a card written in Russian
Full suit-cases to send home with her
Coffee for her mom
 the chance to tell her that she has been chosen by God (she is the daughter of the most high King)
sisters who love
wet bathing suits on the floor
clogged toilets
mascara on white towels
 husband who drives the lab half way to Florida for Nana to keep while we travel this week
 tomato plants growing in the back yard
 water out of a hose
 teens who laugh the hard
 God who is calling his people
 phone calls that are an emergency that you can wake one of the "Yahweh Sisters," from a dead sleep to ask a sewing question! lol
sea shells drying in the sun
cat hair
the lab that I miss the hard already
a mom (Nana) who drives the long to take the lab that means the world to us so we can travel
toe nail polish all over the bed-skirt in teens room
glitter that I continue to find in bags, on the walls, the floor, and in small boxes?
dirty clothes under the beds


all of grace,
The Yahweh Sisters

Submission

This is the woman God himself has used to change my life. He is so amazing because I was able to meet her last weekend and tell her personally what He had done through her that changed my life!
    After tears and hugs A friend snapped this picture that I will keep forever.  I can truly say that I have met someone who is walking the walk instead of just talking about it. What an inspiration to me and others. Visit her blog if you get a chance....your life will never be the same. (www.aholyexperience.com )
      In "Oswald Chambers," Devotion Book he talked about God sometimes uses others who are a little further along in their walk to help us......and how He will continue using them until we WILLINGLY SUBMIT!  It is then that our whole ATTITUDE of our life becomes one of OBEDIENCE to Him!
God will NEVER insist on obedience, but when we truly see Him we will instantly OBEY Him.
 I can honestly say I have truly seen Him when I look into Ann's eyes and read her heart that she lays out raw for the world to read........ it makes me want to be obedient.  Praise God for people who seek Him with all of their hearts and have found Him............they are not perfect or better just a little further along and they are being used by God to help us want what they have.
      Just as Jesus the "SON," was obedient as our "REDEEMER," because He was the SON, he wasn't obedient to become the "SON."  Checking myself today........What is my level of growth in grace?  Do I want to grow closer and obey the Father even more?  Do I know him? If I do then obedience should come naturally......How about you?   Couldn't we all stand to move a little closer! Wanting a higher view of the word Obedience.......wanting that relationship that makes Obedience possible.

all of grace,
Robbie

stop being consumed with "I"

       Did you know that the only letter in the alphabet that when it stands alone is capitalized is the letter "I"? 

What does that say about "I"?

We get too consumed with ourselves sometimes, and we forget to think about others around us or about God's will for our lives instead of our will for our lives. 

I was talking to Robbie and Amy this past week and in our conversations, I realized that sometimes we get so consumed with where we are going that we don't look at where we are at.  God may have us right where He wants us and we are too busy looking at the "future".

My pastor spoke this past Sunday on "The Spirit of Martyrdom".  In Acts 1:8, it says "we will be his witnesses".  Martus or Martur is the Greek word which is translated into the English word Martyr, which means one who bears "witness" by his death. 

God is looking for a people who will live as a martyr...live as a witness for Him. 

In Matthew 5:10 it says Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Do we not want the kingdom of heaven?  Then are we being persecuted because of our right standing with God?  It doesn't feel good to not be liked, to be called names, and be laughed at.  It doesn't feel good to not "fit in" with the neighbors, or to not be asked out after work for dinner and drinks.  It hurts a little.  We want people to like us.
You see, I am tired of "fitting in", comforming to the world, being liked by phonies who fill church pews on Sunday mornings and live a life of worldliness during the week.  I want to "stand out", be different, be called "Holy Roller", not get asked out to dinner.  It is okay.  It's not about ME anymore.  It's about HIM and HIS KINGDOM.  I want to inherit His Kingdom.  I want to be an heir of His Kingdom.  So, persecute me for His name's sake. 

Three quick points from Sunday's message by Pastor Scott Volk:

1.  The Spirit of Martyrdom is the foundational principle of who we are.

2.  The Spirit of Martyrdom is not measured by how we die but by how we live

3.  Not loving your life is the key to fullfilling your destiny. 
Stop focusing on right now and yourself.  Think about the future with God, think about what Spiritual gifts you are leaving your children and your children's children and the generations to come. 

In Numbers 14  we read about Moses and Aaron and the Israelites and how they were passing through one land that was full of milk and honey and why didn't God take them there.  The congregation began to get angry and wanted to stone Moses.  I can hear them now, "Let's just do away with Him and then we can go get what we want.  We can go back to the land that had what we wanted."

But read on...what happened....

10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites.

Moses heard from God, followed His direction, and in the end when everyone came up against him and wanted to stone him, THE GLORY OF THE LORD APPEARED and Moses didn't have to worry.
Let's not worry about "what if" we get persecuted.  Let's not worry about if it gets to that point.  We are to live with the mentality of giving our life for God and to God.  He will protect us. 

I want to see you go after God with openness, with all that you have, without any faking, without being distracted by the influences of the world around you, but with true, open, honest seeking to find what it is that God has for you right now where you are at, and to put yourself aside and start working for the Kingdom, not fearing what may come if you give it your all, but trusting that He is there.

Deuteronomy 31:8

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

setting myself aside,

Jennifer

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"The path less traveled"

"Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult in the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7: 13-14

                                          The Road Not Taken.......... by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
and sorry I could not travel both
and be one traveler long I stood
and looked down out as far as I could.
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, an just as fair
and having perhaps the better claim
because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
had worn them really the same,
and both that morning, equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh,
somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
took the one less traveled by
and that had made all the difference.

The traveler had to choose a path- he came to a fork in the road....

As Christians we have to choose a path- we have to make at least a hundred choices a day.

Our walk with Christ depends on which road we choose..........

The world's path is wide- fun- welcoming- and sometimes easy.... as least at first...

It is enticing- and it draws you further and further down that worldly path.

What the worldly path doesn't show you- is the curves that lie ahead: sorrow- bitterness-emptiness and pain.

Christ's path is the road less traveled- it is sometimes harder and challenging, but on this road- we have a travel partner- Jesus Christ.

He tells us over and over that he will never leave us, that when the road gets too hard to bear- that he will then carry us.

Christ's path may be hard, but it will in the end draws us closer to him.

Along this path- we will find peace, joy, and comfort.

I sat with him one night- I had been talked into working a night shift.

It didn't sound bad at first, but when darkness came- and I wasn't going to bed, I became... to put it nicely- a grump!!!

He was old, and confused, and restless.... Great, I thought- I'm helping them out tonight- why give me this. As I -again walked into his room- his arm bleeding- his clothes off- again- why I asked him??? I don't know he said.. As I cleaned him up- I saw visitors at the window... Great-

" come on in", I said.... Of course it was his pastor and his wife.... " We are praying for you", they said- as they realized it was not the best time to visit-  they left.... First, I felt guilt... Then, shame.... Why had I let the flesh get the best of me. Why is it when I have two paths in front of me- I want the easy one... Not praying first- then knowing that God has a plan- and that I should be thankful he uses me at all!!!

After he was settled- I sat- and sat.... He tried to sleep..... He asked me if he was dying- No I said- which was a lie.   He told me that he had, " a feeling". He said that he wasn't ready... I asked him- If he had Jesus in his heart- He said yes- that he was saved_ I was relieved. But should I have stopped there. I was more patient with him, but my spirit told me to read scriptures to him- I don't have a bible with me, I thought. Well leave it up to God- a bible was in the cabinet in his room. Did I get it???? NO- Why??????? Will I ever learn?????

He died the next night- family at his bedside. I knew that he was dying- WHY?  Why wasn't I honest with him?  Why didn't I pray with him?  I held his hand tight, but was that enough?

Why Lord- do you put me in these situations? When will I learn that each one is a test- Will I ever pass? Did I pass?

I pray for more chances- more chances to show God's love- to witness-

Amy

              

Woe is me

I tell them all I am leaving..........slamming the door the hard. It is as I speed away that I hang my head and cry the hard.
     It all started out so good today with the Church activities and praises the ones where the hands were held the high.......at one moment feeling.............as if I was washed in His blood. I squeeze the steering wheel the tight as my tears turn into sobs. I am the broken......I am the one who wants to do good but I don't.....it's the tongue that whips out words that pierce the hard and it's me who aims for their hearts. Maybe it's the me who is too broken to be fixed.

     It's the sixteen year old who does the nothing to help around the house....who starts everyday with an agenda that takes her deep into Babylon........she eats and drinks from the "kings," table. She is the blending............and becoming like the people of Babylon..... reminding me of my past.
     It's always the tone that wakes the sleeping lion............the flesh.   Her words come at me fast and at first I hold my tongue....  then it's the ugly sin that comes and my tongue whips back the hard.....and our whole day is wrecked............it goes all the way back to Adam and Eve in the garden. They to listened to the lies of the evil one.(as he told them that God was a liar)
Why is it that I think it is my job to hang on to my Salvation?
Salvation is a GIFT. It is free, and Praise God there is nothing we can do to earn it, hang on to it or even get rid of it!

      I drove the fast and sobbed the harder with the no-where to go.  Thinking if only I could.......?
I would......? I felt broken with a contrite heart? Is this the fullness that Jesus ordered?
     Wanting so badly to run.......but with the no-where to go. Wondering if Daniel felt that way in Babylon.  Daniel RESOLVED....knowing that was the only way to Grace.
     I am a rebel running hard who keeps the rejecting............rejecting the one true way-Jesus. Sometimes panting hard after him........but at the same time listening..........to the lies of the evil one.
Maybe it's the me that enjoys rolling around in the UGLY? After all I earned it.

          The bible teaches us we are all made in His image? Shouldn't the world see Him in us? Then how much more should our own family see him in us?
     Our pastor talked today about his own battles these last few weeks....he said he felt at times he was standing in the Ocean and wave after wave kept hitting him knocking him over...... not even letting him catch his breath.....he told us that this was the worst spiritual battle he had ever been through. Telling us how God would use our weaknesses to make us strong. The tears stung my eyes because lately I have felt like I am swimming upstream against a strong current and going the nowhere.
It's then that I grow tired and weary.........and then it's the replay in my mind of everything I have ever done.....how I can't get it right......... thinking HOW? How could God love me?.....me a women with a past? A mother who's tongue stabs the hearts of the one's she loves.
     Raising my own flesh and blood is sometimes about ME looking in the mirror....... and all I see is the dirty........ starring back at me. It is me that has been listening to the hissing of the serpent saying (God has not forgiven you).
     It's then that I realize what dying the flesh daily is truly about.
Why can't we except that we DON'T have a past in CHRIST?
 Woe is me...........the one with the unclean lips.... but my Redeemer lives.
Although my stomach growls from the lack of food in my stomach it is now that I realize my emptiness is far deeper than I could have ever imagined.
I am starved for Him........and His righteousness. I beg for more "grace," please.
I continue to cry over my "sin," in my me-ism little world as I drive back home..........running hard up the stairs to hold a teen as I ask for forgiveness.
In a world that constantly bombards us with pressures to CONFORM we must remember....."he who has called you is faithful"......and His grace gives us the desire and the power to be HOLY.
Our God is a good God.....He loves us! The past that keeps playing through my mind is not from Him....it is from Satan. I know I am not where I need to be but praise God I am not where I used to be.
Through Salvation we are saved in Christ! He saved us before we even knew we needed to be saved.

all of grace,
Robbie


Keeping on giving thanks for His Amazing Grace:

Seeing and hugging Ann VosKamp in person and being able to tell her how much God has used her to change my life.
Clothes everywhere for my sweet Belarus child to take home.
Snow boots that she will need
A warm fuzzy blanket to take back to her mom
Clean Sheets
A new clothes line
A brother who will answer the phone late
A nephew who cries the hard for me
Fresh squeezed lemonade
Hamburgers on the grill
Home with my family
waking up in my bed


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Weekends are for enjoying His light

Job 33:28

He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.

 

He that spoke the day into Light.

and He who spoke the world into being.

Enjoy the light feel the warmth of the sun beam down upon you today like God's grace.

There are shadows here and light falls everywhere is the light.

May all your wanderings this weekend be one of moving toward Him who is our light of the world.

all of grace,

Robbie

Rejoice in the Lord Always

" Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."  Philippians 4: 4-9

The journey to become the person God wants us to be- begins with learning to disciple our minds- to focus on what is right rather than what is wrong.
Use God's word to reprogram your mind by turning the attention to the positive rather than the negative.
Romans 12:1  "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." The mind is a primary battlefield and will either help or hinder your goal of becoming the person God wants you to become.
As you think new and positive thoughts, your attitude will change.

Change your mind- then behavior- attitude- your actions- You will then begin to notice that you can change your circumstances. Happiness comes from within- it is a choice!

Rejoicing in the Lord is one of the hardest things that I have to do. But I do need to remember daily that God has a plan for me- not to harm me- but to bring me closer to him.

I have so much to be thankful for! I pray for a humble heart- To allow myself to always be thankful- to see the good in situations and in people. What I want more than anything on this earth- is for others to see Jesus in me! I pray for strength- not to let my guard down- to be weakened by the flesh. I want to walk daily with Jesus- in full armor- ready for anything.
In His Service
Amy

Rainbow Express

Snap shots of His grace.............

     So thankful for these girls of mine who gave a  week of their lives for these precious children of God.............

The Best Camp in the World.................."RAINBOW EXPRESS."

 Sean my 16 year old and her new friend "Tori."

 The daughter of one of my close friends.............."Mandy," who also gave of her-self to serve this week and what an little angel God had in store for her............all of my girls were fighting to hold her!

 Gracie my middle daughter who came home from her first day at camp as a counselor and said:
"Mommy, God gave me my twin!!!!! She and I are so much alike!!!!" "We even have the same personality etc."  "Then I noticed looking around that God gave all of us our twins".....Isn't God amazing......This precious child is named "Julia."

In this program the teens are learning what it means to bend the lower.

Every year for one week Matthews United Methodist Church host "Rainbow Express."

 High-School and College kids train for months on Sunday nights to meet the requirements to be a counselor.

Only certain ones are chosen for this.......my girls and I held our breath praying and hoping that they would be able to participate. It was the highlight of our summer!

These teens bend......... to wipe faces that drool.......they bend to change diapers of children who are older than them....they hold ones having spasms....they speak for the ones who can't speak........they don't eat their lunch until their new friends eat first..... they hold each others hands to pray before meals and their hearts split wide open with love.

These teens radiated His nature.........dying to their-selves.....coming to Him only to serve.

This is the first principle in the Kingdom of God, that most of us "adults," will never get.

The doorway to the Kingdom was opened this week......"blessed are the pure in heart," for they shall see God.

At the end of everyday we sing praises to the King. We tell them stories of a heavenly king that was born a pauper and how He did the unthinkable to die for you and me..

I stare out into the crowd as I have seen God everywhere to watch these teens give so self-lessly.

The tears that sting my eyes as I stand in awe of His Glory.......knowing that I came to be the nurse but got so much more in return.....I whisper thanks again and again for the way this experience has blessed me...... for I learned from them......the tears start to fall and joy overflows..."I saw God today," in each and everyone of their precious faces.

I sit here today me in my me-ism little world amazed that I was given an opportunity to share a story such as this. Knowing that the lower we bend the more we will see.

Witnessing the here and the now..........the sight of His glory.
An awakening to my very soul...........as my heart cries out over and over again; "thank you Lord."
No-where does He leave himself without witness.............even the rocks will cry out "Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty."

::
 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.  (Romans 1:20)

all of grace,

Robbie

Give me your eyes...................

We want to see with your eyes.............

If we see will we believe.................................

 Are we open to see? Is our hearts open? To see with gratitude......

Trusting.............trusting in the goodness of God...........
working in Neuro Surgical Critical Care today............let me see with your eyes Lord..............
all of grace,
Robbie


thankful today for;

the piles of stuff everywhere
family dinners
the rain
the laundry that is never done
a best friend
the crumbs on the counter
the sunlight
glass doors
children that have started their own gratitude journal
teenagers