God's dream for you......

Do you ever wonder what God's dream is for you? Are you ever afraid that you are going to miss it? Maybe it is just me. I no longer question my salvation. My fear is that I am going to miss it. Miss what God's dream is for me. And it will be my fault. I am afraid that I am going to spend my life on what is comfortable, easy, safe. I want to learn to abandon my life to a Greater Power and a Greater Purpose. I don't want to choose my own course. Their is so much thrills, joy and beauty if we allow God total control over our lives. God has shown me lately that I have only given him part of me for a sacrifice.
Look at Romans 12:1, Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship..
When we ask God what do you want? And he says, "I want your body." You see when he gets the body, he gets the contents. Paul gives us so much direction how to give it to him. "Present your body to him as a living sacrifice." If you are like me by this point you may saying OK what does that really mean? Why a living sacrifice? Paul was basically contrasting it with the old Testament sacrifices, which animals were first killed, cut into pieces and placed on the altar. Paul was saying, "Don't kill your body and place it on the altar. Place a living body on the altar."
When a sacrifice was placed on the altar it no longer belonged to the person who offered it, it belonged to God. It is as though God says here, "Place your body on My altar as a living sacrifice. From now on you don't own it. I own it. You don't make decisions as to what will happen to your body- I make them. I take full responsibility for it. I decide what you will eat, wear, and where you go. Hang with me this is the meat of this message: There are major benefits to this kind of commitment. God has a different attitude toward the property that is merely leased to Him as opposed to the property that is His. He accepts full responsibility for what he owns. This information came from a book by Derek Prince "Secrets of A Prayer Warrior."

God has made it clear that offering our bodies as living sacrifices is OBEDIENCE that comes from our heart. This is so much more important. Daily laying aside our own desires to follow him. Putting all our energy, resources at His disposal and TRUSTING him. This should be the least thing we can do, since God sent Jesus to die for our sins.
Surrendering your life to God is the most wonderful and hardest thing you will ever have to do. To cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it. (Matthew 10:39).
Drinking from this world will cause us to give up the dream that God has for us. The more we drink from this world with the earthly treasures: money, power, popularity, the more we will discover how empty we really feel. We have to realize that the earthly treasures are only temporary and that we are citizens of another world that offers us eternal life. We live in a world who favors blending in, being just like everybody else. Their is a cost to going after the "life that is living the dream that God has for us." At the end of my life when I stand at the throne of God, I long to hear those powerful words "Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant" you went after the dreams that I planted in your heart, and you fulfilled your purpose exactly the way my dreams for you were. Well Done!

all of grace,
Robbie

The Cross in Our Bodies

This is a pretty neat story and an interesting thing that few of us know. It's brief, so please read. (FROM A DOCTOR)

A couple of days ago I was running (I use that term very loosely) on my treadmill, watching a DVD sermon by Louie Giglio... And I was BLOWN AWAY! I want to share what I learned.....

He (Louie) was talking about how inconceivably BIG our God is... How He spoke the universe into being.. How He breathes stars out of His mouth that are huge raging balls of fire.. Etc. Etc. Then He went on to speak of how this star-breathing, universe creating God ALSO knitted our human bodies together with amazing detail and wonder. At this point I am LOVING it (fascinating from a medical standpoint, you know.) .. And I was remembering how I was constantly amazed during medical school as I learned more and more about God's handiwork. I remember so many times thinking..'How can ANYONE deny that a Creator did all of this???' Louie went on to talk about how we can trust that the God who created all this, also has the power to hold it all together when things seem to be falling apart...how our loving Creator is also our sustainer.
And then I lost my breath. And it wasn't because I was running my treadmill, either!!!
It was because he started talking about laminin. I knew about laminin..

Here is how Wikipedia describes them: 'Laminins are a family of proteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue' You see.... Laminins are what hold us together.... LITERALLY. They are cell adhesion molecules. They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell. Without them, we would literally fall apart. And I knew all this already. But what I didn't know is what they LOOKED LIKE..
But now I do. And I have thought about it a thousand times since (already)....Here is what the structure of laminin looks like... AND THIS IS NOT a 'Christian portrayal' of it.... If you look up laminin in any scientific/medical piece of literature, this is what you will see....

Now tell me that our God is not the coolest!!! Amazing. The glue that holds us together.... ALL of us...... Is in the shape of the cross. Immediately Colossians 1:15-17 comes to mind. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. All things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him All things HOLD TOGETHER.' Colossians 1:15-17 Call me crazy. I just think that is very, very, very cool. Thousands of years before the world knew anything about laminin, Paul penned those words. And now we see that from a very LITERAL standpoint, we are held together... One cell to another.... By the cross.

You would never in a quadrillion years convince me that is anything other than the mark of a Creator who knew EXACTLY what laminin 'glue' would look like long before Adam breathed his first breath!!

What I found when I googled laminin !!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

all of grace,

Yahweh Sisters

Refining Silver

There was a group of woman in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter 3, they came across verse 3 which says:"He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..."  This verse puzzled the woman and they wondered what this statement means about the character and nature of God. One of the woman offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.

That week this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for the interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the siversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to burn away all the impurities
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver...". She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. For if the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh thats the easy part, when I see my image reflected in it."

He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, (Malachi 3:3)


all of grace,
Robbie


So the craziness of life continues on..........praising God all the way!
asking for your grace and prayers please.............husband having surgery on knee, dad who drove 12 hours for a visit...........Amy who is in London this week..........yes London, England!


all of grace,
Robbie

Weekends are for building

Matthew 7:24-27

    ²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

May your weekend be one that is filled with building...... your house on what

will last............the WORD of God!

all of grace,

Robbie

Wisdom from the young

After a long- very long- day in the ICU- I came home to my eight year old standing at the top of the stairs. At first it scared me. It was dark in the house and seeing an image at the top of the stairs took me by surprise. I looked at him, and without saying a word- we hugged. As I patted him on the back, I felt him melt into my arms.  Enjoying every minute of this sweet

moment, I felt peace and true joy.
As soon as it started- it ended with-" Come with me mom."  He went on to tell me that he had already
read scriptures to daddy, now it was my turn.   Oh great I thought- What is God using a 8 year old to tell me now? My husband and I joking call him " our little preacher"- cause truthfully he prays, and reads scriptures everyday. And even talks to others at school about Jesus and getting saved. Jesus is coming back soon- he is using the young, old, and the in-between to build his kingdom.

Mom- he said, I want to read to you psalms 37. 1-9

So I listened-
" Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong. For like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this;
     He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways. When they carry our their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger, and turn from wrath- do not fret- it only leads to evil.
For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

Truthfully- I think he read that scripture to me because it said- Refrain from anger.
He knows that my temper is short and I often lose patience with the boys all the time.

I do also know that I have had some issues at work- and have prayed for help from the Lord.

SO I feel him telling me today- to keep my eyes on him- pray without ceasing- and in EVERYTHING give him praise.

So Blessed
Amy

Prayer Retreat

It was our chance to go away and spend time with Jesus!

Meeting new friends..........Friends that are on the same path..............wanting more of Jesus!

Opening up our hearts with each other and reaching up to the one we cry....."HOLY, HOLY is the LAMB."  Friends that are willing........to walk the walk with you!

Trying to follow.........going out on a limb wanting more of HIM.

That beautiful weekend did begin and now it's ended...........oh how I miss the pace of the mountain.

Leaving I know that I am changed.........never traveled this road before..........but I keep telling myself......Yes.......because Christ wins in the end.

.

The weekend left us happy but tired.......I crave more simple relationship..... the companionship that is only found in the tranquil rich space of His presence!  I am finding my way once again in uncharted waters. Knowing that He is charting my course!

The wind is blowing hard through the trees now can you hear it?  Can you smell fall is in the air? Summer is behind us now.....trying to inhale deeply the grace that Christ so gently offers..........and expand the lungs with the tasks of daily living. Pouring out my heart like dirty water. Wanting to learn to live life through the eyes of the eternal.

The leaves are changing............and falling. What is it that lies ahead for me or for you?

Is it unchanging peace?  Could it include spilling out more of me..............So only He can pour in?  Only if we chose the path that we have never walked before.

I still battle fear in this uncertain world? I am still battling the call to bend the lower for the sick and the dying.  It's time to stop complaining about where we are...........It time to step out and trust the one we love.

"JESUS."

Taking the road less traveled.............the path of discomfort of giving until it hurts could be the path of real learning.   Taking leaps of faith by bending even lower.............a road not traveled by many.........the path that will lead you right to Jesus' feet. The path where heaven's watching to see your next move. He will do the drawing...........drawing you closer and sharing your journey.

It's the path that connects and collects you...........rewards you and molds you.

It's in the quiet of scared places...........where His love and beauty truly shine.

The path to eternity is the discovery of relationship and companionship with the "King of Kings,

charting our course."

In the quiet of the morning is when I feel his presence. That gentle nudging.........come away with me. To soak in His presence like never before to be connected in a relationship that is bonded  through eternity.....He is knocking

will you let him in?

all of grace,

Robbie

Joy

The bible talks about "Joy" over one hundred times in the bible......

Colosssians 1:11

May you be strengthened  with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.

Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation- be in constant prayer.

James 1:2

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.

1 Peter 1:8

Though you have not seen him, you love him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressive and filled with glory.

2 Corinthians 8:2

For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of  joy, their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

What steals our joy?

Is it just part of Adam's sin?

What gives us joy?

What takes it away?

As long as we are in this world- our flesh will moan and groan.

Nothing will be wrong- but..... or is something wrong.

Even the world moans in pain.

We are not home yet....

Yet we moan for joy- we look everywhere for joy.

Cant you hear someone calling, " Joy, Where are you?"

Joy comes in the morning

Joy is everlasting

Joy can only come from God.

If we are saved and on our way to spend an eternal life with our father- then why do we beg for joy? We should be jumping up and down- Crying- Weeping- Thanking God for Joy!

Joy cannot be bought or even earned...... Joys comes from God.

JUST ASK

Spend time with our Lord

Pray without ceasing

Read his word.

Why do we make things so complicated?

Joy is a gift

Joy is free

Ask for Joy unspeakable and full of glory

Go to bed- claiming Joy

Wake up and claim Joy

In all ways acknowledge him

What will I chose today?

I choose Joy

I will see Joy in all things- in all ways- in all circumstances.

Pray for Joy- it is the second fruit of the spirit after Love-

With a Joyful heart-

Amy

The road less traveled

The road less traveled.................which path do I take?

God has me on a journey............Seeking Him who died for us. Desiring Him who rose for us.

Knowing I am nothing more than, "jars of clay." (weak)

I often pray for a life that points upward to God but am I being transformed?  Transformed into His likeness?

 We live in an upside down world....... where down is up and up is down.

The world is full of so many paths.........but which path is our designation?

Do I turn to the right or to the left?

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.      ( Isaiah 30:21)

Wanting so badly to be on the path that enables me to recognize my death unto sin!

Maybe it's me with my self-centered self afraid...................afraid to die!

I think about the changes seen in the shell we call our body...............and how it breaks down. I take in  the words of Billy Graham in the Sunday newspaper:

"......No one ever taught me how I ought to live the years before I die. I wish they had...."

I have been looking back at my life.  It is a different season now after the prayer retreat.

Seeing paths in my past that would have been better........not for my comfort or ease but paths that would have been wiser.............. more grace.......more love, less rules!

     Some of the scales are continuing to fall from my eyes daily...........but again I grieve because I sometimes wonder;

"do I truly want to see?"

 God is leading me..........to a road less traveled........... one where you listen more.........sit alone in silence more............live life with less words.  I still cry out in the stillness........more of the easy Lord!   I say I want more of Him...........but am I willing to take the road less traveled! The one where it may be harder to climb..... the one that could cause more scrapes and bruises.

Will He carry me when the burden gets heavy?  The road less traveled is steep and dangerous.

Is the King of Kings urging me to step out in faith? I want to learn the things He has for me.......but at what cost? Less comfort?  Less money?  Less rest?  Is the steep and dangerous harder than I care to try?

Where is my trust? My faith? Is it all just hope?

My feet may be weary...........my heart may ache.............but there is a God in heaven who wants to take the wheel if I will let him.

"Remember that you have only one soul; that you only have one death to die; that you only have one life, which is short and has to be lived by  you alone; and that there is only one glory, which is ETERNAL!

Teresa of Avila

all of grace,

Robbie

Weekends are for doors

May your weekend be one of opening new doors..................open the word of the Lord where-ever your hand can reach!

Let Jesus be your all in all...................and let grace be the one breath you savor while on your knees.


all of grace,
Robbie

Rest in him

John 15:4

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine. Neither can  you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Abide in Jesus- Rest in Him

So many times- I cry out to the Lord, " I'm done" or " I'm tired"........ I hear silence- I feel silence.......

Then a calm answer from the Lord- I feel-  then rest- then rest.

And so I close my eyes for a second and rest- then the adrenaline from the world shoots into me AGAIN and I rest no more.

I was in a rush this morning- as usual- Once at home- I cleaned a very quick clean.... Lit candles..... Sat to blog a message from my heart, and then I glance out of the corner of my eye and saw one of my candles- on fire- burning the whole candle inside and out- there was paper wrapped around the candle and it had caught fire. So, of course I jump up and put out the small fire in my kitchen- as I act like a firefighter- I pray, Father How or when will I ever be able to rest.

Rest in him....... That is more work than you think.

Every day we should come to him humbly and straightforwardly and say, " Lord, is there anything in me that is not according to your will, that has not been ordered by you."

Wait patiently- a relationship between you and Christ will spring up. He will give, and wants to give us unbroken fellowship ALL day long.

Spending time with the Lord takes work- takes time- takes an effort. Are we willing to take that extra time for the Lord?

Do we let the busy- the fast- the world keep us- just close enough- but too far- from our Lord. It is hard to rest when you are running.

If we stop long enough- we will hear him- we will feel him-

Father- slow me down so that I can rest in you. Sit with you. My spirit longs for you, Lord. For more of you.

Amy

Temporal vs. Eternal

     Do you ever wonder what God's dream is for you? Are you ever afraid that you are going to miss it? Maybe it is just me because I no longer question my salvation, my fear is that I am going to miss it. Miss God's path for me. And it will be my fault.
     I am afraid that I am going to spend my life on what is comfortable, easy, safe. I want to learn to abandon my life to a Greater Power and a Greater Purpose. I don't want to choose my own course. There are so many blessings if we allow God total control over our lives. God is showing me lately that I only give him part of me as a sacrifice.
Look at Romans 12:1, Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship..
When we ask God what do you want? And he says, "I want your body." You see when he gets the body, he gets the contents. Paul gives us so much direction how to give it to him. "Present your body to him as a living sacrifice." 
 Why a living sacrifice? Paul was basically contrasting it with the old Testament sacrifices, which animals were first killed, cut into pieces and placed on the altar. Paul was saying, "Don't kill your body and place it on the altar. Place a living body on the altar."
When a sacrifice was placed on the altar it no longer belonged to the person who offered it, it belonged to God. God is saying, "Place your body on My altar as a living sacrifice. From now on you don't own it. I own it. You don't make decisions as to what will happen to your body- I make them. I take full responsibility for it. I decide what you will eat, wear, and where you go. 
 There are major benefits to this kind of commitment. God has a different attitude toward the property that is merely leased to Him as opposed to the property that is His. He accepts full responsibility for what he owns.
     God has made it clear that offering our bodies as living sacrifices is OBEDIENCE that comes from our heart.  Daily laying aside our own desires to follow him. Putting all our energy, resources at His disposal and TRUSTING him.
Surrendering your life to God is the most wonderful and hardest thing you will ever have to do.

To cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it. (Matthew 10:39).

Looking at the world through a TEMPORAL value system will cause us to pursue happiness through:  earthly treasures: money, power, popularity.
Driven only to accomplish to impress!

Prosperity knits a man to the World. He feels that is “finding his place in it,” while really it is finding its place in him.
C.S. Lewis

The eternal valve system is going to require FAITH......it will also require us to guard our hearts and our minds.
What we love is what we will give our hearts too...........and what we give our hearts to is what we pass down to our children.

"Our priorities will shape our practices!"

What have our desires made us?
AW Tozer

At the end of my life when I stand at the throne of God, I long to hear those powerful words "Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant."

all of grace,
Robbie