Noise

Indeed, obedience must be given with genuine good will, because God loves a cheerful giver.

If obedience is given with a bad will and with murmuring not only in words but even in bitterness of heart, then even though the command may be externally fulfilled it will not be accepted by God, for he can see the resistance in the heart of a murmurer. One who behaves in such a way not only fails to receive the reward of grace but actually incurs the punishment deserved by murmurers. Only repentance and reparation can save such a one from this punishment."

Benedict of Nursia

It's funny that silence is what I crave.........but even on my walks I hear bees humming......... dogs barking...... birds chirping even the plants are swaying to the rhythm of this world

Is it possible to hear with our world so full of noise everywhere?

Last night as I tried to sit in silence I hear the water running from the teens starting the shower...........it's 10pm and I feel so tired. Baseball is blarring on the television. I hear a radio from another teens room. Then another teen slams the refrigerator door for the 100th time. If silence is truly a miracle itself..........why is it so hard to have?

It's true I guess that the days of noise can be deafening and cause you to lose your way

The visions of my past of being silenced now by the redeeming blood of the "great I AM!"

As I lay on my bed at night it is me who closes my eyes and wishes I could climb into the lap of the Saviour............and sleep away with the wings of grace covering my ugly.

There are the days when I feel so small............because He is God that is everywhere. And who am I the women with unclean lips..........craving Silence which is wiser than Speaking.

There are days when the tongue whips words out the harsh and you wonder how you could have really said that.

It is then I think about the WORD himself............the one who is true, and pure who bent the lowest of them all........who kept himself the silent to take it all for us. Who is this God I have to ask myself?

The world is so full of noise but it is Him so full of truth. Yet He is indescribable.........with His outstretched hands........open and willing to take the pain of being nailed to a cross.......a cross He even carried on His back.......the one with no beginning and no end. With words being taunted at Him for hours but His lips never SPOKE stop because He was consumed with, " AGAPE" love for us that is incomprehensible.............it requires no WORDS for He is the WORD Himself!

Who is this God I have asked..............The one who carried it all for sinners........even when the sin was heavy, messy, and ugly.   He never said a word..............but continued to carry the cross for us all.

God the light of the World..........who came only to save. The one who is the Word that surrendered His all for the ones whose mouths can't stop............ complaining........... gossiping................screaming  "it's all about me."

Silence can offer up our embrace.

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.(Proverbs 10:19)

He who bleed............for us all................who took darkness upon himself........only to give....... us the true meaning of LOVE.

Our God is love and love is God.

Want you join me in getting to know the WORD himself this year?

all is well,
Robbie

To Follow or not to follow?

The day begins again.................I inhale and exhale hard..............wondering  which way do I go in a world that has me spinning out of control lately?

I wake early in the wee hours of the morning to feed..............on the one true food that matters....."the word."  But apparently I am continuing to miss it.................I fumble and stumble my way through ........hearing only what I want to hear.

Not wanting the fire to burn.................... through the layers of me.

Yet His grace..........circles me again and again.  I grieve.........because it's me that continues to live........thirsty!

I see the well.............it's right in front of me...........but I clinch my lips the tight............WHY? I scream..............why want I drink the water of everlasting?

Maybe to drink is to follow....................on a path of the unknown.  Maybe I am scared.........tired and weary.

¹⁷ As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17)

 ²¹ Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” ²² But at these words ^[a]he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. (Mark 10:21-22)

What does it truly mean to follow Him? 

Surrender I  hear him whisper..................a life of surrender!

The surrender of our wants...............the surrender of the temporary things of this world. A heart transformation is needed.............before we can surrender our will for His will. Where the eternal things become our number one priority!

Sometimes life can be messy......and........dirty........... and God says it's OK because I came for the messy!

We need to feel the weight of the cross on our backs. Sometimes in this life we will have to taste suffering.............. rejection...........and things that are unpleasant.

Real followers taste it! Or should I say drink it and..............they are never thirsty again.

A true FOLLOWER surrenders his all...............and says not my will but yours Father.

Want you join me in this 21st century................letting it be all about FOLLOWING THE KING?

This world is not our home...............We are only passing through............we are merely sojourners.  Abraham continued to live in temporary housing as He picked up his cross to FOLLOW Jesus..............He lived in a tent because he knew that the world he was living in was only temporary he was only passing through.

To FOLLOW Jesus is going to require us to look at this world as temporary............it's a daily  sacrifice of dying to ourselves!

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

We live in an upside down world................where up is really down...........and the lower we bend the closer we are to seeing His face! Make that cross heavy Father, we want to see your face!

A pledge by a late bible teacher..........RUSSELL KELLER:

He suggested that it would be a good idea to write out a brief document on a piece of paper, sign your name at the bottom, and make it a habit of recommitting yourself to it on a regular basis.

Having been born into the kingdom of God. I do hereby acknowledge that God's purchase of my life included all the rights and control of that life for all eternity.

I do further acknowledge that He has NOT guarunteed me to be free from pain or to have success or prosperity. He has not guaranteed me perfect health. He has not guaranteed me perfect parents. He has not guaranteed me perfect children. He has not guaranteed me the absence of pressures, trails, misunderstandings, or persecution.

What He has promised me is ETERNAL LIFE!  What He has promised me is ABUNDANT LIFE. What He has promised me is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, GENTLENESS, MEEKNESS, and SELF-CONTROL. He has given me all of Himself in exchange for the rights to my life.

Therefore I acknowledge this day the relinquishment of all my rights and expectations, and humbly ask Him by HIS GRACE to replace these with a GREATUL SPIRIT.......for whatever in His WISDOM He DEEMS to allow for my life.

What a difference our lives would be if we started from the very beginning of each day SURRENDERING full rights to our lives to Him!

We must pour out first to be filled!

But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.

Philippians 2:17; NIV

 

all is well,

Robbie 

Eye Protection

Be careful little eyes what you see,

be careful little eyes what you see,

for the father up above is looking down in love,

 oh be careful little eyes what you see.

Singing this song when I was young, taught me that I was responsible for what I did with my body.

Not only are we to guard our hearts, but our minds, our eyes, our ears. I feel like I would be better off living in a bubble.

Proverbs 4:23-27

" Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity, keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left, keep your foot from evil.

I rarely eat lunch in the break room at work. It is usually too busy to actually sit down and enjoy your lunch, watch a little TV, etc. But today was different, It was actually a pretty good day, one that included lunch in the break room.

I went to the cafeteria with a couple other nurses. We grabbed our lunch, and rushed back upstairs. Especially cause we could be called back into the unit at any time.

The TV was already on, half the time you cant find the remote and you just watch whatever is on.

Well of course it was a talk show- with every thing a Christian women should stay away from. I sat there- actually kinda entertained from the mess of their lives. There were prostitutes, pimps, their families, their friends. etc.

I have to admit that I did feel a little conviction, but who knew where the remote was and I wasn't the only one in the room.

So I sat there and laughed at these people air their dirty laundry all over day time TV.

I should be ashamed!!!

Some of the comments my coworkers expressed- should have made me blush, but it didn't. I sat right there and ate my lunch and participated in sin.

Then a 22 year old, Christian man- coworker- walked in. saw what was on the TV- actually heard the evil- heated up his lunch and walked out. He must have taken his lunch into the unit to eat.

Probably to get away from the sin.

I felt terrible- convicted. How can I be so weak. We are suppose to be an example to others, but why is it so hard.

I didn't say anything to him at first, I waited a week- then I apologised for staying and participating in that mess.

He actually thanked me- full understanding- and stated that he felt guilty for even staying to heat up his food. He was glad that I expressed by conviction. How lonely it is to walk with Jesus. We need to stick together and be the light to this dark and miserable world.

How could God use a 22 year old to witness to me- It should be the other way around. I am usually so quick to point out another who sins, when I should be on my knees worrying about myself

I know that we are human and are suppose to learn from our mistakes, but why is it so hard.

I did ask our father, Yahweh, for forgiveness. That I was sorry for being so weak. And prayed for strength.

I pray to be a witness - to show a Godly example- to show the love of Christ. I pray for another chance to be strong and be a witness to others.

In his service.

Amy

Teshuqah- hebrew for DESIRE

(asking for grace for last weeks quietness............lots of head colds and teens with final exams that also consisted of shorter school days . Life has had me spinning a bit disoriented lately.)

In the winter, seeing a tree striped of its leaves, and considering that within a little time the leaves would be RENEWED, and after that the flowers and fruit appear, I received a high view of the PROVIDENCE and POWER of God.....................(The Practice of the Presence of God).....Brother Lawrence.

     I thought my story.........was already written.......but it turns out there is always second chances!
Hiking 5 or 6 miles straight up a mountain wasn't my idea of fun!
Winter can be uncomfortable for some due to the ground being cursed.....bringing forth thorns and thistles.

     When I hiked up that mountain in October at the Cove..............pouring my heart out like dirty water............wanting so badly to shed my dirty little secrets............I Him whisper to my heart......."rock!"

But I doubted...... did I really just hear that?  "ROCK."
Me of so little faith!

     Separation I scream.................from the old rock where I have been embedded so long!

Hosea 10:12

¹² Sow for yourselves righteousness;
reap steadfast love;
break up your fallow ground,
for it is the time to seek the LORD,
that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

God is Love...............Love is God!

( Agape)

 means "love" (unconditional love)

John 13:34-35

 

³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

My view laying on my back in front of the barren forest looking up!

 I live the bare and barren................as a winter tree with wounds.............unprofitable........fit to be torn down and burnt!

I have no green shoots in me.......no fruit here I scream...............just old thorns and thistles!

It goes back to the days of Adam and Eve...................where they abandon their God-given role.
Where the Lord says to Cain before the first murder committed............"SINS DESIRE IS FOR YOU!"  "You must RULE over it!"
He fails and so do we. Has our discontent with our lives permitted our own DESIRES to eat of the forbidden fruit?

(Yes we have all eaten the fruit of lies...................because of our trust in SELF.)

The trees start to sway to their own rhythm............of this world. Maybe they are exposing me for who I really am?  What is buried deep I cry? It's me who is scared of my old wounds starting to bleed.

I lay for a while and listen..................to the wood-pecker that is knocking hard on a tree.

Is God knocking?............Knocking on the door of my heart and yours asking.........."Will you welcome me with Joy and Thanksgiving?"

Recreate in me a new heart...............harbouring nothing that would keep thy presence from me!

What's buried the deep can corrupt the heart and keep us from producing fruit!

Occupying our time with trivial things that change daily.

"Give ourselves up to God, with regard both to the things temporal and eternal, and seek SATISFACTION ONLY in the fulfilling of His will, whether He lead us by suffering or by consolation,  for all would be equal to a soul truly resigned.......(SURRENDERED).-Brother Lawrence.

If I truly DESIRE to know God.........................then I have to be willing to surrender to God so He can break up the hard, barren ground in my spiritual life!

In Hosea......God caused them to DESIRE................ that LOVE (AGAPE); relationship with HIM.
He enabled them to see. Do we truly want to see? 

His desire for all of us is to get back to our 1st love.........................."CHRIST."

Through grace my dear friends................we can surrender all.........and drink from the very water where we will never thirst again................drinking of the joy's........found only in HIS presence.

Join me will you?

all is well,

Robbie

so thankful;

for the fog on a cold Jan. morning

rain drops that keep on falling

giggling teens up-stairs

warmth by a fire place

candles burning bright

a new year that is bringing changes

a God who draws you near

the sound of water rushing strong in a creek bed

rocking chairs

clean bathrooms

a break from work

cleaning out closets

quiet mornings with the King

darkness

mirrors of reflections

desires that can change

simplicity

the word

Opportunities

Before Jesus departed to his heavenly throne to  take his position at the right hand of our Father, he spent time with his final eleven disciples- commanding them to " go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19-20

If these were the last words spoken to his disciples, you know they were very important.

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Christ commanded us to tell others about him and promised us that he would give us the power to do so.

Also, No one can tell your story- telling others what Jesus has done for you is what he commanded us to do.

As an ICU nurse I have opportunities every day to tell others about Jesus- NO.... it is my obligation as a christain to tell others about Jesus. Do I want to save his Mercy and Grace and Love just for myself and my family?

I could tell you numerous stories about how christain nurses and doctors pray for and with their patients. It would take all day to tell every story.

I am reading a book now- Gray Matter. A book about a neuro-surgeon who prays with every patient before and after surgery. Regardless of how the surgery goes- he gives God the glory.

I held her hand as she held onto life. " Im so weak- I almost left this earth". After hearing that- I usually know that their time on this earth is short. There were a lot of people in her room, she was 90 years old, but still wanted everything done for her at this time. As I held her hand and looked up and down her arm for a vein- to start an IV in. I asked her- " Do you know Jesus". I pray for boldness at work, I wanted to scream it, but instead I whispered it. " Oh yes" she said. After that brief moment, the only thing she could say- was Jesus, Jesus. That is the sweetest name I know.

What a precious time. I want to yell out his name.

Use what time we have on earth- use the opportunities to tell others about Jesus. Talk about his goodness to others- to your friends. Tell them what he has done for you. And in everything give him the praise and glory, that he deserves.

In his service.

Amy

Weekends are for reaching and quietness

All is quiet here this week...........except for the rain! The trees blowing with the rhythm of this world.
I am resolving to sit a spell in quietness.............reaching for God............remembering that to reach for God is to reach God!

May your weekend be one of reaching for Him even if it requires sitting in the uncomfortable stillness, committing to attempt placing yourself in the quietness of Him!

May all your weekend warm friends be one of reaching!

all is well,
robbie

Desire

As the sun rises to meet the day I rummage through photo's from my trip to Israel!


As I look out the window this morning............the sun glistens through the trees and I watch the tree tops sway to their own rhythm. But it is me who feels a void.............my heart I left in Israel!

     But I know these feelings I have for that Country is not of my own will........there is very little that I have chosen for myself. Because their is a God in heaven who is moving...........speaking and who still performs miracles today! He is the one who appoints my lot and determines my path. He himself has placed HIS desires in my heart;   for the apple of his eye........."Israel."

Today was a; "Revelation," for me in my quiet time this morning.............God has been circling me with the same question for months:  "Robbie, what do you truly desire?"  For months I have been coming up with numerous answers:  " to know Him more,.........to be more Christ-like,........to be His friend,...........to be a better Christian!!!

rev·e·la·tion

   /ˌrɛvəˈleɪʃən/ Show Spelled[rev-uh-ley-shuh n)

noun

1.

the act of revealing or disclosing; disclosure.

2.

something revealed or disclosed, especially a striking disclosure, as of something not before realized.

3.

Theology .

a.

God's disclosure of Himself and His will to His creatures.

b.

an instance of such communication or disclosure.

c.

something thus communicated or disclosed.

What I DESIRE................for myself I CANNOT attain, BUT.....what HE DESIRES in me HE can attain for me!

Maybe what we all need in 2012 is a REVELATION...........of the truth.........that because of our own flesh.........we DO NOT have the ABILITY to place God at the center of our life! God himself has to place himself there!

Maybe this day we could ask together.............with our hands held out OPEN.......for the gifts that He has for us. For Him to take our eyes and fix them upon HIM!

As the rain moves in and the sky turns grey............... it's me who whispers; "make this day a day of of obedience, a day of spiritual joy and peace.

And through each small death of our flesh........God perplexes His Kingdom forward.
Let us not be afraid when life seems the heavy because He is my father and yours.............we shall not be afraid!

all is well my sweet friends,
robbie