"O our God...we do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
-2 Chronicles 20:12 (NIV)
This verse spoke to my heart today. It sums up much of what life feels like...and where my focus should be fixed.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 03, 2009
Mercy Covers All...
I heard a song on the radio this morning and it has been in my head all day. I have heard many songs more profound and eloquently written, yet today this song made me want to cry...out of joy, out of thankfulness, and out of a deep longing to fully realize what it means to know that the mercy of my God covers ALL.
You Carried Me
I've been so busy, I missed the reasons
I missed Your love, and I nearly missed it all.
Still You loved me, and You've healed me,
You've given all and it brought me to Your cross
I stand only because You've given me grace to walk.
Only because...
You carried me,
You carried me,
You carried me through it all,
And I believe
Yes I believe,
You'll carry me all the way home,
Cause mercy covers all.
I know the scripture, I've known the songs,
I sang the words from my hollowed heart.
But You've spoken softly through the storm,
I've heard Your voice and I've felt the calm
I stand only because You've given me faith to walk.
Only because...
You carried me,
You carried me,
You carried me through it all.
And I believe,
Yes I believe,
You'll carry me all the way home,
Cause mercy covers all.
-Building 429
Word Records
You Carried Me
I've been so busy, I missed the reasons
I missed Your love, and I nearly missed it all.
Still You loved me, and You've healed me,
You've given all and it brought me to Your cross
I stand only because You've given me grace to walk.
Only because...
You carried me,
You carried me,
You carried me through it all,
And I believe
Yes I believe,
You'll carry me all the way home,
Cause mercy covers all.
I know the scripture, I've known the songs,
I sang the words from my hollowed heart.
But You've spoken softly through the storm,
I've heard Your voice and I've felt the calm
I stand only because You've given me faith to walk.
Only because...
You carried me,
You carried me,
You carried me through it all.
And I believe,
Yes I believe,
You'll carry me all the way home,
Cause mercy covers all.
-Building 429
Word Records
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Death, where is your victory?
What a weekend it has been for Faith Baptist Church and the Robbins' household. On Friday morning we got the phone call saying that after a long, hard battle with sickness, a dear lady from our church had gone home to Heaven.
The death of a believer brings such a paradox of emotions; on the one hand I grieve over the loss of someone who was another Grandma to me, yet at the same time I rejoice for her because she is now free from pain and experiencing fullness of joy in Heaven.
This song has meant a lot to me recently. It eloquently speaks of the paradox of a believer's homegoing. How thankful I am for the hope that we have through Jesus!
The death of a believer brings such a paradox of emotions; on the one hand I grieve over the loss of someone who was another Grandma to me, yet at the same time I rejoice for her because she is now free from pain and experiencing fullness of joy in Heaven.
This song has meant a lot to me recently. It eloquently speaks of the paradox of a believer's homegoing. How thankful I am for the hope that we have through Jesus!
It is Not Death to Die
(Stanza 1)
It is not death to die,
To leave this weary road,
And join the saints who dwell on high
Who've found their home with God.
It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears,
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears.
(Chorus)
Oh Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save.
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die.
(Stanza 2)
It is not death to fling
Aside this earthly dust,
And rise with strong and noble wing
To live among the just.
It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore.
(Chorus)
Oh Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save.
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die.
(2008 Sovereign Grace Praise)
(Words and Music by Henri Malan and Bob Kauflin)
Sunday, July 05, 2009
One Short Day (Weekend)
This weekend, I saw two of the men that I love. Now before you are alarmed may I explain that one was my boyfriend, Stephen, and the other my brother, Nathan.Friday morning found me leaving the house at 6:15 with mom and dad to go meet up with New Life (Faith's traveling music team) in St. Louis. The parents dropped me off at my dear friends', Joe and Becky Groppel's house, and I proceeded to go with the Groppel's to meet up with New Life. I must say that it was a wonderful moment when Steve and I saw each other after six weeks! ;-) We spent the day taking pictures at the Arch, walking around the city, eating at the Old Spaghetti Factory, getting caught in traffic, and racing through the zoo. It was such a blessing to be not only with Steve, but also with many dear friends that travel on the team.
Friday night we met up with the parents back at a church in Roxana, Illinois for the evening concert. What an incredible spiritual encouragement it was to hear the uplifting music, and be encouraged from the truth of God's Word. At the end of the concert I found myself in tears, moved by many emotions, and thankful to God for the special day He allowed me to spend with people I love.
I decided that saying goodbyes all over again felt like ripping open a scab that had just begun to heal. Goodbyes are painful, but time eases the sting...however, seeing people and being forced to leave again re-opens the wound. Oh well...relationships with people are worth the pain they may cause. ;-)
Saturday brought on the second round of excitement! Nathan arrived in the afternoon of the 4th with his team, the Gospel Heralds, from Appalachian Bible College. After they set up at the church we headed out for a big cook-out at the home of some church friends. Although it was a rainy, cloudy day, we managed to have fun playing Wii fit and Apples to Apples, talking, and preparing ourselves to watch fireworks on wet grass. The town fireworks were a little soggy, but enjoyable. I was blessed to get to know the people who are putting up with my brother all summer long. :-)
Today we were ministered to by the Gospel Heralds, and once again I was blessed to hear the God-focused music and testimonies. I also felt a certain amount of pride in seeing my little brother sing, preach, play the piano, and minister to the glory of God. He has matured and grown so much and it is an honor to be his big sister! ;-)
That concludes my all too short weekend....God is so good to allow us special times that break up the routine of life. Now a new week begins with a whole new set of challenges. I'll keep you posted!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Daddy's Girl
Today is Father's Day, and it wouldn't be appropriate to let the day pass without giving some kind of acknowledgement to the man who has so shaped my life...my dad. In looks, everyone tells me I take after my mother, but in personality, I am my father's daughter. We share so much in common; the desire to learn, understand, and question until we get things right, a love for reading, writing, and occasionally waxing poetic, a love for people, a stubborn streak, the tendency to be slightly distracted, and a dry, if not slightly ridiculous sense of humor. ;-)
Playing baseball in the yard
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I have learned so much from my dad. He showed me by example what it means to be faithful in the tasks of everyday life, through ups and downs, and times of drought and blessing. He taught me how to ride a bike, how to drive, and how to balance a checkbook. He supported and helped me through minor car accidents, boy problems, and spiritual struggles. He constantly challenged me to be reading God's Word, applying it to my life, and to keep looking to Jesus. To this day, he continues to support, listen, and challenge me and help me through each new phase of life.
I'm thankful for the incredible influence he's had in my life...and today I want him to know. I love you, Dad!
A page from my highschool scrapbook
Playing baseball in the yard
(If you look closely you'll see my stylin' green jellies!)
Oh the nineties...
Still enjoying baseball together!
Just bein' ourselves! :-)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Six Flags and Suffering
The title of this post might leave you a little puzzled....hang on a minute and I'll explain. I've learned two things related to these topics this week and I wanted to alliterate the title so thats how it came about. :-)
Six Flags. On Tuesday of this week, I learned that I am getting old. After spending the day riding in a van and running around an amusement park with a group of mostly seventh and eighth graders I realized that, at last, the aging process has begun! The first hint at aging came in the surprised look on the face of one of the seventh graders when she found out that I had graduated from high school in 2004. However, I am not about to let a little thing like my age ruin a good time...we spent the day riding every roller coaster possible, looking for change on the ground, daring to ride the "Big Kahuna" water slide, and in general, having a great time. I only feared for my life once. ;-)
The second clue to my aging was my utter exhaustion at the end of the day. While the kids bounced around the van on a sugar high after supper...I was ready for bed. So ended my day at Six Flags.
Suffering. Believe it or not, the suffering is not related to my trip with the Youth Group. I just finished reading the book Jesus Freaks: Martyrs by DC Talk. Basically, its a modernized Foxe's Book of Martyrs, including stories of Christian persecution from ancient history up until modern times. This was a challenging book to read, simply because it made me realize that I have suffered nothing for my faith in comparision with what countless others have been willing to suffer for Jesus Christ. The horrors some people have faced in order to pass from this life to eternity are nearly unbearable...yet their firm faith brought them through even the worst torture and enabled them to claim Christ until the very end. I pray that my faith would be that strong. One particular quote brought tears to my eyes,
"My dear Jesus, my Savior, is so deeply written in my heart, that I feel confident, that if my heart were to be cut open and chopped to pieces, the name of Jesus would be found written on every piece."
-- Ignatius (a student of the Apostle John, devoured by wild animals in Rome, 111 AD)
If you are interested in being informed about or praying for current Christian persecution, check out this web site...
www.persecution.com
Six Flags. On Tuesday of this week, I learned that I am getting old. After spending the day riding in a van and running around an amusement park with a group of mostly seventh and eighth graders I realized that, at last, the aging process has begun! The first hint at aging came in the surprised look on the face of one of the seventh graders when she found out that I had graduated from high school in 2004. However, I am not about to let a little thing like my age ruin a good time...we spent the day riding every roller coaster possible, looking for change on the ground, daring to ride the "Big Kahuna" water slide, and in general, having a great time. I only feared for my life once. ;-)
The second clue to my aging was my utter exhaustion at the end of the day. While the kids bounced around the van on a sugar high after supper...I was ready for bed. So ended my day at Six Flags.
Suffering. Believe it or not, the suffering is not related to my trip with the Youth Group. I just finished reading the book Jesus Freaks: Martyrs by DC Talk. Basically, its a modernized Foxe's Book of Martyrs, including stories of Christian persecution from ancient history up until modern times. This was a challenging book to read, simply because it made me realize that I have suffered nothing for my faith in comparision with what countless others have been willing to suffer for Jesus Christ. The horrors some people have faced in order to pass from this life to eternity are nearly unbearable...yet their firm faith brought them through even the worst torture and enabled them to claim Christ until the very end. I pray that my faith would be that strong. One particular quote brought tears to my eyes,
"My dear Jesus, my Savior, is so deeply written in my heart, that I feel confident, that if my heart were to be cut open and chopped to pieces, the name of Jesus would be found written on every piece."
-- Ignatius (a student of the Apostle John, devoured by wild animals in Rome, 111 AD)
If you are interested in being informed about or praying for current Christian persecution, check out this web site...
www.persecution.com
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Change: The Rhythm of Life
Hello, blogging world! Once again, after only a five month absence I am returning to this cyber-existence where I can pour out my thoughts.... Actually, I am quite excited about writing again; it has been far too long. So, here I am again to share my ponderings about things serious and trivial. Maybe I will entertain a few of you who stumble across my writings, and maybe, hopefully, I will provoke some of you to sit and think a little longer about some of the deeper meanings of life. And if no one really cares to read at all...thats ok with me.
Change. In music, rhythm is the element that brings a beat; it adds a pulse, creates varying patterns and provides an element of surprise...rhythm is what keeps music interesting, allowing every song to differ in style and presentation. Granted, many other elements are equally important, but without rhythm, nothing would drive the song forward.
I've decided that change is 'the rhythm of life'; it keeps life from becoming dull, always bringing movement, surprise, and a 'recurring pattern.' Once in a while, I start to wish that life didn't bring so many changes. Change is difficult to cope with at times; it gets us out of our comfort zones, it forces us to explore new places and ideas, it moves us from the familiar out into the unknown. Now, more than ever, I feel the effects of change. Here I stand, a recent college grad (yay!), up-rooted from my 'home' for four of the past five years, separated from friends and my dear boyfriend, pursuing a full-time job, and feeling slightly at a loss as to how to go about establishing myself in the 'adult' world. Sometimes, the rhythms of life are complex.
At times like this, I am thankful for a God who does not change. He has the 'rhythm of life' all figured out and I can trust Him to direct it in His 'perfect timing'. (Yes, that was an intentional pun). I am ready to face whatever is to come in this new stage of life...my world will continue to change, but my God will not. Because of that I will joyfully move ahead into what He has orchestrated for me.
Proverbs 3:5-6 " Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."
Change. In music, rhythm is the element that brings a beat; it adds a pulse, creates varying patterns and provides an element of surprise...rhythm is what keeps music interesting, allowing every song to differ in style and presentation. Granted, many other elements are equally important, but without rhythm, nothing would drive the song forward.
I've decided that change is 'the rhythm of life'; it keeps life from becoming dull, always bringing movement, surprise, and a 'recurring pattern.' Once in a while, I start to wish that life didn't bring so many changes. Change is difficult to cope with at times; it gets us out of our comfort zones, it forces us to explore new places and ideas, it moves us from the familiar out into the unknown. Now, more than ever, I feel the effects of change. Here I stand, a recent college grad (yay!), up-rooted from my 'home' for four of the past five years, separated from friends and my dear boyfriend, pursuing a full-time job, and feeling slightly at a loss as to how to go about establishing myself in the 'adult' world. Sometimes, the rhythms of life are complex.
At times like this, I am thankful for a God who does not change. He has the 'rhythm of life' all figured out and I can trust Him to direct it in His 'perfect timing'. (Yes, that was an intentional pun). I am ready to face whatever is to come in this new stage of life...my world will continue to change, but my God will not. Because of that I will joyfully move ahead into what He has orchestrated for me.
Proverbs 3:5-6 " Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."
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