Penguins

An important life lesson was illustrated to me today...by penguins. No, really. In the movie Madagascar my favorite characters are the military penguins. Throughout the entire movie they pursue the seemingly unattainable goal of reaching Antarctica, their beloved homeland where they believe everything will be perfect. The entire movie is spent in a series of mishaps, and more drama befalls the less interesting characters, until finally at the end the penguins sail off into the sunset and arrive at their destination. Antarctica! As they stand in a huddle on a frozen iceberg surrounded by bitter wind and blowing snow one of them eloquently comments, "Well this sucks."

At this point I just have to laugh, because this is exactly the way I feel about life sometimes (not the part where it sucks ;-) Often I spend my life looking ahead to the future, pursuing the next step, reaching for the seemingly unattainable goal...yet when I finally reach that place I find myself dissatisfied, disillusioned, and longing for things to be different than they really are. Just like the penguins I can be discontent with the place where I am at instead of being thankful for the blessings that surround me in the present day (even though I've never been stranded on a beautiful tropical island).

Contentment. It should be so simple yet it is a often a daily battle. The apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians writes, "...I have learned in whatever state I am to be content." I hope that someday I can truthfully echo Paul's statement. Until then, I'll continue to take a lesson from my penguin friends and daily strive for contentment at the place in which God has placed me.

Sacrifice

I love this quote. It provides much to contemplate.

"For my own part, I have never ceased to rejoice that God has appointed me to such an office. People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which is simply paid back as a small part of a great debt owing to our God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice which brings its own blest reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter? Away with the word in such a view, and with such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger, now and then, with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver, and the soul to sink; but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice." ---David Livingstone

(found in the book Desiring God)

Today's Treasure #2

"Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him."
-Daniel 6:4 (ESV)

Oh to have that saying be true in my life. What if this was my testimony at work? Lord, help me be faithful.

Today's Treasure #1

"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.

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

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!

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)

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!