Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Brief Greetings on Wednesday from "His Kindness Year Round"!

Hello all!

I had planned the last couple of days to post several things that have been meandering in my heart . . . . . but sometimes our (my) plans don’t come to completion in the time we (I) think they are . . . . guess you have noticed that happens in life sometimes, huh. . . . . . ?

Hope to be posting those thoughts soon. Just a reminder today to truly stop and listen for word from the Lord. He does speak when you are willing to listen. Listen to His awesomeness! And obey. Not always easy, but obey. So for today, listen and obey.

Psalm 28:6-8 “Praise the LORD! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The LORD gives his people strength. He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Thursday morning thoughts from "His Kindness Year Round" . . Our God is so good, isn't He?

Our God is so good, isn’t He?

No need to answer, but have you ever been disappointed in yourself?

As for an explanation to my question, for the past six days the temperature in my office has been above the temperature of 80. The central heat and air system has one switch to be flipped once in the spring to air and once in the fall to heat. Because of the warm inside temps, the door and windows have been open to bring in cooler morning air. With the extreme pollen levels, the yellow particles are dancing around in my office (and in my head) and they are very happy there! (My head and nasal passages aren’t very happy though.)

Tuesday afternoon, with 20 minutes to spare of my work day, cool air was flowing out of the vents! Praise You Lord! It was a nice feeling going to work yesterday morning knowing I’d be sitting in a cooler room. Until I opened the office door . . . . and was walloped with the sauna again . . . .

But that’s OK. I was focused on God and not the circumstances. I kept the door and windows closed to keep the pollen out. It was gonna be a great day in the neighborhood.

As the morning progressed, it became warmer inside the office, and I became a wearier . . . . . and warmer and wearier . . . . . by noon, discouragement of a “great day in the neighborhood” was strong.

A co-worker then offered to bring me an unsweetened tea . . . . . (yes, I realize some readers are having a nervous tick now . . . and I’m not finished yet . . .) Another co-worker offered me a coffee “nip” (and I do know you’re either puzzled and scratching your head, or smiling). Ohh, I started getting excited. Tea and a nip. The day was getting a bit better.

Upon leaving the office for lunch, I noticed the maintenance man’s truck was there! Yahoo, I know cooler air was right around the corner! (Nope. Still waiting . . .)

I realized about a half hour after these three welcomed events that I owed God an apology. First, I didn’t thank Him for these “firecracker” blessings He placed in my life. The blessings and the givers are always well appreciated by me. I knew I was receiving blessings . . . . but didn’t stop to thank God for them. And, rather than praising Him in what I considered “not-so-perfect circumstances”, I became progressively more discouraged until the firecracker blessings sent by my Heavenly Father lightened my load. I didn’t do a complete job of praising Him, rather than concentrating on my circumstances. It’s not an easy thing, but when conditions aren’t convenient for us, we need to focus, depend, remain constant on Him rather than the situation.

God does know my heart. He knows I truly get excited and appreciate every act of kindness pointed my way. Firecracker blessings don’t go unnoticed by me! I did feel that tinge of guilt for not thanking Him as I should. I depended on the blessings to renew my enthusiasm. But overriding the tinge of guilt is the knowledge that my God welcomes forgiveness and unconditional love! Thank You, Lord!

Colossians 1:14 “God has purchased our freedom with His blood and has forgiven all our sins.”

I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.”

Romans 8:39 “Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Our God is so good, isn’t He?

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Spring Greetings from "His Kindness Year Round"!

Beginnings . . . . . I like new beginnings. I associate them with moving forward. The process or event or course has started; therefore, we are no longer standing still.

Today commemorates the first full day of one of my favorite seasons. I have been reflecting upon God’s recent reminder in Psalm to “Be still, and know that I am God!” Slow down. Rest. Relax. Enjoy your life on earth. Meditate in My Word. Trust. Today is a wonderful day to be reminded of that scripture. As He directs me to Psalm 23:2, “He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.” And Psalm 91:1, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

I envision new beginnings when I think of this season of spring, rebirth, renewal and of the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. God’s word reminds me in Psalm 23:3, “He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.” Today’s “beginnings” for me are not new, rather a continuation from the past few weeks. If you glance back to Friday’s post, I mentioned several things God has been prompting me on recently, as He continues to do today. The importance of being still. Of resting in Him and taking His yoke.

And of reminding me that we, as believers, are set apart from others. A dear one mentioned the verse yesterday of Isaiah 40:31, “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” That verse is God’s compilation of my recent “beginnings”. Of resting in Him. Of renewal in Him. And the great knowledge that we, as His children, are so precious and very special to Him. We soar! We do not grow weary! We do not faint!

Because He loves only as He can, “surely goodness and His mercy will be with us forever.” He loves us so much, He gave His only son for us! (I don’t know if I can ever truly grasp that.)

More thoughts from our Lord soon. Enjoy your day of new beginnings.

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Friday, March 16, 2012

Friday, March 16 with "His Kindness Year Round" . . . .

Happy Friday to all and a wonderful weekend! I trust you are enjoying our spring like weather.

I know many who are praising God for the blessings they have seen in their lives this week . . . . And I know many who are enduring great trials of difficulty.

I have had an assortment of thoughts, messages and verses of scripture from our Heavenly Father this week. And so many “firecracker” blessings!

Just to share a few . . .

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God!”

Yes, slow down . . . . be still . . . . rest.

God truly wants me to be well, in every facet of my life!

Matthew 11:30 “For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Thank You, Father, for friends who have adopted me or who I have adopted as family.

Hugs, wonderful, wonderful hugs! And a beautiful week to have a weekday picnic in the park. And, ah, coffee from a friend . . . and coffee with a friend.

Jeremiah 1:5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart.”

Isn’t that a wonderful blessing? To be called His child! To know He gave His son’s life for us!

Psalm 23:6 “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.”

Thank You, Lord, for allowing others to see in me what I don't see in myself. And thank You for reminding me that we can't dictate how other people respond to us, but we certainly have influence of how we react to others' responses . . . . ponder that . . .

Praise You, Father, for long term friendships and for new friendships. I've been fortunate to see long term friends, and meet new friends, this past week.

Since today is March 16 (3-16) . . . . . “For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow! We are so blessed!

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin


Monday, March 12, 2012

Praying from "His Kindness Year Round!"

Prayer is a powerful way of communing with God.

I knew before the beginning of 2012 that my prayer life is to be strengthened and intensified this year. Didn’t know for whom, or about what or how.

As the year evolves, I am learning the answers of who, what, where, when, why and how. God always reveals in His timing what He wants me to understand. I treasure the ability to serve others by praying. I am becoming who God intends me to be by serving others His way.

As we read His Word, we know Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father. A particular verse comes to mind that I recently read:

Luke 6:12 “One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and He prayed to God all night.”

This passage refers to Jesus praying to His Heavenly Father before choosing the twelve apostles. It was a big decision for our Savior, and He sought counsel from His Father, Who is also our Father.

Daily, we are required to make decisions. Some are extremely simple; some may be difficult. Some decisions could be a turning point for us or someone else. Follow the example of Jesus and consult THE One with the answers.

Jeremiah 6:16 “This is what the LORD says: ‘Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.’”

We are all going to face crossroads, defining moments which could truly alter our lives. Life includes a multitude of choices. When faced with a decision, please think of the consequences for yourself and others. Be obedient to our Father and choose the “old, godly way, and walk in it”.

Perhaps the intersection you are approaching is one to follow Jesus as your Savior. One may stumble and falter on the path, but will you follow the “old, godly way” and “find rest for your soul”? Will you be His obedient child? The godly route does not mean life will be easy. It does not mean you will be without trial or difficulty. But it does mean you will be given God’s forgiveness and rest for your soul. I can’t think of anything better than an eternity with Him.

Prayerfully, your sister,

Robin

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

"Rejoicing" Greetings from "His Kindness Year Round!"

Romans 8:28 “And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

This verse of scripture is one we have heard numerous times. It has been particularly relevant recently in the lives of many I know.

Sometimes we go through what we, as flesh, may think is “bad”. We may even question why the situation is occurring. (Be honest -- ever said, “Why me?”)

Sometimes we go through what we, as flesh, may consider “good”. We rejoice in the wonderful blessings God is sharing with us.

(Ever notice people seem to mention this verse more often when going through a trial. It’s great encouragement and confirmation from the Word that God is taking care of us; there is a plan for the situation.)

It’s important to remember to rejoice and praise God in the trials and also in the blessings. When we receive blessings from our Savior, acknowledge his goodness and grace and mercy and love for us. Be thankful and praise Him!

God blesses us every day in many ways. Please don’t take God’s blessings, including people, for granted. Don’t forget the “simple pleasures” in life are blessings. He loves us so much and truly desires a deep relationship with each of us. Through the journey of growing in Jesus, we strive to become more like Him. Notice how the more you look for His blessings, the more natural it becomes to see them -- those “firecracker blessings” pop out everywhere!

Perhaps I need to remind myself only, but praise Him when you don’t “feel” like it. That, my friends, can be a challenge for me. But I’m doing it.

God does notice our obedience. We may not always think or “feel” that He does, but He does. And He blesses us, in His timing, for obedience. (Yes, His timing is always right, even though we may not think it is.)

Celebrate what the Lord has shared with you!

1 Chronicles 16:9 - 11 “Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His Holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin