Sharing Life from “His Kindness Year Round” . . .

As we end the month of May, the last month of spring, I want to share a story I wrote over six years ago, in June of 2006.  As I recall, I’m the only person who has read this story.  It’s an especially personal story I entitled at the time, “Lee’s Bible”.

“My husband, Lee, had not been feeling well for a couple of months.  We had a strong relationship with each other and with God, Who pulled us through all the valleys in our lives.  I would tell myself and Lee that we are part of His plan, continuously being “works in progress”. 

I had been searching for Lee a Bible.  He had a nice hard leather bound one I had given him earlier, but I wanted to buy him a Study Bible.  My desire was to give him the Bible for Christmas, 2005, or for his birthday, in January, 2006.  Whenever I had the opportunity, I browsed the internet or local stores for a Bible I felt would be suitable for him. 

(At the time) A local contemporary Christian radio station gave away a Bible every Friday.  Listeners could register online once a day, every day.  I told Lee I was going to win him a Bible, but with life being very busy, I never registered.

On December 23, 2005, two days before Christmas, at 10:52 AM, my husband, best friend, and love of my life, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 45.  I have wonderful memories and carry him in my heart, but the chapter of Lee in my life on earth is over.  We had a very special relationship, and thanked God each day for bringing us together.  We valued and appreciated each other.  Although we didn’t know he was going to pass away, a couple of weeks prior to his death he told me that God would take care of me after he was gone.  I don’t know if Lee had the impression he wasn’t going to live.  He didn’t elaborate and I didn’t ask questions either, since I wasn’t expecting illness to soon take his life.

In early May of this year (2006), I was on the internet one Thursday evening and logged onto the contemporary Christian radio station website.  I decided to register for the Study Bible they were giving away the next day.  On Saturday, two days after I entered the drawing, I received a very special hardbound Study Bible from the radio station!  I’d only entered the contest once and won.  Coincidence?  No way!  It was Lee’s Bible which I really HAD won for him. 

This new chapter in my life has been a difficult one for me.  I didn’t ask for it and I didn’t want it.  There is a plan in life for everyone.  Lee’s life on earth is over, yet mine is not.  I miss his daily hugs and holding his hand.  I miss hearing him tell me he loves me.  I miss hearing him call my name.  I miss our dates and the tremendous quality time we spent together.  But I have his Bible, the one I won for him, just as I had promised.  And just as he promised, God is taking care of me now that he’s gone.  I always know Heavenly Father is with me and always will be.  Just as Lee is in my heart, and will be with me also.”

What a tremendous spiritual journey I have been on since this experience, and since writing this story six years ago.  Brothers and sisters in Christ, life is precious.  Please don’t take life, or those in it, for granted.  God breathed precious life into you.  Treasure it.  Take care of it.  Live the life He wants you to live. Our time on earth is very temporary, while our time in eternity is forever. 

2 Corinthians 1:3 “All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the source of every mercy and the God Who comforts us.”

Matthew 28:20 “Be sure of this:  I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Praise and thanksgiving from "His Kindness Year Round"!

Happy Friday brothers and sisters!

I trust you are holding on to the hand of the Most High today.

One matter of my heart the past few weeks (months) has been a healthy balance in life; balance of serving the Almighty through work and home and family and friends and all the other situations and circumstances that complete a day.  I’m reminded repeatedly that God is not a God of chaos.  God wants to direct and plan my days, rather than following “my plan” for each day.  Although I truly strive for a life of healthy balance, I sometimes continue to make choices otherwise.  (Notice, I realize it’s my choice.)  The Lord knows my heart.  He knows I am a work in progress in following His healthy balance. (I’m very grateful for His patience!)  Father, thank You for Your love and for directing my days and my ways for the balance you desire in my life!

Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.”

I want to shout praise to our Heavenly Father as I’ve recently witnessed the spiritual and personal growth of someone close to me. It has been a true marvel watching this person grow in his relationship with The Father through his faith in God’s direction; hard work and perseverance in his obedience to Him; and the trust to go through the open door’s God has made available, rather than worry and fret about every situation along the way.  What a splendid sight to witness the past couple of weeks:  a precious view of one actually experiencing the happiness and peace and joy and confidence our God gave him decades ago, which he now experiences because he chooses to trust and obey Him. 

This dear one is a work in progress.  He is taking baby steps on the pathway to healthy balance.  My prayer is of thanksgiving for this recent act of his faith and for his continuation to give the wheel to God and let Him drive.   

Ephesians 4:23-24 “Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.  You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness – righteous, holy, and true.”

Thank You, God, for your freeing liberation from this world!  (“Take this world and give me Jesus!” – read May 7^th.)  God continues, as He always will, to be THE reigning King!

Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

I've missed you . . . from "His Kindness Year Round"!

Hello wonderful children of God!  The Almighty continues to send firecracker blessings!

I’ve missed talking to you, but I have been reading a book about faith.  There are many points I hope to write in the future, but at the present, it seems what God is explaining is for my direction.  If and when He instructs me to share with you, I’m ready!

I was taking note of a song this morning.  Most people know I truly enjoy listening to Christian music.  I have heard this song many times before.  The lyrics have special meaning to me today, reminding me to take my focus off any circumstances in life and focus on Him.  Always, focus on our Father.

Everlasting God

“Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
Wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord.
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
Wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord.

Our God, You reign forever.
Our hope, our strong Deliverer.

You are the everlasting God,
The everlasting God.
You do not faint,
You won't grow weary.
You're the defender of the weak,
You comfort those in need,
You lift us up on wings like eagles.”

The song is based on Isaiah 40:28–31.  At the conclusion of the song, the voice of a child recites:

“The Lord is the everlasting God,
The creator of all the Earth,
He never grows weak or weary,
No one can measure the depths of His understanding,
He gives power to the weak, and strength to the powerless,
Even youth will become weak and tired,
And young men will fall in exhaustion,
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.”

I praise You, Dear Lord and Savior, for being our Everlasting God!

Please, have faith in Him.  We are helpless without Him.  Be an eagle!

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Take this world and give me JESUS from "His Kindness Year Round"!

Welcome to Monday!

I love to listen to Christian music! 

I have heard this particular song twice on the radio in less than 24 hours.  We know there is no such thing as coincidence.  With that being said, I want to share the words to a song by Building 429, entitled “Where I Belong”.

“Sometimes it feels like I'm watching from the outside.
Sometimes it feels like I'm breathing but am I alive.
I will keep searching for answers that aren't here to find.

All I know is I'm not home yet.
This is not where I belong.
Take this world and give me Jesus.
This is not where I belong.

So when the walls come falling down on me.
And when I'm lost in the current of a raging sea.
I have this blessed assurance holding me.

All I know is I'm not home yet.
This is not where I belong.
Take this world and give me Jesus.
This is not where I belong.

When the earth shakes I wanna be found in You.
When the lights fade I wanna be found in You.

All I know is I'm not home yet.
This is not where I belong.
Take this world and give me Jesus.
This is not where I belong.”

YES, LORD!  This is not where I belong!  Give me Jesus!

Hebrews 11:16 “But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland.  That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

 

Yoohoo . . . . . can ya hear me now? from “His Kindness Year Round”!

The Lord is always working.  (Reminder:  Today is the National Day of Prayer.)

I have been dealing with juggling the things life brings, professionally and personally while learning to REST in HIM.

Psalm 5:3 “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.  Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.”

As a dear friend reminds me, the key to keeping sanity in this insane world is to do our jobs -- whatever they be -- to the best of our ability -- while resting in Him.  Yeah, we can do that. 

Sometimes resting in our Father’s arms means physical and mental rest.  Taking the time to stop and be still in His lap.  We can’t abuse or neglect God’s temple (our bodies). 

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

Sometimes resting in our Father’s arms is completing the day to day activities, while allowing Him to work through us, as we rest in His care.  He wants to work through us for His glory. 

Psalm 23:3 “He renews my strength.  He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.”

Psalm 119:25 “I lie in the dust, completely discouraged; revive me by your word.”

Stay focused on Him. As this dear friend reminds me, ask the Lord what HE wants us to do today.   When we allow Him to direct our days, rather than when we dictate to ourselves and others what we plan for the day, we find rest in Him.  We are following His direction and will.  And what a significant difference that will make in our daily lives! 

Hebrews 2:1 “We must listen very carefully to the trust we have heard, or we may drift away from it.”

Define your schedule around Him.  Seek Him always.  God wants us to enjoy life.  He wants us to laugh.  He doesn’t want our lives to be complicated and hectic.  He wants us to accept the peace and joy He has already given us.

Psalm 146:5 “Happy are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.”

I completed a Christian fiction novel this week.  I enjoy a writing by a truly spirit filled believer, and often take away a few thoughts.  We generally enjoy hearing from the Lord, especially when in decision regarding a matter.  The author writes, “When you think there’s nothing from heaven except silence, get out of the noise.”  Sometimes society does seem include so much noise that even if I’m still, would I hear Him?  Folks, if you don’t stop whatever is going on in life to talk and listen to God, you won’t have the opportunity to receive the wonderful blessings and unlimited life He has for us!  As stated in the post on the Prodigal Son -- how many celebrations are you missing?

John 10:27 “My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Very important:  Don’t forget the power of our thoughts and spoken word.  Heavenly Father reminded me this morning that He is there, always, ready, willing and most definitely able to provide.  Don’t let the enemy know you’re tired or frustrated.  If you tell him so, you’re providing him allowance for attack.  If in a war zone or a period of any danger, would you announce to the enemy that you are unarmed and tired . . . . . .?  I can’t answer for you, but I know I would not.  What he doesn’t know, he can’t use against me for harm.  I would declare the shield of my allies and the constant surrounding of my Protector.  Please don’t open doors for the enemy or tell him how to attack you.

2 Corinthians 4:16 “That is why we never give up.  Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewal every day.”

Listen to THE ONE.  And REST IN Him.  Ever feel as if you hear the Lord saying, “Yoo hoo . . . . . . can you hear me now?”

Ephesians 4:24 “Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.  You must display a new nature because you are new person, created in God’s likeness -- righteous, holy and true.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him.

Robin

Random thoughts this day in May from "His Kindness Year Round"!

Welcome to the month of May.  I trust you are having a wonderful week in the arms of the Lord! 

A reminder that Thursday, May 3 is the National Day of Prayer.  As I have told many, I think every day should be regarded as a day of prayer, but on this nationally honored day, I’m going to spend extra time with Him. 

A particular verse of scripture has been erupting in me for weeks.  Matthew 25:23 “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.  Let’s celebrate together!’”

As a song I cherish, “I Can Only Imagine”, depicts, what a day that will be when I pray my Master says this to me!  If we are honest with ourselves, from time to time we enjoy receiving the positive recognition from someone we respect and honor.  Can you only imagine receiving that support from THE Heavenly Father!  The thought is so awe encompassing!   I continue to seek His absolute will and obedience in my life, in doing my greatest to serve Him until the day we meet face to face.  I can only imagine . . . .

On a different current, how many times have you answered the question, “How are you?” with the standard answer of, “Fine.”?   An author of a Christian fiction book writes, “’Fine’ means being stuck and telling everyone you know that you don’t mind being stuck.”  Ouch.  I don’t want to be “stuck”.  I want to be moving forward towards my Father!  I am not settling for “I’m doing fine”!

If you live in North Carolina, let’s remember the primary next Tuesday, May 8 and exercise our right to vote.

I'm currently working on another post for this week.  Be sure to come back and check out listening to and resting in HIM!

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin