peace – True Vine Living

Not Just a Number

I’m not just a number, for God has counted the hairs on my head. (Luke 12:7)

I am not invisible, for God is a seeing God and He knows my heart. (Genesis 16:13 and Samuel 16:7)

I am not misunderstood, for God understands my thoughts from afar. (Psalm 139:2)

I am not insignificant, for I am engraved on the palms of His hands. (Isaiah 49:16)

I am not ignored, for He hears my every prayer. (1 John 5:14)

I am not an accident, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

My hurts are known, for He counts my sorrows and holds my tears in His bottle. (Psalm 56:8)

I am not alone, for God is with me always. (Matthew 28:20)

I am unique and special to God, for He saw me before He formed me. (Psalm 139:16)

I am greatly loved, for He calls me His child. (1 John 3:1)

I am intimately known, for He calls me by name. (John 10:3)

I never have to fear, for God is with me and will uphold me with His righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

I have a bright future, because He has perfect plans for me. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I will live forever with Him in paradise, because He is preparing a place for me. (John 14:2)

I am “the apple of His eye”, and He will always love me and protect me. (Psalm 17:8)

I am not just a number to God!

I recently visited a dear friend who is literally trapped in her own body as she has a rare neurodegenerative disorder called MSA. Her mind and her sweet and jovial personality are intact, but her muscle movement has slowed and become so ridged that she can no longer care for herself physically. This is a very sad and tragic life situation that will not get better, yet, my sweet friend continues to radiate the love of Jesus in her caring ways. She made a phone call to me recently when my dad passed away even though it is very hard for her to talk. She delights when friends come to visit and soaks in the joy of the moments not spending the time complaining. She was a Christian mentor to me years ago during a very tough time in my life, and she continues to be an inspiration as she endures her present circumstances with grace and dignity!

While we won’t all experience such an extreme level of physical bondage, many of us will encounter times where we feel trapped! Difficult illnesses, abusive marriages, depression, and financial struggles are just some examples of how life can make us feel like we are in a physical or emotional prison without escape.

Sometimes, we can feel frustrated and trapped even in the smaller moments of life. Last month, I experienced a lot of pain in my hands and wasn’t able to get chores done at the pace I wanted to accomplish them. Every task was tedious and painful. In these smaller moments of feeling a bit trapped, I find myself saying, “My situation is nothing compared to what some other friends around me are experiencing.” While this is a thought that can help me put my situation into perspective, it’s also important for me to remember that what I feel is not insignificant. God cares about me in every situation big and small, good and bad. Just as I must rely upon Him during monumental struggles, I must also rely on Him in smaller struggles to endure, be comforted, and grow in my trust and faith of His perfect ways.

Right now, you may be feeling trapped in a very big way, or like me, you might be having a smaller struggle. Either way, the solution is the same…seek God and the strength and abundant endurance that He supplies in His perfect love!

“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

It is not uncommon for some people, even Christians, to get mad at God when it feels like walls are closing in and a situation feels impossible! When that temptation comes, it is helpful to remember that Jesus Himself was trapped in what seemed like impossible circumstances.

Jesus, who is God, and whom all things are under His authority, willingly allowed Himself to be contained into a human baby body. He did this, of course, to make a way for our salvation. But, he also did such an amazing act of love for us in order for us to know how much He can sympathize with us and identify with us in our struggles while on earth! Furthermore, He allowed Himself to be trapped by guards and be carried away for a most horrific death because He loves us so much! He endured all this for the joy set before Him in knowing that many would choose Him throughout the centuries and would one day be in paradise with Him! And, we know that the story does not end with His death. He rose again, ascended to Heaven, and He is with us to the end of the age! He is interceding for us right now on behalf of us in our weaknesses and our struggles!

God has given us everything we need to triumph in the impossible and to experience freedom even when we feel trapped! His word tells us that we will have sorrow, struggles, and trouble in this world, but He has overcome this world. He gives us immediate help when we seek Him whether it be comfort and inspiration to get through our hard time or whether it be instant solutions. He also insures hope for our future!

During tough times, I often think about survival stories told by Vietnam POW veterans who were trapped in unthinkable conditions. Many of them were prisoners’ for over 7 years. When reading the personal accounts of these men, so many of them attribute their survival to their faith in God. Below, are two excerpts from Captain Gerald Coffee who was a POW for 7 years and 9 days.

“I prayed a lot,” Coffee said. “At first I expected God to do everything for me, but when I realized that this would be my life for a while, the nature of my prayers started to change. Instead of praying, ‘Why me?’ I started to pray, ‘How can I change?’”

“All those years, the Vietnamese tried to rape our spirits and our faith, but they couldn’t do it,” he said. “I was never really alone in that cell. Not with Him by my side.”

Coffee’s words are a very big testament to the power and strength one can have in the face of horrific circumstances when you truly put your faith in our almighty and loving God!

Let us each choose today no matter our circumstances to walk moment by moment in the strength of the One whose grace is always sufficient!

“…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

The Sales Rep

Read Time 4 Minutes

Last night, I gave a presentation for our Ladies Bible Study group to kick-off our next study on “The Armor of God”. Part of my presentation was a bit of roleplaying as I became a sales rep for the Kingdom of God. I thought I would go ahead and put my “sales pitch” in my blog in hopes that even if you are not a part of this Bible study, you might want to read Ephesians 6:10-18 and ponder the meaning of this scripture as suggested in my presentation.

We all face battles in our personal lives that can include difficulties physically, emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually. As Christians, we have the additional battle of standing up for our beliefs in a country that seems to be moving closer and closer to a post-Christian nation!

The question to ask ourselves is…how can we remain VICTORIOUS over our personal struggles and over the tumultuous often anti-Christian times that we are living in as we face each new day?

The answer, of course, is found as we look to and cling to God. As we look to Him and study His word, we learn that He gives us everything we need for the battle before us. He gives us His armor!

Here is my “sales pitch” to ponder as I roleplayed last night:

“Instead of thinking of me as Robin, think of me as a representative for the Kingdom of God, and what I am selling today, is the Full Armor of God! Now, I’m not just wanting to sell you a piece of armor, or partial armor…no, I want to convince you to buy the whole suit of armor. One or two pieces of armor, while they may help you some, will not make you VICTORIOUS in the battle ahead. Further, it is not good enough to have the armor at your fingertips. In order to be effective, you absolutely MUST put on the armor.

Of course, I’m sure the big question on everyone’s mind is, “How much is this armor going to cost?” The good news is just as salvation was free to you paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ, as a Christian, God makes this armor completely free to you too! You just have to choose to take it!

There is a little catch though…while it is free for the taking when Jesus is your Savior, there is a big cost to PUT the FULL armor on!! But, I believe that I can convince you that this cost is well worth it! You see the armor is not meant to be separate pieces because when you put on the FULL ARMOR OF GOD, you are actually putting on JESUS!

Romans 13:14 tells us…But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Other verses in the Bible tell us that Jesus is the TRUTH, is RIGHTEOUSNESS, is PEACE, is our FAITH, SALVATION, and THE WORD! These are the pieces that make up the full armor!

If you truly want to put on Jesus the way He means for you to, then it will COST you your LIFE! Matthew 16: 24-25 tells us, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it.’”

I am convinced that if you will put on the FULL ARMOR OF GOD no matter the cost, you will have a peace that surpasses comprehension and you will be battle ready. You will be VICTORIOUS!”

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32

God is ALL for us! Are you ready to be ALL IN for Him?

As you read Ephesians 6:10-18 below, think about being not just a Christian who is saved for eternity, but being a Christian who is an ALL-IN, SOLDOUT, not just sometimes follower of Christ!

As you read the scripture, take note of how many times the word “ALL” is used including the word “whole”. Let the impact of that word compel you to truly put on the FULL ARMOR OF GOD today and everyday! Let this scripture have a refreshed meaning and revive you today to live an “ALL IN” life for Christ!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6: 10-18

May you be VICTORIOUS today and everyday!

On the Edge of My Seat

Read Time 6 Minutes

At the beginning of 2024, I was asked to participate in the activity of choosing a word for the year. I chose the word VICTORIOUS. I chose this word as a challenge to myself to live above the little things that can entangle me in my daily life. These “little things” are the things that can rob my peace…one such example is letting any amount of anxiety to be set in motion for the day.

The action to choose victory over anxiety is going to be a challenge over the next few months for many of us! As the political realm is picking up pace in the furry of preparing for election day in November, we can be rocked with emotions that can include a spectrum of sadness, anger, and fear!

When covid hit in 2020, I found myself encountering a feeling of underlying uneasiness to a more forceful feeling of being on the edge of my seat. I know I’m not alone in this either. It felt like one might feel in an action movie of suspense wondering what was going to happen next, or the feeling building inside when one is climbing upward on a roller coaster anticipating the fall. During covid, we were all wondering what would happen next. It was an uncertain and scary time.

Now, with the uptick of upheaval in the political race as well as just living in an upside down chaotic culture, I find myself battling these feelings again. In some moments, there is a level of fear for our country’s future. In other moments, there is sadness for the things I witness happening around us in our communities and the country as a whole. And still, other moments may include anger at unfolding events, how issues are handled, and how media reports on matters. Again, my guess is that I am not alone in these feelings!

The question then is, how do we remain VICTORIOUS over the tumultuous times that we are living in and the feelings that it can bring on us?

While probably nothing that I share in my writing is earth-shattering new, I write to remind myself and hopefully others how to stay steadfast in our walk with God and to encourage a spiritual and physical wellness as we live fully abiding in the True Vine!

In this article, I want to share some ways or a “recipe” as such that you and I can use to keep a hopeful and peaceful heart during uneasy times and get ourselves up and off the edge of our seats or at least off the “negative” edge of our seats!

First, instead of being an uneasy spectator filled with fear of what might happen next, let’s trade the focus for an exciting “edge of your seat” experience. Let’s anticipate with excitement how God will show us displays of His glory and His presence as events unfold. Remember, nothing takes Him by surprise! Let’s trust Him and lean hard into Him as we watch events around us. This can also include a “watching” for His return. We can remember that we are sojourners in this life. Whether Jesus comes back tomorrow or years from now, we as Christians, have a constant HOPE! We have a Living Hope that is above the earthly stage around us. We don’t have to be shaken because we have an eternal citizenship in Heaven. We get to watch the world arena from an everlasting perspective. What God allows us to experience here, He will give us the strength to endure and the hope to look at everything from the perspective of God’s got this! He has perfect plans, and we do not need to fear. He will take care of us through anything! Let’s keep our eyes focused on Him!

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.” Philippians 3:20-21

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

“…fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Again, the way to be VICTORIOUS in the present roller coaster world stage is to keep our eyes turned on the One who will “subject all things to Himself”! As we keep our eyes on Him moment by moment, the natural outflow of this devotion will be to “shine our light” into this dark world. As we share with others the Hope we have in Jesus, may they also be drawn into a saving relationship with Him! When others turn to Jesus because of our hopeful Christ-centered living, that makes a double victory!!

In addition to making Jesus our number one focus and desire, I’d like to continue the “recipe” for living a victorious life. By His perfect design, God gives us more ways that we can live life to the fullest and not be weighed down with anxiety. We can get up off the edge of our seat with meaningful activities that help to counteract the temptation to be anxious and keep us healthy and strong.

“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12: 1-2

“…for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

These verses reinforce that staying steadfast in our focus on Him (renewing our mind and living in godliness) is the top priority to living a triumphant life. However, if you look closely, there are some additional outlets that God provides to help us stay feeling healthy and well and upbeat. He cares about our bodies too and what we do with them.

Therefore, another ingredient to keeping ourselves from the temptation to live in a roller coaster of fear, is to partake in the activity of taking care of our bodies. This is a God-designed natural stress reliever! There is some value to this (1 Tim. 4:8). He wants us to be healthy and well. He designed our bodies to need food, sleep, and physical activity. When we allow any of these areas to go uncared for, we begin to feel depleted physically, mentally, and emotionally.

It is common and proven knowledge that if we are not eating well, not doing our best to get sleep, or not getting regular physical activity, then we are denying ourselves a natural stress relief! All three of these promote a better sense of well-being and lead to a more positive outlook on life. By partaking in exercise, healthy eating, and rest, we feel better not only physically, but emotionally and mentally too!

We need to replace thinking about unhealthy stressful circumstances to thinking about healthy living. Rather than watching too much news or spending too much time on social media, we can make a better sleeping plan or a better meal plan. And by all means we need to make sure we add exercise and physical activities into our life.

Finally, another way that God delights us in this life and offers a dynamic way to relieve stress and anxiety is to partake in the glorious beauty of His creation!

“The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky proclaims the work of His hand.” Psalm 19:1

When we take time to enjoy His handiwork…the sky, the trees, the animals, the water, the landforms…we feel refreshed! Just taking a country drive and observing the cows grazing peacefully on the grass refreshes me. They do not fret! Watching the birds go about their business is a pleasure as well. They are not worried. These encounters remind me that the God who cares for animals cares for me too!

So, join me in getting up off the edge of your seat during these uncertain times. I believe that the recipe for living a VICTORIOUS life no matter what the circumstances is to renew your mind by looking to Jesus. Trust Him…lean on Him…stay focused on Him! Take care of your body, for this is pleasing to God too! And, take a walk to soak up God’s creation! Enjoy His beauty found all around in nature! Let’s live in this kind of hopeful peacefulness today!

Hmmm…too blessed to be stressed?

Read Time 6 Minutes

“To Blessed to be Stressed” seems like a great saying at first glance. It implies that if you are counting your blessings and that you are trusting God, then you should not feel stressed. Is this true or false? I believe that it is a little bit of both. Let’s unpack this nifty little saying.

The definition of stress in relation to our minds is “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances”.

Let’s face it…in this life on earth, you are going to have STRESS! In fact, the Bible confirms this…

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Over the last year and especially the last five months or so, I have been under stress. I was in a waiting period with God over moving from Washington State back to Texas…wondering if this was God’s plan and purpose. As it became apparent that it was His plan, the slow transition began of relocating and adjusting. This involved moving, selling one home, deciding how to buy another while watching and waiting on the housing market. It involved saying good-bye to friends and hello to new ones. You have probably been there yourself. Anyone who has been involved in a big move and relocation knows that it falls under the definition of STRESS.

To be perfectly honest though, most of my life has involved the definition of stress. I was a teacher for 28 years. This is the epidemy of “mental or emotional strain resulting from very demanding circumstances”! The point is, we absolutely cannot avoid STRESS in this life!

Under this magnifying glass, I would say that our little saying is false. However, there is more to the picture. Undeniably, we are all going to experience stress…probably more frequently than we want. It is what we do with the stress that really matters though.

The reality of STRESS brings us to the crucial point of what to do with it. Will we FRET (worry and get anxious), or will we TRUST (be in a state of peace even under the stress and circumstances)? Probably if you are like me and most other people, you will start to get worried and anxious and allow a feeling of being overwhelmed to settle over you. If you are a Christian, you may allow yourself to feel guilty for letting stress get you down due to sayings like the one above and a misunderstanding of the reality of stress.

Fortunately, there are answers from God to help us with the real fact that we cannot live this life without stress. We can however, grab God’s hand, trust His solutions, believe His promises, and then choose the mindset of resting in His peace even during the tense and demanding circumstances.

Begin to look at stress as what it is…“a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances”. Then, begin to think of yourself as a conqueror through Christ in the midst of the stress. Trust God’s word:

“I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Realize that you are going to be made better for the stress and experience:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1: 2-4

Understand that God knows what you are going through, and that He will provide the peace for you if you want it. Understand that He has perfect plans for you during the stress and in the future too:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

And finally, there is truth in the saying “too blessed to be stressed” in that if we focus on our blessings, then, we will be able to handle the inevitable stress in a victorious way. So take action, and remember to count your blessings by thanking and praising God not matter what is happening:

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I chose a word for this year, and the word is VICTORIOUS! This is the pathway that I see through God’s word to live a victorious life no matter the circumstances. I pray that you too can choose a victorious pathway no matter the stresses that you may encounter this year. Through Christ, we can say blessed be the name of the Lord no matter what happens!

Physically Helping the Mental and Emotional Strain of Stress

As a Christ follower who is also a personal trainer, I can’t help but add to this post a little section about physical activity (yes…EXERCISE)! While we should always take our matters to God first if we want to experience His peace and His divine strength and blessings in our life, He being the master scientist, does give us natural avenues to utilize in helping us reduce stress in our lives. Because of all the advancements in the study of physical exercise, just about everyone knows that there is a direct correlation between exercise and the improvement of your mental and emotional state.

Even without the scientific studies, I know this to be true personally by experience and by the frequent comments from clients who feel immediately better after a training session. By this, I mean that physically, their bodies feel tired after working out, but mentally and emotionally, they often report feeling much better and even experience a better feeling throughout the day.

Scientifically, it is commonly agreed upon that adding any amount or form of exercise into your day will help pump up your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins as well as reduce negative effects of stress and improve your overall mood.

The point is, choose some type of exercise activity to give yourself a boost. It could be a simple brisk morning walk. I like to begin each morning with a series of stretches that help loosen tight muscles. Make a little exercise corner in your home with some dumbbells and other small equipment to do some mild strength exercises. You might feel that now is the time to join a gym or make an even bigger commitment to physical fitness. At whatever level, just begin some form of exercise to help reduce the stress in your life.

To conclude, seek God first! Rejoice in Him, pray to Him, give thanks to Him, and trust Him. Then, make a plan to take some actions to help reduce stress and let exercise be an avenue to improving your mental and emotional state.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

While stress in inevitable, I hope that this article has given you some encouragement to handle life’s difficult circumstance in a victorious way!

Never at Home

What does the phrase “Home Sweet Home” evoke for you? Is it your childhood home that your parents still live in? Is it your present home? Is it just being in the presence of a certain family gathering? Maybe a town? Is it wherever you are as long as you are with your spouse or children? Maybe it is simply a meal that reminds you of your home or a loved one.

For me, it is hard to pinpoint a certain “home sweet home” because I have been through so many changes in life and even in and out of families throughout my childhood and into adulthood. I do feel a sense of home in the great state of Texas. Also, Estes Park, CO is a special place that gives a sense of “home sweet home” when I am there. My grandparents lived in Estes, and I have spent much time there in my life. My grandparents are no longer with us, but I always felt at home when I was with them, and now Estes Park feels that way for me.

I have to admit, however, that I truly never feel completely at home. In this world we’re living in today with so many family issues and divorce, and with much turmoil in our country and world, I am probably not alone in this feeling.

While some people may be blessed to have a more continual feeling of “home sweet home”, many of us just grasp moments or periods of it throughout our lives. I am pretty sure that all of us, even those that have a more consistent “home sweet home” situation, struggle with changes and issues at times that leave us feeling uncomfortable and discontented. For example, while your home may seem like an escape from the world, a little oasis of coziness, a place to be yourself and relax…sometimes that can even change with life stresses or quarrels. Also, comfortable friendships can come and go. Sometimes you might feel like you are jockeying for position in a group of “friends” to be noticed or liked. A good friend may move or go down another path. Another way our sense of home gets rocked is by moving to a new town, state, or job. These changes always keep us adjusting and trying to get comfortable again…trying to feel at home. Most of the time, there never seems to be a time of a perfect “at home” feeling. People go on vacations to try to get a temporary slice of perfection, but only to return again to the realities of daily life even in their “home sweet home”.

When we walk with God, we have access to everything we need to be content in this world. But contentment does not mean comfortable and contentment does not mean “home sweet home”. So the questions that I ponder in this article are “Why is walking with God never really comfortable if He is peace, joy, and love?” and “Why do I never feel quite at home no matter where I live and even though I have a wonderful husband to share life with?” And finally, “How can I adjust my expectations of comfort and peace to live in a world where I never feel quite at home as I begin the year 2024?”

As I ponder these questions, I remember that there is a very good explanation for this lack of complete comfortableness, a sense of never being quite at home. The reason is, this place on earth, even the place you think you are mostly at home is not really meant to be your home. While God loves to bless and delight us in various ways, being uncomfortable is also part of His plan for us in this life. It is part of His plan to grow us, shape us, and draw us closer to Him. It is part of His plan to focus us on our true home…our forever future home, Heaven.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” Philippians 3:20

Jesus, himself, who willingly left His perfect home in Heaven and came to our messed up sinful world, knows exactly what it feels like to be uncomfortable and not at home. He was born in a stable, not in a home. He was a sojourner while living in our world literally experiencing every kind of uncomfortable circumstance and every level of loneliness. He was homeless, he was misunderstood, he was mistreated, he was hungry at times, he was tortured, he was rejected, and he was murdered!

“And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20

Jesus can identify with us, and He has real compassion for what we are going through! But because he loves us so, He knows that we must experience some level of this uncomfortableness to achieve His greater purpose for each of us.

You don’t have to have lived many years and grown in wisdom through life experiences to understand the concept of not being completely at home in this life on earth or to have the understanding of being a sojourner looking forward to your forever future home in Heaven. Kim Jones at age 23 understood this concept very well…

“We’re basically a bunch of backpackers. We are all just travelers. We are all just on a journey, and we’re heading for our Home.” – Kim Jones, July 1999

“Kim was only 23 years old when she went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 15, 1999, as a result of the shooting at Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A. ” – www.thelightstillshines.org

As we begin this new year, we, like Kim can embrace this reality for as long as God gives us breath. We can look forward with hopefulness for a good year of health and prosperity with an adjustment in our expectations as to what that means. Expect to be delighted by the good things God gives you and allows in your life, but also expect to be uncomfortable at times. Remember that being uncomfortable does not have to equal discontentment because this is not our forever home.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13

When you feel that uncomfortableness and you don’t feel at home, count it a part of your joy in living for Him knowing He is working all things for your good!

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

May your 2024 be filled with God’s abundant blessings in everything He allows in your life! Happy New Year!

Good Tidings

“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2: 10-14

“Good tidings of great JOY”…the JOY of the birth of Jesus! The JOY that is ours because He was born in Bethlehem that night long ago! Isn’t this what Christmas is all about? The JOY set before us… Comfort and JOY…JOY to the world! For the Christian, this is the theme of Christmas, JOY because of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

I hope this Christmas season (2023) finds you feeling the great JOY there is to be felt at this celebratory time of year. However, you might be one of many who are struggling to grasp that joy and even feel guilty that you are not feeling it! You might be experiencing a present hardship or tragedy, or maybe you are still unreconciled from past hurts. Maybe you are feeling depressed or just overwhelmed with life and can’t seem to feel the joy right now that this season reminds of us.

So, what can I offer in the way of encouragement that hasn’t already been talked about and written about concerning JOY? In this blog post, I hope to encourage you by sharing my own “Aha moments” through my life journey in discovering how to experience JOY in each and every circumstance. If you are on a mountain high right now and don’t need reminders of how to experience joy, then maybe you can store up new thoughts for the future when indeed you may find yourself struggling once again. If you need help right now, then I hope my thoughts might lift you up today.

It is almost a given that anyone reading this article has experienced hardships and hurts in their lives. I have too…some in early childhood and others as an adult. It was during a very tragic event in my life 16 years ago that I truly learned what it means to experience both sorrow and joy at the same time. Without going into much detail, I experienced the ultimate rejection a woman can experience (which ended my 19-year marriage)! It was then that I learned what it meant to not just say, “I have faith in God”…I learned how to actually cling to that faith, hold God’s hand, and actually live out my faith. I experienced great sorrow at what was a sudden and unexpected change in my life. All I could do was cry out to God for strength, comfort, wisdom, and love. When all I could do was count on Him, I learned the secret of JOY…simply discovering Him in His fullness! I learned that I can exist in a victorious state right along with the pain. When you realize that you are truly in a relationship that can NEVER disappoint because God keeps His promises and never changes His love for you, then you can find the greatest JOY available!

Now, you might think that after that experience, I would never have to struggle again to understand JOY, but sometimes I slide backwards. When I do, God gives me more big moments to remember again just how good He is!

While I have not experienced in recent years another tragedy on the level of the one I just shared about, I have experienced some other difficult circumstances. One of those times when God taught me something new was during the uncertainty and unsettled feelings that the Covid Pandemic brought on. In a blog post during that time a few years ago, I wrote about another discovery of joy. To understand this discovery, think about your heart (the emotional part of your heart) being like a bucket. You can pile it with all kinds of objects. You can fill it with unpleasantries, you can fill it with things that seem good but don’t really help you, or you can fill it with delightful things that lead to joy. Think of this bucket as your “joy bucket”. With that in mind, read the following excerpt from my post in 2020…

“I find it a daily struggle to stay positive and grab hold of all the peace and joy available to me through God in the midst of so many negative issues in our country. A couple of nights ago, God made it clear to me why I have been struggling with this matter of joy. I have the head knowledge and the experiential knowledge of joy, and I have been praying to feel God’s peace and joy during these tough times; however, I was forgetting a very important action on my part. I was forgetting to actually REJOICE! When I choose to rejoice, then the “joy bucket” in me begins to be filled up. Because each day seems to be filled with so much negativism in the media and in the conversations of so many, the negatives have been the focus and what I have been piling in my bucket. The negatives we are all facing were the big things in my mind that were depleting my “joy bucket”. I needed to adjust my thoughts by beginning with the action of rejoicing.

I am now consciously taking action each day. I am choosing to REJOICE in who I am in God. Just the simple fact that I am His puts me in an overriding victorious circumstance at all times no matter what is going on in this world. I am His, a child of the one true King. My life will always be abundant because He is always good to me. He promises to get me through anything I face in my life. I am secure in eternity because of my salvation through Jesus Christ. Because He lives, I can face each day with confidence. With this kind of security, why would I not choose to rejoice every day! I hope that you too can choose with full confidence and peace to REJOICE in knowing God, His goodness, and His Son, Jesus! Join me in filling our “joy buckets” with all the fullness of His goodness today!”

Our Christmas story is the perfect reminder of Rejoicing! You can find the Biblical evidence of how Mary rejoiced (Luke 1:47), the angels rejoiced (Luke 2: 10-14, the Shepherds rejoiced (Luke 2:20) , and the Wise Men rejoiced (Matthew 2:10) in very difficult circumstances.

If you are not sure how to have this ultimate JOY, you can choose to open the greatest gift right now and experience the true JOY of Christmas this year! JESUS is the everlasting Gift! He came as a baby so that He could die on the cross for our sins. You just have to ask Him into your heart and make Him your King by admitting that you are a sinner and there is nothing you can do to save yourself. Acknowledge that Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for your sin and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior this Christmas! Then you too can experience real JOY no matter your circumstances!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13

May this Christmas find you RECJOICING no matter what because of the glorious gift of JESUS!

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12

The Greatest Provision

“And the Lord will guide you continually
    and satisfy your desire in scorched places
    and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
    like a spring of water,
    whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11

It’s been a little over 7 months since I have written a blog post. There are several reasons for this gap in writing, one being that God blessed me with a thriving personal training business over the last couple of years as our country slowly made its way back to “normal” from the Covid Pandemic.

Another factor is that my husband, Michael, and I were seeking God for His will in making a move back to Texas. Over the three plus years that we had been serving in Washington, it began to stir on our hearts to be back in a region of the US where we could be closer to our three adult children and other family members. There was also the fact that Michael was working two jobs, and he had a desire to have one full-time job in ministry again.

As most Christians know well, when you begin seeking God’s will and praying for change, it pretty much never happens when and how you think it might…and that is a GOOD THING! While it’s not always easy, it takes patience and full trust in God for His perfect provision! When you wait and you trust and you don’t act on your own out of impatience, then the result is flawless because you are right where God wants you to be! And right where God wants you to be does not mean without difficulties and challenges. That’s part of the joy of being in His will…you get to be lifted up in His strength, supplied with His peace, and see His faithfulness in all circumstances!

When studying the Bible, we learn immediately that God is the perfect provider as He created the perfect environment for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve failed in their trust of God, just as we all do at times since that very first disobedience. A few chapters over from the Creation story, we learn again that we CAN and SHOULD trust God as our provider in Genesis 22:14:

“And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said: “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.”

It is in this dramatic story about Abraham and Isaac that we learn God’s name – YHWH Yireh translated Jehovah-Jireh meaning “The-LORD-Will-Provide”.

One of the blessings of living a number of years on this earth is that you get to see God display His faithfulness over and over again to where you begin to never doubt that HE WILL provide. Too bad we spend so much time worrying! Oh, if only it didn’t take so long for us to realize that God does not think and act like we do! His time table is not ours. He does not have responsive actions to circumstances because He already has His perfect plans laid out! Praise God! We just have to trust!

When the waiting and wondering gets hard; however, it helps me to remember some of the big moments in life when God provided for me in dramatic ways during dramatic trials!

One of those times in my life was when I had a major life threatening medical emergency. I sustained a major injury that began as a bruise to my right kidney much like some football players get during games. In my injury, a vein in my bruise ruptured and created major internal bleeding! Two weeks, two different hospitals, two operations, and two units of a blood transfusion later, I began a long road of recovery to gaining my strength back. When I think back to that time, it is the joy of God’s provisions that trump all other thoughts!

I remember a moment in the first hospital when I was so weak that I told God that I couldn’t even think to pray. His gently voice told me in the quiet of my heart, “It’s okay, Robin. There are so many praying for you right now. Just sleep.” I felt the prayers of many then, and I slept. I remember all the nurses and doctors and how much they truly cared for me and were so kind to me. I knew God provided all those special people to help me. And then, I remember when I was told that I would need a blood transfusion, family and friends were willing to get tested to see if they could give me blood. I ended up receiving a unit from my mother and a unit from my sister. When the transfusion was over, I truly felt revived and like I finally had life in me again!

When the waiting and wondering gets hard, it helps me to remember that God’s provisions have nothing to do with material things (although He does bless some of us in that way). I have had the privilege to visit Haiti, the western hemisphere’s poorest country, twice on short mission trips. The biggest thing I brought back with me from those trips was that Christian Haitians have something that the vast majority of American Christians do not. They wear carefree joyous smiles on their faces because rather than being concerned about what they don’t have, they soak up the best thing that God provides them…Himself!

When the waiting and wondering gets hard, and I am trying to grasp and understand my present circumstances, it helps me to remember how God has promised the provision of my future and forever home with Him! It helps me to remember that my citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20-21). This life is a journey to grow and know Him better, to bear His fruits, and to be a light to others, with the promise that one day there will be no more sorrow and only forever joy (Revelation 21:4-7)! Praise God!

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe…” Hebrews 12:28

Recently, as I said above, Michael and I were seeking God’s will and His provision for our next steps in life. It is a blessing to be a part of how He has rolled out His plan for us over this past year! He provided on His time table in His perfection! We are now living in Floresville, Texas in full-time ministry, and within driving distance of many friends and family! Are there challenges? Yes, but we are excited to see how God provides all of our needs and how He blesses us, our children, our church family, and our community beyond all the we can imagine!

“Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

As we begin December, this time of the year is a reminder that THE GREATEST PROVISON of all is JESUS, God’s Son, who came in the form of a baby to be Immanuel, God with us! To be our Savior! To be our reason for all we do!

May your CHRISTmas be blessed with the abundance of His provisions for your life!

Hold Your Horses

Read Time 5 Minutes

“Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14

Oh to wait…it’s one of the hardest things to do! I think it is often so hard because we think in our minds that we know just what we need and just what the answer should be in any particular moment or time period. We think we know because it is based on our extreme focus on our own emotion. We forget that our judgement might be clouded by emotion. We also do not have the bigger picture…we might think we do, but we only have what is visible right in front of our eyes. As a Christian, we can remember that we are blessed beyond measure to know the One who always has the big picture and who will always do what is the absolute best for us if we can just “hold our horses” and wait for Him!

There is mystery in the waiting when we rely on God. Mystery can be exciting! We don’t know how our events will unfold or when or what the end result will be, but when we are trusting Him, we can be confident that it is just that…mystery and not uncertainty. What you can be certain of is that God will reveal himself to you in special ways, He will bless you along the way, He will give you strength to endure, and He will grow you in ways that you do not anticipate. How He accomplishes this for each one of us is as unique to our lives as we are each perfectly and individually created by Him. Therefore, we can begin to find joy in the mystery of waiting and trusting God with our path and the outcome of our situation.

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 make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

While in a waiting period, there is much we can do to enhance our our lives and shift our focus from our uncomfortable situation to healthy productivity. Here are some suggestions:

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Let God know your heart and your petition. (Philippians 4: 6-7) Let your prayer life grow and blossom as you also read His word and listen for His voice.
Read God’s promises, memorize His promises, and trust in His promises.
Get creative and use the gifts and talents that you have been blessed with to make a difference in your time of waiting.
Be active and exercise. I’m not saying this simply because I am a personal trainer. It is true that exercise is healthy not just for your body, but for your mind and emotions too!

When I am getting weary and frustrated in the waiting, I sometimes think about some brave men who had to endure one of the toughest periods of waiting. These men were POWs during the Vietnam war. Read the following excerpts from a lecture given by Navy Captain Gerald Coffee (who lived in a 3 X 6.5 foot cell for 7 years), and see how even in the most extreme of circumstances there is much one can do to stay strong, have peace, and be victorious in perseverance:

“I used to walk miles inside my cell, just shuffling back and forth,” Coffee said. “I also used my bed for both push-ups and sit ups. It was important for me to continue exercising because I didn’t know when I was going to be released.”

“You would think that with nothing to do, your mind would become unused, but the opposite happened.” Coffee said. “The other prisoners and I found anything and everything to talk about. We picked each other’s brains for all our information, which included memorizing and composing poems.”

“There was this one guy who was chained to his bed and had his arms locked behind him,” he said. “Every night the other prisoners and I would tap on his walls ‘G B,’ which mainly meant ‘God bless,’ but also meant, ‘I’m praying for you. Hold on in there. We are with you.”

“All those years, the Vietnamese tried to rape our spirits and our faith, but they couldn’t do it,” he said. “I was never really alone in that cell. Not with Him by my side.”

Sometimes we have no choice but to wait. At other times, we may have the ability to make a decision to change our course. In those cases we must be careful not to act on impulse or out of frustration or another emotion. We must seek God and be willing to wait as He leads.

So remember, whatever you’re waiting circumstances are, when the waiting gets hard…hold your horses and wait patiently until the waiting time is lifted. Take action in the waiting by exercising your mind using the creative talents that God has blessed you with. Exercise your body physically which also helps your mental and emotional state. And pray, pray, pray! Trust God! Praise God in the waiting! Develop a closer walk with Him! Anticipate the growth and the blessings you will experience through the waiting and then when the waiting is over in His perfect timing!

“…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

The Waterfall Experience

Read Time 5 Minutes

“Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around His chest. The hairs of His head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.” Revelation 1:12-15

My husband, Michael, is a pastor. Recently, he shared a message on this scripture in Revelation. The passage paints a picture of the majesty of our Savior, Jesus, as He was revealed to John on the island of Patmos in the Book of Revelation. In this description of our resplendent Savior, the part that sinks into my heart the most is “His voice was like the roar of many waters”. One Biblical translation describes His voice as “the sound of cascading waters”!

Have you ever sat beside a rushing roaring river before letting the loud and rhythmic sound drown out all your stress? Have you ever refreshed yourself by a gushing waterfall letting the spray rejuvenate your mind and body? Close your eyes for a minute and let your senses paint that picture in your head. There is just something about moving water that is both calming and invigorating! Now take that picture in your head…the power of the mighty flow of the water along with its tranquil and relaxing effects and picture it as Jesus’s voice speaking truth into your life! Picture His arms wrapped around you. He is speaking strength and peace into your life and will hold you up in His promises of perfect care!

While physically visiting a waterfall can be a wonderful refreshment and definitely a tangible reminder of God’s creation and love for us, you can experience that waterfall experience daily when you hear God’s voice!

I hear God’s voice in a variety of ways. It can be powerful and majestic like the waterfall when I am out in nature and enjoying His creation. His voice tells me He is mighty and in control! I have nothing to fear, and He wants to shower me with the riches of His beauty. I also hear Him when I am praying. Comforting thoughts and reminders of His goodness come to me as I talk quietly with Him. I hear His voice when I read His word. It reminds me of His promises and that He will never leave me! There are also times that He gives me clear answers by opening doors and making a path clear!

When you know Jesus as your Savior, you have the ability to hear His voice in different ways. When you know Him personally, that voice like the “roar of many waters” flows through you always and can provide rejuvenating refreshment daily. Sometimes, we just need to be reminded to listen and tap into all His goodness!

“The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
The Lord is over many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.” Psalm 29:3-4

“My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. ” John 10: 27-28

What do God, waterfalls, and exercise have in common?

Rejuvenation! Healing! And, when kept in the right perspective and truth, Wellness! Acknowledging that God is our ultimate Healer, we can then fully partake in waterfalls and exercise as resources He gives us that aid in achieving a state of wellness!

In keeping with the purpose of my blog to connect faith and fitness, I believe that God and our relationship with Him must come first. When we are connected to the “True Vine” and have peace and wellness in our soul, then we are much better equipped to successfully engage in activities that help our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

With that said, there is much scientific evidence to support that both waterfalls and exercise reduce stress, lower anxiety, and promote health. When talking health and science, it is important to realize and accept that God and science are not separate. Our Creator is the master scientist! It is not randomness that created the healing effects of waterfalls. It is not a coincidence that our bodies thrive on appropriate physical activity. God is the creator of the science behind all the functions of nature. He knew what He was doing when he designed natural resources and their usefulness to us including our health. He perfectly designed all the intricate workings of our bodies and has always known what parts of nature would offer health benefits and what physical activities would aid us in being fit.

“For it was You who created my inward parts;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful,
and I know this very well.” Psalm 139: 13-14

Taken from the collective research of multiple sources, there is scientific evidence supporting that being near waterfalls and other frothing water sources produces positive health benefits. Some of these benefits mirror the benefits of exercise and its effects on the body.

When you are in the presence of a waterfall, by a rushing river, or watching ocean waves roll in, there is a reason you feel refreshment. When water molecules collide, they release negative ions into the air. When you are breathing in air that has a higher ratio of negative versus positive ions, your bloodstream receives some healthy benefits. High levels of negative ions boost energy and aid in positive mood, and have even been found to suppress serotonin levels. Thus being near splashing water can help ward off depression and reduce anxiety. These effects also support the general findings from research that people who spend time in nature are often happier than those who don’t. Therefore, there should be much motivation to make plans to spend time in His creation and bask near a beautiful waterfall, river, or ocean setting!

For some, it is not as easy to get out into nature frequently and enjoy the benefits regularly. Location and availability make a difference too. More thought and planning may have to go into making a trip. However, most individuals can partake in some form of exercise regularly. The benefits of exercise are widely known in our society. It has also become common knowledge that fitness activities help more than just the physical side of building strength and improving balance and flexibility.

Much like the waterfall effect, regular exercise helps you emotionally and mentally by boosting your energy and altering your chemical balance to give a positive mood and better outlook on life! Exercise is also known to reduce stress and anxiety and aid in helping to make improvements in depression. The benefits of exercise can grow when individuals take a break from “screen time”…much like when you are out in nature!

Both waterfall exposure and exercise can help people sleep better too! It is clear that the advantages of both being near water and taking part in fitness offer a multitude of healthy rewards towards being well!

For a real supercharge, plan hikes to involve ocean, river, and waterfall experiences. Make sure to linger by the water and soak up the positive effects! Spend time praising God, the Master creator and scientist, who has made it all perfectly possible!

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains,
The world, and those who live in it.
For He has founded it upon the seas
And established it upon the rivers.”
Psalm 24: 1-2

Category: peace