by pastorrobin | Dec 20, 2013 | Journey Journal
This is the thirteenth installment in a series of posts straight from our journal (handwritten). When we first received the difficult diagnosis for our daughter (still in the womb), we immediately started journaling. Click here to start reading Journal from the beginning. Here is what we said:
DAY Twenty-Two – October 16, 2001 – (Robin)
The Lord is gracious and righteous.
He is full of compassion.
We called on the Lord and He answered.
He heard our cry.
He has given us strength.
The power to have faith is a gift from God. When the Holy Spirit inhabits you, you have the power to have faith.
We have learned so much from life. We have not read books on life, seen videos or been to seminars. We are living a lesson. Jesus teaches us new viewpoints and opens our eyes each day.
I am filled with a strong Spirit. I feel linked to God’s Spirit, yet I feel like I have just scratched the surface. I am still smiling. 🙂
==
2013 Commentary
Oh, how scripture brings hope! We find a prayer partner with David in the Psalms. What a great treasure to have the word of God in our hands and then in our hearts. Read the Word, Sing a song, pray a prayer! Join the ranks of faith today!
What’s your favorite text to pray?
Psalm 116
1I love the Lord because he hears my voice
and my prayer for mercy.
2Because he bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath!
3Death wrapped its ropes around me;
the terrors of the grave overtook me.
I saw only trouble and sorrow.
4Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“Please, Lord, save me!”
5How kind the Lord is! How good he is!
So merciful, this God of ours!
6The Lord protects those of childlike faith;
I was facing death, and he saved me.
7Let my soul be at rest again,
for the Lord has been good to me.
8He has saved me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling.
9And so I walk in the Lord’s presence
as I live here on earth!
10I believed in you, so I said,
“I am deeply troubled, Lord.”
11In my anxiety I cried out to you,
“These people are all liars!”
12What can I offer the Lord
for all he has done for me?
13I will lift up the cup of salvation
and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.
14I will keep my promises to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
15The Lord cares deeply
when his loved ones die.
16O Lord, I am your servant;
yes, I am your servant, born into your household;
you have freed me from my chains.
17I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of the Lord.
18I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people—
19in the house of the Lord
in the heart of Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!
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by pastorrobin | Dec 19, 2013 | Journey Journal
This is the twelfth installment in a series of posts straight from our journal (handwritten). When we first received the difficult diagnosis for our daughter (still in the womb), we immediately started journaling. Click here to start reading Journal from the beginning. Here is what we said:
DAY Nineteen – October 13, 2001 – (Robin)
God is good. We are doing well. Last week, Erica and I went to 3 doctors and she had her blood tested. Monday, we go see the neurosurgeon. I think it will be very informative.
We had a couples’ picnic tonight at our church and we discussed our situation with couples from the church. It was the first time in the whole situation that I didn’t want to talk about it.
Their attitude wasn’t conducive to our faith. We are strong. God deserves the glory. We are wedged between shock and reality.
There is no new news. There is no thing we can do but have faith. We do have faith and we God the honor!
2013 Commentary
OOOOOHHHHH! People not “conducive to our faith.” Wow.
What do you do in this situation?
Have you ever found yourself in that spot?
How do you separate the people from the attitude?
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by pastorrobin | Dec 18, 2013 | Journey Journal
This is the Eleventh installment in a series of posts straight from our journal (handwritten). When we first received the difficult diagnosis for our daughter (still in the womb), we immediately started journaling. Click here to start reading Journal from the beginning. Here is what we said:
DAY Fifteen – October 9, 2001 – (Robin)
Erica and I are doing well. We are living on pure faith.
The evidence of what we can’t see.
It is the substance or item that we hope for.
We have learned what faith is by this experience. We truly are no longer worried about our baby’s condition. Ever once in a while we get a depressing thought but it comes and goes.
We don’t dwell on negativity.
We are living on the Holy Spirit. We feel God sustaining us and giving us strength to make it. Yet, the baby’s condition has not changed to our knowledge. I have started to exercise regularly and this has helped me personally.
2013 Commentary
This seems like such an easy concept, but it doesn’t present itself without a difficult situation. Negativity shouts like madman! Faith is a quiet, strong, consistant winner. What will you pick today?
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by pastorrobin | Dec 17, 2013 | Journey Journal
This is the tenth installment in a series of posts straight from our journal (handwritten). When we first received the difficult diagnosis for our daughter (still in the womb), we immediately started journaling. Click here to start reading Journal from the beginning. Here is what we said:
DAY Nine – October 3, 2001 – (Robin)
God is giving us more strength. People at church know and many are emailing and talking to us at church. Erica is starting to feel more fatigue due to pregnancy. She is going to have to take it more easy.
The weather is so beautiful outside. It has been a reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness. We live in Grace and God’s presence is represented in the consistency of nature. (the sun always comes up)
Life is feeling more normal. The shock is wearing off. We have seen so many doctors; it is crazy.
We need to talk to the Master Physician more.
==
2013 Commentary
I remember leaving college finals thinking I had failed or did really bad. As I left the building, I would see the brilliant clouds, green leaves, and crisp air. The consistency of nature reminded me of how little I am and how much God is still in control. Sometimes, it feels like you are the center of the universe and all of your struggles will somehow sink the rest of the world too. In reality, everything else continues to roll on…and so will you. (Thanks, Jesus)
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by pastorrobin | Dec 16, 2013 | Journey Journal
This is the ninth installment in a series of posts straight from our journal (handwritten). When we first received the difficult diagnosis for our daughter (still in the womb), we immediately started journaling. Click here to start reading Journal from the beginning. Here is what we said:
DAY Seven – October 1, 2001 – (Robin)
Today was like a dry desert and we found an oasis at the end. We went to the doctor and he had no new news. The whole day at work was tough. Insurance issues are confusing and stressful.
We had “1st Monday Prayer Meeting” tonight and everything went beautiful. Pastor Randy had the whole church come around us and pray for us. It was intensely powerful! Wow! The Holy Spirit gave us a boost. David Washburn talked to me about a prayer request. At first, I thought I didn’t have the time, then I realized his request was much more important than mine. He was praying for a man that didn’t believe in God.
I believe in you, Lord!
I Love You… 🙂
==
2013 Commentary
This post again reminds me of the powerful grace of God. It amazes me how no matter what life throws at us, God is always more. There was brutal truth at the doctor’s office and then there was just as much truth from God’s Spirit (all in the same day). What would have happened if we didn’t know God? What would have happened if we didn’t go to the prayer meeting? For those that don’t know David Washburn, he is a very sweet and simple man. What he lacks in social skill, he makes up for with his heart for God. Just one more person in the collection that God has blessed us with along this journey.
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by pastorrobin | Dec 13, 2013 | Journey Journal
This is the Eighth installment in a series of posts straight from our journal (handwritten). When we first received the difficult diagnosis for our daughter (still in the womb), we immediately started journaling. Click here to start reading Journal from the beginning. Here is what we said:
DAY SIX – September 30, 2001 – (Robin)
What a great day! We received great encouragement today from our friends and family @ church. God showed love to us through them.
We felt the comforting Holy Spirit as many people prayed for us! Bro. Phillips prophesied that everything would be alright for our Baby. We go tomorrow to visit the doctor. Thank you, Jesus, for a wonderful day.
==
2013 Commentary
This post was short, sweet, and simple. Living in community ushers in God’s love and light better than anything. Christ’s body on the earth displays His characteristics. The ‘church’ in general has many flaws based on the human element. Yet, God in his infinite grace and mercy (in spite of humanity) continues to reveal healing through people.
Have you experienced this?
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What People are Saying