Every Christian Has Much to Offer

    
     It is a beautiful Sunday today.  I thoroughly enjoyed our worship this morning.  It is always a joy to worship a good and gracious God with a wonderful church family.  I love the folks from my home congregation and truly do consider them as family members.  I enjoy talking and being with them. 
     We encourage each other  -- help each other through our problems and rejoice with one another through all of life's happy events.  The most important thing is the fact that we serve Jesus together.  When you work and pray with a group of folks a bond is built and hopefully grows stronger through the years.
     Yesterday one of our ladies turned 96.  She has been a blessing to so many for such a long time.  She is healthy in her heart, mind, soul and spirit and is such a wonderful encouragement to everyone.  When I say everyone - I do mean that.  The children love her and so do all the adults.
           
      She has a certain charm and grace about her.  I think it comes from living with the love of God in her heart.  The young men who participate in assisting during the services and who take part in programs like Lads to Leaders are encouraged by her.  She builds them up and helps them feel good about what they are doing to serve the Lord. 
      She loves to give hugs and has always been one of the friendliest folks in our congregation.  I don't often get a chance, but when I do, I love talking about spiritual matters with her.  She knows so much about the Scriptures.  Once an elder's wife - now a widow - she has remained faithful to God all her life.  
       I have known several wonderful always-young-at-heart
 Christians who influenced my faith.  Our congregation lost another sister just a few years ago.  She was also a great Christian example to us all.  She never stopped working for the Lord all her life and always, always thought of others before herself. 
     I deeply respect and have a great love for an elderly gentleman who is a part of our local church family.  He was an elder for many years and truly loves the church Christ built.  And it was another very loving elderly Christian man who visited my Mom and Dad years ago and told them God needed them back in the church.

      Every Christian has so much to offer.  Senior Christians are more influential than they might think.  They have given so much for so long that perhaps they don’t understand their value - how much they are still needed.  They forget how much they have to offer.  Each member of God’s family is valuable.  We all have a place in His kingdom.  We all need encouragement. 

     While we enjoy the encouragement these young-at-heart  Christians give us, do we return the favor?  Are we thoughtful and considerate to them?  Do they know how much we respect them and love them? Do we take the time to stop and listen to them when they want to talk? 

       Over and over again, I am thankful for my local church family.  Many of the young men in our congregation hug our older ladies.  Sometimes, I stand back and watch these interchanges.  They are truly heartwarming. 

      We also have a young girl who never fails to go hug and speak to the older gentleman I mentioned.  He has loves children, so it is always a special treat for him to see her.  I've heard her tell him numerous times that she loves him.  I see the look on his face when she does.  And I see the smile on her face as she walks away.  Both are blessed by their sweet friendship. 

      When our young people take the time to speak to our more mature Christians – two groups of our congregation are blessed.  Maybe it is those of us in the middle who can learn the most from these exchanges.  Every Christian and every child has great value in the sight of God. 
     If we could learn to love each other like God loves us all, the church would be growing by leaps and bounds!  Our love for each other would be a great encouragement to each of us and a wonderful influence in the community.  After all, Jesus told us “by this all men shall know that you are my disciples because you have love one for another.”

      It is important to remember that this love and kindness for one another should not be saved and used only a few times a week when we are in the church building together.  We are supposed to show this love on a daily basis.  We should help each other when we need it – we should check in with one another when one of us is sick.  Offer to help when and where we can.  Greet one another happily when we see each other at the grocery store or at a restaurant.  We keep up with our earthly families, don’t we?  We should keep up with our spiritual family too. 

    This reminds me of a time years ago, when I lived in another town about 45 minutes away.  My oldest son was 5 and was the only child at the time.  We lived right next door to a married couple who was probably in their late 70’s or early 80’s.  They were Christians.  They were in good health and both of them loved working out in their yard. 

      They quickly befriended Adam.  It was a mutual friendship.  He loved them and they loved having him around.  This fine Christian man was patient and took time with Adam.  He taught him the names of all the trees in our yards.  The sweet Christian lady would give him cookies and lemonade.  As he sat on their porch with her – she would teach him about the birds they would see in the trees or in the birdbath. 

I was amazed at how much this Christian couple knew about God’s world.  I was also amazed at the kindness and love they showed to a little five year old boy.  Their friendship meant so much to him as they helped him pass the time during those long summer days. 

Unfortunately, I don’t remember their names; but it doesn’t matter.  I remember how that couple made my son feel.  I remember the smile on his face after visiting with them.  Their love blessed a sweet little boy -- and his mom.  As far as not knowing their names – well God does and I have no doubt that He will richly reward them for their good works. 

As so often happens for me, this is not the direction I necessarily intended to go when I started this post.  I suppose what I am trying to say is that we should never discount someone because of their age, whether it be old or young. We should realize that everyone has something to offer. 
 I can be encouraged by those younger than I am, because I remember being young. I remember what that was like and it was not always easy.  I know the youth of today are probably exposed to and tempted more than I can imagine.  To see them face the challenges they face and still cleave to their faith is inspirational. 

Those of us who are adult, but perhaps have not yet reached our senior years can encourage one another because we are going through many of the same things together.  It helps us to know that someone “in the moment” can understand what we might be facing. 
Not only can we help each other; but we can care for and offer help to those more mature than we are.  We can show our love to those who are younger and may need some practical advice or encouragement.  It is so important that our young people learn that the church building is a good place to be!!

      We can never underestimate the powerful influence that our senior Christian brothers and sister can wield.  They have gained much wisdom through all the experiences of their lives.  They can teach us to be thankful for what God gives us.  They can teach us about the joy of a Christian life.  They have wholly dedicated their lives to the Lord and still search for ways to work for him. 
      Senior Christians take pride in the accomplishments of our youth.  They are always willing to offer advice, love, comfort and wisdom to those around them.  In turn we can encourage them by letting them know how much their dedication to God means to us all.  They are the ones who give us the courage to keep on going. 

      So yes, we are all important to God and to our wonderful Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  Everyone has value to the Father.  And everyone has some talent they can use to give back to Him.  God values every member of my church family including me.  He loves each individual in your church family too -- including you. 

          Understanding the great love He has for us, doesn’t it make sense that we show our love for Him by loving our church family?
 

Christ above all things,

Robin

The Ground Beneath My Feet

       It was the coldest it had been in years.  Actually, it was the coldest I ever remember it being.  As I got out of the car and walked  the few steps across the grass to my gravel sidewalk and into the house, I noticed how hard the ground was.  Even the grass was hard and crunchy beneath my steps.  The ground under the grass and then the sidewalk were both hard ... solid ...unyielding.  That night it seemed to me it was harder even than a concrete sidewalk would be. 
     I usually don't notice the ground I walk on.  Honestly, I don't.  It is something that I take for granted like so many other things.  I realized there is so much that I don't take the time to think about .. to be thankful for.  This ground tonight ... I couldn't ignore it.  As I walked into the house I thought how much it would hurt if I fell.  I don't think the land ever felt so hard as it did that night.
     It was morning the next time I noticed the ground.  Two or three days passed and the temperature rose.  It wasn't nearly as cold.  As so often happens around here, the warmer air brought on rain that continued for a couple of days.  The ground, already thawed and loosened, soaked up the showers.
      As I stepped off the porch, I was surprised at what I felt.  The ground sank beneath my weight, but it didn't feel so much like sinking in to the sloshy earth as it felt like I was walking on a sponge.  It seemed to spring back a little as I took each step.  I was a very odd sensation; one I don't remember ever feeling before.  I felt like I was bouncing as I walked to my car to go work. 
      Now, I know I can't compete with the Parable of the Sower given to us by our Lord Jesus.  He is the Master Teacher and the parable that compares the ground to the hearts of those who hear the Word is a beautiful lesson that cannot be improved upon.  That is not my intention here. 
      Yet I could not help but think about the ground beneath my feet and how it was reacting to the circumstances in which it found itself.  It got bitterly cold and the ground became hard and unyielding ... rock solid.  I know that as Christians our hearts are not supposed to be cold and unyielding.  We are loving people. 
     But how are we supposed to react when the cold winds of Satan's temptations blow across us.  Aren't we supposed to take a hard stand against sin and Satan?  Jesus did.  Remember how rock solid He was against the devil when He was tempted in the wilderness?  Remember how strongly He spoke to Peter when He said, "Get behind me, Satan."  We must speak out about the evil in the world.  We must make a solid, strong , rock hard stand when the devil comes to tempt us in our wilderness. 
      When a substance is exposed to cold, the molecules in that substance condense ...  get closer together.  When God's family goes through tough times... aren't we supposed to pull in to one another ... get closer together... support one another ... help each other stay strong?  And the colder it gets ... the stronger our stance needs to be.  This old world seems to be getting colder all the time.  We need to stand together and stand strong. 
      OK -- I get that.  What about the rains?  Well, what about the rains?  When we are overcome by sadness or tribulation, what are we supposed to do?  When Peter was so ashamed for denying the Lord, what did he do?  When John and Peter were thrown into prison for preaching the gospel, what did they do?  What about Paul -- or any of the first century Christians who suffered so much persecution?  They bounced back!
      Peter and John thanked God that they suffered for Christ's sake.  Paul continued to preach whenever and wherever he could.  James told us to "count it all joy when you fall into divers (manifold) temptations."  Yes, be strong against the sin.  But be joyful that the Lord loves you!  Paul and Silas sang in prison.  Nothing could keep these apostles down.  They continually bounced back.  The world tried to push them down.  All kinds of rains fell on them - beatings, imprisonment, false teachers.... and they kept coming back. 
    Again and again, it seemed the new testament Christians faced obstacle after obstacle.  But the church grew by leaps and bounds!  These faithful servants of the Lord never lost their hope, or their joy.  They held onto the peace that passes all understanding.   The Father was with them through it all! God blessed them for their faithfulness. 
     So I hope the seed of the Word of God has fallen into the good ground of your heart.  And I pray that when Satan sends temptation your way you will recognize him for the deceiver that he is.  I pray you will stand rock solid against temptation.  And when the rains of misfortune fall, please know how much God loves you.  It is my wish for you that you are able to bounce back quickly by remembering He has promised to be with you always and forever!

Christ above all things,
Robin
 

What Are You Here After?

        What are you here after?  Most people who live in the deep South have heard that question or phrase at some time or another.  We understand it, yet it may sound strange to others.  My husband uses the "here after" phrase on a pretty regular basis.  He will leave one room of the house to get something in another room and by the time he gets there he says, "I forgot what I'm here after."  It is a running joke around our house.   
     Simply put, "what are you here after?" means why are you here?  What do you need?  You might meet a friend at the grocery store and say, "Hey, what are you here after?"  What did you come in to buy?  I love being from the South - even our quirky little sayings. 
     Here after is also used in another way that is more commonly understood.   The here after often refers to life after death- also known as the after life.  You might hear someone say, "I'll get my reward in the here-after."  In this context most of us know we are talking about heaven.   Although, technically one could use the term to refer to heaven or hell; but for the most part I hear the phrase used in reference to eternal life with God. 
     So that brings me down to the question..... what are you here after?  Come on, I know I am using a silly play on words -- but really - why are you here?  Hopefully, we are here after the hereafter.  Surely, we all want to go to heaven!  We are here after heaven.  We want to live with God eternally.
     As Christians, we should all keep this in mind.  I have a friend who often says, "We have to keep the main thing - the main thing .. and the main thing is getting to heaven."  We must always remember this.  We can't give up -- Paul tells us in Galatians 6:9 - "And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." 
      Don't faint, my friends!  God is going to reward us.  Continue to do good for others.  Please keep on living for God.  Never lose hope.  We all know how much Paul went through.  He endured so much suffering for Christ.  He was beaten and thrown in jail numerous times, left for dead and shipwrecked all for the cause of Christ.  Jews plotted against him constantly.  Everywhere he went preaching the gospel and establish churches others came behind him trying to undo the work he did for God.  But he never ever gave up. 
     Paul continually worked for Christ.  He never forgot his mission in life was to serve Him.  He always seemed to encourage others to do the same.  In many of his epistles, he told his readers that he was thankful for them - for his memories of them.  And he always remembered them in his prayers. 
    The Hebrew writer encourages the Christian to "lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us, and run with patience (endurance) the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1).  In other words - don't stop, keep going -- don't let weights of life drag you down and don't let sin throw you off course. 
     Another favorite of mine is I Corinthians 15:58 - "Therefore my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (ESV)  I really do love that first.  Keep going.  You do make a difference -- you are not working in vain. 
       Actually when you think about it, all of the apostles are examples of perseverance.  Yes, they all of them except John ran away when Jesus was crucified.  Peter even denied the Lord three times.  After the resurrection though, they learned that Christ forgave them for that.  He showed them His love by appearing to them and spending time with them.  He continued to teach them "until the day in which He was taken up."  After that, none of them ever gave up again.  They continued to serve the Lord until they died. 
      Jesus promised his disciples in John 14 that there are many mansions in His Father's house and that He was going to prepare one for them.  He also promised them that He would come back again and receive them to Him so that He would be with them.  That is the reward. That promise -- that declaration that we would be with Him is what we are "here after."  We are on this earth to seek the reward of being in the Father's house with Christ our Savior. 
       I know the word play was corny, but our purpose is truly to serve the Lord.  We live for Him because He died for us.  And the rewards for doing so will be beyond our highest expectations.  So hang in there.  Don’t give up.  Keep up your good works and resist temptation.  It really will be worth it.  I leave you with one more beautiful verse  -- another promise – from God’s word.  Penned by James and inspired by the Spirit.
         "Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love Him."  (James 1:12)
      
       ...to them that love Him -- Jesus Christ loves you so much --- Do you love Him?

Christ above all things,
Robin

       
 




  








    
     

    “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.”  (James 1:12)

Do you love Him? 

 

Christ above all things,

Robin

      


    
     

Manners or Minnows

       I know, I know...  it's a funny title for a post right? Well that is because the story that prompts it is also funny.  I love teaching my two and three year old Bible class! We never have a dull moment in that room.  I never know what my students are going to say.  Anyone who has ever taught this age group should be prepared for anything.  This past Wednesday was no exception. 
     I only have two students, one little boy who is a little over 3 and one little girl who is a few months past 2 years old.  The children were coloring the picture that went along with the story I planned to teach.  The little girl scooted her chair as close as possible to the little boy.  He didn't mind.  They are always very sweet to another.
      Sometimes though, sitting that close together offers temptations that cannot be explained or resisted.  Suddenly, she blew in the little boy's face.  It was if she was trying to make his hair fly up or something.  I don't know what the reason was for this, but she did it a second time. 
       I told her to stop.  I tried to explain that he didn't like that and it was not something she should do.  I went on to say that we "needed some manners in here."  The little boy then said - "You can throw manners in the lake." 
     Now, I have given away my punch line by the title of the post; but as this was taking place I didn't realize what he was thinking.  I had no idea what he had in his little mind, so I said -- "No, we can't throw our manners in the lake!" 
That sweet innocent child looked up at me with no mischief in his face at all.  "Yes you can, Mrs. Robin.  My daddy does.  You know, those little fish?  He throws them in the lake all the time."
     I could not help myself.  I laughed out loud!  The mix-up just turned my giggle box over and the laughter just came out.  Well, my little student was surprised by this reaction because I had never laughed at him before.  I could tell he didn't really know what to think about that.  I quickly told him that "Mrs. Robin was silly because she (I) got all mixed up about what you said."  It put him at ease and all was well. 
    Still the incident was so humorous, I couldn't wait to tell his grandparents (and several others standing close by)  what had happened.  Everyone got a good laugh out of this. 
I'm sure that many of you have  funny stories about your children or your Bible class students.  This is one I hope I will always remember.
      I have laughed over this incident several times over the last few days.  All joking aside, I was reminded how important it is to take the time to understand what someone is trying to communicate to you.  Understanding is a very important part of loving and supporting each other.  Communicating effectively is also important. 
     When someone is talking with you after worship services, do you really pay intention or is your mind somewhere else?  Are you just smiling and giving some trite greeting and going on to the next person?  It is important to be friendly and speak to as many of our brothers and sisters as we can; but do we go about it as if we are just tallying the numbers to reach a certain count?  
     I once heard a story about a gentleman in a reception line who decided to see how many people were really listening to what he said as he greeted them.  So he came up with some wildly outrageous phrase to say to each person who  came through the line.  It was something like "Is there a cat on my head?"  The gentleman later reported that very few even blinked an eye at his comment.  They never noticed because they weren't listening to what he said- let alone trying to understand it!
     As Christians surely we can do better than that.  We should make every effort to concentrate on each individual we greet.  If we are careful to pay attention and take the time to understand, we may realize that this person - this time - needs more than a simple hello.  Sometimes, she may need you to stop and listen just a little while longer. 
     It really is OK to talk to only one person, if that one person needs us to understand their loneliness and their inner pain.  Sometimes we need to listen very carefully.  It could be that we need to hold a hand- or give a hug.  We might even need to stop what we are doing right then and there and just pray with that person. 
      Are we sometimes the priest or the Levite and walk right past a member of our church family that we know is having a hard time?  Maybe we don't think we have the time or energy to get too involved.  But what if that person was you?  What if you were the one who needed someone to listen? 
      Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind and tenderhearted to one another.  What about Colossians 3:12? 
      "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
        put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, 
        longsuffering," (NKJV)
 
   What a wonderful verse this is!  We are the elect of God.  We are or should be holy and beloved.  Therefore, being holy and beloved by God, then we must put on tender mercies, and kindness.  The NIV says "clothe yourselves with compassion and kindness."  This is what we are to do.  Christ was full of love and compassion and kindness.  As Christians, we have "put on Christ" so clothing ourselves with kindness and compassion doesn't sound so far-fetched. 
     Imagine how much stronger all of our local church families would be if we only remembered these two verses?  And how many folks could we bring to Christ if we clothed ourselves -- literally let our personalities wear compassion and kindness?  How much glory would we bring to the kingdom of Christ?  After all, isn't that our purpose?
      So the next time someone speaks to us or needs us in any way, let's make sure we use our Christian manners instead of throwing them in the lake!

Christ above all things,
Robin