One Simple Glass

When I opened the cabinet to get a cup for my morning coffee, the first thing I saw was a green glass.  It is the only one I have like it, but it used to be a set in my Grandma’s cabinet. 

It was just a simple glass, but a thousand memories flooded my brain.  Bittersweet memories that made me reach out and touch it for a few seconds.  I thought of all the times I spent at my grandparents’ house when I was younger.  I thought of how hard they both worked and their lack of a modern conveniences we take for granted now. 

Grandma cooked fresh biscuits from scratch every single morning – and made a fresh “pone” of cornbread every day. I loved her biscuits, but never cared much for cornbread.

We lived in Jackson, MS when I was younger and I would spend a week with them during the summer. If I was in one part of the house and called for Grandma, she answered with “woohoo.”  I loved that!   

As you can imagine, I spent most of my time with Grandma.  Sitting in her lap always made me feel safe and loved. Together we played with paper dolls.  We cut them out of the big Sears catalog.  Grandma even made furniture for them.  I treasure the time I spent with her.   

When I was a little older she let me play my Uncle David’s Monkees albums on the record player.  She would say, “We must remember to put them up before he comes home from work.”  She didn’t want him to know I listened to them.  It was our little secret.

At least once during the week, we climbed into their pickup and Grandpa would drive us to a local restaurant for a hamburger and milkshake.  I remember how excited Grandma got whenever we went.  She loved milkshakes!

One little glass and those childhood memories burst on my mind like an avalanche racing down a mountain. I learned a lot from my grandparents.

I learned the value of hard work from watching them tend their large garden.  Through the paper dolls, Grandma showed me the power of imagination.  I learned the importance of putting things (like Monkees albums) back in their place.  My grandparents taught me the joy of simple things like a cheerful greeting, and a hamburger and milkshake. 

I also learned that holding a child in your lap can be a blessing for the child and the adult.  She showed me love spans across both miles and generations.  

One simple glass sent me back to my childhood yesterday. 

Here’s the thing.  We only get one chance in life – one chance to live and love like Jesus – one chance to leave something worthy behind.  Not because of who we are -  but because of who Christ is! 

“What you leave as a legacy is not what is etched in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” Anonymous

Psalm 78:4 “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that he has done.”

Christ above all things - Robin

Yesterday ...

Yesterday, this country suffered a major shock. Oddly enough, it was the day before the twenty-fourth anniversary of 09/11, a horrific event in our country.  Is this a  coincidence or was it planned that way?  I don't know.  

Hearing about Charlie Kirk being gunned down was tragic.  Honestly for many of us, it is difficult to believe.  Yesterday afternoon and last night I watched the news and read social media posts. 

Please pray for Charlie's wife and children.  Their lives will be very different now that he is gone.  I cannot even imagine the heartache.  

Some on social media noted shock, sorrow, and outrage because of his death.  Unfortunately, others on social media were horrific.  They had no sympathy for Charlie.  Honestly, it seems some folks have no regard for the sanctity of human life.  They called Charlie Kirk all sorts of horrible names. 

At first I was shocked - then angry - but the anger quickly turned to a deep sadness.  Sadness for his wife – sadness for his children – and sadness for a lost society.  The world certainly seems dark these days, doesn’t it?  

I have a feeling Charlie Kirk’s actions and words will live on for a long time.  And I pray we as Christians can help turn things around in this country - I'm not necessarily talking about politics. I am talking about spiritually.  I pray for our religious freedom.  I also pray we will learn to stand up for our beliefs and speak out when necessary. 

The death of such an iconic figure is always tragic. I believe Charlie did a lot of good in his life.  I will miss seeing him and hearing about him.  He was a positive influence for many of us.  

And so it seems the battle of good vs. evil isn't dying down anytime soon.  That is why we hold on to our faith.  

Jesus Christ came over 2000 years ago to die for our sins and then rise again.  Jesus lives! 

“…Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).

It is important for us to remember the fact that Jesus is alive!  He reigns in heaven now, and He stands for us. He claims us as His own.  This is why we hold on to our hope.  It is why we should always be strong and courageous. 

Here is another verse we should always remember.  It is found in Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”   We can have confidence in Christ.  He will never let us down.  Never.

Yes, there is a lot of darkness in this world.  There is hatred and evil.  Someone will always want to stop the message of Christ who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”  It is through Him that we will be able to go to the Father one day. (John 14:6).

The battle of good and evil will rage on as long as this world stands; but we can never give up.  We must continue to let our light shine because when it is all said and done, God wins!  This means those who follow His Son will also win! 

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Christ above all things - Robin

Noah

 

Hello everyone, 

I know I’ve written about Noah before, but his life was crucial to our existence today, as well as our salvation.

Most of us remember when Eve was deceived by the serpent.  She and Adam both ate from Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  God found them in the garden.  He told the serpent “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel,” (Genesis 3:15). 

This was the first prophecy of Christ, our Savior.  Apparently, it was handed down to each generation.  Noah was the tenth generation of mankind and when he was born we read about the hope of the prophecy being fulfilled.

“ When Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son and called his name Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands,”  (Genesis 5:28).  The name Noah means rest.

Lamech’s statement was also a prophecy, but it was probably not like he expected.  However, it did express hope. 

Noah found himself in an almost impossible situation because of all the evil in the world.  God regretted He had created man and planned to “blot them out”  (Genesis 6:6, 7). 

Genesis 6:8 is a dramatic turnaround from the previous verses. “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”  Why Noah?  We know it wasn’t a random choice.

Noah’s ancestry is so interesting and I believe it is at least part of why Noah found favor with God.  We first have to be taught about God to walk with Him, right?   

Based on what he said when Noah was born, his father Lamech believed in the Lord.  Noah’s grandfather was Methuselah, the son of Enoch.  And Enoch was the man who did not die because he walked with God.  

I believe Noah was taught about God by his father and grandfather.  However, knowing about Him and acting on that knowledge are two different things.  But Noah made his own decision. 

Genesis 6:9 tells us he “was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.”   He chose to walk with God.  He was looking for God’s favor.  That’s why he found it.

Here are some other passages which tell us about Noah’s relationship with God.

 ^“Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him” (Genesis 6:22 and Genesis 7:5).

“By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith,”  (Hebrews 11:7)

2 Peter 2:5 – “if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;”

Let’s all make the same choice Noah did. 

Christ above all things - Robin