Robin Gilbert Luftig's Blog, page 15

Coffee Talk

Come join me at Coffee Talk!

Mainstreet Church
5465 Moline Martin Road
Walbridge, Ohio

To find out how to register, go to the church’s website, or to their Facebook site. I’m looking forward to seeing you there. It’ll be a blast!

It won’t be the same without you there.

 

Want a head start?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst,  or check out any of my other books on my Book page.

 

The post Coffee Talk appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Ladies Uncover a Secret News

Here’s an update on Ladies Uncover a Secret news…

Ladies Uncover a Secret, the second book in the Ladies series, was initially scheduled for release in the fall. But it looks like Elk Lake Publishing is working to release it … this summer!

Here’s a peek at the story

Only powerful friendships can help face the darkness found in family secrets.

It’s 1972 and Fiona Kasey-Boyd is living her dream life in Shaker Heights, Ohio. She’s married to a wonderful and successful man. Yet her heart is wracked with sadness. Are these feelings coming from the baby blues as she endures her eighth month of pregnancy, or do they spawn from deep-seated resentments concerning her past? There were family secrets–she knew there were. But whenever she tried to find the answers, she was always shut down.

After her grandmother experiences an unfortunate accident, she knew it was time to return to Applegate for answers. While there, she’d tap into her ladies of the fire friends for strength and clarity. Sensible Lily-Rose Prembrick and spunky Sugar Bowersox join in, helping Fiona unravel the secrets of her past and discover lies the Kasey family has been carrying for years.

Will revealing secrets strengthen Fiona’s chance at finding peace—or shatter it?

While I’m tickled pink about the early release, I wasn’t ready for it.

Consider being part of the team

I’m looking to those who love the gals from Applegate and want to help me launch this new book. Not only will you be the first to see the story once the publisher releases the demo copy, you’ll have the opportunity to win prizes and get inside information about the Ladies.

PLUS have lots of fun with other Fire Pit Pals.

Drop me a line if you’re interested and if you find this Ladies Uncover a Secret news exciting. Once we get closer to the launch date, I’ll send you a private Facebook Group invitation. We can talk all things Ladies of the Fire.

Want to see how it all began?

Can a woman on the run find herself again?

Ladies of the Fire brought us to the late 1960s as we met the newly-widowed Lily-Rose Pembrick reeling as she fled Lincoln, Nebraska, with her children. Only taking the cash from the house safe and what she could get her hands on at the family bank, she left the recently-inherited and successful Pembrick Transportation company behind. Exhausted from driving all night, she stopped in Applegate, Ohio, and decided to start a new life on Norwood Street. There, she met Fiona Kasey, an African-American no-nonsense housekeeper/companion to an elderly white woman, and Sugar Bowersox, a Southern spitfire who has lost herself in motherhood.

Together, they enjoyed Lily-Rose’s backyard fire pit, where dreams were spoken and secrets revealed. As they embraced a kinship they never would have sought, Lily-Rose began thinking her past could finally be laid to rest—until someone ended up dead.

 

The post Ladies Uncover a Secret News appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Modern Day Roman Bondage

Not long ago, I was reminded of Jesus and his relationship with the men and women who followed him. We’ve just the same, wringing our hands over a modern day Roman bondage. Even then, people focused on politics. The Jews were eager, thinking about Jesus freeing them from the Romans. They saw his miracles, heard how he put the Pharisees in their place, and even how he walked on water.

Their Messiah had arrived!

But Jesus warned them of what was to come.  Unfortunately, they had a dream; a picture in their minds of what messiah and savior meant. They had pre-conceived ideas of what their Messiah would do for them. Fortunately for us, their ideas didn’t really match Jesus’ plan.

I see Americans reacting in the same way when it comes to politics. We have preconceived ideas as to what would make this country whole again. Some say it’s the Right while others say it’s the Left. I’ve even heard the argument that if Jesus was alive today, he would be a member of one party and not the other.

Really?

While Jesus respected the authority of government, he never ran for office or involved himself in politics. He was more concerned with eternity. The only movement he focused on was training twelve ordinary men in the ways of their Heavenly Father.

The only movement he focused on was training twelve ordinary men in the ways of their Heavenly Father.

And I praise God he succeeded.

What Sways You?

Political parties and platforms come and go, but God’s word stands the test of time and His promises are constant. Doubt me? check out:

We see how to find peace.God tells us how to live forever.Jesus tells us about abundance.God’s word tells us how to live our lives.

Scripture even tells us many things will happen before he returns, so why, then, do so may wring their hands over political outcomes?

For me, there are still many of God’s promises I need to fully comprehend … I have little time to get upset over the talk of modern day Roman bondage or the political colors of red or blue. Information is important, but not be swayed by rhetoric. I am and will continue to be swayed by the promise of God.

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst,  or check out any of my other books on my Book page.

The post Modern Day Roman Bondage appeared first on Robin Luftig.

When Life Seems Right

If you know me very well, you know my best writing time is in the wee hours of the morning. Here’s the view from my desk in the early hours. When it’s dark and most people are still sleeping. That’s when my light (figuratively as well as literally) goes on. Ideas flow for me then. That’s when Life seems right with all man and beast.

Scripture tells us that God appreciates the dark skies as well.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
Psalms 19:1-2

Knowledge Revealed

God created both day and night, for the just and unjust. We watch as His brilliance fills each day with a promise of a new beginning. The beauty found in winter mornings of Central Pennsylvania can be stunning. It’s worth the effort if you have the opportunity to begin the morning watching the day chase away the night. I imagine the mornings where you are can show reveal God’s handiwork as well. I promise you, if you allow yourself to stop and watch as “the skies proclaim the works of His hands”, your day will be blessed. You, too, can experience when life seems right.

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst,  or check out any of my other books on my Book page.

The post When Life Seems Right appeared first on Robin Luftig.

A Mic Drop Moment

Have you ever been in God’s word when you’ve witnessed a mic drop moment? You know what I’m talking about. It’s after you finish reading, you lean back in your chair and go, “wow”. Like the parting of the Red Sea, the falling of Jericho, Jesus’ death and resurrection to only name a few.

It Hit Me, Right Between the Eyes

During quiet time, I try to pull nuggets that speak directly to my life. Every day, I make sure to hit Jesus’ words and dig into Proverbs. I may read more of the Old Testament or New, but I always try to at least land in these two spaces. Honestly, there’s more wisdom in Proverbs than I can grasp.

Earlier I re-read Proverbs 3:

By wisdom, the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
Proverbs 3:19-20

Boom!

What more can we want? Just like that, in these two verses, King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, touched on what brings fulfillment to all of our lives.

Wisdom

We read in James 1:5 that if we lack wisdom but want it, all we need to do is ask God for it and he’ll give it. Who doesn’t need wisdom?

Understanding

Jesus knew his disciples didn’t understand. Even though they’d been waiting for the Messiah, they could not grasp what Jesus’ plans were.

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.”
John 3:7,19

Knowledge

Oh, how we seek knowledge. We have colleges, trade schools, and other special learning centers to guide us in our never-ending search for more of it. While Proverbs 1:7 tells us that knowledge begins with seeking God, the Apostle Peter tells us that we should always be ready to share what we know.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have …
1 Peter 3:15

Don’t Fight It

Never doubt it. From the beginning of time, God has loved us. And He’s made a way for us. Not just for eternity, but for a full and rich life on this side of Glory. I don’t know about you, but when I experience a mic drop moment, it catches my attention. I hope it catches yours, too.

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst,  or check out any of my other books on my Book page.

 

The post A Mic Drop Moment appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Days Long Ago

The attention that is drawn to the color of a person’s skin is a strange thing. Other than our sinful nature, that bit of melanin–and how some have more than others–has caused more problems proportionately than any other facet in our world … today or days long ago.

We all see different skin colors. To say we don’t isn’t realistic. But there are other aspects of a person more important, Let’s not focus on color. Take a moment and listen to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. Every time I hear a recording of any of his speeches, tears well up in my eyes. I hope they do in yours as well.

Wisdom came from a man, days long ago, when he talked about his dream. What are some of your favorite lines (there are several) of MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech?

 

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst,  or check out any of my other books on my Book page.

The post Days Long Ago appeared first on Robin Luftig.

List of Gifts

If you have small children in your life, they may ask for help when making their wish list of gifts for Christmas. After all, a little guidance never hurts. For example, it’s difficult to keep a horse in a condo, or a paddleboat if you live on a mesa.

They look to you for help

We, too, look to those we trust when needing guidance or wisdom. Someone who has our best interests at heart. A trusted friend who will never lead us astray; who sees our needs and knows what fulfills us.

So why don’t we ask God to help us make our list?

Proverbs 30, sometimes called the sayings of Agur, is laced with powerful wisdom when it comes to making requests.

Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Proverbs 30:7-8

Our Nature

It’s in our nature to have desires … to go for the gusto. But by taking our requests to our Creator–the one who knows us better than we know ourselves–we can go straight to who is most trustworthy and knows everything about us. He even knows what would fulfill us beyond our wildest imagination!

If you’re a Christ-follower, take a pause in all of the hustle and bustle and consider that God knows the desires of your heart. Aren’t those God-know desires the ones we need to seek?

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  Matthew 7:9-11

God wants good for us! Let’s celebrate this holiday season with gifts and laughter. After all, this is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus! Then … when it comes to making our list of gifts, let’s seek wisdom from the source of all that’s good.

 

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst,  or check out any of my other books on my Book page.

The post List of Gifts appeared first on Robin Luftig.

How to Make it Through Dark Times

I had the pleasure to chat with my good friend, Tammy Whitehurst, and we looked at how to make it through dark times.

But what about the holidays?

Pain can find you even during the happiest of times. Don’t allow brokenness to come in and destroy this season of celebration.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:24

If you’re facing a dark time, know you can prepare your heart and–believe me–you can still enjoy the holidays.

You can do it!

Don’t be robbed of the beauty of the Christmas season! Take control of your thoughts and your heart. You can do it if you prepare for the coming days.

Doubt me? Drop me a note, and we can chat.

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst,  or check out any of my other books on my Book page.

The post How to Make it Through Dark Times appeared first on Robin Luftig.

I Get To

If you’re shopping you may hear the occasional, “I can’t wait until Christmas is over.” With the holiday season comes pressure. Seeking the perfect present. Wrapping the gifts just right. Setting an impeccable table. No wonder we feel stressed over the season. But what if we change how we think? What about instead of, I have to … say, I get to …?

Instead of I have to buy the perfect present, say I get to buy a present? Or, I have to go travel to see family, to I get to travel to see family?

This has been a tough year. Because of COVID, many people are alone during the holidays. Consider what they’d give to spend a few hours with family members they can’t get to. And wrapping presents? Some are struggling with their bills and can’t even afford the tiniest gift.

Getting the Picture?

Instead of I have to wrap this box perfectly, you say I can wrap this box. People lose the use of their hands due to accidents, amputations, or paralysis. Don’t you think they’d trade places with you in a heartbeat?

Instead of I have to set a perfect holiday table, you say I get to set a table for the holidays? If there’s food and clean drinking water at hand, you’ve among the luckiest people in the world.

Here’s a thought

Do not lose the original purpose of Christmas—the celebration of the arrival of the Messiah! Try to shake off the trappings of society’s materialism and press through to the beauty of simplicity.

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Luke 2:11 NIV.

Nothing changes until we change how we think. Let’s shake off the chaos by switching our focus. Let’s celebrate the “I get to’s” of the season.

Want to see how it all began?

Can a woman on the run find herself again?

Ladies of the Fire brought us to the late 1960s as we met the newly-widowed Lily-Rose Pembrick reeling as she fled Lincoln, Nebraska, with her children. Only taking the cash from the house safe and what she could get her hands on at the family bank, she left the recently-inherited and successful Pembrick Transportation company behind. Exhausted from driving all night, she stopped in Applegate, Ohio, and decided to start a new life on Norwood Street. There, she met Fiona Kasey, an African-American no-nonsense housekeeper/companion to an elderly white woman, and Sugar Bowersox, a Southern spitfire who has lost herself in motherhood.

Together, they enjoyed Lily-Rose’s backyard fire pit, where dreams were spoken and secrets revealed. As they embraced a kinship they never would have sought, Lily-Rose began thinking her past could finally be laid to rest—until someone ended up dead.

The post I Get To appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Ladies, Getting Closer

Edits. Rewrites. More rewrites. Chapter shuffling. I thought it’d never be done.

But it’s almost there

Ladies Uncover a Secret, the second book of the Ladies series, is on the home stretch, coming in for the winner’s flag.

Are you ready for more from the ladies on Norwood Street? The spunk and plain-speak of Sugar along with Lily-Rose’s level-headed thinking in times of crisis–both friends are committed to helping Fiona find answers to the secrets that filled her life. The question is, will Fiona be better off after Pandora’s box is opened, or will the Kasey family’s lives fall victim to the hidden tragedy?

Want to see how it all began?

Can a woman on the run find herself again?

Ladies of the Fire brought us to the late 1960s as we met the newly-widowed Lily-Rose Pembrick reeling as she fled Lincoln, Nebraska, with her children. Only taking the cash from the house safe and what she could get her hands on at the family bank, she left the recently-inherited and successful Pembrick Transportation company behind. Exhausted from driving all night, she stopped in Applegate, Ohio, and decided to start a new life on Norwood Street. There, she met Fiona Kasey, an African-American no-nonsense housekeeper/companion to an elderly white woman, and Sugar Bowersox, a Southern spitfire who has lost herself in motherhood.

Together, they enjoyed Lily-Rose’s backyard fire pit, where dreams were spoken and secrets revealed. As they embraced a kinship they never would have sought, Lily-Rose began thinking her past could finally be laid to rest—until someone ended up dead.

The post Ladies, Getting Closer appeared first on Robin Luftig.