Robin Gilbert Luftig's Blog, page 19

Honesty is the Key

It’s always a gift to look at where you’ve been and who you once were. Have you grown emotionally … spiritually … morally? Or have you side-stepped areas you need to revisit? Is it too painful to look back? Are there areas that you walked away from that need your attention? Honesty is the key here if you want to really want to find the peace that’s been elusive for so long.

Don’t be hard on yourself

Taking stock can be difficult. But realize, by doing just that shows a boost in your self-awareness. So congratulate yourself. You’re on your way to embracing a new level of peace.

Challenge yourself

Think about those in your past. Is there a relationship that ended poorly? Wouldn’t it be a relief if you had a do-over? Ponder a moment. You’re already being completely honest with yourself. Picture what it would be like to face that person on the street. Would you be able to look them in the eye, or would you need to look away?

We can find encouragement to help do this. You would expect this to be in scripture.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. –
Romans 12:18

But it’s also found elsewhere.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. –
Alcoholics Anonymous, Step 8

Open yourself

Are you surprised, as a Christian author and speaker,  I would site non-churchy sources? Don’t be. Wisdom can be found in all sorts of areas. Take notice of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other compulsive-fighting groups that are looking for peace. Don’t be surprised when you see their roots are in scriptural principles. They might not give you chapter and verse, but they share with you the wisdom it takes to find peace.

But honesty is the key. That, along with self-examination. Give it a go … and let me know what you find.

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.

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It Isn’t Always Easy

Thankfulness. Sometimes it isn’t always easy. It doesn’t automatically roll out of our hearts.

There are times when words cut us deep. It doesn’t matter who speaks them. They can come from a friend, a co-worker, or even a family member.

Yet I know

God gives me reasons upon reasons to be thankful.

I woke up and greeted a new day–I am thankful.

It’s His air that’s in my lungs–thankful.

Rain falls on the rich and poor alike–thankful.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Take a moment

These are challenging times for us all. It isn’t always easy to find reasons to be thankful. But I promise you–God promises you–that gratitude (the art of thankfulness) is an incredible gift. Often it comes with tears and a heart that seeks purpose. Don’t shy away from being thankful. it has the ability to touch your heart like nothing other.

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.

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Great Stories

Great stories are not written. They become great after they’ve been re-written. This is a lesson hard-learned. Writing is as rewarding as it is challenging. But in the end, it’s all worth it.

Great stories are not written. They become great after they've been re-written.
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Did God put a story in you that’s just dying to get on paper? Are you overwhelmed by the idea of becoming an author?

Writing may seem daunting

Don’t panic. Learn from those who have sat in your very chair. Talk to published authors who have had success in the literary process. Meet with other new writers, just as panicked as you. Remember, strength is found in numbers!

Remember, strength is found in numbers!

Check out writing conferences.

There may be some in your area. Google “writers conferences near me”. Or, if you want to try and understand why God did this to you, search “Christian writers conferences”.

You may want to check out the Florida Christian Writers Conference, scheduled October 20-24, this year. You’ll meet writers just like yourself. There will be classes on how to write. There will be opportunities to meet publishers and agents, all looking for the next great idea.

And I’ll be there.

Don’t lose focus. If God gave you a burn in your heart to write, then do it. And if you’re going to do it, do it well and write great stories.

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 Great Stories appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Measuring Success

How do you measure success? If you’re an author, do you measure it by the number of your published books? As a speaker, do you count it by the number of people in your audience? Or maybe you’ve started a business and started measuring your success by the size of your Social Media platform.

As a writer& speaker … divorce & brain tumor survivor … child of God, I have several areas available to me for measuring success–or failure–if I choose.

Over the years, I’ve found it’s easier to accept how God’s blessings show as challenges instead of looking at them as failures.  I even pull from these challenges every time I speak about the mercy and grace of my Heavenly Father. When I do, I level the playing field between me and the audience. My goal is to tell them: I’m not special, just forgiven and grateful.

I’m not special, just forgiven and grateful.

But I can’t reach everyone, nor was I meant to. Just as the body has hands and feet (check out 1 Corinthians 12:12-31), so does the body of Christ. And each part of this body has its own objective.

God has instructed us all to love one another, so that’s something we all can aspire to do. But don’t try to do everything. Only put your energy into doing what God has designed you to do. If you must measure success, this is the only way to do it. Keep it between you and God.

Remember, be kind to yourself. Love those around you. Offer what you can, and be good with that. Your success is following God’s plan. Measure success by His standards.
Set time aside to focus on that. You’ll be happy you did.

 

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 Measuring Success appeared first on Robin Luftig.

The Suspense Zone

It was a thrill to be interviewed by Susan Sleeman for The Suspense Zone. Susan started Suspense Zone in 2007 after she searched the internet for suspense books that weren’t riddled with sex and profanity.

Click the link to check out my interview. It will be featured for a time on the website’s main page. Let me know your thoughts!

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 The Suspense Zone appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Fell in Love Almost Immediately

Have you ever met someone who you fell in love with almost immediately? That’s how it was when I met Christina Custodio in 2016 when I listened to her story of complete trust in God. She trusted her relationship with the Creator of the universe and had the audacity to ask him to change his mind.

Where can you find her?

When you follow her, whether, on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, you will see what I mean.

Her post, It Wasn’t a Conference Call. is an excellent example of what she has to offer. Careful, you may fall in love with her immediately, 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.

 

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Greatest Fears

My good friend, Lori Roeleveld, was recently attacked by a dog that was trained to do damage. Since a child, this was one of her greatest fears. How did she manage?

“I’ve survived encountering what I’ve feared since childhood. I did everything I could have done to prevent it and it happened anyway. And, I’ll recover. I’ll be different, but I will be fine.”

Check out her latest blog post. And if you’re not already following her, treat yourself and do!

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 Greatest Fears appeared first on Robin Luftig.

What Fills Your Cup

We are what we take in. Maybe not broccoli or iced tea … great fiction or sappy television movies … what we allow in our minds and bodies shapes who we are. Do you hunger for… something important to you? What fills your cup?

What We Seek In Changes

We hunger for changes that match our life’s seasons. When we’re young, we hunger for approval from our parents, then our peers. Later, we seek out success and spend years trying to define our new sought-after desires.

Maybe it’s a big house or fancy cars.

When entering the winter of a person’s life, desires most often change again.

Security. Time to do what they want to do.

What Stays Constant

All Christ-centered lives have at least one thing in common: Christ is first. Friends, houses, and even financial security can change, It isn’t the law in Scripture that makes a person Christ-centered. It’s the hearts of the people living in it. Reducing Christ to a list of rules leads to legalistic Christianity.

 

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.  Psalms 63:1

 

Help your family see God as loving, approachable, and involved. Include God in your daily conversations in your home Show how seeking and serving God can be fun. Remember, the only way to show it is to do it.

Father, fill my heart with what moves yours. Open my eyes to see what is important to you. Make what fills your cup fill mine.

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 What Fills Your Cup appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Hope not Discouragement

Do you think the saying is true: If you aren’t encouraging, by definition, then, you are discouraging? Is it the dour look on your face that impresses those around you? Or it could be the bounce in your step or the kind word you offer? Hope not discouragement, the choice is yours.

Ouch!

  … we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us … 2 Cor. 7:5-6

Here Comes Hope—It’s You!

Make the difference in someone else’s day. If you’re in a dark place, look at your situation differently. If you see others struggling, offer them comfort.

It Comes Down to Choice

Are you so distracted by life not going the way you planned that you’re affecting the attitudes around you?

Stop the maddness!

Instead, see if there are chances for you to comfort others. Offering encouragement to a person in need is one of the greatest opportunities to be a voice for God. Why would you want to pass that by?

Give it a shot. Offer someone hope not discouragement. You may change the trajectory of their day.

 

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 Hope not Discouragement appeared first on Robin Luftig.

They Were People

Do your eyes glaze over when you’re reading Scripture and come to a list of lineage? You know … the begats? Mine used to. I struggled to see the relevance these names had on my life until I began looking at them as people. Because they were people.

It happened when I was reading Genesis 10. There, I met Kittim (alternately transliterated as Chittim or Cethim). The son of Javan, the grandson of Japheth, and Noah’s great-grandson.

Initially, I wondered how could I read this chapter and find value in a bunch of names that are too difficult to pronounce, let alone remember?

Where’s the value?

Then, two thoughts came to me. First, God inspired these names to be written. And God saw value in each and every one of the men noted in this chapter. No details were given here, and no details were needed. Simply, these men were valued by God. They weren’t perfect. In fact, some of the names listed were the forefathers of some pretty violent tribes (Amorites and Canaanites). But they all were descendants of Noah, a righteous man.

My second thought was of David Green, my own great-grandfather. He was real, too. He lived, breathed, and loved life. Among his children was a son, Roy, who married and had five children. One of these children was my mother, Janet.

All people. All with value.

Many of the names listed in Genesis 10 have faded into oblivion. Many have never heard of them. But they held an important place in our history.

And God knew them.

“I [God] have engraved you on the palms of my hands ….” Isaiah 49:16,

 

No matter who we are, God has a purpose for our lives. We may not see it … we may be one in a long line of begats … but God’s master plan would not be complete if we weren’t in it.

When you read Genesis 10, know without a doubt, that they were people and loved by God.

Even Kittim.

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 They Were People appeared first on Robin Luftig.