Robin Gilbert Luftig's Blog, page 22
April 19, 2021
For Anyone
For anyone who needs to read this, know–without a doubt–that your Lord hears cries. Never doubt his presence.
Not a long post today.
Really, is there anything else that we need to know?
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 For Anyone appeared first on Robin Luftig.
April 14, 2021
Life Sometimes Doesn’t Turn Out As We Plan
Life sometimes doesn’t turn out as we plan. It begins uneventful enough, just as we think it should. No ripples. No bumps in the road. Smooth sailings all the way. Then–on a dime–something happens to change the trajectory forever.
Joni Eareckson-Tada dove into shallow water and broke her neck, leaving her a quadriplegic.
At the height of his popularity, Franklin D. Roosevelt was stricken with polio.
When Bethany Hamilton was fourteen, she took her surfboard to catch a few waves and was attacked by a shark, losing her arm.
When tragedy happens, our lives–and faith–can be rocked.
How could a loving God let this happen?
Why did this have to happen to me?
When tragedy strikes—and it visits many—it helps to remember the heart of God.
His word says He knew us before we were born;
That he has plans for us.
But most importantly, it’s okay if we don’t understand
Joni, FDR, and Bethany’s lives were changed in a breath. But each has been blessed beyond measure. It might not have been their plan, but God gave them the grace and blessings to travel the journey. And if you’re taking a journey you didn’t plan, God has grace enough for you, 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 Life Sometimes Doesn’t Turn Out As We Plan appeared first on Robin Luftig.
April 13, 2021
Information Overload
We are living in a day of information overload. If you’re anything like me, you choose to use commercial breaks for snack-grabbing so you don’t miss the show you set out to watch. Or you find yourself multitasking instead of focusing on what’s at hand.
It’s difficult to sort through all the information that’s readily available. Let’s face it. We’re all busier than we’d like, so it’s important to latch onto good resources when they come around.
If you’re like me, you want to do the best job possible, be it as a speaker, writer, or most importantly, the best person you can be. To help me to that end, I have a few go-to sources. I’ve yet to be let down by any of them. I go to these sources for wisdom, knowledge, encouragement, or for solid advice. While I hate listing the who’s and what’s that are important to me (because I can’t list them all), I know it’s good to at least give you an idea of what to build in your list, to help you with information order load.
Speaking Information
I found the best place to find great information related to speaking, is to go where the speakers you like go. It’s like playing Follow the Leader. One of the best places I ever found that gave me hands-on experience with different speakers who wanted to see me succeed, was attending a Christian Communicators Conference. Co-Directors, Tammy Whitehurst and Lori Boruff have one goal during their time at the conference–to help a woman speaker be who God wants them to be. And I made life-long friends with some of the gals I met there. Gals like Cherie Nettles, Becky Carpenter, and Christina Custodio to name a few.
Writing Information
I follow several sources when it comes to writing, but when I have a question regarding any how-to in writing situation I come up against, my first go-to reference is Edie Melson’s The Write Conversation. There, Edie and a host of trusted authors address topics that impact the life of a writer. If I want information on the world of publishing, I find The Steve Laube Agency site the most informative. And to round out the information, I follow anything related to Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. Be it the conference website itself, or different Facebook pages referencing Blue Ridge’s successful authors, I can always find great insight into writers’ issues.
Personal Information
I try to never be far from the Scriptures. When I’m at my desk, I have Bible Gateway front and center, ready to be accessed. And I rarely spend time in my office when I do not reference this website. When I’m on the road, I use my phone’s YouVersion App. This, too, offers the ability to underline and leave notes, both helpful when studying and learning. I also grab onto who appears to be where I want to be in my speaking, writing, and personal growth. Women like Eva Marie Everson, Lori Roeleveld, and Sheila Walsh are just a very few of many who have blazed the trail I’m following. Not only are these women powerful in their fields, but they are also truly nice women … the women you’d love to have a cup of coffee with.
I hope this helps you deal with your own information overload. Take a moment or two and make a list of your own. What sources are your go-to’s when you need a bit of wisdom? Who is modeling the life you find best fits where you want to be?
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13(I used Bible Gateway to confirm that scripture.)
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 Information Overload appeared first on Robin Luftig.
April 12, 2021
Life After the Eleventh Day
What an incredible roller-coaster ride of emotions I experienced when I realized I still had a life after the eleventh day when they discovered my brain tumor. That was when they greeted me with, “I’m sorry; Mrs. Luftig, but you have a tumor on your brain about the size of my fist. Do you want a priest, or could I call the hospital chaplain for you?”
Just hours earlier, my husband and I had planned our weekend activities without a care. Now Lew stood helplessly beside me as I lay in my Emergency Room bed listening as a doctor continued. “You have a tumor—a meningioma—nestled under the right frontal area of your skull and need surgery right away to remove it before there’s irreversible damage.”
Lessons Embraced After the Eleventh Day
After the tenth day came and went, I learned to put plans to the side and appreciate what is most important–to embrace the todays as they came.
While I had days—ten days—to prepare myself for this surgery, I also used that time to see what was important. Because I only had a little more than a week to do all I hoped to do, experience anything I still wanted to experience, and say whatever I still needed to say to those who needed to hear from me, I needed to process all those feelings down to the core of my being. Because I had no guarantee I would survive the surgery, I needed to see the importance in the here-and-now.
What was Next?
After that eleventh day, I dealt with excruciating pain that throbbed through my skull. My arms were black and blue from various IVs. More importantly, I had so many unknowns.
Would I be able to talk?
Would I have control over voluntary muscles?
Could I put thoughts together coherently?
I only knew for sure that I needed to pull close to God.
Facing the Unknown after Brain Tumor Surgery
Slowly my strength did begin to return. Weeks after the surgery, my first excursion was to church. Lew and I were the last ones in the building and the first one out, but I made it. From there, I began maneuvering through a grocery store with Lew. But even relying on the grocery cart for support, I only had enough energy to walk a few paces.
As time passed my walking ability began to improve, as did my dexterity, stamina, and memory. After five years, I have found a new normal. A blessed normal.
Find What’s Important
As I look back to my surgery and period of recovery, I realized a gift more precious than I ever imagined: a glimpse into my own mortality. I also learned to recognize true the importance of friends, family, and a loving Savior. And God blessed me with a new life after the eleventh day.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14What 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 Life After the Eleventh Day appeared first on Robin Luftig.
April 7, 2021
We Are What We Eat
We are what we eat and drink. Maybe not spaghetti or iced tea, but we are what we take in. What do you hunger for, or put another way, what is important to you? And what does that have to do with having a blessed home?
Christ-centered homes have at least one thing in common: Christ comes first. It isn’t the rules found in Scripture that make a home Christ-centered. It’s the hearts of the people living in it.
Reducing Christ to a list of rules leads to legalistic Christianity.
Help your family
Help your family see God as loving, approachable, and involved.
Include God in your daily conversations in your home.Make attending church non-negotiable.Show how seeking and serving God can be fun.Remember, the only way to show it is to do it.
“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.” Psalm 63:1You and your family will benefit when a heart—your heart—hungers and thirsts after 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 We Are What We Eat appeared first on Robin Luftig.
April 6, 2021
Writer, Know Thyself
On your mark, get set … but are you ready to go? This is when you challenge yourself: Writer, know thyself.
Ideas have bounced around in your mind for months. You have the perfect plotline for the genre you’re working in, but it’s time to lock it all in a file. You’ve poised your fingers above the keys of your laptop, ready to write the world’s next greatest novel. You’ve placed a pad of paper, pens, and highlighters on your right. On your left is a bottle of water and a cup of coffee, ready for whatever your literary fancy is at the moment. You’ve formatted your soon-to-be document and are ready to create, waiting for inspiration to wash over you.
Now what?
Not many situations are more intimidating for a new author than looking at the blank page or screen, waiting to carry their brilliance. Many writers barely get started when frustration takes over and ties them in knots. Soon they give up. How can you avoid this writer’s snare?
Be prepared.Before your fingers dance out a storyline, ask yourself a few questions.
How well do you know your characters? Do they—the antagonist as was as the protagonist—have redeeming qualities? Readers want to be involved but will only invest their time in books with good storylines. Even if they want to hate a character, they also want to love him.Do you have a chart to follow how your chapters unfold? Your story may not end up following the map, but it helps if you know how to get where you want to go. This will also help you when you’re preparing a proposal when the story’s ready for review.Have you researched your subjects? Nothing is more distracting than, for instance, reading a story where an Amish woman reapplies her makeup after a kiss. That would never happen! Make sure you have your facts straight.Writing can be a bit daunting. But if you’re prepared it takes some of the sting out. Plan, know what you need to know and learn the rest along the way. You’ll enjoy the journey so much more if you 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 Writer, Know Thyself appeared first on Robin Luftig.
April 5, 2021
Continue to Ponder the Marvels of Easter
Let’s continue to ponder the marvels of Easter a bit more.
Eight hundred years before Jesus was crucified, Isaiah prophesied that a Messiah would come. Isaiah didn’t know the names of the upcoming players. He couldn’t use the names of Mary, Joseph, or even Jesus. But instead, he used terms like Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
Jews who saw Jesus on the cross knew in their heads the Messiah was coming, but their hearts were elsewhere. We scratch our heads when we think of it. How could they miss it? We can’t fathom how they could be so ignorant (unknowing).
Really?
Look at us in our ignorance today. Society celebrates the Easter Bunny, while the greatest gift of all is offered to all.
Can We Call a Mulligan?
How about we call a Mulligan–a do-over.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19Let’s start over, right now. Because of Jesus dying on the cross then raising from the dead we have the luxury to change our future. We may know in our heads that Jesus came to save us all, but let’s continue to ponder on the marvels of Easter before we forget again. Let’s move our thoughts to beliefs. It’s not too late to put action to our knowledge and embrace the Good News—a King came to set us free!
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 Continue to Ponder the Marvels of Easter appeared first on Robin Luftig.
March 31, 2021
The Day the Dam Broke
April 1, 2011, was the day the dam broke. That’s the day my life changed forever. The day I had the seizure that left me temporarily paralyzed on my right side. When doctors found my brain tumor–a tumor that had been growing between ten and twelve years. That was the day I realized doctors made a mistake when they told me the twitching in my hand had been from getting old. The day the doctors told me to get my affairs in order because I needed surgery. That’s they couldn’t promise I’d live through it. When my husband of only four years had to look at the possibility of caring for a person who would forever be less than who she was when he married her.That’s the day the dam broke. It was ten years ago that I needed to know exactly who I was and what I believed.
There is no way for me to tell you exactly how memorized scripture came to life that day. Scriptures like Hebrews 13:5, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you and Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…”
Never the Same
That’s the day I knew I would never be who I had been. March 31, 2011, had been a day like any other, but the next day opened the door to a new world I will forever be thankful for. That’s the day the dam broke flooding my life with challenges and blessings. Kept promises and blessings. Comforts beyond measure … and more blessings.
When the dam breaks in your life … and it will … I hope you are ready. It may not be a brain tumor for you like it was for me. But it will happen.
How will you handle a breaking dam 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 The Day the Dam Broke appeared first on Robin Luftig.
March 30, 2021
What’s Around the Corner
You’ll never know what’s around the corner. While we’re geared to plan and look to the future, we need to maintain a strong foothold on the present. Ten years ago everything was going perfectly. My family was close, I was married to a wonderful man, and I had incredible friends and a great job. In fact, ten years ago today, my thoughts were on enjoying the spring weather that finally landed in south-central Pennsylvania. I had no cares in the world, other than if my bicycle was ready for our maiden voyage for the year. My plans were on enjoying the day at hand.
Little did I know my life would be changed forever the next day.
Little did I know I’d hear the most devastating words I’d ever hear: You have a brain tumor and may die very soon.
All my wonderfuls took a back seat to what my right now had given me.
None of us know what we will face next week. No … tomorrow. Wait, not even later today. Honestly, we can’t even be sure what the next minute will bring. We will never know what’s around the corner for our lives, but we can know what’s right now.
Be thankful for where you are, because it’s a beautiful place to be.
Place your hand on your chestPlace your hand on your chest. Do you feel it? Tha-thump. Tha-thump. Tha-thump. That’s your heartbeat. You didn’t do anything to make it start.
That’s God’s gift to you. And it’s beautiful.
Enjoy it. Know that your life has a purpose next week and next month, but it also has a purpose right here and now. Don’t miss it. Don’t plan ahead that you’ve forgotten about today.
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” James 4:13-14What 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’s Around the Corner appeared first on Robin Luftig.
March 29, 2021
Rearview Mirror Faith
Why is it I tend to only talk about the God I see in the rearview mirror? It’s easy to share stories of His presence after I’ve crested a hill or made it through the latest crisis. But I’ve come to realize that’s when the victory ends up being about me. My relationship with Christ. My answered prayer. The faith that sustained me. See what I mean–rearview mirror faith.
Pathetic, just pathetic
I want to have confidence in the God of my today. He’s constant. If I’m completely honest, it’s my pain, fear, and sometimes lack of faith that causes me to struggle. Because I am a broken person I need to seek God’s face.
Lean In for a MomentLet me whisper a secret fear I have. Will God think I’m crazy and selfish if I ask him to answer the prayer of my heart?
I can’t tell others about my prayers to God. What would they say if my prayers don’t get answered? Maybe I’m asking with a self-serving attitude? They might tell me I’m spending too much time asking for my glory instead of His.
This may seem silly to you, but it bothered me–it bothered me a lot! So I prayed about it.
Then it came to me: It’s not the size of the ask, it’s the condition of the heart when I ask.
That’s when I started leaving behind my rearview mirror faith. Instead, I began checking my motives and once I was comfortable with what I found, I’d go to God and thank him right then and there for the answers. I don’t wait until the blessing plays out. I’ve come to realize half the blessing is in the process. The other half comes when I see it.
I need to remember that God’s always awesome—always! And I need to remind myself that it’s me and my self-run focus that gets in the way of receiving the blessings God has for me. He wants to bless me, and I want to be open to His blessing.
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24Join me in remembering that God is always on our side. Let’s ditch rearview mirror faith and replace it with a faith that anticipates a good journey ahead.
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 Rearview Mirror Faith appeared first on Robin Luftig.
