Robin Gilbert Luftig's Blog, page 26

It’s Just This Simple …

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What’s That Lump?

What’s that lump on your neck? I remember the words my doctor used during my yearly physical all those years ago. They ring in my ear as if it were yesterday and as I remember watching his face as he put his fingers to my neck and gently examined the front of my throat.

Those were the words that started a new journey of questioning … searching … confirming God’s place in my life. I thought I had dealt with my share of brokenness. Not just with my early years of emotional brokenness due to living in a dysfunctional family followed by years of bad decisions, but the physical brokenness I experienced in 2011 when I had a tumor removed from my brain. During that season, I thought I had figured life out. God was with me, and loved me, and had a plan for my life. Life was supposed to be smooth sailing from here on out.

Delusional Thoughts

How pathetic! What arrogance had filled my heart!

Here I was facing a physical crisis again. A nodule was discovered on my thyroid and I needed to go through the process again; the process of accepting God’s purpose for my life–whatever that purpose would be. I had to once again embrace—with humility—the fact that I did not know what my tomorrow holds for me.

Time to Start Over

I decided to approach this new physical condition the same way I did the brain tumor–with prayers of complete acceptance and thankfulness.  First came reading scripture and praying with expectancy. Finding God’s words for me were crucial. I knew Truth was the only thing that could carry me through my valley.

That’s when the most wonderful thing happened. Passages I had always loved took on a new life. An exciting brilliance filled my soul.

Why Am I Telling You This Now?

Why bring up a physical challenge that was taken care of years ago? Today my neck is fine. I had a fine-needle biopsy and the tumor was benign.

The truth was and is still the same–God is always there, and he has a plan just for me. Can you look back over your years and see God’s hand in it? Maybe it didn’t play out how you would have wanted it, but I promise you–no, God’s Words promises you– that you were not alone.

Were you abused? God was there and suffered with you.

Did someone do you wrong? God felt that, too.

Have you just had your “What’s that lump” moment?

While seasons in our lives play out, no matter how dark it may get, know God is with you. Every step of the way.

 

 

What say you?

Do you feel like you don’t matter? How has 2021 started? 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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Comfort and Strength

With all the disharmony around us these days, many of us go to sources of comfort and strength that, quite honestly, are not meant to offer it. We often run to social media, politics, or even or finances to help.

 

Choose to emulate Christ’s strength. Join me in looking at the source of true encouragement and comfort. It’s a beautiful thing.

 

 

 

 

… if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my (Apostle Paul’s) joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:1-4What say you?

Do you feel like you don’t matter? How has 2021 started? 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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His Message is Still the Same

Ever wonder if Jesus was thinking about the current climate in today’s society when he spoke to his disciples? Did he think beyond the hardships and violent deaths many of them would face? Do his words in Mark 12 still apply today? Are we to still heed Jesus’ words when our world isn’t as we want it? You can trust it–His message is still the same for today.

 

See Them With Fresh Eyes

Verses 28-30 in the Book of Mark have been referred to as The Greatest Commandment. Follow the verses and decide for yourself.

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

You can even steer away from political differences. A young girl sits alone on the pew, hoping—yet dreading—someone will ask to sit with her. Her clothes are nondescript and she wears little makeup. Her hair is neat yet combed just right to conceal her face. She knows how to blend into a crowd. She’s had years of practice learning how not to be seen. She doesn’t seem to want to be seen … but does she?

Please, see me. Look at me. Talk to me. Let me know I matter. I have a secret I want to share, but I’m afraid to risk it with you.

An elderly man slowly walks into the church and sits down in your favorite spot. It appears he’s missed several bathing opportunities and hasn’t shaved in days. His clothes are worn and his shoes flop when he shuffles. The only glint from him comes from the worn wedding ring he wears on his gnarled finger. He looks a bit sad; a bit lost.

Please, see me. My wife just passed away and I’m so lonely. I want to talk to you, but I’m afraid to show you my pain.

People like these sit in pews across the country every Sunday. Sadly, many of them go home just as they came in: alone and in pain, still searching for relief yet afraid to risk reaching out. Know we can be guaranteed, His message is still the same.

What do we do?

What say you? Do you feel like you don’t matter? How has 2021 started? 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. [/box] Jesus’ words are very clear. Get to know and involve yourself in the lives of those around you.

We don’t need to offer an intense theological dissertation point of doctrine or a political stance. We may just need to smile … say “hello, my name is ______, what’s your name?” When we see and acknowledge others, they may give us the opportunity to really see them. We may even be able to show them the love Jesus talked about.

Think about that the next time you want to take a political stand or see a visitor at church. Maybe the person across from you has needs that are so great they cannot be spoken. Maybe their fears are too big for them to handle. Or maybe God’s working on their heart and they don’t know how else to react to what’s going on in their world.

It’s not for us to discern when to put Jesus’ teachings into practice, but to read and follow them.

What say you?

Do you feel like you don’t matter? How has 2021 started? 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 His Message is Still the Same appeared first on Robin Luftig.

But God …

Like many of you, my heart is heavy over the events of the past week. What words do I tell myself and others to offer comfort? What wisdom do I share? Lori Roleveld climbed into my mind with her latest post, What Can We Speak Into This Moment?  Please read it … ponder the words … and know that we are not alone. God’s still on the throne.

 

 

 

 

 

What say you?

Do you feel like you don’t matter? How has 2021 started? 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 But God … appeared first on Robin Luftig.

WHAM … Everything Stops

I need to be honest with you … I’ve been working on a writing project for a couple of weeks, but the topic refuses to cooperate. This is how the process has gone: I think the ideas are coming together just right. I’m feelin’ the flow … feelin’ the love …

then WHAM … Everything stops.

I regroup, step back, and take a breath. I let it sit–let the thoughts perk for a few hours–then return to the computer, hoping a fresh perspective will get the flow back.

But I get nothin’

I talk with my husband and my friends, hoping a morsel from our conversations will align all the stars in what I’ve been keystroking. A glimmer of an idea surfaces. Maybe THIS will be the glue that pulls it all together. I start writing again … again, feeling the flow, the love, yada-yada …

Then WHAM … everything stops again. Nothin’. I feel like I’m Charlie Brown and Lucy is holding my football with the promise, “Really, Charlie Brown, I won’t pull the ball out from under you THIS time …”

The 50,000 words sitting on my bookshelf looked good in my mind. After writes and re-writes, I’ve decided to leave it there. It’s not mishmashed per se, but it isn’t what was trying to burst from my brain, either.

I Know You Get It

To all my writer friends, I know you get it. I’m guessing most of you have your own half-written blog posts, works in progress, or stacks of research calling your name.  You have a shelf … a banker’s box … a file on your hard drive labeled, “Not Yet”. We get it. Creativity cannot be forced.

But it can be fostered.

A lesson good writers learn early is to be a good writer, you need to read. I enjoy writing. I enjoy reading what I write. But if it isn’t flowing, stressing over what’s on my computer screen will not make the story come together any faster. I need to give myself permission to step back, re-charge my batteries, and allow the process to happen. God even told Elijah in 1 Kings 17 to beat-feet it from where he was, hide east of the Jordan, and allow the ravens to feed him for a season.

What’s the Next Step

if you read my earlier post, Word For the Year, you saw I landed on remembering to focus. I’m excited about writing, but I’m more excited about doing it right; doing it in a focused manner. When that happens, everything in my world flows like honey. I know my obedience to focusing on what God has for me brings that flow.

Jesus teaches us how to be focused on what we need to do in Hebrews 12:2: fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

My project will come together in good time if I focus. I might not experience whams … but I’m okay with living a non-wham existence.

 

What say you?

Do you feel like you don’t matter? How has 2021 started? 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’s Not About Perfection

How are your resolutions going? Are you still pushing forward, or have you given up? It’s not about perfection … it’s about results. Remember, it’s about making 2021 better for you. That means doing what makes your world better.

If you don’t like the word resolution, try something else. How about a goal? Decision? Conviction? Don’t lose heart. There’s still time to renew your efforts!

Whatever you call it, you can still start the year with a bang. Don’t give up.

What say you?

Do you feel like you don’t matter? How has 2021 started? 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 It’s Not About Perfection appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Word For the Year

As we say goodbye to 2020, let’s take a moment or two to look forward to 2021. One of the ways I wrap my head around a new year is to establish a Word For the Year. But it’s a process. There are many great words out there to choose from.

Do I want my word to reflect service? Yes, but that’s not fine-tuned enough. I want to always strive to serve.

I thought about having my word for the year be writing. But that, too, limits what I may do. I’m also a speaker, so would speaking not be where I put my attention?

Or maybe goal setting. I have a brand new journal for the year that I’m eager to bust into and start writing my goals in. But that doesn’t look very different than the years before.

Finding a word for the year takes time. Then it hit met-FOCUS! I decided my word for 2021 is Focus.

Why Focus?

Last year was filled with trauma and distractions. Many lives were rocked to their foundation. Death and disaster were at every turn.

Pandemic catastrophes
Political mayhem
Financial chaos

That was enough to make anyone want to crawl under the blanket and never come out to see the light of day again. It looked like change was everywhere; like nothing was constant.

But that’s not true

God tells us about a constant–His love.

I will never leave you … Hebrews 13:5. That’s a constant.
… In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33. Another constant.
… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20. A calming constant.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16. The granddaddy of God’s constants.

 

Think About It

God knew 2020 would come with all its ugliness. He knew we would experience the heartache and fear that came with it. Because of that and so many other reasons, I choose to focus on God. I will mourn the losses and celebrate the victories that meet me in 2021, but my focus will be on who holds my future.

My Knower (that place inside where truth lives), is bracing me for 2021 with its new and different challenges. But I choose to focus on what my purpose is in those challenges. While I do not want to hear reports on new uglies, I cannot let them sway me. I am confident God holds my future, no matter what happens.

And that’s a pretty solid truth to focus on.

 

What about you?

What will your word of the year be? Do you think a word could bring you closer to God? Are you willing to give a few days of your life to find out? How do you plan on starting 2021? 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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Start the New Year with a Fast

Every January I start the new year with a fast. Not a don’t-drink-my-favorite-Starbucks-coffee-fast, but a fast that limits the food I take in for a specific period of time. Besides, after all the gorging on rich foods over the holidays, this is a perfect time to take inventory of what’s really important to my health.

People fast for different reasons. For one, I am always looking for a way to feel better physically. While I enjoy each sweet morsel or serving of yule log over the holidays, I know it’s not doing my body any good. [SIDEBAR: why do we eat like fools over the holidays? You’d think we’d never seen some of these delicacies before.] I still hit the treadmill, but it can’t rid my thighs of cheesecake and Christmas cookies.

But committing to a fast is more than just changing a diet or a physical experience. It’s also a spiritual one. It’s about remembering who I am; remembering what’s important to me. About setting time apart to ponder on what’s essential in life. When I participate in a fast I know I will get hungry or crave a particular yummy.

This is where the fast pays off. I sit back and pray, Father I am hungry for food, but my hunger for you is greater.

Fasting Can Leave the Old Behind

Participating in a fast is a perfect time for self-examination. Had I been leaning on delusional thinking the year previous? Was I self-absorbed?  Did I put myself before others?

Boy, I would like a latte, but Father, I need to feel your presence more.

You may find, too, that your prayers are more finely tuned … more personal. How can this be a bad thing? I truly cherish this experience each year … and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you see me in January and I seem lost in thought, be kind to me. It’s probably a good guess that I’m processing lessons learned while craving a Snicker’s bar.

My Recommendation

If you’re considering a fast in 2021, I highly recommend Kristen Feola’s The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast. With 21 devotionals and 100+ recipes, this book is your ultimate plan of action and toolbox as you commit to the Daniel Fast. You’ll not only embrace healthier eating habits, you’ll also discover a greater awareness of God’s presence.

Divided into three parts–fast, focus, and food–this book is your inspirational resource for pursuing a more intimate relationship with God as you eliminate certain foods such as sugars, processed ingredients, and solid fats from your diet for 21 days. Author Kristen Feola explains the Daniel Fast in easy-to-understand language, provides thought-provoking devotions for each day of the fast, and shares more than 100 tasty, easy-to-make recipes that follow fasting guidelines.

In a conversational style, Feola helps you structure the fast so you can spend less time thinking about what to eat and more time focusing on God.

As Feola writes, “When you want ideas on what to cook for dinner, you can quickly and easily find a recipe. When you feel weary, you can be refreshed through Bible verses and devotions. When you are struggling with staying committed, you can refer to the information and tools in this book to motivate you.”

Let’s Hear From You

Could you start your year with a fast? Do you think it could bring you closer to God? Are you willing to give a few days of your life to find out? How do you plan on starting 2021? 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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What Do You See Looking Back?

As I prepared a post for the end of 2020, I was challenged on what to write. What does one say looking back? Pondering that thought, I took a moment to see what my very first blog post was. It was dated December 2010.  I’ve shared it below. That was when I established a website …  rolled up my sleeves …  and shared what I thought was my wisdom with the world. It’s hard to believe that was ten years ago. Before I self-published my first book. Before I was given ten days to live and had to have brain surgery. And before I began speaking regularly to women’s groups. While life has changed over the years, I’m happy to see some things haven’t changed budged.

I am still focused on publishing a book–but this time it will be my fifth, not my first.
While my speaking ministry has grown, COVID19 took me in a totally new direction through podcasts and interviews.
And God is still on his throne.



What I saw … Ten Years Ago 

As 2010 comes to a close, I’ve noticed lots of Top Ten lists to commemorate 2010: Top Ten Words … Phrases, … Most Important People. The list goes on.

But where is your focus for 2010? Are you concerned with the dark places that showed up? I’ve had dark places in my life over the past year, but I choose to dwell on what’s been good.  Let me list some of the good experiences that I choose to think about:

A book I’ve spent over five years writing has been turned down repeatedly for publication more in 2010 than ever
I questioned my ability to be in the ministry Christ has led me in
There was a family crisis regarding my children
Situations with extended family members resurfaced
I’ve experienced health issues that have changed how I participate in life
Finances, at times, seemed in short supply

You may think I gave you the wrong list. But be assured I did not.  Because of each one of the above-mentioned situations, I realized I was nothing without Christ. I realized my life during 2010 was not about my comfort … it was about obedience to my Heavenly Father.  During each disappointment and heartache, I have had to learn to trust in the plans that Christ has for me, not what my plans were for Christ.

Was it easy? No, but it wasn’t as difficult as you might think. Once I got beyond the initial disappointment of my not meeting my agenda, I knew I would find solace and peace with God:

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. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Are you feeling pain today due to life’s situations not meeting up with your plans? Has the year 2010 been a disappointment to you? Remember that “…He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:45

Is disappointed about where your life is knocking on your door? Take those honest feelings to your Heavenly Father. He loves you more than you will ever know this side of Glory.  Think about how 2010 has given you so many opportunities to praise God. Give it a try.

Now it’s Your Turn

What do you see looking back? Were you doing ten years ago what you’re doing now? 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 Do You See Looking Back? appeared first on Robin Luftig.