Robin Gilbert Luftig's Blog, page 31

2019 AWSA Conference in Murfreesboro

Pardon me for as I offer a bit of shameful self-promotion.

Look what was included in the August/September 2019 edition of Leading Hearts Magazine. Here’s a copy of a full-page ad (page 34) handed out at the 2019 AWSA conference in Murfreesboro, Tennessee last month.

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If you pull up the magazine, before you even get to page 34 and after, you’ll see wonderful information from terrific women who love talking about Jesus. While I smile at what I found in the publication on Page 34, my heart sings from what this this magazine offers. Be blessed by the stories and articles shared in this publication.

Let me know what you liked best from these articles. What stories moved your heart?

 

Does God Hear Your Cries?

Do you wonder if God hears your cries? Feels your pain? Of, frankly, if he’s even there at all?

Check out Kristen D. Samuel’s latest blog.

 

5 Reasons Why God Cares About Your Depression

Thanks, Kristen.

A New Day Dawns

A new day … take a step into what waits for you.

Trust God Without Hesitation

[image error]I’m on the road, writing on a phone that’s about to run out of juice. But I wanted to share a post I wrote for CBN.com. Please look past the rough post to see God’s message. https://www1.cbn.com/devotions/trust-god-without-hesitation

Filling a Need … Finding Peace: A Story

[image error]Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) was a leader among tax collectors. He could afford great jewelry and fine clothes. His position allowed him to charge the people of Jericho more than they owed. Everyone knew he skimmed off the top. They feared this little man.

But this little man had a secret—he wanted more. He had a need. A nagging in his heart that rubies or fine spices couldn’t satisfy. When he heard that this man Jesus was coming to town, he knew he had to talk to him. See him.

Zacchaeus left his tax collecting table for the place where he thought he’d have his chance to see him.

Drat. He’d already passed. He needed to guess … which road would he take? To see Jesus he’d have to take a gamble and run ahead. Hopefully he’d guess right and get there before Jesus arrived. But where to go?

He had an idea. By the Sycamore tree. That’s where he’d wait. He’d have an opportunity to talk with him, for sure.

But when Zacchaeus got to the Sycamore tree, other people were waiting there for Jesus, too. Double drat. What could he do now? He wanted—needed—to see this Man of God for himself.

Zacchaeus looked back down the road and saw a crowd walking his way. Was Jesus surrounded by all those people? How could Zacchaeus make his way through so many people? He was so short … he’d be lost in the crowd for sure.

He looked around. There—the tree! He could climb the Sycamore tree and at least have a look at him … this man who heals. Zacchaeus wasn’t sure what he’d gain by just seeing him, but it had to be enough.

The crowd came closer and Zacchaeus could hear their voices. Begging for Jesus’ attention. All coming at him with requests. Needs. Everyone had a need.

He had a need.

Zacchaeus sighed. What’s the use? He had been fooling himself. He may be rich, but his wealth cost him more than he planned. He had treated people terribly. And now he was going to miss his chance to ask this Jesus for what he wanted most: peace. He needed peace. But it wasn’t to be.

The crowd milled then stopped under the branches of the Sycamore tree. Jesus hushed the crowd with his hands. They waited, anticipating divine wisdom from Jesus. Instead, He looked up.

“Good day, Zacchaeus.”

Zacchaeus caught his breath. “Um … good day to you, teacher.”

Jesus smiled. “Why are you in the tree?”

He felt foolish. “I wanted to see you. I’m so small.” He cleared his throat. “I really wanted to talk with you … I thought maybe you could help me. But you’re busy. Everyone wants to ask you for something.”

Jesus continued to smile as he held out his hand. “Zacchaeus. Come down. I’m coming to your house today. I’m going to stay with you. We can talk about your lack of peace then.”

Is this how it began? I put a bit of flesh to the story, but it could have happened that way.

How diligent are you chasing after Jesus? What are you willing to do to find peace?

God’s Splinters

[image error]We’ve all heard it before. “God never gives us anything we can’t handle.” [BTW, that’s totally bogus, but a topic for another email.] Or how about, “When God closes a door He opens a window.”

Sound bites that find their footing in truth, but sometimes come off a bit too churchie.

(Can I get an AMEN!)

But don’t turn your back on the gist of what’s being said. Bad things happen. Splinters.

But splinters aren’t always as they seem. Was your splinter caused through wrong choices? Can’t blame God for that. Was it a splinter due to an atrocious choice made by someone else? Maybe Free Will there … you can’t blame God for that either. So what do you do?

You learn to take ownership of your splinter.

Know—without a doubt—that you are not out of God’s reach. He still holds you in the palm of his hand. And here’s something else … there’s a reason for what happened. And the opportunity for seeking that purpose is waiting for you. An opportunity that will bring you closer to God.

You might never know why something happened until you cross over into Glory, but know …without a doubt … that it had a purpose. Don’t fight it—give into it. Dig into scripture and seek your splinter’s purpose. Like Apostle Paul’s words to Corinth, “… For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10). And check out James 1:2-4. It tells you the what and why of it all. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

So know splinters come to everyone. The true test of character—and faith—is seen in how you deal with them.

Fix Her Upper: Reclaim Your Happy Space … A Review

[image error]How did they do this?

Fix Her Upper: Reclaim Your Happy Space faces dark issues with truth … and levity. Yes, that’s right. Levity. Beth Duewel’s story of sitting in the dentist chair made me laugh out loud (yes, for sure). Because Rhonda and Beth offered this work with levity, I dropped all my barriers and was excited to let them in. I wanted to hear what they had to say.

Yet make no mistake. This isn’t just fun and games. Their anchor into Happy is their relationship with Christ. These women make Christianity look attractive. The message isn’t preachy, it’s offered with a smile and hug.

We’ve all at one time or another lost our Happy Space. This book helps us find it again … or find it anew.

It’s available at Bold Vision Books June 28th, but you can pre-order it now.

Yes, You Learned Math You’ll Never Use After High School. Here’s Why.

I follow Brandon J. Adams, and you should consider following him too. Here’s his latest post. If can find him at https://brandonjadams.com/

[image error]I see it all the time – some character on the internet asking why they were taught (fill in the blank algebra) they never used after high school instead of (fill in the blank practical math like budgeting or taxes or mortgage math).

Having served in the teaching profession, this question is really mine to answer. I now oblige.

Beyond the fact that many schools do offer alternative courses in such math (I’ve taught them)…

…or the fact that practical math is far easier for someone to self-teach, so we reserve algebra for professionals…

…or lines like “it’s about problem-solving” or “we could use more trade schools” or “because federal agencies are dictating our content #lessgovernment #murica”…

…the answer is simple.

You learned math you’ll never use after high school – because your teachers believe in you.

You’re welcome.

Contrary to popular opinion, teachers have no crystal ball revealing exactly what each student will grow up to be. We have no way of knowing a future environmental researcher or mechanical engineer from a future office receptionist or restaurant manager.

And since we don’t know, teachers labor to equip students for as many choices as possible. Perhaps for when that space exploration video smacks your eyeballs in junior year and launches your imagination into overdrive, or when you read about that ecological crisis brewing in the Solomons and suddenly feel driven to find solutions. Darned if teachers are about to bar you from those possibilities by not teaching the basics.

Students might think we should know. “Can’t you see the loser I am? Can’t you see I have no capacity for that great stuff?”

No. We don’t. That’s not our job. Teachers believe in every human that sits before them – even when they don’t believe in themselves. How can they do their jobs with any passion otherwise? We will not count you out, even when you count yourself out.

Even if you do become a stay-at-home mom, had you chosen a path of research at Cal Tech, you at least had the option. That is not a waste of your time. For you were not a waste of their time. You may not have understood the lesson then, but it gives you limitless options later.

You could say much the same of God – except he knows exactly where you’ll end up.

Perhaps you’re currently wondering, when on earth am I going to need these heartbreaking lessons I’m learning? Perhaps your current circumstances are stretching you to the breaking point, beyond what you thought you could bear. The fear and depression don’t lift. Money stays suffocatingly tight. The loneliness bears down like a fog. Month in and month out, year in and year out, no matter how many “things are about to change!” sermons you hear, nothing ever does.

Know that it is not in vain. Nothing on God’s blackboard smartboard is ever wasted. 

Imagine being admitted to a NASA engineering internship only to find out you haven’t the slightest math skills. It’s the stuff of nightmares.

God is averting you from that fate. He loves you fiercely and is arranging the strength and knowledge, professionally taught, that you will need for your destiny. When it arrives, you will be ready.

Want to see Brandon’s post?  Check out https://brandonjadams.com/2019/06/13/math-after-high-school/

Learning to Bloom Again is Finally Here!

[image error]Finally! Learning to Bloom Again: Walking through Forgiveness After Divorce is available. Not only is it available, but for May 8th, it’s free.

Check it out, and see there are promises waiting for you.

Let me know what you think. I’d be tickled pink if you’d write a short review.

Never Lose Hope

[image error]If you’ve never heard Dr. Rick Rigsby, take a moment and listen to what he has to say. Goalcast’s recording of a speech he gave at the school where his father, a third-grade dropout, and worked as a cook …and it went viral.

His lesson is simple, yet powerful. Don’t let your circumstances define you. Don’t let labels that others put on you say who you are. If you fall down, take a moment, but get back up! What’s the problem with trying again? Keep learning. Keep loving. Keep moving forward.

I understand his philosophy. My own father dropped out of high school, yet I that he was one of the wisest men I ever knew.

Don’t want to track him down on Youtube? I’ve saved you a few steps.