Robin Gilbert Luftig's Blog, page 42

What Will (or Did) You Ponder?

[image error]Looking through my blog I was interested to see what my very first post was. I had made a website and had wisdom to share with the world! While it may be a bit sophomoric, I’m happy to see some things don’t change.

I am still trying to publish book–a different one this time, but a book, nonetheless.
While my speaking ministry has progressed, there are times I still question my ability to tell others of God’s great mercy and grace for us.
Months after I wrote this post I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and give only days to live. Yep, that was in 2011. You do the math.

But I still realize I am nothing without Christ. My comfort has nothing to do with how good God is in my life. And the scripture still rings true. His plans are still etched in stone.

~~~~~~~~~~

As 2010 comes to a close, I’ve noticed lots of Top Ten lists to commemorate the year: Top Ten Words, Top Ten Phrases, Top Ten 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 my 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’ve questioned my ability to be in the ministry Christ has led me in
I’ve dealt with family crises regarding my children
There have been situations with extended family members
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 Life happens:

…He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45

 

Are you disappointed in where your life is? 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.

That’s what I choose to do.

Should I go or Should I stay?

LittleBird...... Helping Abuse Victims Fly Through The Chaos

You have just broken through the fog and confusion and realize that he is abusive and it is not your fault. The question looms. Should you leave or should you stay?

There is so much to consider when deciding what to do about an abusive relationship. Your entire life balances on this choice. Everything about your life will change if you go. And, conversely, everything about your life will probably stay the same if you stay but which one is acceptable and which one is best? Only you can choose and no matter what you choose you will have good reasons for that choice.

Some will choose to stay for many reasons. You may have concerns about where you would go, where you would live and how you make money. One of the first things an abuser will do is isolate a victim from her family and friends. They will often move her…

View original post 877 more words

Do You Trust Me?

[image error]Six years ago, on April 11, 2011, my trust in I AM was put to the test. It wasn’t God who was tested, but me.

Six years ago I heard God’s spirit speak to my heart, “Do you trust Me”. I had no idea that after my brain surgery I’d wake up … know my husband and children … and have a productive life. I didn’t even know if I’d wake up at all.

But I did, and Life has been glorious ever since.

I still get angry with drivers slowly cruise in the left lane of traffic. I continue to get anxious when I run late for a meeting. I still endure sadness when my feelings get hurt. So what makes life so glorious?

Today, just as every day, is a gift. I did nothing to earn it. I did nothing to deserve it.

My family loves me. I made too many mistakes for too long to justify myself [image error]in their eyes. Yet they love me, offer grace my way, and wrap me in a blanket of acceptance.

I have my health. I may not run marathons, but I can put one foot in front of

the other. I can hear my husband sing when he thinks nobody’s around. And I able to see the sun rise over the Susquehanna River and watch the geese fly overhead.

Six years ago I faced the darkest set of days in my life when I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and given ten days to live. Instead of focusing on what I lost that day of surgery, I choose to concentrate on what I gained.

You, too, have been given some incredible gifts. Consider focusing on those instead of the pockets of darkness in your life. Whatever you feed will grow. Choose to feed gratitude. That’s what I plan on doing.

Want to share what you’re grateful for? I’d love to hear from you.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

Irritated by God’s Glory: Adventures in Overthinking Prayer, Part III

You go, Brandon. Embracing God’s glory IS one big letting-go! To read more of Brandon’s blog, go to the links provided.

Brandon J. Adams

I wasn’t planning to make this a series. This should be the final installment. Feel free to read Part 1 and Part 2 if you’re really jonesing for a flying leap down the rabbit hole.

I used to be really irritated whenever someone mentioned God’s glory.

It took years of reflection, but thanks to God’s kind insight, I figured out why.

Part of the problem was that whenever I heard “glory of God”, I heard distance. Detachment. Dismissal. A far-off God who couldn’t care less about my heart or my issues, who basks in a shower of others’ praises while I toil down here, forgotten, or kinda tolerated. I feared getting lost in the shuffle.

I believe this is actually an enormous conundrum for my generation, one I’d like to talk about eventually – the collision of soli Deo gloria with the masses of millennials wounded by damaged families, abuse, neglect, self-hatred, addiction, and every other ill…

View original post 689 more words

It Can Come Out of Nowhere

How long are you willing to wait to hear God’s answer to prayer? Brandon Adams’ blog reminds us that hope is constant, even when our sight fails us.

Another home run, Brandon. Well done!

Brandon J. Adams

“I haven’t given up hope, but…”

I was catching up with a friend. She and her daughter have seen a rough stretch. Death in the family, countless unanswered prayers. Though my battles were different, we reached the same conclusion: the last fifteen years had not gone as we’d hoped.

When you go that long with something wrong, your mind finds ways to deal with it. The most common is to assume that this is how things will always be. This is how God operates; this is his modus operandi for you. Every year offers hope. But it always ends with disappointment. The last go-around didn’t bring any breakthrough, you reason; why would this one?

“I haven’t given up hope, but…”.

We know in our hearts that we shouldn’t throw in the towel. Still, our hope features a “But”. We’re not sure we want to put our hearts out there. Not again. It…

View original post 535 more words

Are You Being Nudged?

[image error]Six years ago, Life was Perfect—until it wasn’t. Or was it still Perfect while changing direction?

Six years ago I didn’t have a care in the world. I still considered myself a newlywed after four years of marriage to the man of my dreams. My job fulfilled me professionally. My kids were happy and healthy. My local church embraced me with an unyielding love.

But I had no idea what was coming. Without realizing it, God had nudged me into preparation for what was to follow.

He nudged me to read powerful, life-speaking books. He nudged me to seek love-affirming conversations and prayers. He nudged me to wrap my heart in worship music and instructional podcasts.

I thought I was seeking a higher plane of living. I had no idea I was in training—a boot camp training ground—for what was coming my way.

Any one of us can be living the life of our dreams, only to have it challenged. Will you be ready? 1 Peter 3:15 offers words I’ve read dozens of times—a sweet verse—yet when I read it again six years ago it was like I read it for the first time: But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have… 

I knew God loved me before my life was challenged. I was certain. But I had no idea that I would have to take that knowledge to the bank … that I would need to carry that certainty with me through some of the most challenging days of my life.

Has God nudged you? Nudges don’t come with warnings. And nudges don’t necessarily mean you will have a catastrophe ahead of you, but it does mean he is preparing you for more. He will give you exactly what you need when you need it.

Ever been nudged? I’d love to hear about it.

The God of Winks and Lost Wallets

There are many characteristics that Millennials are painted with–many not too flattering. But check out Brandon Adam and his latest blog post. After reading Brandon’s posts and other posts like his, I feel confident that our future is in good hands.

Brandon J. Adams

The Neurotic Self-examination Department sent me a memo today: I haven’t been very personal on my blog lately.

So in the interest of shoring that up, I’m postponing my last Prodigal Son installment. I want to take time to get the theology right anyway.

Besides – I have a story in the meantime. If you want to know the delights of walking with God.

Last summer, I had an illuminating conversation in Subway with an old youth group friend I hadn’t seen in fifteen years. I linked to the story here, but basically, it was me and him ironically discovering we’d both envied the other’s gifts in high school and dismissed our own. It was the kind of talk that blows the lid off your assumptions about your story, leaves you madly reevaluating.

God’s message in it for me: “Stop envying, and stop resenting yourself.”

Like everyone, I’ve got attributes I wish I could change (not sin, just personality)…

View original post 525 more words

The Shack—What It Is and Isn’t

[image error]I ‘ve seen several rumblings over the newly released movie, The Shack. I’ve read posts from those who sob because of the brilliance in addressing forgiveness after staggering intense pain and I’ve seen comments about how these slices of information are wrapped in the devil’s web.

How can the movie, The Shack affect people so differently?

Movies made over the years have attempted to communicate scripture. I laugh even now remembering the scene from 1962’s epic film, Sodom and Gomorrah when Lot left the city with his family. The movie shows hundreds of people fleeing the city with Lot (played by Stewart Granger) running along the procession, saying, “Don’t look back! Don’t look back!” Scripture tells us it didn’t happen that way at all.

Or what about movies such as Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments, and The Greatest Story Ever Told? Scriptural accuracy didn’t always seem to be such a concern as was their main objective: telling a good story. And for those who choose to view The Shack through the same lens—seeing a good story—what then, is the problem?

Could it be that we now want quick fixes of scripture spoon-fed to us without putting any effort into it? Are we so entrenched in the “I-Want-It-Now” lifestyle that we choose not to take any responsibility for what we read or watch?

In all the reviews I’ve read, I have not seen one that promoted William P. Young as offering a God-inspired work. Instead, I see interpretations of the opinion of William P. Young. He did not write scripture. He never said he wrote scripture. So don’t you think tagging him with the burden of defending a rendition of a dream he had seems a bit intense?

If we seek to understand God—know who He is and embrace what he wants to be to each of us—wouldn’t it be better to seek him where he lives rather than watch a movie about what people’s opinions are? Listen to God’s own conversation with Moses as shared in Exodus 3:14 (God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”).

People have been hurt when truth blurs with opinion surrounding the topic of Scripture. Bashing those who are interested in seeing a movie that offers opinions doesn’t do much to build up the kingdom of God. If and when people ask questions regarding The Shack’s underlining questions like where is God in a world filled with unspeakable pain … how can God be an African-American woman … could Jesus really be a jean-wearing hippie… accept the open door as an invitation to share Truth to match the opinion they had just witnessed.

Give yourself permission to enjoy the movie, The Shack. I’d love to hear your review. However, if you are looking for a scripture-satisfying experience while munching popcorn and slurping a soda, you may want to reconsider.

2016: A Year in Review

[image error]The year 2017 is in full swing. Have you reviewed the plans you had made for 2016? How did you do?

I didn’t meet all my goals. In fact, I only met a few.

I wanted to publish my book, Ten Days to Live, but it didn’t happen. Additionally, my speaker’s calendar didn’t fill as much as I had hoped.

But I’m excited because I’m seeing God at work. I see reminders of that every time I sit at my desk. I trust that God’s word is good.

Unanticipated opportunities came before me. Different people crossed my path during 2016 that I believe were divinely lead. For these reasons, I have hope and excitement as I enter 2017.

Are you focused on what you missed or on the serendipitous events that blessed your life last year? It’s a choice … and I choose blessings.

What say you?

 

Valentine’s Day Every Day

[image error]I saw a post on social media to all those who say they don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. He charged that it was a cop-out when they say, “We celebrate Valentine’s Day every day. This is just a commercial holiday!”

I know some folks believe that, but this was my reply.

“Sorry, but I’m one of those gals who isn’t moved by Valentine’s Day cards. I watch guys stand in front of the card section at the grocery store, looking at each other, trying to figure out what would cost the least amount of money and effort to check off the list that they put effort into the holiday. These attitudes don’t do anything for me.

“Instead, this is what moves me to tears …



“My husband brings me breakfast in bed Monday through Friday because he wants to honor me. He doesn’t get upset when I hog the remote and will sit with me through sappy love movies–and even uses as many tissues as I do. He tells me that I’m beautiful when I know I’ve gained weight and never misses making over my latest haircut, even when it looks less than stellar. But what I find most loving and sexy, is this man loves God first and me second. If that isn’t showing love to me, I don’t know what does.

“My friend, my husband and I DO celebrate Valentine’s Day every day.

“Y’all can have fun on February 14th. Buy your cards and eat in crowded restaurants. You’ll get no judgment from me. But know that I’ll be curled up on my couch with my husband, catching up on DVR’d TV shows, munching on popcorn and thanking God that I’ve been blessed with a man who understands my heart.”

If you’ve been blessed, please enjoy your sweetie in the manner that suits you best.