I Am So Excited!

Wednesday I'm leaving on a jet plane with my friend to Pennsylvania!

Through God’s orchestration—and working through some pretty special people . . .

my husband,

my sister and brother-in-law,

and some pretty wonderful friends

. . . I am blessed to be able to attend,

Perhaps some of you will be there as well? 

If so, I would love to meet up with you.  Please contact me privately at Robin_McKay at comcast dot net.

God is the Giver of good gifts! 

How blessed I am to be on the receiving end!!! J

**and we'll be not too far from the Hershey Chocolate Factory!  My mission will be not to drown in one of the scrumptious vats of chocolate!**

Morning Rituals

Do you start your day in the same way. . . every day?

Most of us do.

Even if our spontaneity kicks in later . . .

Even when our schedule fluctuates . . .

Most of us begin the day with at least somewhat of a morning ritual.

Whether it involves drinking coffee or tea, reading the newspaper, checking the computer, exercise, etc. . . . there’s usually some uniformity to it.

Does your morning ritual protect your mind?

Does your morning ritual guard against the evil one?

Does your morning ritual help you focus on Christ?

Some of us have {or try to have} a regular “quiet time” with the Lord.  Maybe yours is in the morning or perhaps it works better for you to meet with Him later in the day, before bed even.  But what I have learned over time is how crucial it is in the morning to get my mind “stayed on Thee”. 

Because I want the perfect peace promised for the rest of my day!

Because I need it! J

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusts in Thee.”  Is. 26:3

There’s no right or wrong here—but I’ve learned it’s important to do something!

After doing Beth Moore’s study, Stepping Up, I continued what she taught us with starting my morning on the floor—face to the floor—in worship and personal expression of my need for Him in my life.  I then recite this prayer of hers . . .

“Lord, I thank you again this morning that you are still God upon the throne of all creation.  You are holy.  Mighty beyond comprehension.  So worthy of my praise and the outpouring of my life’s energies.  Today I gladly give myself to you.  I am convinced that you are always for me.  Obedience to you will always mean Your very best for me.  I’m so grateful that I can come boldly and without shame before Your throne because I pray all these things in Jesus’ name.”

With my face still to the floor, I spend some time in specific adoration and gratitude for all He is doing in my life.  I affirm promises I need to affirm. 

And I say all of this out loud. 

Satan can feed thoughts into our minds, 

but he cannot read our minds. 

I pray A LOT out loud because I want my enemy to know he is not just messing with me, he is messing with God and me!

I finish my prayer on the ground by taking the power and authority that is mine in Christ Jesus, sealing off my mind to influences of the world, tricks and lies of the enemy and my own thoughts and imaginations. (2 Co. 10:5)

Then I re-affirm the following truths out loud I have written on a 3x5 card.  {Some I need to pause over awhile because of what I am currently dealing with or perhaps some repentance is necessary!}

Remember Today . . .

Whose I am

Who I am in Christ

Who God is and believe Him, not only IN Him

I belong to God and not this world—so no envy, jealousy, discontent

Follow Abba’s guidelines for living, not the world’s

Follow after His heart, not my own

To be Holy, as He is holy

To not fear, but trust and keep on believing!

Some days I immediately jump into my prayer journal—because I am desperate to talk with Him more and ask some specific questions, believing for guidance and direction.  Other days I turn to scripture or a Bible study.  Or  I spend all the rest of the morning just praying—laying my heart, my uglies, my children, my concerns, my church, my family, my “whatever” before Him.  Sometimes . . . that takes the bulk of my time.  But I know that although I may be able to snag some time later in the day to read some scripture—having quiet, undisturbed time just to talk to Him and listen for Him most often is only available in the morning before the rest of the family wakes up.

I encourage you to consider your morning ritual.

Are you leaving yourself vulnerable to the enemy simply because you did not take time in the morning to armor up? (Eph. 6:10-18)

I’ll leave you thinking with this quote of Beth Moore’s . . .

"We can choose whether or not we are warriors, 

but we can not choose whether or not we are in a war."

Live Believing God!

A good part of my days lately have been spent reading and responding to emails.  From Facebook, the blog and personal.  Once again I am reminded—how very beautiful is the Body of Christ!

One dear friend—since our college days—recently sent me this beautiful gift.

Can you make it out?  I don’t have the best of cameras and lack all kinds of photo-taking skill.  But it is a bracelet with beautiful crystals intermixed with the 3 words—“live your faith”. 

If you remember, those were the words I heard from God so distinctly in my prayer time a few days after my husband’s stroke. 

Yesterday I received an email from her and several others again asking on the condition of my husband and myself.  I’ve also been asked questions about what it really means to “live your faith”.  To be honest, I think it will mean different things to each one of us.  What it means to me is consistent with my Christian walk thus far—my struggles, my victories, my doubts, my joys . . . .  For you, it could and should look quite different. 

Your life story is different. 

Your faith and how it is lived out is going to look different. 

Not the obedience. 

But the substance.

Here’s part of my friend’s question followed by some of my response:

How are you doing? How is chuck? I also made myself a bracelet like yours. I keep thinking "Live Your Faith" what exactly does that mean? Believing that God will take care of me no matter what the circumstances, that He knows what's best for me. When it gets hard is trusting in what the best thing is. Or the age old question, "why do bad things happen to good people?" Hope I'm making sense. What do you think living your faith means? 

I was having some struggles, but seem to have turned a corner with God yesterday. I've been thinking on this verse a lot lately, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27 His peace is in me. I don't have to ask for peace--I just need to rest in what's already there. I was letting myself feel sad, confused, frustrated, disappointed, discouraged, defeated, like a failure over issues with both Chuck and _____. I realized I was "letting" Satan have free reign over my heart, mind and emotions.

As for the "live your faith"...I kept asking to hear more from Him. I just kept asking Him for answers, just let me hear from you on this...or this...or this.... He did give me a short response of an answer to what I was asking, but that is also when I heard Him say--"you already know what to do from what you've already heard from Me. Keep believing. Keep trusting. You have faith. Live your faith." Satan's main agenda is to get us to doubt God. If we doubt God--His goodness, His love, His power, His ability, His faithfulness, His "whatever"....we are more apt to live in fear, unbelief and self because ultimately we don't/can't trust God so we want to control what we can. We think we can only trust ourselves. So I believe--for me at least--one of Satan's greatest attempts against me is to stir doubt of my faith. That I don't have enough faith or that it's only head knowledge, not heart belief. I know I believe. I know I trust God. I know my faith is real and my faith is deep. I just need to be reminded to rebuke Satan's lies of doubt that stir up fear and/or confusion and/or regret and live my faith that is real. 

Phil. 4:4-7 is the ongoing mantra in my mind! 

My beautiful friend is a stage 4 cancer survivor awaiting another PET scan next week.  

This gal has depths of faith. 

I know it. 

I know her. 

Do you think Satan is going to leave her untouched?  

Absolutely not!  

She is too powerful for the Kingdom!

Her story is too potent against his!

So whatever it means to you, my friend—live your faith! 

Today—just live every moment and make every decision trusting in what you believe to be true. 

Live believing God!

** As for an update on my husband . . . we are so grateful for the improvements in his speech and handwriting.  His brain is still functioning on overdrive, so he continues to tire quickly.  And while he is working, he continues to find new frustrations to work through.  Several difficulties remain, but we rejoice in the days to come!  
Thank you for your prayers!

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice!

Be glad, be well, THRIVE!

Choose joy!

The word "rejoice" is related to the Greek word for grace— “charis”

As joy is a direct result of God’s grace

Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men.

Be satisfied with less than your due—no rights, no entitlements

A forbearing spirit is gentle, full of sweet reasonableness

The Lord is near.

Abba is at hand—close by!

He does not reign beyond the clouds, but by your side

Be anxious for nothing.

Worried

Full of care

Panicked

Seeking self interests

But in everything by prayer . . .

Worship

Devotion

. . . and supplication . . .

Seek

Ask

Make specific requests 

. . . with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Give thanks for the pressing He has caused or allowed

Look for His thumbprint!

His perfect intent will always result in His glory and your best good!

And the peace of God which surpass all comprehension . . .

The tranquility of a soul assured of salvation

security

safety

& protection—

thus fearing nothing!

. . .shall guard . . .

Inwardly by the Holy Spirit at the hearts door to keep worry out

. . . your hearts . . .

Affections

Passions

Thoughts

Emotions

Desires

. . . and your minds . . .

Understanding

Judgment

Conscience

. . . in Christ Jesus.

By Whom you were brought into this favor!

Through Whom you are preserved in it!

In Whom you possess!

Embracing Change

A child presses a bouquet of dandelions and grass into my hands as I watch another drive away—her car filled to capacity with belongings.  She drives up the lane with her Dad quick behind in the truck full of furniture that once filled her Great Grandmother’s home.

My heart is full.  My throat pinched to the point of choking.

I was not prepared when she joined our home. 

I am not prepared as she leaves.

Twenty minutes later I am answering the doorbell pressed by a handsome, brown-haired and brown-eyed little man.  This time I receive a wishing flower (known to most as a seeded dandelion).  I watch my next oldest drive up the lane with a wave of the hand through the open car window.  He is off to take the entrance test for acceptance to the local college education program for High Schoolers.

Excitement, pride, sadness—a tangling of emotions brim and spill.

A conversation I remember having with myself comes to mind.  As a young Mama of 3 little ones who now stand taller than my 5’8” frame, I vowed to mother in such a way that I would never look back with regret.

Today . . . I fight feelings of failure in wrappings of regret. 

Unfortunately, we not only parent in our strengths but out of our weaknesses, hurts, woundings and habitual emotional responses formed over the years to compensate for or deal with those issues that press our buttons of insecurity, rejection, fear, inadequacy and unworthiness.

Can I ask for a do-over?

I know I could do it better—maybe?

—if I could try again with what I know now . . . 

who I am now . . . 

how God has healed me . . . 

now . . .

In walks grace.  How grateful I am for grace.

I have loved & mothered the best I knew with the best & worst of me. 

I have brought them all to Jesus’ lap the only way I knew how.

I have failed to mother perfectly, but I have loved deeply, faithfully

 . . . with a forever-stuck-with-me-cheering-you-on tenacity.

A little bit of the enemy, a little bit of the flesh mingle to stir up a lot of anxiety.  I take authority over my mind and all thoughts contrary to Christ.  

Christ!  

My Savior who saves my failings.  

My Redeemer who redeems my mistakes.

  

The One the grave could not hold, holds me while resurrecting all lack.  He holds my heart, lifts my head, smiles on me wide while washing away all regret with glorious hope!

The season of parenting my older ones fades into the next.  
Will I do well? 

I will pray for them more than I ever have. 

I will fight for them in the spiritual realm. 

I will like them like crazy!

The one who has become my live-in friend and accountability partner returns for the last of her things.  While waiting for her Dad she plays my favorite song on her harp.  I sit on the floor in the dark hallway to listen.  I grieve the end of this time with her.  Nineteen years have gone fast.  Much too fast!

Mixed up thoughts mix with littles calling me to the fire-pit for roasting marshmallows.  The middle-little has a sliver in her foot.  I go to them knowing their years alongside me will also pass quickly for this mother-heart. 

Embrace the dandelions. 

Embrace the change. 

Embrace the vital. 

Embrace the moments that make the lifetime.

“I just know that the longer I parent the more I want to focus on doing a few things really well, and not get too passionate about all the rest. I want to spend time with my kids, teach them the Bible, take them to church, laugh with them, cry with them, discipline them when they disobey, say sorry when I mess up, and pray like crazy. I want them to look back and think, “I’m not sure what my parents were doing or if they even knew what they’re were doing. But I always knew my parents loved me and I knew they loved Jesus.” Maybe it’s not that complicated after all.”    Kevin DeYoung

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Joining Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well, {Titus 2}sDays, We Are That Family and Far Above Rubies

It was a Friday then. 

It is a Friday now. 

The deed is done. 

The debt is paid. 

As my thoughts attend your burial, 

tears of sorrow fall in gratitude 

at your death. 

That though I can only cry for yours, 

O my Savior,

you rescue me from mine!

The Silence

In contrast to The Shouts, is His silence.

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.” 
Isaiah 53:7

As it was foretold in Isaiah, so it was.

The Lamb was silent.


“The high priest stood up and said to Him, ‘Do You make no answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?’ But Jesus kept silent.” Matthew 26:62-63

“And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He made no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?’ And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so that the governor was quite amazed.” Matthew 27:12-14

Jesus came before Herod and “he questioned Him at some length, but without getting any reply.” Luke 23:9


Mocked, insulted, stripped, beaten, scourged, spat upon

—yet He remained silent.

Jesus . . . with torn, punctured skin . . .

blood caked with dirt on body

crowned halo of piercing spikes

beaten, spent body taking wooden beams upon wearied shoulders

human frailty failing, struggling up Hill

pushed, thrown, tied, nailed, lifted up, falling, until jolted into place

continued mocking, casting of lots, offer of vinegar

pierced side, flowing blood.

Silence


The only exceptions. . .

to show compassion for a thief

concern for a mother

to call upon God—“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”

(My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?)

and final cry—"It is finished!"

Jesus made His last appeal for relief His final night of freedom. Before the shouts of the people had turned from those of “hosanna” to “crucify”, He met with God in the garden. With excruciating emotion, Jesus sought for a change in plans. Asking “if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it.” (Matthew 26:39)

Three times He asked. Three times He stated “Thy will be done”.

No change was made.
The Father’s will remained.
The Son’s sacrifice complete

—willfully and silently for there were no more words to be offered. 

No requests, appeals or defense on His behalf.

He sacrificed Himself to His Father, for us, in silence.

My words, my heart desires to be lifted up to Him sacrificially. I trust that the will of God for my life is “good and well-pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)

But oh, how I can whine and complain. 

I struggle to hold on to my rights.

Jesus did not resist the will of the Father. He surrendered to it. (John 6:38)


To be like Jesus.

To surrender to humility, meekness, gentleness and kindness. 
To remain silent and allow brokenness to come. 
To trust Him enough to rest quietly in the midst of any storm.  
To not pick up offense when unjustly treated.

That is what God desires.
That is what Jesus exampled.
That is why brokenness is necessary.

Silence is not the way of the world. It is the way of the Lamb.

1 Peter 2:20-24
For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.


So grateful, beyond words, for this Easter season. For the Spirit directing my attention to the shouts of the people. For eyes opened to the silence of the Lamb. Heart is illumined, desiring not only this awareness of these truths but change as a result. Small snippets of revelation. Thank you, Father God, for these irreplaceable encounters with You! Amen...








{edited from the archives, as I spend my week quiet with Jesus}

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Why Do We Withhold Love & Gratitude?

My refrigerator wears this white board dressed in black letters of love—

Simple! 

Simple thanks! 

Simplest of words conveying the grandest of messages!

I love you—I appreciate you—You mean much to me—

I am grateful for YOU!

It’s the being together, not the giving of gifts.

It’s the fellowship, not the food.

It’s the laughter, not the same stale stories or new.

It’s the love opened and poured out upon one another . . .

Like the perfume once filling a woman’s alabaster jar, the jar broken—extravagant perfume lavished upon the dirty feet of a Teacher, a Prophet, a Lover of sinners.  Her hair oiled in fragrance and tears wiped His feet with gratitude.  Unwelcome in that place, she found welcome at His feet.  She could not withhold her affection, her gratefulness . . . 

her love!

How then can I? 

For Jesus? 

For those around me? 

For those I live with? 

For those I sup with? 
For those I learn with?

For those I struggle with? 

For those who hurt me out of their own hurt? 

For those who don’t get me—and don’t try to? 

The words have lived on my board several days now.  A quick grab of the door to grab the juice and the words, once again, grab my heart. 

I am loved! 

I am wanted! 

I am appreciated!

I am significant to the lives around me!

I am grateful for the words given in gratitude for me!

Who among us does not need to hear such words!

Some times the words are easy to give, other times not.  But simple or difficult we don’t take the time to offer word gifts.  We don’t recognize the opportunity to love.  We don’t always look to see.  And even when we do—we don’t always act.  We withhold gracious love and heartfelt gratitude because it’s inconvenient, we’re busy or we are—simply, unwilling.

For you, dear Jesus, I promise to love and not withhold gratitude and affection.  Holy Spirit, only by your help and grace can I extend to others what I “feel” is withheld from me.  Out of love for you, Father—I will let it be known by words and deeds that I am grateful for this creation of Yours that bears their name!

. . . Amen!

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This Is The Day . . .

. . . the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice . . .

. . . and be glad . . .

. . . in it!

Psalm 118:24


What are you rejoicing in and over today?





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His Mercies Are New—EVERY Morning!

My mornings are pretty routine around here. 

Get up early. 

Meet with Jesus. 

Write some words. 

Pray to the background music of pug snores. 

He snorts and snores and sneezes all over our feet.  

His name is Samson.  

And for the past 10 years he has been the loyal, trustworthy, family best friend that writers have proclaimed canines to be through all of history.  

He has put up with A LOT being part of this family!!!

 

He wakes for no man . . . or woman . . . until bodily functions require he leave the warm house and his warm pillow.

So imagine my surprise when I stumble down at 3:35 a.m. to find the smashed nosed wonder standing next to my husband in the kitchen.  “What’s he doing up so early?” I asked.  It had to be because he “sensed” it was his master and not his mistress this early morning.  They have an impenetrable bond where I withhold affection due to my abhorrence of dog hair and pet messes.  He’d never get up this early if it were just me! 

And off we went to drop hubby off at the airport. 

When I came back through the door at 5:30 I was surprised to find that our eldest daughter was not downstairs yet.  She needed to leave for work in 15 minutes and I had sped down the freeway worked hard to get back to the house in time.  The 2 older boys were gone for a rare overnighter with some friends.  The Littles sound asleep upstairs as I set down my purse and headed for the teapot. 

In the other room I heard a crashing sound.  I thought my coming home had startled one of the cats who then proceeded to knock something off of something.  But when I got to that room and turned on the light I was surprised to find our Sam struggling. 

It took me several minutes to get him settled while I pet him and begged Jesus.  My daughter came down the stairs about that time and she went for his kennel.  We got him inside—as safe and comfortable as possible. 

She left for work.  

I went upstairs to wake dreamers.  

We prayed together the 30 minute drive to the emergency vet.  

I prayed silently to myself words of gratitude for an animal I had often complained about over the years.  {“Oh Jesus . . . he loved me better than I loved him.  Isn't that how it is with you too?!”}

How perspective alters our selfishness!

A stroke or brain aneurysm altered this faithful family friend . . .

We left broken . . . and . . . friendless.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; 

His mercies never come to an end; 

they are new every morning; 

great is Your faithfulness.”  

Lamentations 3:22, 23

“If you are in every moment God . . . if you sufficiently equip me for every experience . . . show me You today—in these difficult moments—in the saying good-bye to a very devoted companion.  I want to see your grace in this morning, because where the grace is, there Your joy will be found.  And I am desperate for your joy—and for the peace that only You can give!”

God—in His promised faithful kindness—reveals His morning of mercies:

• Sam was awake early before my husband left . . . a special good-bye for special friends!
• My sons were gone . . . I could not rely on them for help—thus they never saw their dog suffer!
• My daughter came down late and had to leave right away . . . she was able to get the kennel so that I didn’t have to leave Sam, but she too missed much!
• The Littles did not see him until he was kenneled . . . they were groggy with sleep and did not realize how serious or sad the situation was!
• We prayed together on the drive . . . they experienced personally that ALL THINGS are important to OUR GOD!
• There really were no options for me to take at the vet . . . I was saved the guilt of having to make the wise financial decision!
• The sad drive home without their furry friend . . . all the heaven and Jesus questions I could answer were asked, because—yes!  I do believe there will be animals in heaven!  And if I am surprised to find they are not when I get up there, then it won't matter—but I believe all His creation is loved by Him and if there is to be no lack in heaven, then I believe animals will be part of the fulfillment! 

As I was talking Jesus and heaven to the Littles on the drive home, Nate asked if Samson was now "new".  What a wonderful question and life moment to share with them that, yes—Samson is fully, completely new and one day we will be too . . . when we get to heaven to be with him and Jesus!

Until then . . . until that “new” . . .

We are assured of His love. 

We are assured of His care. 

We are assured of His faithfulness.

We are assured of His compassion. 

We are assured of His mercies. 

“for they are new every morning”

Thank you, Jesus, for creating this wonderful friend for our family to love! 
We'll miss you Samson—as well as your snorts, sneezes & snoring 

. . . thank you for loving us so well!

(4/21/2001 — 2/21/2011)

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