http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c40awbDgeg
Ladies,
I have not been a big fan of country music since my drinking days but I heard about this song and had to share it with you. Maybe some of you have heard it before. It speaks such a strong message. I applaud Collin Raye for this song in support of women everywhere.
Hope each of you had a good Christmas... miss you all. Robin
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Art of Gratitude
Graham Cooke: "The Art of Gratitude - It's Not Just for the Thanksgiving Weekend"by Graham Cooke Nov 23, 2008
It's in Our DNA
In all things, we must give thanks. It is part of our DNA as human beings that we be grateful. If I eat a great meal in a restaurant, I want to thank the server and the chef. It's just natural! If someone gives us a beautiful sweater for Christmas, we want to say thank you.
If someone scores a touchdown for our team, what are we doing when we stand up and cheer? We are showing our appreciation. If someone wins a gold medal, or overcomes a daunting deficit to win, we jump up and down. We are thankful to be a part of that historic moment.
"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus," Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Intimacy has a voice, and we need to be vocal in our praise and gratitude. Thanksgiving is not just for the Thanksgiving weekend; it should be an everyday occurrence.
I believe that real intimacy with God cannot be hidden. It transforms us. To get there, however, we need to press into communion and praise. We have to live with a heart captured by God.
Appreciation is often a tool God uses to draw us closer to Him. When we enter His presence, He usually tells us something He loves about us. He is very good at being grateful - and we need to follow the Holy Spirit's lead in that.
Thankfulness is the Door to God's Presence
God's blessing should propel us into thanksgiving - our excitement over what He is doing must manifest itself in gratitude. Thankfulness is a test we need to pass every day of our lives. Whether life is good or bad, we always have something to give thanks for.
Many Christians have been conditioned to think that they enter God's presence with prayer. But Scripture is clear that thankfulness is the door to His presence - "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name," says Psalm 100:4.
Whatever happens, we must thank God for the set of circumstances we are in. I'm not saying that we must thank God for something horrible that has happened - Christians are not called to be masochists. However, we can thank God that He is always with us.
Rejoicing in God gives us the opportunity to hear Him. When we enter His presence with thanksgiving, we open more of ourselves to His voice. When we want to know God's will for a situation, we begin by giving thanks.
Thankfulness Helps Us to Remain Happy
Probably two-thirds of the rest of the world would change places with us in the west - in a heartbeat - no matter how poor our lifestyle. To many, we are rich beyond their wildest dreams. Count your blessings; there are so many things to give thanks for.
If we struggle with being grateful to God for what He has given us, chances are we will be ungracious to people in how we live our lives. It is disciplines like gratitude, thanksgiving, praise, and worship that keep the presence of God fresh and alive in our hearts.
This is a fundamental spiritual truth that can re-shape and re-ignite our personal time with God. By entering His presence with praise, not petitions, we learn how to adore God. Our hearts become full of constant, continuous worship. We are people called to be happy in God; if we don't have joy in our relationship with Him, how can we expect anyone else to?
As a Christian, who would you rather be represented by - the most miserable swine on earth, or the happiest person in the world? This is the very choice God faces! Nobody wants to be represented by someone who is glum and miserable.
Thankfulness helps us remain happy in God.
Graham CookeBrilliant Book HouseEmail: office@grahamcooke.com
About Graham Cooke: Graham Cooke is part of the pastoral leadership team of The Mission in Vacaville, California, working with senior pastor David Crone. Graham is a popular conference speaker and is well-known for his training programs on the prophetic, spiritual warfare, intimacy with God, leadership, and spirituality. A thinker and a strategist, Graham is also a builder with a particular desire to produce finances and resources to help the poor. He financially supports and helps to underwrite church planting, leadership development, evangelism, and health and rescue projects in many countries in the third world. Graham has written several popular books, including Approaching the Heart of Prophecy and Developing Your Prophetic Gifting.
Graham Cooke's Itinerary:March 19-21, 2009Limitless PossibilitiesThe Mission6391 Leisure Town Road; Vacaville, California Contact: conference@grahamcooke.com or 707-359-2104 Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.
ElijahList Publications310 2nd Ave SE, Albany, OR 97321 www.elijahlist.com email: info@elijahlist.netPhone 1-541-926-3250
It's in Our DNA
In all things, we must give thanks. It is part of our DNA as human beings that we be grateful. If I eat a great meal in a restaurant, I want to thank the server and the chef. It's just natural! If someone gives us a beautiful sweater for Christmas, we want to say thank you.
If someone scores a touchdown for our team, what are we doing when we stand up and cheer? We are showing our appreciation. If someone wins a gold medal, or overcomes a daunting deficit to win, we jump up and down. We are thankful to be a part of that historic moment.
"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus," Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Intimacy has a voice, and we need to be vocal in our praise and gratitude. Thanksgiving is not just for the Thanksgiving weekend; it should be an everyday occurrence.
I believe that real intimacy with God cannot be hidden. It transforms us. To get there, however, we need to press into communion and praise. We have to live with a heart captured by God.
Appreciation is often a tool God uses to draw us closer to Him. When we enter His presence, He usually tells us something He loves about us. He is very good at being grateful - and we need to follow the Holy Spirit's lead in that.
Thankfulness is the Door to God's Presence
God's blessing should propel us into thanksgiving - our excitement over what He is doing must manifest itself in gratitude. Thankfulness is a test we need to pass every day of our lives. Whether life is good or bad, we always have something to give thanks for.
Many Christians have been conditioned to think that they enter God's presence with prayer. But Scripture is clear that thankfulness is the door to His presence - "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name," says Psalm 100:4.
Whatever happens, we must thank God for the set of circumstances we are in. I'm not saying that we must thank God for something horrible that has happened - Christians are not called to be masochists. However, we can thank God that He is always with us.
Rejoicing in God gives us the opportunity to hear Him. When we enter His presence with thanksgiving, we open more of ourselves to His voice. When we want to know God's will for a situation, we begin by giving thanks.
Thankfulness Helps Us to Remain Happy
Probably two-thirds of the rest of the world would change places with us in the west - in a heartbeat - no matter how poor our lifestyle. To many, we are rich beyond their wildest dreams. Count your blessings; there are so many things to give thanks for.
If we struggle with being grateful to God for what He has given us, chances are we will be ungracious to people in how we live our lives. It is disciplines like gratitude, thanksgiving, praise, and worship that keep the presence of God fresh and alive in our hearts.
This is a fundamental spiritual truth that can re-shape and re-ignite our personal time with God. By entering His presence with praise, not petitions, we learn how to adore God. Our hearts become full of constant, continuous worship. We are people called to be happy in God; if we don't have joy in our relationship with Him, how can we expect anyone else to?
As a Christian, who would you rather be represented by - the most miserable swine on earth, or the happiest person in the world? This is the very choice God faces! Nobody wants to be represented by someone who is glum and miserable.
Thankfulness helps us remain happy in God.
Graham CookeBrilliant Book HouseEmail: office@grahamcooke.com
About Graham Cooke: Graham Cooke is part of the pastoral leadership team of The Mission in Vacaville, California, working with senior pastor David Crone. Graham is a popular conference speaker and is well-known for his training programs on the prophetic, spiritual warfare, intimacy with God, leadership, and spirituality. A thinker and a strategist, Graham is also a builder with a particular desire to produce finances and resources to help the poor. He financially supports and helps to underwrite church planting, leadership development, evangelism, and health and rescue projects in many countries in the third world. Graham has written several popular books, including Approaching the Heart of Prophecy and Developing Your Prophetic Gifting.
Graham Cooke's Itinerary:March 19-21, 2009Limitless PossibilitiesThe Mission6391 Leisure Town Road; Vacaville, California Contact: conference@grahamcooke.com or 707-359-2104 Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.
ElijahList Publications310 2nd Ave SE, Albany, OR 97321 www.elijahlist.com email: info@elijahlist.netPhone 1-541-926-3250
Friday, November 14, 2008
Struggling with my Victim Mentality
Hi girls,
I'm not sure if any of you are getting this via RSS feed but I just needed to unload tonight. I am struggling with my victim mentality and anger tonight. I think somehow the two are tied together.
Here's the situation..... I am planning to go to Raleigh tomorrow to a bazaar which is about 120 miles from here. I have made trips farther away than this all alone but I usually have to talk to myself for days to get up the courage to just follow through with it. I always enjoy myself and wonder why it was such a struggle. Well, back to tomorrow's trip. I have a tire that is slack and was going to go and put air in it today. It was raining all day which gave me an excuse to put off making the decision to get something done about it. Now it is 12 midnight and I am faced with just not going tomorrow, or getting out in the morning to get it done early so I can get on the road. The problem is the victim mentality and the anger are coming into play. My daughter called me at 11:15 to ask me if I was going and saying she would pray for me to have safe travel. She knew I was supposed to get air in the tire and I told her I had not done so. It was one of those uncomfortable conversations because I know she picked up on my under the cover anger. The anger is coming from feeling like a victim, being mad at myself and angry with those I feel should come to my rescue. I have been angry with my son in law and my brother in law recently because they have said they were going to come and help me do some things that I needed help with around the house (broken garbage disposal, piece of furniture that needs to be moved). Its not like I asked them yesterday or that they promised me last week. They have known these things needed to be done for weeks and months. So tonight I am feeling like the victim, no one cares about helping me and I am neglected. I am angry because I have no husband and no one who cares that I cant lift a piece of furniture to move it out of my house. I guess all day I thought that my son in law would perhaps offer to take a look at my tire. I didnt want to ask him since he hasnt responded to the last request for help.Then, to top it all off, my son in law is over at a friend's house tonight helping him hang doors. I could go on but it will only get uglier. I just had to get this off my chest because I am so agitated and I need to get some rest if I am to drive tomorrow. It will be very difficult for me to motivate myself to get out there tomorrow and go to my destination. I pray I will find the strength I hide behind the victim mentality and put it into use so I can defeat this monster in my life. I fear no one will see this and then I will be even angrier and feel more like a victim. Wow, that was honest. I fear your rejection simply for saying that. Oh well, what do I have to lose at this point. The old way hasnt worked, so let's try something new. Maybe anger and honesty will unlock the door to my healing!
I'm not sure if any of you are getting this via RSS feed but I just needed to unload tonight. I am struggling with my victim mentality and anger tonight. I think somehow the two are tied together.
Here's the situation..... I am planning to go to Raleigh tomorrow to a bazaar which is about 120 miles from here. I have made trips farther away than this all alone but I usually have to talk to myself for days to get up the courage to just follow through with it. I always enjoy myself and wonder why it was such a struggle. Well, back to tomorrow's trip. I have a tire that is slack and was going to go and put air in it today. It was raining all day which gave me an excuse to put off making the decision to get something done about it. Now it is 12 midnight and I am faced with just not going tomorrow, or getting out in the morning to get it done early so I can get on the road. The problem is the victim mentality and the anger are coming into play. My daughter called me at 11:15 to ask me if I was going and saying she would pray for me to have safe travel. She knew I was supposed to get air in the tire and I told her I had not done so. It was one of those uncomfortable conversations because I know she picked up on my under the cover anger. The anger is coming from feeling like a victim, being mad at myself and angry with those I feel should come to my rescue. I have been angry with my son in law and my brother in law recently because they have said they were going to come and help me do some things that I needed help with around the house (broken garbage disposal, piece of furniture that needs to be moved). Its not like I asked them yesterday or that they promised me last week. They have known these things needed to be done for weeks and months. So tonight I am feeling like the victim, no one cares about helping me and I am neglected. I am angry because I have no husband and no one who cares that I cant lift a piece of furniture to move it out of my house. I guess all day I thought that my son in law would perhaps offer to take a look at my tire. I didnt want to ask him since he hasnt responded to the last request for help.Then, to top it all off, my son in law is over at a friend's house tonight helping him hang doors. I could go on but it will only get uglier. I just had to get this off my chest because I am so agitated and I need to get some rest if I am to drive tomorrow. It will be very difficult for me to motivate myself to get out there tomorrow and go to my destination. I pray I will find the strength I hide behind the victim mentality and put it into use so I can defeat this monster in my life. I fear no one will see this and then I will be even angrier and feel more like a victim. Wow, that was honest. I fear your rejection simply for saying that. Oh well, what do I have to lose at this point. The old way hasnt worked, so let's try something new. Maybe anger and honesty will unlock the door to my healing!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Heaviness
I am posting in regards to Robin's last post. The song was beautiful and the pictures really connected to my heart. It was a great time to begin some peaceful time with the Lord. I think that you all know that I am a photographer. I don't just do it for a job, it taps deep into a passion for me.....capturing life, love, relationship, memories, realness, tenderness, emotion, etc. I loved a lot of those pictures and it really sparked a desire in me to go out and take pictures just in nature really soon. A lot of those images reminded me of my own work (the flowers, the children, the sun flairs, the hands).
This week has felt heavy for me. I know that the past year has been full of huge catastrophic (as Ray said) events for me and my family. I don't know if it is the collection of events is weighing heavy on me or if the talk last week was so probing that I am a bit blah. Both of my sons had strep throat this week as well.
I am looking forward to tonight and learning more and hopefully to feeling more as well. I hope everyone arrives safely tonight and Bev we will miss you greatly. I am going to end with a post of my boys (Landon-6 and Gabriel-4) just to let you into my life a little more.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Be encouraged
Hi girls,
I found this Youtube on MyChurch and wanted to share it with you all. It is so beautiful , the music and the many awesome pictures of things God has created. Enjoy and be encouraged. Robin
I found this Youtube on MyChurch and wanted to share it with you all. It is so beautiful , the music and the many awesome pictures of things God has created. Enjoy and be encouraged. Robin
Monday, October 20, 2008
A Test
This is a test to see if I can sucessfully make a post. I am going to try to write more in the near future. Hope you are all having a happy Monday.
Haley
Haley
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Sexual Addiction or Just Dabbling?
Today on Turn Around Dr. Tim Clinton of American Association of Christian Counselors discussed the problem of sexual addiction. He called it one of the greatest prolems facing the church today. An estimated 50% of Christian men are looking at porn on a regular basis, while 33% of Christian women are also viewing porn. Mark Laaser, founder of Faithful and True ministries, spoke candidly of his own battle with sexual addiction and the intervention and deliverance he experienced from the painful effects of bondage to sexual sin. His ministry is for those desiring sexual integrity in a fallen world. I felt his thoughts were worthy of sharing. How do we know if someone is truly a sexual addict or if they are just dabbling in porn or sexual sin? His answer---A person has a sexual addiction if he/she keeps participating in the sin in spite of their desire to stop or in spite of the devastating effects it is having on their relationships, occupation, finances, etc...The word he used most often to describe one who is sexually addicted was "unmanageable". He explained the chemical reaction in the brain of someone who views porn and masturbates. There are chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin that produce a high that is pleasureable to the addict. Just as with other addictions such as alcohol and drugs one becomes tolerant to the material being viewed and reaches for a greater high. As the brain becomes tolerant, the person who views porn will try to create a greater high by viewing increasingly more sinister materials. That person will then find themselves viewing things and desiring things they never thought possible when they were first drawn into the sin. And yes, viewing porn is sin and it is adultery. According to the scriptures, "if a man looks on a woman to lust after her, he has created adultery in his heart." Laaser and Clinton agreed that the sin of sexual addiction can then lead to rebelliousness, broken relationships, and broken lives.The lie that one believes when viewing pornography is 'one day I will see a picture that will fill this hole in me' (Laaser) Believing that one can find the pleasure of relationship in a picture is false intimacy. Intimacy with one's marriage partner is sacrificed and leaves the partner with feelings of inadequacy, anger and feelings of rejection. Laaser was asked how does one get out? His answer:Thousands of couples are dealing with this issue. You are not alone. You have to get honest and open. Statistics show that 98% of those who are honest about the problem have marriages that survive. The honest of a spouse and his/her struggles seems to give the spouse a spirit of hope in working through the issues.Two scriptures were given by Tim Clinton in reference to the sin of sexul addiction. I Thessalonians 4:3-4 "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication; that everyone of you should know how to possess your vessel in sanctification and honor."Proverbs 5:3 "For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two edged sword.'Finally, Tim Clinton spoke to an issue I have been questioned about repeatedly as a counselor. This is a sin that cannot be 'tolerated'. God will give you the boldness to address this and draw a line in the sand. If you are dealing with the sexual sin of a mate, you must ask God to give you the courage to confront and demand a change. His last words were... "God is for you.... He can turn it around."
Monday, October 6, 2008
Movie---FIREPROOF
Hi ladies,
I went to see the movie Fireproof alone today. I was grieving so much during this film I thought I was going to wail. I managed to sit through the entire thing and so glad I did. I have added the trailer to the blog, just scroll down. I think I had to double click on the trailer link to work it. If anyone can email Lou and help her know what to do, please do so. It must look different from my end as the one who set it up. I am not sure how to get her in myself. Thanks , Robin
I went to see the movie Fireproof alone today. I was grieving so much during this film I thought I was going to wail. I managed to sit through the entire thing and so glad I did. I have added the trailer to the blog, just scroll down. I think I had to double click on the trailer link to work it. If anyone can email Lou and help her know what to do, please do so. It must look different from my end as the one who set it up. I am not sure how to get her in myself. Thanks , Robin
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Honors for Women
Hi ladies,
I have just finished reading my assignment in our Healing Paths book for the week. (Chapter 4) I found it comforting as it made me aware that the things I am experiencing are quite normal. The responses to betrayal such as What's Wrong with Me? and Someone Will Pay and Who Cares (numbing out) have all been a part of my journey.
Another key point in the chapter for me was "When betrayal ends a relationship, we struggle with profound doubt about our desirability and discernment. It becomes easy to replace faith with suspicion. Self-doubt and suspicion have been close friends for me for quite some time in dealing with sexual addiction.
The author speaks of the foundation being ripped from our lives and loss of confidence in others as well as isolation.
This week I have lived this chapter, feeling isolated and having an intense battle with loneliness. At the same time I feel lonely, I dont feel very motivated to be in relationship. (except with you girls... you understand) I recognize myself in the character of George on page 60 who found the only way to stop the nausea of dealing with past memories was to grabbed a bowl of nuts , turned on the television and numbed out. I feel like I need accountability in my life to help me rise above the anguish I am feeling and yet every one else is busy with their own lives. I am hoping this blog will be a way of connecting throughout the week.
So, here is my question for you all. Are you also struggling with "numbing out" by eating or just sitting in front of the television, playing computer games far into the night, etc...?
I have just finished reading my assignment in our Healing Paths book for the week. (Chapter 4) I found it comforting as it made me aware that the things I am experiencing are quite normal. The responses to betrayal such as What's Wrong with Me? and Someone Will Pay and Who Cares (numbing out) have all been a part of my journey.
Another key point in the chapter for me was "When betrayal ends a relationship, we struggle with profound doubt about our desirability and discernment. It becomes easy to replace faith with suspicion. Self-doubt and suspicion have been close friends for me for quite some time in dealing with sexual addiction.
The author speaks of the foundation being ripped from our lives and loss of confidence in others as well as isolation.
This week I have lived this chapter, feeling isolated and having an intense battle with loneliness. At the same time I feel lonely, I dont feel very motivated to be in relationship. (except with you girls... you understand) I recognize myself in the character of George on page 60 who found the only way to stop the nausea of dealing with past memories was to grabbed a bowl of nuts , turned on the television and numbed out. I feel like I need accountability in my life to help me rise above the anguish I am feeling and yet every one else is busy with their own lives. I am hoping this blog will be a way of connecting throughout the week.
So, here is my question for you all. Are you also struggling with "numbing out" by eating or just sitting in front of the television, playing computer games far into the night, etc...?
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