Robyn's Thoughts Are Moving

Holiday Devotions and Robyn's NEW thoughts 

will now be found at

THE WAY I SEE IT

Stop by, check it out, sign up!

Hand Me A Sword!

I have recently been reading a rather inspiring book by a well known Christian author, about living life from and for a greater glory. He talks about the importance of seeing ourselves engaged in a bigger God-story. Discovering our inner hero so to speak. Although I am fascinated by the "heart" of this book, and finding his insights interesting and uplifting, there is one underlying attitude that this author is consistent in that drives me simply crazy: his disturbingly objectifying opinion regarding women.

No sooner does he tell us that we must draw our earliest identities from Genesis 1 (our original design) instead of Genesis 3 (the original sin) then he turns around and says that at the core of every man is the question of his manhood – “is he brave?”; and at the core of every woman is the question of her womanhood – “is she beautiful?” REALLY?? The core image issue of manhood is courageousness yet the core image issue of womanhood is attractiveness? My Original Design was about beauty? While men are secretly hoping to be Braveheart, women are inwardly singing, "I feel pretty?"

Genesis 1 says: Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
So God created human beings in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them. Genesis 1.26-27

And Genesis 2 tells me that woman was created to be an ezer neged -- or "face to face partner" also contextually translated as "warrior partner" (the term ezer is used elsewhere in the OT in the context of warrior. For an excellent study on this I highly recommend Carolyn Custis James’ Lost Women of the Bible). Adam declared Eve, bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh -- not, the “object I will now gaze at and must rescue because she is so pretty.” BEFORE the fall, Adam and Eve worked side by side, sharing God's joint calling to steward the earth. And while I’m at it, can I just mention the Proverbs 31 woman? Clothed with strength and dignity (v 25), the concluding summation of her: 

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 

Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31.30-31

I do appreciate the core message of this book, and enjoy the wonderful allusions to "myth" and "magic" -- in the deepest, truest, most gallantly inspiring sense of the words. By using heart-rousing story-examples from the likes of JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, The Wizard of Oz, and even the Lion King and The Matrix, the author encourages us to elevate our perceptions of our “truest selves" to the glory we were created to reflect. I just wish his "heroic" view of men included women as equal "heroes" -- not merely Fairytale Princesses. My grandson's favorite movie right now is How To Train Your Dragon. One of the things I love about this movie is that they show the Vikings working and fighting side by side, men and women together -- which (according to many historians) was actually true of the Viking culture. Women went to the battlefield with the men, knowing, as Eowyn remarks in Lord of the Rings when Aragon comments on her skill with the sword, "The women of this country learned long ago, those without swords can still die upon them." 

So why does this admittedly side issue rankle me so? Because it is demeaning enough that our culture (the "world") promotes this restricting and subjugating attitude about women, but it is particularly onerous when a promoter of our faith echoes it. To fulfill my calling, my Kingdom purpose, I need neither pedestal nor protector. I need a sword. 

Authority and Power

And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region. Luke 4:31-37

Once again we see the Lord’s custom of being in the synagogue on the Sabbath, and once again we see Him teaching. It is an example He set from His boyhood (See Luke 2:42-49). When Jesus seems “lost” to us, the House of God is good place to start our search. “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). When we come to the Father’s House to truly seek the Lord’s Presence, His Words will resonate with the truth of His authority, and His Presence will stir our spirit with His Holy Power. 

Let’s Do Something About It 
· Spend a few moments today thinking about your faith community.
· Are you regularly attending community services?
· Are you listening to the Lord’s Teaching on a regular basis?
· Are you experiencing the Lord’s powerful Presence on a regular basis?
· Do you need to make more space in your life for regular church attendance?

The Spirit of the Lord

And Jesus returned [from the time of testing] in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. Luke 4:14-15

When the Spirit of God is allowed full power in our lives, it is evident to everyone – even to those who may not understand, appreciate or agree with our faith, there is a quality about us that is unmistakable and unavoidable. Of course, few truly manifest that power. For many of us, our own agendas, messages, opinions, preferences, priorities, and attitudes get in the way.  What was it that He taught in the synagogues? That the Kingdom of God had come!

How do we return from our times of testing? Filled with new focus and energy on God, or worn out from the fight? Do we bring the glorious Kingdom of God with us, or do we bring tales of woe? Does our demeanor invite others into our stories of God’s love and victory, or does it tend to make others quickly duck down another aisle at the grocery story in haste when they see us coming?

God’s power invites others in, because it is His Will that all should know His great love and mercy.  That is why it is Good News, and that is the news we need to be bringing with us. Good News finds its roots in thankfulness and its expression in praise.

Let’s Do Something About It

Cultivate thankfulness Colossians 3:15b (The Message)

God’s Goodness is reflected in our praises and our thankfulness. When we cultivate thankfulness, we invite others in to our gratitude and joy.

·      Today, make it a point to cultivate [develop, nurture, promote, tend, work on] thankfulness,

·      then take a few moments at the end of the day to record the things you are grateful for.  

·      Share your list with someone.

Really? You Sent This to Me?

There has been a disturbing ‘joke’ going around the Internet lately. It goes like this:

"DEAR LORD, THIS YEAR YOU TOOK MY FAVORITE ACTOR, PATRICK SWAYZIE. YOU TOOK MY FAVORITE ACTRESS, FARAH FAWCETT. YOU TOOK MY FAVORITE SINGER, MICHAEL JACKSON. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW, MY FAVORITE PRESIDENT IS BARACK OBAMA. AMEN"

            What is disturbing to me is not that this kind of coarse 'humor' is out there, but that it is being sent to me by my friends who claim to be followers of Christ. That this brand of mean-spiritedness is not only finding safe harbor in their thoughts, but is also being openly expressed and published truly saddens me. Furthermore, I am deeply ashamed that apparently my personal life has so poorly reflected the character of Christ that they would assume I would appreciate something like this.

            I know, some will say, “Come on Robyn, it’s just a joke, lighten up.” But that is just the problem. I can find no humor or light in this brand of coarse folly that brutalizes prayer, death, and diversity.

            Regardless of your (or my) political positions, instead of praying for the death of our political opponents, wouldn’t prayer be better encouraged for how we can join together to fulfill our mandate to “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows” (Isaiah 1:17)?

            Now, I assume (at least I hope) that no actual prayers are being thus said, so then why spread such divisive drivel? Can we not serve the Internet and our causes better by spreading words of hope and inspiration?  Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24) and try to not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  (Ephesians 4:29)

            Ok, I know that even now I am no doubt being dropped from many “friends” lists, or maybe even being added to the ‘joke,’ “Dear God, Robyn is my ‘favorite’ blogger…”

But that’s ok I can live with that.

See you in May!

Robyn's Thoughts is going on hiatus for the month of April.


Look for new thoughts coming in May!

Ministered by Angels

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. Matthew 4:11 (See also Mark 1:13)

            There is one more lesson we learn from Jesus’ time in the wilderness, and that is that God does not leave us unattended. At the end of His testing, hungry and exhausted, God sent angels to take care of Him.

            We who have the Spirit of God living in us never need to face the tempter alone – Jesus’ victorious spirit empowers, encourages, and directs us if we seek it. And through it all we are attended by angelic assistance. It may come in the form of heavenly messengers giving us words of comfort or support; or in the form of unexpected acts of mercy or grace given to us by friends or even strangers; a kind word, an unexpected smile or hug… there is no telling where or when, but if you are watchful, you will discover it, most likely just when you need it the most.

            Don’t miss the ministration of angels in your life.  Look for it, remember it, and then pass it on.

Let’s Do Something About It

·      Think back on times in your life when at just the right time someone encouraged you. Jot down your memory. Recall the details and how it made you feel. Spend a few moments thanking God that we need never face hard times or times of testing alone.

·      If you are going through a difficult time right now, or facing a time of testing, begin to look for God’s Hand of Grace in your life. Often we miss His “ministering angels” because we are so focused on our own problems. Look for them; take notice of them, thank God for them.

·      Consider the people around you. Is there someone in your life who needs an extra act of grace today? Consider how you might be an “angel” – a messenger of God’s love – to them.