Banking on Me

Banking on Me

Posted on by Robin House

In 1974, my dad’s boss decided to retire and close his business. He gave my dad a two week notice that he would no longer be employed. I was the oldest at 14 years old with three younger siblings. The youngest child was just one year old with severe epilepsy and developmental delays. Fortunately, my dad’s boss gave him his tools and the truck he drove for work. With only $57 to his name to support a wife and four children, my dad went down to talk to our local banker to ask for a loan and open a business bank account to start working for himself (and all of us) in oilfield work. Because my parents had a personal bank account and didn’t want to get the business and personal banking accounts mixed up by the bankers or themselves, my dad put me on his business account as a joint account owner when I was just fourteen. I had no idea that women weren’t allowed previously to have an account without a man co-signing. I grew up in a world and educational system that encouraged women to be and do whatever they wanted as far as a career. I stepped right up into that equality of the 1970s and never really understood the past difficulties for women in U.S. society. At 15, I had a driver’s license and regularly helped my dad with his banking business depositing checks and paying expenses. I even had a business credit card. I am grateful for the difficult times that challenged us as a family and helped me grow as a young person into independence and to learn how to be responsible and take responsibility for my actions. For most, there is no silver spoon, but only the diligence of our own hands pulling ourselves up by our boot-straps to make a life in this world. My dad did, and he passed the torch to me. Many of today’s young people would benefit from challenges, difficulties, and a few hard knocks in life to learn to live and cope when life hands you lemons. When one does learn, work, overcome, and grow, the lemonade is all the sweeter sipped in the shade on a swing after a hard day with one’s work well-done. Thanks to all who have gone before to make life better, sweeter, and easier, but let us not forget that each of us needs the struggle of the caterpillar from a cocoon to become a butterfly.

My article was based on a post I read posted by Paul Thomas on Facebook which reported the following:
Until 1974 in the USA women were unable to open a bank account or acquire a line of credit without a man co-signing.
The financial services industry was led by (usually white) men. So eight women came together to turn everything around by opening their own Women’s Bank.
Carol Green, Judi Wagner, LaRae Orullian, Gail Schoettler, Wendy Davis, Joy Burns, Beverly Martinez, and Edna Mosely founded the bank’s board by each pitching in $1,000.
On 14 July 1978 The Women’s Bank opened for business. People stood in line down the street in downtown Denver to deposit their money.
The first day’s deposits exceeded $1 million.

Photo and more info https://history.denverlibrary.org/news/womens-bank

Kindness and Truth - Thoughts on Proverbs 3:3-4

Kindness and Truth – Thoughts on Proverbs 3:3-4

Posted on by Robin House

Proverbs 3 instructs – Write kindness and truth on the tablet of your heart, and bind them around your neck. In doing so, you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.

Thinking on these verses, traveling through the construction zone along I-20 through Bossier City comes to mind. For the next year or so, traffic will be confined to one lane for several miles through our community. Signs leading up to the merge into one lane of traffic warn travelers that things are going to get slower and be congested. Many are in a hurry and impatient not wanting to wait their turn in the “line” as they approach the construction area. Some seem to go unusually slow in the open lane anticipating and accepting the delay and disgruntled drivers beside them as well as behind them. Some stay in the closing merging lane driving as fast as they can before hitting the last possible traffic cone in the the closing lane as they merge in forcing themselves into the slower, single lane of traffic ahead of as many cars and trucks as possible.

Though not a fan of construction zones, one thing of note this time in the construction zone is positioning the police cars ahead of the merge with their lights flashing 24/7. It is a big attention grabber to see those bright lights at night as well as in the daytime to seemingly say to us, “Hey, watch out! Think about what is coming up soon! Your attention is needed now! Considerations will need to be made! Be prepared for the unexpected! Watch out now how you proceed and take your time!” The constant presence of the police cars with their flashing lights seems to have really helped traffic move along with less difficulties, back ups, and slow downs as well as potentially preventing accidents and saving many lives.

In today’s world, many seem to have lost the concept of developing their knowledge of truth. In Solomon’s book of Proverbs, Solomon writes a warning to his son (like the police posted before the construction zone) to have knowledge of truth and develop forethought. He calls his son to recognize the possible dangers upcoming in his path through life and to not to be naive. He calls his son to gain not only knowledge, but wisdom in its use as well. Knowledge of facts without knowing how to use those facts and information reveals a lack of wisdom.

Most drivers know the rules of the road, but knowing how to apply and use those rules of the road shows wisdom. In Proverbs 3, Solomon entreats his child to understand and know kindness and truth so well that kindness and truth are inscribed or etched into his heart. Kindness and a knowledge of the truth are also to be bound around his neck. Like the flashing lights on the police car positioned before the construction, we would be wise to have knowledge of what is true and a commitment to kindness at the heart of all we do. A necklace bound around the neck is often one of the first things a person notices about someone they greet. Are kindness and truth in us seen by others? Do kindness and truth show in our attitudes and actions? Solomon was the wisest man to live because he sought the Lord’s wisdom above all else. His Proverbs, written thousands of years ago, are still true and useful today. His admonition to be kind is still so important and necessary. Recognizing truth is not always what we want to see. Kindness is not always what we want to give either.

As we travel through the construction zones of our lives, let us recognize the truths before us and use that knowledge to safely proceed through this often difficult and short life. Let us learn from and act on truth with the wisdom that God promises to all who ask in faith. (James 1:5-6) Let us also remember to always be kind to our fellow man who may or may not be aware of the truth or understand the dangers and delays ahead of them. When we show kindness and stand for and in truth, we will please both God and man.

Let’s think on these things…. Philippians 4:4-9

© Robin House 11/08/2023

I Heard a Bird

I Heard a Bird

Posted on by Robin House

I heard a bird
Singing in a tree.
His song was so beautiful;
Reminding me of Thee!

I thought of the wonders –
The things your hands have made,
And all of your great promises
That will never fail nor fade.

I counted my many blessings
Before bedtime on that night.
And thought of how You, Lord,
Make all things work just right.

In your own time,
You bring your plans to light,
And turn things that were dark
Into a path that is clear and bright.

You, Lord, are Awesome
And the King of all the kings.
I give You all praise and glory
For to You my heart sings.

Robin Robbins House ©️10/16/2022

What do you say?

What do you say?

Posted on by Robin House

Could anyone tell? Would anyone know by what we say and do that we are a Christian? Is the evidence clear? Would the testimony by those who see and know us be enough? Could there be any doubt that we would be convicted of being a Christian by what we say or do?

Jesus said in John 13, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

After another disappointing interaction with someone recently, I wondered, once again, why. Why do they do that? Why do they seemingly go out of their way to irritate, annoy, manipulate, exasperate, needle, provoke, hassle, and aggravate? I asked one time years ago and received this answer. This person said that they did it because they liked to see me “fired up.” Like poking a smoldering fire to see the flames leap high into the air, this person thought it was fun to ‘stir me up and watch how I reacted.’ They didn’t see or care about the pain or fall out I felt by their words. It was just fun at my expense for them. They seemed to particularly enjoy ‘stirring me up’ or embarrassing me in the presence of others. They could almost always predict by their triggering words and actions how I would react. You see, as a child in my particular family of customs and culture, I learned with a look or a word to immediately ‘hop to.’ I also knew exactly ‘how high’ to jump with the commands of a somewhat sadistic dad. I was programmed from an early age to act, react, and obey without thinking an autocratic and domineering father.

Repeated childhood traumas trained self-preservation behavior patterns deep into the heart of my autonomic nervous system geared to avoid conflict and to protect myself, my mother, and my siblings from harm. Like the training to ‘stop, drop, and roll’ in response to being on fire that I learned as a child, my young brain was programmed to react to certain triggers and stimuli to prevent what I saw as imminent danger of physical and emotional harm up to and including my death or that of others at the hands of someone who should have been my chief protector. As the oldest child, I felt a need to protect my younger siblings and even my mother. My mother often seemed passive and un-protective of us, but perhaps as an adult looking back now, she understood better how to deal with someone drunk and out of control. It was a stressful and traumatic life to lead as a child. It can be hard on an adult also.

Fortunately, most can’t fathom a childhood like this, but I lived it. It is a part of the brokenness in this world brought on from the beginning with the desire of men and women to be their own authority and their own gods – often joyfully and decisively rejecting the authority of the loving Creator God, who is Sovereign of all. Sin and acts of selfishness are the results of our rejection of God. A wake of human brokenness and tragedy lasting for generations to include both physical harm and spiritual death is the outcome of mankind’s treason toward a loving God and Father of all that live.

So what is the point? Why do I share this sad and even to my eyes personally depressing tale? The reason is simple. In a life that is so rushed and hurried where we scurry to get from here to there for our businesses, pleasures, goals, and pursuits, I want us to STOP.

Please let’s just STOP for one moment and think. It won’t take long. Did you know that a sprinter responds to the crack of the starting gun for their race in less than 150 milliseconds? That’s half the time it takes to blink an eye.

In that brief millisecond moment of meeting someone – anyone, please just STOP for a moment, and think about how you can be kind and encouraging in your words and deeds.

STOP the “gotcha” stuff and “put down” talk.

STOP the “mean girl and guy” juvenile junior high behavior that demeans and demoralizes.

STOP ignoring the person who shyly says “Hi!” when passing by. It won’t kill us to smile and say hello back.

STOP picking at people just to get a rise or reaction out of them to amuse ourselves or others.

STOP contributing to the cancel culture.

STOP gossiping. They know when people are talking about them and that what is said isn’t nice.

STOP listening to divisive rhetoric that would have us tearing one another and our society down instead of building up.

STOP making others feel less than. We don’t need it. Some can’t bear it, and there is no good reason for it.

Many of us have already been told hundreds of times that we are less than worthless and not enough. We know we are full of fault, sinful, and can’t do it all right. We see our flaws and foibles better than anyone. We know we aren’t in the “in” crowd. We see that some don’t think we are pretty enough, smart enough, or “hip” enough to be in the group. We need a hand up – not a put down.

The evidence of the problem is clear all around us. Our society is crumbling and crime is rampant. Drug abuse for legal and illegal drugs is on the rise all across our nation for those seeking to medicate their pain and numb their feelings of rejection and trauma. Suicide rates are out the roof, especially for our young people. Many parents today are so wrapped up in themselves and their screens, that they can’t or won’t see the needs in their children right in front of them. Children too young to process what they are seeing and hearing are being swept into an abyss of an atheistic and hedonistic society through the internet, television, movies, and in what they experience in their home lives.

Did you know that there is a report of child abuse every 10 seconds in the United States? That’s 6 times a minute and 8,640 times in a day. In a recent continuing education training, I learned that there are over 1,100 reports of child abuse per month in our local area. Less than 25 of those cases ever come before the courts for prosecution. That’s less that 2/10ths of one percent of the reported cases of child abuse that have any chance at all of discipline or consequences to the abusers and of protection for the children. Many, many people are hurting.

Some of the broken children and adults have found hope, love, and life in Jesus Christ. We have experienced the grace and mercy of a loving, heavenly Father God, but oh, so very, very many people haven’t yet. They don’t know God, see their value, or know that they have been made in God’s own image. They don’t have any real hope. Many are just lost and can’t see any useful purpose for their lives.

With all this in mind, please just STOP. Don’t make things worse with thoughtless words and deeds. We don’t need any more negativity and narcissism.

Romans 12:16 says, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”

STOP for just a moment and think before you say something to someone – to anyone. Remember that God gave His one and only Son for that person right there in front of you.

I Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

I know you are busy. I know you have things to do. We all do, but the next time you meet someone, blink your eye and STOP. Take that millisecond moment to think about the precious and dearly loved souls in the people before you in that moment.

God loves them. Will you? God knows they need someone to love and care for them. Will you? Jesus laid down His life for them. Would you?

In that millisecond moment before you say or do anything, will you STOP and consider how to build up and encourage? We don’t know what the person there before us deals with at home or at work each day. We don’t know how close someone might be to just giving up. Words are powerful. With words, God made everything both seen and unseen. Our words are powerful, too!

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Proverbs 16:24 says, “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.”

Ephesians 4:29-32 says, “Do 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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Can’t we do that? It just takes a moment to STOP. In less time than it takes to blink an eye, we can decide to speak kindly and do good to a fellow human being. That’s what God wants of His children. That’s what God commands of His people. That’s what Jesus did for us and expects of His disciples.

If we, as Christians, are no different than the people in the world, why would anyone want to come to Christ. What’s the advantage or attraction? Christians are to be ambassadors of God in a lost, wicked, and dying world. Christians are to be in the world but not to be of the world. Are we? We are called out to be holy as God is and to show God’s love to one another. Do we?

There is no doubt that we will impact in some way the lives of everyone with whom we come in contact with for good or for bad. In each moment and interaction, we choose. We choose to be kind or cruel. We choose to build up or tear down. We choose. We all choose.

The question today and going forward is – What will we choose?

I hope we will choose what is good and loving.

I think on these things … (Philippians 4:4-9)

Robin House ©️

EV Doesn't Make Sense to Me - Yet.

EV Doesn’t Make Sense to Me – Yet.

Posted on by Robin House

California officials voted unanimously to ban the sale of new gas and diesel powered cars and trucks beginning in 2035, California is also mandating that 35% of new vehicles be powered by batteries or hydrogen by 2026 and 68% by 2030.

Yet today — when we, as a nation, were energy independent in 2019-2020, California officials don’t have enough electricity or capacity in their grid to power the current homes and businesses in the state.

Officials asked Californians to help with the current energy shortage by doing the following three things during peak usage hours.

1. Turn their thermostats up to 78º or higher.
2. Do not use large appliances and turn off unnecessary lights.
3. Avoid charging electric cars.

And yet they want EVERYONE to drive an electric car. The infrastructure for electric vehicles is not ready. The technology has not come to the market yet to make electric cars feasible, functional, or affordable.

I wonder how California politicians will prioritize and assign who gets to have air conditioning, lights in their home, the right to wash and dry their clothes, own a deep freezer or other large appliance, and power their electric cars going forward. And when the batteries on those electric cars need to be replaced and cost more than the car is worth, what’s the car owner to do next???

Some seem to want to go back to the dark ages. Perhaps that’s why so many people are moving away from California. California policies just doesn’t make sense to me. Unfortunately Virginia and other states are following the “lead” of California.

Robin House©️

Children of God

Children of God

Posted on by Robin House

In I John 3:1 it says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

What an awesome thought, that the Christian boy, girl, man, and woman are called the children of God. God, the creator of all the heavens and earth and every creature, both great and small wants to be our Father.

What “great love” for the all knowing and all seeing King of kings and Lord of lords to want me in His family, not as a distant relative, but as His own child.

Think about what this means. Examine the magnitude of the great love. God planned and put to death His one and only perfect and beloved Son as a ransom in exchange for an imperfect, rebellious, and often ungrateful sinful me and you.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us…” and think on these things…

Robin House

Singing

Singing

Posted on by Robin House

We sang one of my favorite songs yesterday at church services. It is a song about the greatest commands of God to love God and one another.

Listen on youtube to The Greatest Commands

Though my voice is not as strong or clear as it was in my younger years, there is something so amazing and wonderful about singing and praising God and hearing others sing too, even when I miss some notes.

In Ephesians 5, Paul tells Christians how to live and specifically in verses 15-20 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In Colossians 3:15-17 Paul says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

In James 5:13 we read, “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.”

God wants us to sing! God commands the Christian to sing! It is not a suggestion! It is a clear command seen throughout the Bible, yet more and more congregations have become silent or selected a chosen few to sing in worship for and to us. This is not good. God commands all of us to sing and praise Him. He commands us to speak to one another with songs, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.

We are to make music from our hearts always giving thanks to God the Father for everything through His Son and our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I know that we as Americans don’t want to be commanded to do anything and sometimes the commands we are given are the very last things we will or want to do. Like a toddler, even adults say, “You can’t make me.”

Why is that? I think the answer is three-fold — pride, fear, and selfishness. Pride says that we don’t have to do what we don’t want to do. We sometimes feel autonomous and this makes us idolatrous – putting ourselves up and in the place of God. Sometimes we fear others will be critical of our ability or lack thereof to sing. That is their problem and not ours. God calls us to make a joyful noise unto Him in Psalm 98 and to make a melody in our heart to God in Ephesians 5. No where in the Bible does it say we have to sing perfectly to sing to and praise God with song. No where does it say that if you can’t sing well, you are excused from the command. When we think this way, we are thinking more of ourselves and not about God’s good and perfect will for us. When we refuse to sing, we are selfishly refusing to encourage and admonish one another in our congregations. Sometimes a song can speak to a brother or sister where a sermon can’t. Let us not withhold the blessings of song from one another.

Faith in God and Jesus requires action on our part. It requires a change in our behavior. It is not that works saves us, but faith without works is dead. (James 2:14-26) Faith in God means doing what God commands. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands.” To be faithful to God means following His will —whether we like it or not — whether we think we have a better idea or way or not — whether we are comfortable with the command or not — whether we want to obey or not.

Most preachers and Bible teachers today won’t touch this subject out of fear of offending or hurting someone’s feelings. I think some of our congregations are sick and less healthy than they could be because of an attitude that says participating in the song service is optional by the Christian members present.

How much of God’s will do we get to select to submit to in our lives? What parts of the Bible will we agree to go along with and submit ourselves to obey? What about if we don’t like a particular song, and we’re not talking about songs that are unbiblical or teaching error here?

What does God say? What does He want and command for us to do? What authority do we, as Christians, have to disregard God’s commands and disobey Him? To disobey God’s command is sin, and sin separates us from God. Let us not choose to sin when we know His commands.

We all struggle with pride and selfishness, but these are sins we must resist and remove so that we can fully follow our heavenly Father. He made us. He knows what is best for us, and He wants us and commands us to sing. Don’t let fear stop you from doing what God commands. It is said that one of the most common statements and perhaps it could be said commands in the Bible is to “fear not.” Let us not fear our fellow man or what he or she may think or do or say, but have the appropriate fear (reverent respect) for God first and foremost.

When singing songs, hymns and spiritual songs, we do the following things.

1. We are obeying God’s will
2. We are teaching one another.
3. We are admonishing one another. (Meaning – To counsel (another) against something to be avoided or warn (that something is dangerous)
4. We are engendering gratitude in our hearts toward God.
5. We are giving thanks and praise to God for everything through Christ.

There is nothing bad in this list. All these things are good and good for us and for those around us. So let’s put aside whatever has suppressed our ability or willingness to obey God’s command to sing. It is good for us and with practice, it will grow on us …

God wants to hear the songs of our joyful hearts. God wants and deserves our praise. Our fellow brothers and sisters need the encouragement and admonition of our singing.

Let us commit this week and every week and with every opportunity to singing out loud and with joy to God and one another. It is God’s will. It is His command. It will be a blessing for you and others.

Think on these things…

Robin House

Additional Reference:
64 Bible Verses on Singing

ILLICIT IMMIGRANTS

ILLICIT IMMIGRANTS

Posted on by Robin House

On a recent flight, I had the opportunity to see the fruits of our shattered immigration system in person. On board our flight from a regional airport in my home town to a major hub, we were accompanied by at least four illegal aliens. They were young males, who I’d assess to be in the 20 to 40 year old age range, with a white tow sack for luggage and a smart phone. I don’t know what was in their sacks, but it is likely that my tax dollars bought their phone and is paying for their data plan along with their “free ride” on American Airlines to wherever they wanted to go.

While I would have to prove that I’m vaccinated to go to other countries or return to my home in the USA, illegals don’t.

While I have to prove that I have a specific type of negative covid test to get in, return, or travel in some parts of the USA, illegals don’t.

While I have to show a valid ID and prove my identity to board a flight, illegals don’t.

While I have to obey the laws of the land in the country I am a citizen of, illegals don’t.

While I would be fined or jailed for certain crimes, our federal government makes sure illegals don’t have the same standards or penalties as the USA citizens. In fact, sometimes, law enforcement bodies are prevented, precluded, and subverted from expelling illegal aliens in our towns and cities.

Over 221,300 illegals (that we know) of entered our nation through the southern border in March of 2022. That is about 25,000 more people than in my hometown, which happens to be the third largest city in Louisiana. With Shreveport ranking 25th in the nation for murders in a 2022 report, we don’t need more illegal people, activities, and crime coming to town.

What is our local government doing about it? Nothing that I’ve heard of so far. Greyhound buses drop off illegals and our airports transport some of them on to additional “destinations” in our midst.

What is our state government doing about it? I’ve called the Govenor’s office and our state representatives. The answer – nothing. They say there is nothing they will or can do, and they blame the federal government.

What is our federal government doing? The Republican representatives say that they are in the minority and the majority rules, so they can do nothing. The Democratic representatives don’t seem to see any problem with open borders. The President and whoever is pulling the puppet strings of power in the executive branch has deliberately and systematically dismantled our border enforcement and security.

When this President took the oath promising that he “will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” did he not understand his pledge? Did he think enforcing the immigration laws of the land unimportant and something in which he could personally reject complying and enforcing?

How could the President not know that opening the borders to illegal aliens would bring thousands of women and children into slavery and sex trafficking?

Did you see the three year old left alone at the border this week? Did you hear about the children being used as pawns for entry and the ones raped, beaten, and sometimes executed or left to die at the southern border?

How could the powers that be not know that cartels in Mexico would literally and figuratively make a killing over transporting people and drugs into our nation?

Did you know that the biggest cause of death today in the USA for 18-45 year old citizens is a fentanyl overdose? Our young adults and young parents are dying from the fentanyl shipped from China to Mexico that then comes across our southern border.

Nancy Reagan had a program called “Just say No!” to help stop drug abuse in our communities. Our government, by not enforcing the borders, has just said yes to killing our US citizens by flooding our communities illegal drugs.

Make no mistake, there is a plan at work. A plan for evil and not good. It is a plan for less freedom and more slavery. It is a plan for more control and less civilization. It is a plan for the re-imagining of America into a socialist and communist society directed by economically and socially crippling tyrannical rule. Is this what we want? Is this what we will stand for?

Current estimates reveal that by the end of the current President’s first term, one person in five will be an illegal alien living in our nation. Did you get that? Within less than 3 years, on average, sitting in a group of 5 people, one will not be here legally. That’s 20% of the US population that will not be US citizens within 3 years or less. How do you think that will affect our country, our communities, and our elections?

With a free phone, free rides on public and private transportation (including planes, trains, and buses), free health care, free education, and as one state is proposing, free college for illegals from the federal covid money allotment, why wouldn’t people come to the United States from everywhere? Well, guess what? Reports say that illegals have been documented as coming from 106 different countries around the world, including countries who have proclaimed us their mortal enemies and who have vowed to destroy our nation. Almost two dozen caught crossing our southern border recently were on our terrorist watch lists. We have no idea how many on the terrorist lists weren’t caught.

So now you know more of the bad news, what can be done?

I can speak from experience that one lone person calling their congressman/woman, senator, and the white house to demand enforcement of our laws and the security of our nation’s borders has been ineffective. Once elected, most politicians aren’t listening anymore. HELLO! Senator Cassidy. It will take a multitude of us calling to make our voices heard. I hope you will call and email to make your voice heard. To contact the U S Congress (House of Representatives and Senate), call 202 -224-3121. To contact the executive branch at the White House, call 202-456-1111. To contact your Govenor or local officials, “google” their numbers, and get involved to stand up for the safety and security of our nation. Call. Everyone call.

Did you know that there is no provision for the removal of an elected U S Senator for not doing his job or misrepresenting the people he was sent to represent? The President can be impeached – and we saw the last one impeached twice, but many elected officials are seemingly above and beyond the laws they make. This is why character counts and morals matter. It could be that a state could recall a U S Senator, but they won’t and don’t. When those in power start making laws to keep the citizenry from having influence in their government while inviting non citizens to a free lunch at our table on our tax dollars, something is terribly wrong.

What will work is if we, as freedom-loving, law-abiding, God-fearing citizens will unite and work together to select and elect candidates that stand for what is right and truth and abhor evil, that love life and will stand up to stop the death and destruction we are seeing in our society, and that won’t be beholden to anything, but to love one another like God commands. Romans 13:8 says, “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

Too many in politics today owe their allegiance to a party or particular lobby group – denying what is right and best for all in the big scheme of things or are simply serving their own self-interest and not the citizens who elected them. This is wrong, and if we don’t turn this bus around – we as a nation, will go over the cliff to destruction.

We must put aside allegiances to political parties and seek to do what is right. We must not trust the politician, but verify that he is doing the good will of the people. We must fire those who don’t do their duty to those they are supposed to serve and protect. This is our duty as citizens of a government that is supposed to be of, by, and for the people it serves.

Lastly and most importantly, this nation’s governmental system was specifically and distinctly designed for a citizenry that is Christian in nature, values, and ethics. It can not work, survive, or long function if our nation is not following the God of the Bible. To that end, we must look at our own selves and families. Perhaps we have work to do to clean up our own personal messes and some fences to mend. We must be willing to look clearly and honestly at what truth is. We must stop lying. In Colossians 3:9 Paul says to the Christians there, “Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,” Perhaps we, as a people, need to repent, turn away from sin, and commit to doing right.

Jesus said in Matthew 22 these two things were most important, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” I think this is the answer. When we love our neighbors as we love ourselves, we will be united. There will be no cultural or racial divides we can not deal with because we will want to and will love and care for one another. We will stand for truth and righteousness and reject lies and unrighteousness.

So, how do we do it?

It takes a commitment to Christ and a transformation from the inside out.
It takes courage not to quit.
It takes caring enough to stick your neck out to do right and help others.
It takes being involved in the community of Christ’s church family and standing tightly together to help one another day by day to get through everything this evil world will throw at us.
It takes communicating the Gospel to those who don’t know it yet. In Matthew 28 Jesus commands, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

This is the answer. Jesus is the real answer for it all.

Don’t let anyone confuse you.

Don’t let the forces of evil convince you that nothing can be done.

Don’t believe that we are so different and divided from one another that we can never come together. We are each unique and special individuals – just like everyone else – specifically and intentionally designed in the very image of an Almighty God who loves us and gave His own Son to redeem us from our sin. We are only as divided as we allow ourselves to be. Don’t play the division game.

Don’t accept less than the best – God’s best – for yourself, your family, your community, and your country.

Let’s work together in love for what is good, right, and true.

Last questions — Who can we share the answer with today, and what are we waiting for?

Robin House

Friends, Foes, and Fellowship

Friends, Foes, and Fellowship

Posted on by Robin House

The world, the worldly, and sometimes even fellow Christians tell us that we are not enough, not worthy, not wanted, not liked or loved, and just not a good fit to be in their fellowship and with their friends. The message is rarely overt, but none the less, the message is as crystal clear as a dinner bell. Some may not know or realize what they are saying or doing when they snub someone or are silent. Some do.

Over the past year or so, a lot of relationships have changed or even ceased among our friends and families. Social isolation drove many to social media platforms for connections and to meet our needs for value and validation. Unfortunately, social media platforms and an expanding worldly worldview among our population has spurred trends among our young people (and some of us older ones, too) for increasing cases of depression, malaise, anxiety, and even suicide.

The devil often uses our pasts, our insecurities, and our many faults to trip us up. He even uses those we call friends to intimate to us and whisper softly to others that we aren’t quite good enough and that we aren’t worthy to be in their company, to be their friend, or to share in their fellowship. Clicks and clubs among other groups and methods have been a way to exclude and reject for a long time. The cancel culture is even seen among the members of Christ’s church. There is really nothing new under the sun, but these things are still hurtful and even harmful, especially to young girls and women.

On the day after Jesus fed over 5000 men with only five barley loaves and two small fish, the crowds followed Jesus across the sea to Capernaum. As Jesus was questioned by the crowd, he questioned the crowd’s motives for following Him. Did they just want free food and a miracle or two? He taught them clearly in John 6:29, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.” The crowd that followed Jesus found His teachings difficult to understand and accept. Jesus didn’t quite meet their expectations of who He was or how He should be. His mission didn’t fit in with their mindset or worldview.

In John 6:66 the writer says, “From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.” When push came to shove, Jesus, God’s own and only Son, sent with a message of love and reconciliation for all mankind was rejected by most. In this passage, Jesus seems sad and even dejected by the reaction of those precious souls He loved and came to die for.

After the crowds left from following Him, Jesus turned to the twelve and asked if they wanted to leave Him too. Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.” They understood. They listened to Him. They believed in and appreciated Him, but most didn’t.

Sometimes today, just like in Jesus’ day, who we are and what we are about doesn’t meet the standards and expectations of others. Some people just won’t get us or our mission. Not everyone will like us. We’re not their flavor, style, type, or cup of tea as a person. We are and will be rejected, deemed unacceptable or unworthy to be in their company or at their party or event. We are not invited. We are summarily disfellowshipped, and removed or isolated from their presence, often without a hearing or even knowing why. We are just excluded.

It doesn’t matter that we said something awkward, dumb, or even the wrong thing at the wrong time in the wrong way and didn’t realize it. It doesn’t matter that we are sorry when we have a faux pas or unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings. Cancel culture has no room for mercy or grace – much less real forgiveness. It doesn’t matter that we don’t know how to be the life of the party or even if we do. Whether too serious or too silly, we somehow don’t stack up to be selected for the group, team, meeting, event, click, or whatever.

It can be very painful from the outside looking in, knowing that friendship and fellowship are out of reach and withheld from us in our families, among some we consider our friends, and even within our congregations of Christian brothers and sisters.

The devil wants us to feel alone and isolated. He’s happy to divide and destroy relationships and reputations. He will use any and all methods, including our families and friends, to discourage and depress us. The devil wants to distract us from what is important and dissuade us from doing and following the good and perfect will of God, our Father. The devil used the same techniques on Jesus during His life and ministry here on earth. In His last moments on the cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!” The agony of all the sins of every person past, present, and future fell on Jesus’ shoulders on the cross that crucifixion day, and though God can not be in the presence of sin – God didn’t forsake Jesus. God, through Christ and the cross, worked out and fulfilled His wonderful and perfect plan of salvation for us.

When rejected, let’s remember what Jesus said in John 15:18 and following: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’

Sometimes people will hate us without reason also. Sometimes the reason we are rejected and excluded is because we do belong to Christ, and that makes some uncomfortable. Sometimes people are just flat out mean, and mean to be hurtful. Sometimes they are simply thoughtless and careless of their words and actions.

In any case, the devil will take any and every reason and opportunity to hurt and dishearten us. That’s why we must keep in mind that our battle is not against flesh and blood. Our battle is not with the people who reject or exclude us. Our battle is with the devil and spiritual forces of evil. That’s why God tells us to put on our armor and be fully dressed for when (not if) the battles of this life come. The devil loves to hurt us and will use family, friends, and foes to do it.

The key to dealing with this issue is to keep ourselves in the Word of God and recognize the ways the devil schemes. When we hold up the shield of our faith, the Bible says that we “can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” We must keep top of mind that on our heads we wear the helmet of salvation. Our destiny and eternity with God are sure. Lastly, with the sword of the Spirit, “which is the Word of God” we can go on offense to counter the lies the devil tells us – even and at times, through those we know, love, admire, and respect.

With our armor on, we are instructed next in God’s word to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” How often do we try to solve our own problems not remembering Matthew 11 which says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Let’s lay down our yokes and burdens and take the one Jesus offers. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

God cares for us down to the hairs on our head and knows exactly what we need. Sometimes what we think we need, isn’t really what we need. Perhaps God prefers we seek His fellowship over that of those we would want as friends. In our prayers, let’s trust Him. Romans 8:26 tells us that we have an advocate in the Holy Spirit. The verse says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” For those in Christ, God is for us. In fact the Bible says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” How awesome is that?

The answer to feeling rejected, ignored, disliked, unwanted, unloved, unworthy, etc. is to get dressed with God’s protective armor, hold up our shields, rightly wield our swords, and pray at all times in the Spirit. This gives us the protection and the provision for the battles in this world with both ‘friends’ and foes.

We can not “make” others act rightly or follow the Lord or His commands. We can only and must focus on what we can do. Our focus needs to be on our relationship with Christ following and obeying our heavenly Father. Jesus said in John 15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” That’s how we need to respond to rejection. Jesus said in John 15, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” We need to follow Christ’s lead and act with love towards others – whether family, friend, or foe. Remember, we are only responsible for our actions, not theirs.

In conclusion, I Peter 3:8-17 says, “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 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. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

Let’s remember these verses. Let’s look to the Lord for our identities, our value, and our relationship needs. He is able. He loves us. He wants us. He valued us more highly than His only Son. He has set a table for us – even in the presence of our enemies. He is the only One who will never let us down and always has what is for our best in mind. Trust Him. Depend on Him. He will be there for us, even when or if one else is.

I am thinking on these things…

Robin Robbins House

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Posted on by Robin House

The past few years have brought much turmoil to and through many in our nation. Different groups war with one another and enjoy pitting people against one another.

In the coming year, let’s remember Job 12: 10 which says of God, “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”

In Proverbs 16:3-4 the Bible says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster.”

In this new year 2022, trust in the Lord and reject all who would pit one group or person against another. Man is not in control of this world. God is!

Stand for what is right. Do what is right. Let us love God and one another as He has loved us. We are all precious – valued so highly that God gave His own Son for each and every one of us. This is the Good News of the Gospel.

The world only offers us sin and death. Jesus came to offer us life – abundant life. Don’t listen to the world. Listen to Him who made the world and everything in it. He cares for us and has abundant blessings for all who will come to and serve Him.

Happy New Year, 2022!