Robin Writes – Think on these things…

Farewell My Friend For Now

Posted on October 13, 2026 by Robin House

A friend of mine
Passed today.
Cancer took her,
And she could not stay.

Sweet and kind
Wise and true
She was one
Of the loyal few.

But what is best
In all this mess –
Is that in Christ
She did confess.

So – my friend and sister,
I’ll see you once more
When we meet again
On that heavenly shore.

Robin House ©

We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow. If you haven’t reconciled with God through Jesus Christ, won’t you do so today. Tomorrow isn’t promised, and today is the day of salvation.

II Corinthians 5 (ESV) says, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Top Five Tips for Back to School

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Robin House

It’s almost ‘back to school’ time for many. The smell of crayons and new paper is sweet to me. I loved getting new school supplies each fall. The thought of a new school year, the unknown of a new teacher, and new adventures with old friends and the possible new ones was exciting. There was something special about going back to school, and to this day I’m tempted to buy new colors, pens, paper, and notebooks at the back to school sales. As summer comes to a close, I’d like to share my top five tips for this school season.

First – Begin with the end in mind. To have a good day children and adults need to be well-rested. Start now to get in a good bedtime routine that will give you the rest you need to be ready for each new day. Studies show that school age children need nine to twelve hours of sleep each night. Teens need eight to ten hours of sleep.

Second – Decide to wake up thankful and grateful. Each day and literally each moment of each day we pick our moods and attitudes, so make them good ones. My husband and I went on a bus tour of Israel where the tour guide began every day as the bus pulled away from the hotel leading us in the song, “This Is The Day That The Lord Has Made.” Try it, and thank God for another day of opportunity to live, love, and learn. We also prayed for our journey and safety each day.

Third – Minimize distractions and things that could delay or derail your day by being prepared. Choose and set out your clothes the night before, and collect and place books, backpacks, and other items you’ll need in a convenient place to pick them up to go to the bus or the car is one way.

Fourth – Fuel your body with foods that feed your brain as well as your body. Protein rich foods help children and adults make it through until lunch time. If you can prepare breakfast portions ahead of time to reheat in the mornings that can save time, too. With the many technology options available now, it is easy to fuel our souls too with audio Scripture readings from the Bible during breakfast or our commute.

Fifth – Connect with positive and constructive conversations, especially in the mornings. These can set the tone of the day for a child. Tell your children and spouse “I love you,” each morning. When I’m with my grandchildren now, I add “…and God loves you, too!” Pray with and for your family talking to God about every concern while praising Him and asking for His guidance and blessings. Pray silently and pray out loud teaching your children that God cares for us so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus, to redeem us. God is listening, loves us, and still answers prayers.

Lastly, here’s a little lagniappe from a Louisiana girl. When everyone returns home for the day, ask each person about their day. Turn off all the phones, televisions, gadgets, and social media devices during dinner/supper. Find out from each member of your family what was good, interesting, surprising, challenging, or even discouraging or less than pleasant about their day. Ask how they feel or felt about various situations, friends, ideas, and things. Talk about how they can learn, grow, cope, and hope from the situations they go through so that they will develop perseverance and resilience when life gets tough – and it will.

One day our children will be on their own, and the mentorship of caring and Christian parents is huge. One of my children told me after finishing college how meaningful our dinner conversations were when we talked about our days during supper time. During college this particular child learned that not all families have that bond of love, interest, and concern. There are many parents that didn’t take the time to converse, connect, or even care to ask how their children were doing and felt. Some parents had no idea what their children were even doing or interested in. Many of these children suffered difficulties and depression as young adults from this neglect of their thoughts, ideas, and feelings. Parents are THE God-planned, best-designed, and most important people in the lives of their children to help train and mentor them into adulthood. With God’s help, His Word, prayer, and perseverance, parents can have successful, good and godly families. It takes focus and intentional parenting with purpose.

As our families prepare to go back to school, I hope these tips are useful and helpful. May God bless and guide you and your family in His service.

Written by – Robin House

Happy Birthday, U.S.A.!

Posted on June 24, 2026 by Robin House

As we approach the 250th birthday of the United States of America this July 4th, the world has awakened to the truth and reality of what the United States really is and means. Thousands have travelled to our nation for the World Cup soccer games in cities all across our land. The interviews from these foreign visitors is eye-opening, encouraging, and enlightening. The hospitality, generosity, and bounty of our nation, people, and resources has been hidden from the world for generations now by negative news reports, political propaganda, and others who want to tear down the ideals and image of our nation, its foundations, and the unique exceptionality of our people. But today in this 250th year since the birth of our nation, so many now know the truth. The evidence is clear that the United States is indeed a very exceptional, special, wonderful, and unique nation among all the nations of the world.

No other nation in the world has the freedoms and opportunities we have. That is something to celebrate and be grateful for. Our nation, unlike most, was founded on ideological and philosophical ideals and not an ethnic culture or geographical proximity as most nations are. Our nation’s forefathers held as a self-evident truth that God grants us our rights and not a government or king.

Our government is also designed to be limited in power and has a duty to protect the rights of each individual while affirming that all are equal under our laws. The right to freely think, speak, and carry out our dreams and pursuits of life, liberty, and happiness is guaranteed in our Constitution to every citizen through our Bill of Rights and a government framework with rules of law based on God’s Word and that our government will be of, by, and for its people. This is unique in our world and is dependent upon the virtue of its people. John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Though imperfect in its function because of the pride and power-seeking of flawed and selfish people and politicians, our system of governance was designed to provide what is good, right, and best for all of its people. George Washington, John Adams, and other founding fathers affirmed that our freedoms depend on our people being virtuous. Without virtue, there is nothing but tyranny. In principle and in the ideal, a virtuous people have moral excellence with integrity, patience, and courage. The virtuous do the right things because the right things are right. It is a selflessness that many have never seen or even comprehended.

Some today hold that what one does shouldn’t matter to others, but it absolutely does. How we think and act affects not only ourselves, but our families, and fellow citizens. We are not an island to ourselves in these United States. Some have forgotten this, but with the renaissance of Christianity in our nation today, we can once again be seen as the well-lit shining city on a hill that Ronald Reagan spoke of in his farewell address as a beacon of freedom, hope, and opportunity. The United States of America is still the only nation in the world that for hundreds of years, millions of people have sacrificed their lives, families, worldly-treasure, and left their homelands to move here. In what other nation in the world do so many people want to move to and build a life in, even pursuing unauthorized entry (breaking in) into our nation? The United States and its people remain a living testament that the ideology and philosophy of our founding fathers worked then and works now giving our citizens the opportunities to thrive like nowhere else in the world.

Let’s rejoice in our nation’s 250th birthday. Let’s celebrate with a national pride reflected through patriotism, love of our country, and love for our fellow man. Let’s appreciate the many who fought long, hard, and sometimes to their death for the opportunities and freedoms we enjoy. Let’s recognize and rejoice that, as a nation, we are “exceptional” meaning unique and uncommon among other nations. We are not better than others, but our system of ideals blended with God’s Word, principles, morals, and laws makes us exceptional and very blessed with a government that encourages each person pursue and live out their dreams in freedom. Let’s celebrate our traditional motto “E Pluribus Unum” – that from many peoples, we are one people of the United States of America. Let’s commit again to our or national motto – “In God we trust” – for in placing ourselves and our trust in God, we can do no better as individuals, as a people, and as a nation. Happy Birthday, USA!!!

Memorial Day Memories

Posted on May 22, 2026 by Robin House

George Santayana said in 1905 that “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Recent studies reveal that 75% of Americans do not know what Memorial Day really is and means. Some see Memorial Day as a three day weekend and a federal holiday. Others call it the start of summer or the end of the school year. Still more think of Memorial Day as the weekend for barbecues, beach trips, and boating. But what is Memorial Day about really…

History reveals that from the Classical Roman days until the nineteenth century in western Europe there was a practice of putting flowers on the graves of the fallen. What we call Memorial Day in America was initially called “Decoration Day” during the Civil War times. In the final years of the Civil War, people from the South and the North and both white and black decorated graves with flowers. One of the earliest reports was in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania where three women decorated Civil War graves in October of 1864, while the war was ongoing.

Strewing flowers on the graves of Civil War soldiers’ as a regular practice can be traced to Columbus, Georgia where a Ladies Memorial Association sought to care for their cemetery which was in disarray. Their mission was “to set apart a certain day to be observed … and be handed down through time as a religious custom of the country, to wreathe the graves of our martyred dead with flowers.” These Georgia ladies chose April 26, 1866 as the day to decorate and remember. The city of Columbus, Mississippi, however, held a similar event one day before the Decoration Day the ladies of Columbus, Georgia chose, and thus claimed to be the first to celebrate this memorial event honoring both Confederate and Union soldiers. They each saw Decoration Day as a way of reconciliation for our nation honoring all who fought for the cause they believed in during the Civil War.

After a visiting a Confederate cemetery in Virginia in 1868, Mrs. John Logan told her husband, Major General John A. Logan, about the Southern tradition of Decoration Day. His response was that it was “not too late for the Union men of the nation to follow the example of the people of the South in perpetuating the memory of their friends who had died for the cause which they thought just.” As a result, Logan issued General Orders No. 11 which was called the “Memorial Day Act” to mourn and honor the deceased Civil War fighters.

After WW 1, Memorial Day expanded to include all who died in American wars. During the first World War a poem titled, “In Flanders Fields,” written by a surgeon from Canada named John McCrae told of the abundant poppies in Flanders field on the western coast of Belgium covering the many graves of the fallen. From the publication of that poem in 1915, Moian Michael of Georgia and Anna Guerin of France started a mission on Memorial Day to sell artificial flowers to raise money for the orphans of the soldiers killed in action and to help those left destitute by the loss of their loved ones in World War I. “The Remembrance Poppy,” was officially adopted in 1921 as a national symbol of remembrance for veterans of war. In 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars joined Mrs. Michael in her mission and adopted the red poppy as the official flower of remembrance. Due to a shortage of real poppy flowers, a factory employing military veterans in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania produced the artificial poppy flowers that many service and veteran organizations sold on Memorial Day to raise money for orphans and others in need who had lost loved ones in the war.

As a young girl, I remember people standing on street corners on Memorial Days with poppies and collecting money in tin cans from people in their cars at the intersections. It seemed that most dropped coins into the cans, and even the smallest gifts were appreciated and the donors were given a “remembrance poppy.” Even though I didn’t really understand Memorial Day as a child, I saw the solemness with which people received, treasured, and saved the poppies. Once I started driving myself, I too put coins in the can for the orphans and gladly received a red poppy of remebrance.

As a young adult, I remember my husband’s grandmother and their family going to their church cemetery in May to “decorate” the graves with flowers for those buried there who died in war. My husband’s uncle Cleo (his grandmother’s son) died at the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. The flag that covered his casket is a cherished legacy in our home, and the Congressional medals and commendations remain in the family as a testimony to his service and sacrifice for our freedom. I can’t imagine how grandma must have felt to learn that her son had died in World War II.

In order to create some uniformity to the various federal holidays and give a three day weekend to federal employees, Congress passed the the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971, making Memorial Day always on the last Monday in May.

Today Memorial Day is to be observed “by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace.” In December of 2000, Congress passed and Act asking that all Americans stop at 3 PM local time to pause to honor the fallen for a minute of silence. I wonder how many people even know about this tradition now 26 years later.

As we celebrate and honor those who gave their lives for freedom and in service to our nation on this Memorial Day (May 25, 2026), let’s remember that freedom is not free. Let’s appreciate the blessings of liberty that we have in this nation. Let us remember those who put their lives, fortunes, and families on the line to establish, defend, and keep this United States of America a place where “We the people” govern ourselves, respect one another’s rights – including freedom of speech, the right to freely assemble, the right to worship God, the right to protect and defend one’s family, and the right to pursue happiness and self-determination.

In visiting over a dozen foreign countries, I have never seen a nation with the bounty, opportunity, and freedoms we have in the United States of America. Each time I return to the United States, I thank God that I am a citizen of this great nation. We are truly blessed in this nation by the sacrifices of our forefathers and mothers. I thank God that I have the opportunity to live in this wonderfully unique nation of people from every tribe and nation on this earth. I hope you do too. I hope in this 250th anniversary year of our nation that we will once again be united as a nation and take pride in our nation and its accomplishments.

Patriotism is said to be a devoted love for one’s country, culture, and fellow citizens. I hope this bit of history stirs your patriotic spirit and helps give more meaning for you to this special Memorial Day. We are still one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all because of the valiant patriots who gave their all for us. This next Memorial Day Monday, let’s think about these things and remember — remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifices of their very lives.

Lastly, let’s remember the ultimate sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In John 15:13 Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus laid down His life for each one of us while we were still sinners, and He offers us a rich life here on earth and an eternal life with Him in Heaven when we come and follow Him. For those that do follow Christ, God calls us to a memorial as well. God knows that we are a fickle and forgetful people, so He instituted a memorial service called communion for us to remember Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. In I Corinthians 11:23-26 Paul says that as often as we take and eat unleavened bread and drink the fruit of the vine, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes back again. That is something to remember on Sunday! That is something to celebrate and give us hope. That is one more thing for which we can be grateful and thankful.

May God bless you.

Robin House

Love: What it is and isn’t

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Robin House

Romance and expressions of affection and love are at the top of most lists and plans during February. Love is in the air. A cable television channel playing romantic movies during February has labelled February as Loveuary. Roses with red ribbons, heart-shaped containers of chocolates, and cards expressing love and affection are now staple gifts for Valentine’s Day.

The history of Valentine’s Day is a bit muddled with the ancient Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia (known from the 6th century B.C.) and the Roman Emperor Claudius II, who decided that single young men without families made the best soldiers for his army and forbade young men to marry. A Catholic priest named Valentine saw this as wrong and secretly married young couples in spite of the law. When Claudius discovered his soldiers were marrying, he ordered Valentine to be arrested and be-headed. While in prison Valentine reportedly fell in love with the jailer’s daughter, and on February 14, 269 A.D. before his execution, the priest wrote a final letter to his love signing it “from your Valentine.”

In France and England during the middle ages Geoffrey Chaucer, an English poet, was the first to record Valentine’s Day in his poem, “The Parliament of Fowls,” around 1380 A.D. The oldest known written valentine card remaining today dates back over 600 years to 1415 A.D. from Charles, the Duke of Orleans, who wrote his wife a valentine from the Tower of London after being captured at the Battle of Agincourt.

In the early 1700’s Americans exchanged handmade valentine cards until the 1840’s when Esther A. Howland was credited with selling the first mass-produced valentine’s cards. She is now known as the “Mother of the Valentine.” Hallmark reports that, second to Christmas cards, there are over 145 million Valentine’s Day cards of love and affection exchanged each year. For hundreds of years – even centuries, people have shown a desire to declare their love and affection for one another in writing.

But what is love really? Is it an emotion? Is it a feeling? Is it important? Where does it come from? Is it something strong or weak?

God too declares His love in writing with the Bible. John writes in First John 4:7-21 that God is love. Second, the Bible says love comes from God. Third, we learn that God calls us to love one another. The Bible says that “anyone who does not love does not know God.” God is integral to love, and us loving others is integral to us knowing God.

One of the most famous verses in the Bible is John 3:16 and it says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

In I Corinthians, Paul defines the attributes and characteristics of love by explaining what love is as well as what love isn’t. In chapter 13, the Bible says that even if we can speak the many languages of mankind and even the languages of angels but don’t have love, we are a “noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” If we have the powers of prophesy and understand all mysteries and knowledge and have a faith that can move mountains, we are nothing if we don’t have love. If we are extremely generous and give even our lives to a cause, without love, we gain nothing. Love is a big deal.

I Corinthians 13:4 and following goes on to explain that love is patient and kind. Love doesn’t envy or boast. It isn’t arrogant or rude. Love doesn’t insist on its own way (It’s unselfish.), and love isn’t irritable or resentful. Love doesn’t “rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

This statement in I Corinthians 13:8 is one of the most profound statements about love. It says, “Love never ends.” Like God, love is without end. Can we really comprehend that? Can we really love like that – with a steadfast and everlasting love as defined in I Corinthians 13?

I John 4:12 (NIV) says, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is may complete in us.” The Bible goes on to say in verse 18 that “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”

In this month where the world celebrates love, let us as Christians demonstrate the love the Bible describes. Let us remember that when we follow God and love one another – God abides in us.

In John 13, Jesus said to His disciples in verse 34, “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.” So let’s love one another freely and fully with the kind of love God teaches is true, real,

The world may think it knows about love, but real, true, everlasting love is the kind God and Jesus tells us about in His Word. It not a once a year kind of celebration like Valentine’s Day, but an everyday way of living. Let’s take to our hearts and our minds Jesus’ command to purposefully and fully love one another each and every day. It is the only way the world will know us as God’s people and for many, the only way the world will come to know God.

Robin House ©️
02/07/26

What’s next…?

Posted on September 20, 2025October 6, 2025 by Robin House

A few years back, I attended the Cross-Examined Instructor Academy intensive training event led by Frank Turek and several other well-known apologists and completed their certification requirements. I met many ambassadors for Christ there, who, like me, wanted to spread the Gospel, defend the faith, and live for Christ. Frank, who leads the Cross-examined nonprofit organization, like Charlie Kirk frequently goes to college campuses, churches and other venues addressing questions about the Christian world-view, God, and the Bible. He too answers questions from sometimes contentious people, and like Charlie, answers with truth, kindness, and love.

I was surprised to learn last week that Frank Turek was at the event with Charlie Kirk when he was assassinated. Frank tried, along with others, to save Charlie’s life in the vehicle on the way to the hospital. Such an awful thing to experience, as Charlie was like a son to Frank. This week, I had the opportunity to be on the campus of Utah Valley University before their Vigil for Unity in honor of Charlie Kirk. To see the courtyard, the huge American flag, and the flowers placed in the spot of Charlie’s murder and at various places all over the campus, I was moved with emotion. Hundred’s had written messages about Charlie in chalk on the sidewalks and signs around the campus. Carol, who works in the registrar office, showed me around the campus and said how excited everyone was to have Charlie on campus. She told me that there were around 3000 people from the university and community at the event. What began as a joyful and exciting event, ended as a terrifying tragedy.

The assassination of Charlie has been a very traumatic time for many of us, but this battle was not unexpected. Charlie knew that and was still willing to stand up and speak up for Christ. Charlie knew people wanted to kill him and stop him from spreading the truth and sharing the message of redemption through Jesus Christ. He spoke of it. Charlie knew.

Jesus told his disciples in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” Jesus knew.

In 1 Timothy 3:12-13 Paul says, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” Paul knew.

In 1 Peter 4:12-14 Peter says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” Peter knew.

In 1 John 3:13 we read, “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” John knew.

So my Christian friends, let us not be surprised that the world hates us and our message from God. In fact numerous U. S. Congressmen and Congresswomen spoke today of Christian’s and their beliefs, obedience to God, ethics, and morals as radical, hateful, and unacceptable in our society. In Matthew 5:11-12 Jesus says, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Do we feel blessed when we are reviled and persecuted? Not usually, but this is a mind-set that we need to learn and accept.

First Peter 4:16 says, “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” In 1 Peter 3:14 we read, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,” Matthew 10:22 says, “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Will we endure to the end – however or whenever that end may be?

Let us walk in confidence before the Lord to do His good and perfect will and spread His life-saving message of redemption that is free and open to whosoever will come. Matthew 5:44 tells us to love our enemies and pray for those that persecute us. Jesus did. Charlie did. The apostles did. Will we, God’s modern day ambassadors? Yes, we will.

In Romans 12:14 Paul instructs Christians to “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” Romans 12:17-21 says, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will help burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This is God’s command to His people.

Lastly, Romans 8:35 and following says that tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword can not separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. In fact, Christians are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ. Charlie knew this was true. You know this is true! Don’t fear! Trust in God, and keep standing up, speaking up, and sharing the good news that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, paid the penalty of our sin for us so that we can spend an eternity with our Creator in Heaven. This is not just good news; it’s great news. So let us march on our spiritual battles that are not against flesh and blood, and march forward to the victory already won in the war between good and evil and right and wrong. Praise God, He reigns!

May God bless you as you think on these things!

Robin Robbins House ©️
9/19/2025

Charlie …

Posted on September 11, 2025September 11, 2025 by Robin House

CHARLIE …

His name was Charlie,
And he had a view –
He’d talk and reason –
And debate with you.

He listened. He learned.
He empathized and tried.
He gave a voice –
To the questions inside.

To seek what is true –
To do what is right –
To stand for free speech –
Every American’s right.

Only 3 decades
Here on this earth
But to a movement
His ideas gave birth.

Turning Point brought
Many people together –
Even birds
Of a very different feather.

To talk and to reason –
To think and decide –
He was confident but humble,
Without boastful pride.

He claimed Jesus Christ
As his Savior and Lord,
And skillfully called all
To live in peace and accord.

On the 10th of September,
His young life was taken.
An evil assassin’s bullet
Left Americans shaken.

Evil on this day
Was clearly seen.
Hate and intolerance –
It was so very obscene.

Can’t a man discuss,
Can’t he reason, and debate –
Without fearing violence and
Death as his fate?

To discuss what is right
And understand what is true
To recognize the wrong
And a destructive world view.

How shall Christians now
React and respond?
It must be with love and care
That we press further on.

To share the love of God
So powerful and true –
The real and right way
To an eternal life that’s new.

Banking on Me

Posted on March 18, 2024April 6, 2024 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

Posted on November 8, 2023November 8, 2023 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

I Heard a Bird

Posted on October 18, 2022 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.