Robin Writes – Page 4 – Think on these things…

Cheap Grace in the Church

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Robin House

A friend recently shared a post on facebook about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I must admit that I don’t know much about him or his work. He was a German pastor and theologian during World War II. He also worked as a spy and was a martyr. When asked how the people of Germany allowed Hitler to do what he did to persecute and kill so many as he seized absolute power in Germany, Dietrich’s reply was the teaching of cheap grace in churches in their country. He said, “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ.”

What about us today in our churches? Do we teach ‘cheap grace’ in our congregations? What does it really mean to be a follower of the Father and the Son? Is there no cost communicated to those who would make a commitment to Christ? Is the easy evangelism of everything is okay and everyone doing anything they like is okay – with us? with God?

What does the Word say? Some of us don’t like it. We shy away from proclaiming the whole truth of the Word and Gospel. It is a bit embarrassing to say to those considering Christianity that God demands it all — our all. There is a saying that God can fix broken hearts, but we must give Him all the pieces. Many of us want to keep some of the pieces and things in our lives that we think we need or want. We don’t want to relinquish it all. It could be that we don’t think God can handle all our sin – all our problems – all our history. It could be that we don’t want to give up what we like and want that is contrary to God’s will. The pleasures of sin are real and can be really attractive and tempting. Some want to ride the fence on the border between God’s will and our way.

In Revelation 3:14-22 we read a message to one of the seven churches in Asia. It says, “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit (Some versions say vomit.) you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Is the church in America lukewarm? Do we relish in our riches, and blessings, and lifestyles? Are we so self-sufficient that we don’t really need a Savior? Do we realize that we are wretched, to be pitied, poor, blind, and naked? Are we arrogant and prideful like the story of the king in The Emperor’s New Clothes walking proudly about ignorant that we are naked and in spiritual poverty as a ‘Christian nation’ today? What are we teaching in our churches? What are we espousing in in our communities? What do we want our our children to know about Christ and a life in His service? Is it ‘cheap grace’ or is it the full Gospel of a God who gave His all to save a wretch like me? Grace is not cheap. It cost the Christ His life. As his disciples, it will cost the Christian as well.

Christian brothers and sisters let us not sit on the sidelines of life. Let us be salt as Jesus says in Matthew 5:13-16, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

I hope you are salt for someone today. I hope your light shines the light of truth in a world of falsehoods for someone today. I hope we will be the people and do the things we need to do so that others will give glory to the Father in heaven. I hope you, like me, will think on these things…

©️ Robin House 01/30/2021

Who can you trust?

Posted on January 26, 2021January 26, 2021 by Robin House

I heard that I should never trust an atom, because they make everything up.

In today’s society, it is important to know who and what to trust for truth. I used to warn people to check the sources and references for the information they might read on the internet. There were no censors of information on the internet. The world wide web was a pool of information and misinformation. This was a difference from the times when publishers would assess, fact check, and even not publish a non fiction work unless the information was verified and met the publisher’s standards for truth.

As I search the internet (with its vast stores of knowledge) now, I am seeing more and more restriction of information and a sameness of information on the internet. I see more and more search sites restating and reinforcing the exact same information. Finding facts and actual video and reports of things that happen in a timely fashion is restricted. Removing information from the body of knowledge is reminiscent of the book burnings of old. When information is restricted to what a specific group allows to be seen and discussed, it is easy to manipulate a group or people since the complete body of information and facts are missing. Definitions of words and facts are being changed and updated to fit a political narrative or cultural change and given a new ‘context.’ Whose context? Well, that’s a secret. The common man is not allowed to know the reasons, nor should they ask about the reasons why the powers on high do and say what they do.

Free speech is clearly under attack. Opinions that are not along the reigning groups line of thinking or agenda are being excluded and censored. Active efforts are in process to insure that some people can not obtain a job, publish a book, or even eat peacefully with their family in a restaurant. These censored ones are put into the category of unworthy of existence through a cancel culture that says, they don’t matter and aren’t allowed to have specific thoughts, ideas, perspectives, and opinions.

In the beginning of our nation, the citizens of America would not ratify the Constitution of the United States. Why? It was because many had recently left a tyrannical government that restricted speech, worship, and self determination among other things. They didn’t want more of the same. They left a land they loved and dear family they would often never have the chance to see again for something better. What did it take to ratify the Constitution? It took the Bill of Rights which guaranteed individual rights and the limitation of the powers of both the federal and state governments on its citizens.

John Adams said, “Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood.”

Benjamin Franklin said, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

Be careful my friends what we allow governments, big tech companies, NGOs, social media platforms, and even family, friends, and others we come in contact with to do to and to restrict our liberties. Our liberties are dear and must be held dear, or they will be destroyed.

Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

Galatians 5:1 says, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Think on these things…

©️ Robin House 1/25/2021

You, be You!

Posted on January 23, 2021 by Robin House

Someone once said that teen agers are the only group that expresses their individuality by dressing and acting just like all the other teens. In our political system today, one party votes in lock step for something while the other party votes in lock step in opposition. Many of us too have sought to ‘look’ and ‘act’ like others because we are not confident in who we are and what we think ourselves. We want to ‘fit in’ and ‘get along,’ so we will often ‘go along’ with whatever the crowd says.

In a historic study on influence, it was found that people will actually deny what they see and know to be true because of peer pressure and other group dynamics. You can watch the video of the historic study at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyDDyT1lDhA&feature=emb_title

In today’s culture, where so many have been told and taught that there is no absolute truth or right or wrong, we see a type of group think that has no basis in reality or ability to discern the facts or obtain the truth. People are moved along to a way of thinking and acting by a trend established by a single popular figure, who may or may not have any real knowledge of the subject on which they speak, teach, and lead others to follow.

Critical thinking and the ability to see reality and analyze facts is missing for many in our society today. Often children in classrooms are subject to group think methods instead of critical thinking and reasoning skills. So many today ‘go along to get along,’ and have absolutely no concept of why they do what they do from day to day. Those who preach anarchy have many who follow them ‘just for the H*** of it.’ Their moral compass is missing, and their values have vanished, if they were ever developed or existed in the first place. There are large groups that value no one and nothing at all, including themselves. They have no concept that they are a divine eternal soul wrapped in a physical body and made in the very image of God Almighty. Romans 8:7 says, “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.”

Romans 12:2 teaches Christians, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Christians are called to think, to reason, and to renew our minds to understand God’s good, right and perfect will for our lives. We are called to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2), and we must. When we set our minds on things above, I believe the things on the earth will work out too. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Does this mean we won’t have troubles or struggles? No, but it does mean that when our thoughts are right and our priorities are straight, God will take care of us to provide for us and protect us.

So how are we to “be” in this world of divisiveness we see today? How do we handle the group think and cancel culture? What do we say to those who tell us our thoughts and ideas are not allowed or unacceptable? What do we say when we are told to be silent?

Perhaps we need to do a little homework and figure out what we truly believe and what we will stand for and what we won’t stand for.

Is our faith our own, or something our parents or the church told us to believe?

Is our faith something we could and would defend?

Do we have the words ready to give an answer for the hope within us? (I Peter 3:15)

How far would be go to live for the Christ who died for us?

Perhaps we need to do a gut check as Christians to see if we really have the guts to stand for what is true and right in spite of what “everyone else” thinks or says.

Paul said in II Corinthians 10:1-5, “By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”

Can we do this?

Are we prepared to take every thought captive as a soldier of Christ?

Are we the masters of our minds or simply going along with the mores of the day?

II Timothy 2:22-3 is a great read on this subject. It says, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 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. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom[a] you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God[b] may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (ESV)

Each of us will stand or fall before our Master. I hope we will all stand faithfully. Each of us is a unique individual (just like everyone else), so I encourage you to be the best you that you can be, and don’t worry about following the crowds. Each Christian is an essential part of the body of Christ with specific skills and talents. Use them! Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” We don’t need to imitate others or ‘go along to get along.’ We need to each go along and spread the gospel. (Matthew 28:19) Some will plant, and some will water. Some will weed, and some will fertilize. (I Corinthians 3:6-7) Whatever you do and whatever your skill or talent, you – be you, as you seek and serve the Lord. And lastly, don’t worry about anything – God will give the increase.

©️ Robin House 01/22/2021

Additional references to the Asch study https://www.simplypsychology.org/asch-conformity.html

The Marriage Reminder

Posted on January 21, 2021January 22, 2021 by Robin House

Spotted and stained
And aged over time
Is The Art of Marriage,
Wilfred Peterson’s rhyme.

Before we married,
It seems long ago,
This poem was a wedding gift
To help a young couple grow.

Always on our refrigerator door
For over 38 years has been,
This simple reminder of love
And the need for self discipline.

Sometimes we need
Simple things to remind us.
Of how the Lord has both
Blessed and called us.

The poem’s admonitions are clear,
Plain spoken and true.
They have helped me in my marriage,
And they can help in yours, too.

Marriage is not about
the things we have or can get;
It is the simple daily commitment
To love and serve, we must never forget.

Creating a good marriage
Is never simple nor easy,
But when you succeed,
It is a thing of rare beauty.

So cherish your spouse each and every day,
And tell them often that you love them so –
And you will reap more blessings
Than you can ever imagine or know.

©️ Robin Robbins House 01/21/2021

A Dozen Reasons To Take A Walk

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Robin House

One of the best fitness activities we can do for our health and wellbeing is walking. It it generally safe for everyone and provides a myriad of benefits. Here are my top twelve benefits of walking.

1. Walking promotes cardiovascular health and can reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.

2. Walking burns calories just like running does, and though it takes longer to go the same distance, walking is less impactful on your joints. A 30 minute walk burns about 200 calories.

3. Walking increases oxygenation of the blood and helps your body clear and reduce toxins in the body.

4. Walking releases the body’s own natural feel good chemicals to improve mood.

5. Walking improves mental productivity, so a walk in the middle of work can be inspiring and help with problem solving. It is also associated with a reduction in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

6. Walking can decrease blood sugar and is associated with reducing cravings for sweets.

7. Walking promotes strong bones and muscles and can help with stiffness and joint pain.

8. Walking can improve your immune system. A study of 1000 adults walking 30-45 minutes a day during flu season saw a reduction in respiratory tract infections and over a 40 percent reduction in sick days from work.

9. Walking can reduce stress, decrease anxiety, promote creativity and problem solving skills, and improve self-esteem.

10. Walking promotes better sleep and can decrease insomnia.

11. Walking can keep you more independent and functional for more years of your life.

12. Walking at a fast pace (4 miles per hour) is associated with a longer life span.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

Listening to and for God

Posted on January 19, 2021January 19, 2021 by Robin House

Recently, my husband I went for dessert at a restaurant in Augusta, Georgia. The building was old and in the same family for generations. A small place, it was know for its regional foods and colossal deserts. We had eaten dinner at another place, but my husband wanted coffee and dessert. When we arrived, the staff was busy, and we had to wait a few minutes for a table. The bartender seemed to be the host as well. He took us around the corner to a booth made for six. The desserts looked great. My husband ordered coffee and key lime pie while I had carrot cake. The cake was delicious. He ate all of his pie, but because I was still full from supper, 90% of my cake was boxed for a treat to eat the next day.

The next day around 1 PM, I left the hotel and walked along the Savanah River. The view of the river and homes along the bank were beautiful. Few were about as I explored the area on the bright, but cold, January afternoon. At one point there was a wooden swing that I took the time to swing in while overlooking the river. It was very pleasant, but my stomach, which had not enjoyed a breakfast was clamoring for lunch. I’d heard that there were a lot of restaurants along Broad Street a few blocks away, so I headed there on foot. Like many downtowns in America today and in the aftermath of almost a year of Covid lockdowns, the street was lined with a mixture of open and closed businesses. I didn’t see anything that looked inviting. Circling back toward my hotel I remembered a Quiznos sandwich shop sign in the hotel near mine. Approaching to find the doors locked, I realized that even this chain store didn’t make it through the pandemic.

Across the street was the restaurant my husband and I had eaten dessert at last night. Hunger called again, so I crossed the street to climb the three steps up to the restaurant and wait to be seated. A woman greeted and seated me (a party of one) at the exact same table where we ate the night before. It seemed a bit odd to be seated at the same table, and I wondered if we’d have the same gentleman server, too. Separate menus with one for food and another for the desserts were placed on the table as the hostess told me my server would assist me soon. The server was a young woman this time. She had dramatic eye make up and eyeliner that curved way out with a swooped flair that I could never dream of applying to myself without looking like a child had used an oversize crayon on my eyes. As the server greeted me, I explained that my husband and I had been there the night before and enjoyed their dessert menu resulting in a huge piece of cake left over in my hotel room for me to work on after my lunch today. After she brought a coke and some water, my server took my order for corn chowder and a club sandwich on their fresh baked honey wheat bread. The food was good, and I enjoyed sitting there resting from my long walk beside the river and along downtown’s Broad Street. During the meal, the server came by several times to check on me and asked me at least twice if I wanted dessert. I explained over again that my dessert I couldn’t finish the night before was waiting on me at the hotel. As I finished up, I asked my server for some napkins, a box for the second half of my sandwich, and a coke to-go. I thought for a while she went on break or something, because she was gone for a long time. When she finally returned, she brought the box but no napkins or the to-go coke. She apologized and got the napkins and left for the coke. When she came back, she brought the ticket but no coke. The next time she came by I asked for the coke to-go, and she said that she was sorry and somewhat frazzled today. As she left to get the coke, I fished for the cash to pay the bill. It was after she left that I had a distinct feeling and thought that I should pray for my server. She came back after about five more minutes with the coke and took my cash for the bill, but I said nothing. She walked by another time, and I didn’t stop her or say anything about the prompting to pray for her in my mind. That would be weird I thought. When she brought my change saying that she had rounded up my return cash, and that she was sorry that she was so scattered today. I thanked her, and once again, I said nothing about the prompting I felt.

As I counted out my change and figured her tip, I felt clearly a prompting in my spirit once again to pray for this young woman. She’s gone now Lord, I said in my mind. I had paid cash, and I was ‘done’ as far as dealing with the server or waiting on anything else. My server wouldn’t likely come back by, but I hesitated to leave and waited. This time, as she walked by, I asked if I could talk to her. As she turned and leaned down, I began nervously and feeling very awkward to explain. I told her that I felt called to offer to pray for her. After her exaggerated look of surprise, I asked if I could pray for her, but she became animated and had something to say first. I could have never imagined what she would say next. She said, “This is so strange. You are the second person today to ask to pray for me.” She said that she just didn’t understand it. I saw tears in her eyes as she continued and the conversation became so surreal that I don’t remember exactly everything we said, but I can convey the message of what we discussed.

My server started telling me about herself. She said that she’s not a believer, at least not anymore. She said she used to believe but had gone away from that to do her own life. Almost apologetic, she said that though she didn’t hold to a belief in God anymore that she did respect other people’s religions and beliefs. As the manager walked by, I hoped that my conversation with her would not get her in trouble and that no one was waiting to sit at my table. She went on to say again that it was so odd that another person that very day had asked to pray for her. I told her that I felt a bit weird asking to pray for her. I also told her that I felt compelled so that I had to ask to pray for her. The experience is so hard to describe as two souls met in that moment on another plane. After what she told me, I asked again if she would like me to pray for her, and she said yes.

Next I asked her name so that I could pray for her by name. I won’t tell it to anyone reading, but she gave it. I then asked my next question. I asked if she would like me to pray for her privately on my own or right there in the restaurant with her and out loud for her to hear. I was prepared to honor either way. She said out loud and to pray now was fine. So I bowed my head and began.

As I prayed, I asked God’s blessing and guidance for her. I asked God to show her how much he loves her. I can’t remember exactly what all I said, but my prayer was from the heart and though it seemed longer was over in just a few heartbeats. I think she thanked me for praying, but I really can’t remember. It didn’t really matter. It mattered that I did it. As I left, I remember telling her that I hoped she had a good rest of her day. That’s it. I walked to the door, down the steps and out onto the street to go back to my hotel with a few tears in my eyes.

Why did I feel called to pray for the server in that restaurant on that day? What did God want of me? Was it to just pray? Was it so that a lost or hurting soul would know someone cared or that two people on that same day cared and spoke of God to her? Did I do all I was supposed to do in that moment? Was it enough? Did I please my Master? Was I a fool for Christ? Were those few moments and prayer a message for a drifting soul of God’s care, love, and grace? Will she come back to and seek the Lord? Was the lesson for me to see if I’m listening to the Lord and willing to follow His lead? To all these questions, I don’t really know. All I know is that I (very reluctantly) listened to the quiet voice of the spirit within me and let myself be led and used (after a couple promptings) to serve and praise God through a prayer for a server who was a stranger to me while I was very briefly in a strange city where I knew no one.

Who can fathom the mind of God or know his ways? Romans 11:33-34 says, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”

Perhaps the point of what happened is for me to write about it and share it with you, my readers. Perhaps it is to encourage you to listen to the still, small voice of God to do good in your life and to your neighbor. We’ll probably never know, but I hope you, like me, will ‘think on these things’….

RRH 01/16/2021

Bible verses to think on…

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:4-5 (ESV)

“For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds,” Job 333:14-15 (ESV)

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” Psalm 25:4-5

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 (ESV)

“But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” Luke 8:21 (ESV)

“You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him.” Deuteronomy 13:4 (ESV)

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 (ESV)

“But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28 (ESV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

“As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:15 (ESV)

Let’s have some P’s please!

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Robin House

1. Pause and pray for our nation, its citizens, and our duly elected leaders.
2. Place your confidence in Christ.
3. Pledge your loyalty to God and no other.
4. Plan to do what is right, even if no one else does.
5. Prepare promptly in place to provide and protect your family and friends.
6. Promote peace in all conversations and activities as you pursue and point out what is true and right.
7. Pick your friends carefully.
8. Pray for your enemies.
9. Prevent dissension at home and work during tumultuous times. Don’t go into crowds or around anyone demonstrating about anything as many have no self-control or sense of right and wrong in their behavior within crowds.
10. Persuade those who don’t know God to seek Him through your godly behavior and love. John 13:35
11. Produce the fruits of the spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
12. Pursue what is true, honorable, ethical, and right.
13. Prohibit yourself from negative thinking, self-talk, and talk. Think and speak positively.
14. Persist in studying the Word of God and the hope within found in a relationship with Christ.
15. Present your bodies every day as living sacrifices in the service of the one true God and only King of kings and Lord of lords.
16. Praise God at all times.

RRH 01-18-2021

How can we run and not get weary? Isaiah answers.

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Robin House

Isaiah 40 says, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem,lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding? Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings. Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. A person too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker to set up an idol that will not topple. Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (NIV)

When our hope is in the Lord, He will sustain us. He will help us be strong. He will help us soar and succeed. Trust in the Lord. Give Him your burdens. He can handle it all, and He will.
RRH 01/15/2021

Train up a child in the way he should go… A Dozen Ideas or so.

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Robin House

How do you get your children to do what you want and need them to do?

For many parents, this is a daily challenge. Here are a few ideas and tips for parents that I hope will make your lives better and easier.

1. Know what you want. If you don’t know what you want of them and your family, they can’t even begin to fathom how to obey you or please you. God set up parents to lead and direct their children’s care and training. It is best if both parents get and stay on the same page about their goals for their children and family.
2. Remember that your children do want to please you. Sometimes it is deep, DEEP, DEEEEEP down. Most of us at a base level want what we want because we have a sinful nature of self-gratification, but we also know deep down that isn’t good for us. Children ultimately want to be loved, accepted, and appreciated. When children are respected and respectful as well as obedient to the authority and leadership of their parents, life is so much better and often easier.
3. Once you and your spouse decide what you want and expect for your children. Stand your ground and stick to your plan. Your children will challenge you to see if you really mean it. This requires perseverance, patience, and often a lot of prayer. Parents can’t do what they need to do by being wishy washy with their children. Children are more healthy and stable both mentally and physically and feel more safe and sheltered emotionally when the borders of behavior and boundaries of family expectations are consistent, strong and in tact.
4. Explain and let your children know what you both expect of them. Sometimes it is as simple as saying, “Mommy and daddy want you to eat your beans.” Or, it can be a formal as a family meeting together with a discussion and a designed family plan, goals, and rules written out and signed by all as a family contract that all (parents and children) agree to abide by together.
5. It is not a bad idea and can be important to let your children know the ‘why’ of what you ask of them. Saying, “Because I said so.” can be enough, but not always. Other times, explaining that eating the beans helps the child be well-nourished to grow healthy and strong to do the things they like to do. Giving a child the ‘reason to your rhyme’ can be helpful. If a parent is capricious in their demands, children will often rebel and reject their authority. Sometimes the child doesn’t get to decide. A parent knows that their child sometimes needs an injection of medicine to get well. The child may absolutely not want the medicine, but it is the parent’s job to do what is right for their child in spite of how the child “feels” about getting the injection.
6. This brings me to why parents do what they do. Most parents deeply love and care for their children. We give them rules and instructions to help them have safe, healthy, and productive lives towards becoming independent, skilled, competent, and self-sufficient adults who contribute to family and society in a positive manner. So don’t forget and always keep in mind the ultimate goal. Most parents want to launch their children into adulthood. To prepare them for that time, it is easier if parents begin these steps when children are very small. Do you want your child to have a faith? How will you pass that on to them? Do you want your child to make their bed? How will you teach them? Do you want your child to have appropriate appetites for food, work, pleasure, rest, and recreation? You must show them and teach them. Do you want them to have manners, values, and ethics? Parents must teach all these things. Another HUGE thing to remember is what you do SHOUTS and SHOWS your child so much louder than what you may say. In most cases, your child will end up and look a lot like you. Go to the mirror. Take a long look, and see if you like what you see. How do we, as parents, look in the mirrors of our children’s eyes? If it’s not a pretty sight, no problem. We can always make changes for the better in ourselves anytime and anywhere. We just need the will to start and keep trying to become our best selves.
7. Next, realize that your children are smarter and more capable and imaginative than you really know. The statement, ‘Where there is a will, there is a way.’ has proven true over and over again. This applies to both your will and theirs. Help them choose to do what you want and believe they should do. Make it easy for them to choose to do right and choose the better option of behaviors and consequences. For example: If you want your child to make their bed, say, “It’s time to make your bed.” Don’t ask them if they “want” to make their bed. Many of us don’t want to make our beds or do the work we should do. Children are no different. Training them to have a good work ethic, however, is an important part of preparing children for adulthood. Use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ as you let them know your requests and appreciation for doing what you want and expect. If the child doesn’t want to make their bed when asked, offer the child a choice of two good options you are willing to stand up for that will still result in their bed getting made. For example, if a child initially refuses to do what they are asked, parents can offer their child a choice between making their bed or staying in their room and delaying breakfast or playing or whatever else the parent thinks the child may wish to do UNTIL they make their bed. Don’t argue with the child about it. Let them know that they have a choice. Children like adults like having a choice. It helps them feel empowered. Selecting, even between two unattractive options, is often more palatable than only one unattractive choice. Children will usually pick the right thing in these situations and be more cheerful too.
8. Hold your children to the behaviors and standards you set and establish in your family including consequences for disobedience and disrespect. James Dobson said many years ago that the only time to hand out disciplinary punishment is for one of two reasons. One is deliberate disrespect and the second was for deliberate disobedience. Once a child knows the “family rules and expectations,” and deliberately disobeys or disrespects a parent, you are now dealing with rebellion. Rebellion in the family must not be tolerated or allowed. It goes to the core of what is wrong in this world. When a child or society believes “anything goes” and that they can do what they want because it is what they want, you have chaos, treason, and anarchy. This is not God’s plan. This is not right. Rebellion against authority is not good for any child or any family and is ultimately the demise of all civil societies. Children will make mistakes. Children will have accidents, spill the milk, or break a precious treasure. They will also break the rules when they don’t know what the rules are. All these require attention, explanation, love, training, and care, but they do not call for punishing discipline. It is appropriate for children to help clean up a mess they made or even repair or replace an item they break or damage, but these accidents and sins of ignorance do not require punishing/penalizing consequences. In contrast, both deliberate disobedience and disrespect DO require immediate attention and action to curb and eliminate these behaviors. God’s word teaches in Ephesians 6:1, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” God commands children to be obedient to parents. When children disobey their parents they sin and are not doing what is right. When our children were small, we taught them that God gave us, as parents, the responsibility to raise our children up in the Lord’s will and training. (Proverbs 22:6). We explained that we were responsible and under the authority of God to raise and care for them as He directed. In the same way we explained that children are responsible and under the authority of their parents to obey them. Our conduct results in consequences, just like with our rights come responsibilities. Some consequences of our actions are tough and unpleasant when we don’t act rightly. We often incur additional requirements, responsibilities and restrictions when we are disobedient and disrespectful. This is an important lesson that every child needs to learn. If a child does not respect and obey a parent, they won’t obey a teacher, a public official or police officer, or anyone else in a position of authority up to and including God Almighty.
9. So what do you do with a child who doesn’t want to obey or is disrespectful? First you need to be prepared for your children to be disobedient and disrespectful. We all were disobedient and disrespectful as children (and sometimes we still are as adults now) so your children will be disobedient and disrespectful too. Don’t be surprised. Be prepared. Only Jesus Christ lived a perfect and sinless life. I don’t know how He did it – except to say, “He is God. And we aren’t.” We will mess up and so will our children on purpose and also not on purpose. On that note, it is right and a humble thing for parents to apologize to their children when wrong, if disrespectful to their children, or are disobedient in what we should be obedient to in life. Once a parent decides a child has been deliberately disobedient or disrespectful, only offer solutions and consequences that you and your spouse are personally willing to carry out and stick to enforcing. If you promise they will be grounded in their room day and night for weeks, be ready to follow through and monitor that penalty. Sometimes the consequences parents hand out are more inconvenient to the parent than the child. Remember the goals. Discipline with discernment and to do what works best for the child and to promote what you want and your family plan and goals. Even Jesus learned obedience. (Hebrews 5:8)
10. Never negatively discipline children in anger. This almost never works out well and causes anger and resentment. Remember, the goal is for the child to learn and remember to obey and follow the parents’ lead. It is not to hurt them, but it is to help them be the best person they can be.
11. Teach that children that it is okay for them to be angry even with their parents, but it is not okay to sin in their anger. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,” Children will not always agree with the leadership of their parents. It is okay for children to dislike or disagree with their parents and how they are parenting. It is not acceptable for children to disrespect or disobey parents. Ephesians 6:1 makes this clear.
12. Lastly and most importantly, teach the children that everyone needs Jesus. Children need to know that everyone falls short and sins in their behavior and even their expectations of themselves. We have all rejected and rebelled against God. Fortunately, God’s Son, Jesus, took upon Himself the penalty and punishment we each deserved for our disrespect and disobedience to God. When we accept Jesus’ free gift, we have hope, redemption, and reconciliation with God. Parents are a ‘type’ of God in the eyes of their children. As such parents teach and show by their actions hope, grace, and mercy. No matter how bad we may be or may think we are, we all need to know that there is hope, grace and mercy. So many are hopeless and feel discouraged and defeated. It is because they don’t know or have a relationship with the heavenly Father. I’m glad that I haven’t always received the penalties and punishments I have deserved for my bad behaviors. It would be discouraging. I’m so glad there is hope in Christ. Children need to know there is always hope and a graceful and merciful God who loves and will help them through all the trials of life. Our children really need to know that.

Robin House 1/14/2021

The Secularization of Society

Posted on January 13, 2021January 23, 2021 by Robin House

The secularization of America has been implemented in and through the public school system where most of us send or have sent our children to learn and obtain an education Unfortunately, it is the indoctrination of children to a belief system and not the education of them that the NEA and those in power in the public education system seeks.

Some say that content creates culture. Control the content and you can control the culture. This is what is being done and has been being done in public education, the media, society and even some churches to change our faith, beliefs, values, morals and social norms. Check out the quotes below about the public education system in America and decide for yourselves what you think about the leaders of our modern public school system. Then – decide what you will believe and do going forward for yourself and your families.

1845 —Horace Mann the father of the modern American Public School Education System in 1845 said “We who are involved in the sacred cause of education are entitled to look upon all parents as having given hostages to our cause.”

1930 —Charles Francis Potter, who signed the first Humanist Manifesto and wrote a book published by Simon and Schuster in 1930 that says on page 128 “Education is just the most powerful ally of humanism and every American public school is a school of humanism. What can theistic Sunday schools meeting for an hour once a week and teaching only a fraction of the children do to stem the tide of a five day program of humanistic teaching.”

1935 — Willard Givens at the 1935 NEA annual meeting said “The major function of the school is the social orientation of the individual. It must seek to give him understanding of the transition to a new social order.”

1970 — George Fisher, President of the National Education Association, said when speaking at an NEA Assembly National Convention the following, “A good deal of work has been done to begin to bring about uniform certification, controlled by the unified profession in each state. A model Professional Practices Act has been developed, and work has begun To secure passage of the Act in each state where such legislation is needed. With these new laws we will finally realize our 113-year-old dream of controlling who enters, who stays, and who leaves the profession. Once this is done, we can also control the teacher training institutions.”

Reference for next quote is https://famguardian.org/Subjects/Spirituality/Research/MitchelQuotations/letter_n.htm
“In 1971, “Rules for Radicals” by socialist Sol Alensky is published. According to Suzanne Clark, in “Blackboard Blackmail,” John Lloyd, Executive Director of the Kansas National Education Association, an NEA affiliate, from February 1, 1980 to June 1984, will say that this book by Alensky will become the “NEA’s Bible.” In Alensky’s book, which has an acknowledgment to Lucifer at the front, he asserts that “Any revolutionary change must be preceded by a passive, affirmative, non-challenging attitude toward change among the masses of our people.” He continues to say that the radical organizer, dedicated to changing the life of a particular community, must first rub raw the resentments of the people of the community, ban the latent hostilities of many of the people to the point of overt expression. He must search out controversy and issues. An organizer must stir up dissatisfaction and discontent. He knows that all values are relative. Truth to him is relative and changing.”

1972 —Dr. Chester Pearce Professor of Education at Harvard University said at The Association of Childhood Education International to people all over the world in 1972, “Every child in America entering school at the age of five is mentally ill, because he comes to school with certain allegiances to our founding fathers, toward our elected officials, toward his parents, and towards a belief in a supernatural being and toward the sovereignty of this nation as a separate entity. It is up to you as teachers to make all of these sick children well by creating the international child of the future.”

So how are we to train our children? Of course they need education. But what education. What is paramount for a child to learn. I believe the answers are found in Deuteronomy chapter 6. Yes, we need math, reading, history, science, and many other things, but the most important thing to teach our children in my view is who God is and how to relate to Him as the Sovereign Lord of lords. God tells his people to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.” (Deuteronomy 6) God wants us obey and follow him. And not just us. God tells parents to teach their children to obey and respect the Lord God, too. This is so important that God commands parents to impress (That means leave an impression or mark on something that you can see.) these things on our children. God wants His commands to be on their hearts as well. How are they told to do it? God said in Deuteronomy 6 for parents to talk to their children about God and His commands “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” This is all the time and throughout the day that parents are to be teaching their children from day to day. The Bible goes on to say to “tie them (His commands) as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Orthodox Jews do this still today. God’s Word says, “Write them on the doorframes of your house and on your gates.” This is easy to do. Just check out the decorative Bible verse plaques at Hobby Lobby or do like we did and get some index cards to write down verses and put them on the microwave or refrigerator with a magnet. It’s not hard to do. This is how we get the Word in our hearts. We read it, we talk about it, we think about it in the various day to day situations considering how God’s Word gives us everything for life and godliness. See II Peter 1:2-3 and II Timothy 3:16-17. Wisdom is promised to us as well in James 1:5. We must simply ask God who gives generously to all.

Each one of us is a unique, individual, immortal soul with a mortal body made by and in the image of the invisible, Almighty God. Our time in this physical life is limited, but our eternal life is endless. As parents, we must prepare our children for their eternal destiny as well as their time physically on this earth. Sometimes I think we don’t see the contrast between the tiny span of our physical time on earth as compared to eternity. Where will we spend eternity? Where will our children spend eternity? It will either be with or without God. I choose a home with God in heaven. I hope you and all your children will choose that too. It will be wonderful and glorious with no more pain or problems. No death or decay will be in Heaven with God, and a love without measure will be ours forever in the presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Don’t you want to go? God is calling all to redemption and a relationship where we are adopted as His own children.

The education system will do what it does. We should be aware of their agendas, but we should not be distracted or derailed from our mission by them. Each Christian must do their part to ensure the salvation of themselves and their children. Romans 12:1-2 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Let us as it says in Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Commit as it says in Colossians 3:2 to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Remember II Corinthians 10:4-5 which says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”

AND as Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

May God guide and bless you as you “think on these things.”

Article references and additional information

https://www.crossroad.to/Excerpts/chronologies/nea.htm

https://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldviewpedia/transcript/worldview-agenda-national-education-association

https://famguardian.org/Subjects/Spirituality/Research/MitchelQuotations/letter_n.htm

Colossians 3 Read all of it. It is excellent.

Note: There are many excellent educators in the public school system in America past and present who do and have done wonderful jobs educating children. This article does not refer to them. Many educators working in the public school systems in America also do not support the NEA agenda or the agendas referenced by many public school leaders quoted in this article.

Robin House 1/13/2021