He Rejoices Over Me With Singing!

Zephaniah 3:17

"The Lord your God is with you,

He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with His Love,

He will rejoice over you with singing!"

This is one of my favorite verses. I needed to hear this this morning. I am a bit overwhelmed with all the changes taking place in our lives lately. I need God to quiet my anxious spirit with His love.
"Worry" and I are old enemies. I know this character, far more personally than I should and he is knocking hard at my door. So this morning I went to the Word and let "Faith" answer the knock.

I read about Joseph in prison and was reminded that even there, when all hope should have been lost and "Worry" should have had complete tortuous authority, Joseph had faith. He waited on the Lord and did everything He knew to do, to His best! I am so... not like that!
I don't like waiting when I know change is coming. I would rather slam on in, or stay where I am and just not go! I noticed something odd too...Joseph told the cupbearer that he had been stolen from the land of the Hebrews. He did not say, "My stinking mean ole brothers sold me into slavery." In fact he did not put any blame on his brothers at all. Me, now I would have wanted everyone to know the injustice!

I have been pondering this all morning. What do you think? Do you think Joseph's faith was that strong and he had already forgiven his brothers or was he just embarrassed that his brothers had sold him into slavery? Personally, I want to believe it was the first. To have that kind of forgiveness and faith in the midst of those circumstances....WOW!

Back to the "Worry" I am facing today. My family is in the midst of lots of changes. My new adventures in blogging and Women's Speaking ministry, My daughter being asked to sing at more and more places...I've had to get a calender just for her. And yesterday my husband interviewed for a part-time pastors position in a brand new church start. It went very well and we felt God's presence in the interview. It remains to be seen if the committee felt the same way.

So....we could be changing churches and going back into the frontline in church work. We have been there before in Church staff positions but never in the pastoral role or even in a church start.

So I flipped from Joseph to Zephaniah, to remind myself that God will quiet me with His love. Today, I plan on listening closely to see if my heart can hear the song He is singing over me.
I bet it is a love song or maybe something like "Don't Worry, Be Happy!"

What about you? What song is He singing over you today? Share!

Swimmy Bugs And Hoppy Toads

Hi Friends,
This past weekend was a great and musical time with the Lord. Zoie preformed in a children's musical on Friday night and Saturday our family put on a Saturday Singing at a campground near us on the lake. It was great and God blessed. Just before Zoie was to sing she and I walked to the water's edge. I said a quick prayer for her and we talked about the opportunity God had set before her. (She had been having some parent/daughter issues earlier and both she and I wanted her to sing from the right heart.) As we walked along the shore, peace and resolve for God was restored. She sang with a full heart for the God she loves so much!
As I was thinking about that this morning, I was reminded that a lot of my own restoration times take place near water. My parents live on a beautiful private lake and I often go there just to stare at the water and talk to God. I even wrote a poem about it years ago that I share with the children I teach. Today, I would like to share it with you.

Swimmy Bugs and Hoppy Toads By Pamela D. Robinson

Do you have a place you like to go,
to talk to God and give Him your load?
I go to a place where I can find,
some swimmy bugs and hoppy toads.
A pier on a lake or a bridge will do,
a lazy creek or a pond works too.

Someplace to watch the swimmy bugs dance,
those little bugs as they race and prance.
They skim on top of the water that shines,
and help you to forget the troubles in mind.
They scoot and twirl, not a care in sight
on top of the ripples that glisten like lights.

I think of God in his wisdom and care,
who has given these bugs something wonderful to share.
I listen as they dance their message to me,
a message so simple, so free, and true.
.... God really cares for Me and for You!

If He takes the time to teach little bugs to dance,
then I have a purpose, I’m not here by chance.
Whatever my burden , whatever my care,
I have a reason to twirl and a message to share.
God is surely with me, I am never alone,
there’s no reason to mope, no reason to moan.

But if this cannot help me to give Him my load,
then I must be sure to look at hoppy toads.
They are little and slimy, and to some quite a sight,
but listen to them a while and you will find out what’s right.

God gave them the ability to jump and to sing;
they sing praises to God about everything.
In their choruses at night as they sing from the trees,
it is then that I realize...God loves me.

God has desires for me and has given me abilities too.
He will help me go on and help me get through.
God will take care of me and not let me fail,
now listen so carefully, as I finish my tale.

When you feel discouraged, can’t carry your load,
watch the swimmy bugs dance, and listen to hoppy toads.
Then leave your load with the Creator of all,
He will not let you down, He will not let you fall.
No matter the task, no matter the load,
just remember to give praise like swimmy bugs and hoppy toads.

Distorted Identity

Hello Friends,
I was thinking about the question I posed last post, "What Bible character are you most like?"
I was reading you answers and rethinking my own, when I remembered something that happened 5 years ago. We were in the process of securing a loan to buy our house.

"Hello?"

"Pamela, Its Jeff. I just got the credit report my friend did on you and Mike regarding the house loan. Your combined numbers are great. I don't think we will have any problem getting the loan...but I do have some questions concerning your credit."

"Okay, shoot."

"It seems that you have three credit cards in your name that are close to being maxed out. It says you are paying in good standing..."

"Jeff, there has to be a mistake. I have no credit cards in my name."

"Here let me give you the numbers of these cards. You need to call right away. Don't worry its probably a simple mistake...a typo or something. I doubt it is identity theft."

It was identity theft. Someone in a nearby state, who had my same first, last and middle name had used my social security number to open three credit cards. She was paying on the credit cards, but they were close to being maxed out and only she and God knows what she would have done then. It took almost a year to get everything straightened out. If you have ever been through anything similar, you know the elaborate maze of twists and turns I'm talking about. The physical puzzle of being able to clear my name became an endless labyrinth of distorted mirrors. Every turn not only had to be negotiated in the physical world but in the spiritual world as well. As a follower of Christ, each pathway required that I balance upon the rocks of forgiveness, why me's, and faith that my name would finally be cleared. It was not so much a question of "What would Jesus do?" I knew the answer. Living it was the hard part!
I had worked so hard to always have a good credit for 26 years! This person didn't steal my money. She stole my good name! She was using my name to receive the good credit that she had not earned! Forgiving that kind of theft was hard. I remember crying out to God in my frustration and indignation!

"It was not her name! She has taken my name! The name I earned, I deserved, and misused it for her own selfish use! How can I forgive her for that!"

Finally in the quietness as I sat fuming, that still soft whisper which my heart recognized as that of my Lord said, "I forgive you and you misuse My Name everyday."

I fell straight to my knees. As a Christian I carry the name of Jesus. I did not steal it but He gave it to me. I misuse His name every time I fuss at another driver (One of my weaknesses please pray for me about that one), every time I am grouchy, or lazy, or just thoughtless. I misuse His name when I don't see the needs of those before me, because I am caught up in my on schedule of activities. I misuse His name everyday. Yet everyday, He allows me to be called by His name, that wonderful name. I have cart blanch with the name of Jesus.

I've changed my mind I don't want to be more like Mary. I want to be more like Jesus!

Biblical Character Look-a-Likes?

Hey friends,
Here is a question for you: "Which biblical character do you think you are most like?"

I am most like Jacob. My husband Mike has teased me for years that the reason God gave me a limp at birth was because He knew I would wrestle with Him about everything! It is true. I do wrestle with God. Like Jacob, I also obey but only after I am sure that God will bless me. God is convicting me of that more and more. I have an over-active good girl gland (not like Jacob) so that in the end I will always obey. But my obedience comes from it is the right thing to obey God rather than from pure faith and trust. I wrestle with saying "No," or "Are you sure God," even doubting sometimes that it is even Him speaking to me. I even wrestled so much one time that I asked Him to say it out loud, and He did! He used the words and mouth of a perfect stranger to say words the person could not have possibly known. Needless to say, I obeyed quickly that time and with the most faith I have ever had. I left my home and family to do mission work for 2 years 3,000 miles away, with my only contact a name and decription: a black haired woman with a blond haired little boy about 8 years old! It was a great experience!
What I am learning now is that being a Jacob and wrestling with God is not true faith. Jacob had to be convienced and blessed before he would obey and go meet his brother Esau. But that was not faith. To be convinced of the outcome before obeying is not faith! Faith is obeying regardless of the outcome! It is trusting God with the outcome. I so want it to turn out right. I want things to go God's way. I want it to reflect well on me too. (PRIDE!) But the truth is I'm not in charge of the outcome. The outcome is God's problem/responsibility. If it turns out great and He is glorified, it is by His hand and glory not mine. On the other hand if it turns out badly (in my eyes) it is also for and by His Glory. He gets glory either way because the results are up to Him! Like the prophets of old, I may never see the glorious results in my lifetime. But like these dear prophets, my faith should be that even though I don't see it, I know God will complete it!
So dear friends pray for me as I slip off the garments of Jacob and try on the garments of faith like Mary and say "May it be just as You have said."

Happy Thanksgiving Day, uh..I mean Independence Day!

Have fun celebrating our Independence Holiday today!
We are we are going to my mom's to help get ready for a big BBQ tomorrow. When I say big I mean big! There will be about 200 people there. We will have some of the best homemade pulled pork BBQ you have ever tasted! The hams will start cooking around lunch today and there is about 10-12 of them! There will be all the fixings and lots of deserts. That's all my parents will let anyone but family bring! After the feast we will gather around for an old fashion singing. People will sing as others tell stories. That is tomorrow and I can't wait! It is my favorite day of the whole year!

But you know something, I think we have our Holiday names a little mixed up! I think we should call this day Thanksgiving Day! WE should be thankful to God for our free nation and for freeing our souls from sin.

So look up from your cookouts to heaven. Look up at the fireworks tonight and shout with me Happy Thanksgiving! Thank You God!
OK, I told you guys I was a little nutty!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Fun Day With My Daughter

Hi Friends,

Today is mine and Zoie's fun day. Once a week in the summer while we are both off from school we try to have a Fun Day. We go somewhere--absolutely must leave the house--and just play.
Minimal housework is done such as no dishes in the sink and beds made and then we are off.

Today we are going fun shopping. This is where we go shopping at our favorite fun stores and make wish list instead of buying things. Well I am going fun shopping she actually is taking birthday money and she will come home with a treasure, while I come home with my list of wishes and the joy of watching her pick her treasures. She is very money wise and usually makes some of the best purchases.

I am looking forward to the day. Not just the time spent, not just watching her buy treasures, not just laughing and writing down crazy things on our wish list, its the bonding and dwelling together that we both love.

Oh, I'm still Mom! There has to be that line of respect and even though it is her money, I have veto power on what she can spend it on at nine years of age.

It reminds me of my relationship with God---or at least how it should be. Some days we work hard together. Him directing and me obeying and watching ministry happen. It may be my mouth or hands that do the work but His Spirit is in charge of the results and the outcome.

Some days we need to have fun days with God. Days where we spend time together dreaming or even receiving blessings all under His veto power.

Zoie and I have worked hard this week: practicing for a BBQ that she is singing at and I'm doing sign language to one of her songs, working on projects in the house, and me writing Special Ed Bible study curriculum for LifeWay.

So today we go play. Pray for us as we shop, talk, laugh, and make our wish list. Pray that we will both come to know God better today just having fun!

New Adventures In Pink Shoes!

Hi New Bloggy Friends!

This is an extreme adventure for me, attempting to blog. I am both excited and anxious about this adventure that God is leading me on in the vast unknown world of cyber space!

For those of you who know me you know I am about as gadget challenged as they come. I mean come on, I don't even like to try a new hair dryer! I have left most of this computer stuff up to my wonderful techno husband. But here it is that God is driving me into the scary wilderness (at least it seems to me) of personal communication without hearing your voices or seeing your faces.

For those who are here looking for a new friend you are welcome and safe here. I love making new friends but I must warn you I am completely sold out to the One True God and His Son Jesus Christ!

I can't start this blog without telling you a little about the pink pumps. I have Cerebral Palsey. It is a birth defect that fortunately only affect my right side slightly. If you were to meet me it would take you months to years to recognize that my right side doesn't work as well as my left. I have only a slight limp which I manage to hide with a walk I taught myself as a teenager. You only see the limp when I'm sick or angry.
Wearing pretty shoes is one thing I am not able to do. So come heaven, I will be easy to find. I will be wearing a pair of bright Hot-pink pumps!
In fact I got to wear a pair here on earth with the help of some Proverbs 31 friends I have at the She Speaks conference last year. That moment changed my life in so many ways and to tell you the truth some of the lessons I learned from that event were hard!
You will learn more as we get to know each other further.

For now just pray for me as I conquer fears of the computer, my speaking ministry, and being a good wife and mother to my family.

Please comment and let me know who you are even if it is just to say, "Hi!"
I would love to pray for you and hear what God is teaching you. For today read Psalm 20 and know that I have prayed that for everyone who reads this blog today.

In faith and prayer,
Pamela R. (Pinkshoelady)