Following are a handful of the memories we have from 2010. We hope that as you take this walk down memory lane with us that you too will have an opportunity to praise our Living Lord for similar memories in your life.

Cheering for our respective countries’ hockey team during the Winter Olympics. (Canada won the GOLD!!!)

Assisting friends after the historic Nashville Flood in May.

Walking and raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Cure as part of Samantha Grace’s Sugar Busters team. This was a lot of fun and hopefully the beginning of an annual event!

Enjoying a walk along the Florida beach with our precious friend Dee Hiltsley.

Loving our time with godsons Nate and Braeden Robinson (and their parents).

Visiting Sharon’s family in Vermont is always a favorite memory we cherish.

Celebrating Sharon’s 50th Birthday in August with a weekend trip to Chattanooga.

Building gingerbread houses with our Illinois family. Great fun taking part in ‘Mom Prentice’s’ annual memory making event.

Sharon reconnecting with childhood friends, Jane (Schneider) Gilmartin-Stewart and Julie Prentice!

Ministring to adult singles from our home church.

Serving the people of West Africa. This included Mark trying to get used to eating with his hand from a communal bowl.

Delivering gifts to 2 of the 20 children who are a part of the Kids’ Club Tutoring Program which Mark coordinates during the school year.

Praying daily for family and friends (including our nephews Trevor and Jim as they each begin their third deployment overseas).

Counting down to our 10th wedding anniversary on December 31st. What an incredible decade of memories! We are grateful that each of you reading this is a part of the memories we hold and cherish. We love you and we tell you so!

One characteristic of God that a lot of Christians seem to take for granted and do not seem to fully understand is that of His sovereignty. We say the United States is sovereign, and that Canada is sovereign – and they are! But a nation’s sovereignty is much different from God’s sovereignty.

A nation is considered sovereign if it is independent of another nation’s rule. It creates its own laws and has its own government. But it is not sovereign in the strictest sense of the word. A nation does not tell the wind when to blow. It does not dictate when a tree may, or may not, produce fruit. It does not know what each of its citizens are doing every moment of every day (though some may try).

God is truly sovereign. He created the world out of nothing. Before God created there was no such thing as a molecule. AW Pink explains God’s sovereignty well in his book, “The Sovereignty of God” (pg20).

The Sovereignty of God! What do we mean by this expression? We mean the supremacy of God, the kingship of God, the Godhood of God. To say that God is sovereign is to declare that God is God. To say that God is sovereign is to declare that He is the Most High, doing according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, so that none can stay His hand or say unto Him, What doest Thou? (Dan. 4:35). To say that God is sovereign is to declare that He is “The Governor among the nations” (Ps 22:28), setting up kingdoms, overthrowing empires, and determining the course of dynasties as pleaseth Him best. To say that God is sovereign is to declare that He is the “Only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15). Such is the God of the Bible.

The God of the Bible seems to be much different from the god of modern Christianity. The God of the Bible, as Pink declared, set up and brought down nations and dynasties. We see examples of this throughout the Old Testament. He still does that today. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 13.1-2,

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

God is sovereign over all things and all people. Moses records in the book of Exodus that the Lord himself hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Ex 9.12; 10.20, 27; 11.10; 14.8). God admitted that He had hardened Pharaoh’s heart in Exodus 10.1,

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may do these miraculous signs of Mine among them,and so that you may tell your son and grandson how severely I dealt with the Egyptians and performed miraculous signs among them, and you will know that I am the Lord.”

The apostle Paul notes that “the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.’ So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”

Any good that comes our way is due only to the grace, and the mercy of God. Our salvation comes through the grace and ordination of God. The God of the Bible is truly sovereign, not as a nation is sovereign, He is all-powerful and all-knowing.

So, let me ask you,

How does the fact of God’s sovereignty effect YOUR life?

Wishing you a
Blessed Christmas!

As we, like you, reflect on 2009, we remember with gratitude:
-  The many sweet friends and family who graced our simple home in Tennessee.
-  A loving church family who ministers and plays together, along with a wonderful staff who teaches the Word and reaches out beyond the borders of our church and community.
-  Employment that is more than a ‘job’, but a true ministry.  Sharon continues to serve at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville.  Mark continues two part-time jobs as an on-line Bible instructor for Knowledge Elements and as a theological review editor for Crossbooks, a self-publishing company.

Mark is now
Half a Century Old!

Dad Robinson's Flower

Mark and Dad Robinson
July '08

-  Dad Robinson battled with kidney failure and was hospitalized for three months before his death on May 31^st. God showed dad grace by allowing him, and the family, moments of lucidness. Up through the day he died, God also allowed him to recognize various family members. Dad’s love for his Lord was so strong, that during one of his lucid moments, knowing exactly what was happening to him, he expressed that he wished every member of his family knew Christ personally as he did.

• Dad Robinson was proud of his military duty. He received a military send-off including a Canadian flag draping his casket.
• Being a farmer at heart, dad loved to work in his garden and was known for his beautiful flowers. The flowers in this post are samples of his green thumb.
• Mark has many fond memories of working with his dad. One such memory he holds near and dear to his heart is the last project. Mark and his dad replaced the skirting on the wheelchair ramp to the house. The thought and pictures of this event never fail to warm Mark’s heart.

Al Rawson

• The gift Dad Rawson loved the most was one that was a cooperative effort. Every member of the family, as well as many friends, joined together to create a scrapbook remembering his military career and other stories of his life.

Our dads have provided a great legacy for our generation and the generations to come.

They could well say with Mary in Luke 1.48-50:

“He has looked on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy. His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him.”

Dad Robinson's Rose

Hope to see you
here - there - and in the air!

We wish you a joy-filled Christmas and a blessed 2010!

God is truly a great, awesome and powerful God. He is truly a God of love and compassion. This past May 31st my father passed away. Dad was suffering with kidney failure and was in hospital for a couple of months. His memory failed rapidly and essentially became a different man.

George E Robinson II

But, even in the midst of all this God was faithful! The Lord expressed his love by allowing my Dad moments of normalcy where he knew exactly what was happening and he could express his wishes. Though he was losing his memory, dad was fully aware of what was happening to him. He knew his memory was failing and that he was dying. Yet, during one of his lucid moments he told me that he wanted all of his family to know Jesus Christ as he did!

While I could not understand why the Lord let my dad linger as He did, today I realize that God is God. He knows the future even better than we know today! He knows the hearts of others better than we know our own heart. So, I trust that my God had a reason for allowing my dad to linger in that condition for a purpose.

This is one of the greatest trials I have suffered to date. Yet I can say, “Lord, thank you for all you have done. Thank you for allowing dad to experience all he went through because you have a greater purpose.”

Blessings.

The psalmist wrote:

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
Psalm 46.1-3

Regardless of what we may face in life, we know we can count on God. He is our guide, protection, and provider. Though I may be underemployed, at least He has provided something to keep me busy. He’s provided these two jobs to contribute to our household income.

While I am at home, the Lord is allowing me to appreciate my wife even more by allowing me to help with the housework. Laundry, planning and preparing meals, cleaning the house – things she used to do all the time – now I have chosen to do them, and I am learning to love my wife more than I have ever thought possible.

Though we are experiencing this period of limited income we have consistently been meeting our bills and always had sufficient food on the table.

Our God is truly a very present help in times of trouble.

When you experience trying times, who do you count on to guide, protect, and provide for you?

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8.38-39)

What a promise!! That verse alone provides a great sense of security for many, if not all, Christians around the world.

A psalmist knew this fact quite well and was overwhelmed with gratitude when he wrote Psalm 139:

If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,”
Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.
(Psalm 139.8-12)

I can tell you from personal experience, dear friend – regardless of what you may be experiencing right now, if you belong to God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, you have no reason to fear because He already has His hand on you and your life.

So, I need to ask you today:
1. What could you possibly be experiencing today that is bigger than God, or His love for you?
2. What could you possibly have done that He’s not already died to forgive?

I am often amazed at what Christians watch, read, and play. Now, I am not saying I’m perfect – I have plenty of flaws, but that does not take away from God’s requirement for how we are to live.

The apostle Paul instructs us in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

Why would you think the apostle would instruct us in this way? Why would he think this is so important? It is because, as he stated in the previous chapter, we are citizens of heaven. And he continued in chapter four, verse one, “therefore, . . . in this way stand firm in the Lord.” As Christians, the way we live is very important. How we live has the potential to draw others to Christ, or to keep them away.

As I stated a few days ago, whatever we take in through television, books, music and other sources, will become a part of us and will eventually come out through our words and deeds. It will affect our communion with our Lord and Saviour. Our relationship will suffer with Him and with others.

A strong relationship with God will enable us to stand up against pressure to do the wrong thing. We will be better equipped to stand with God against all others.

How do you improve your relationship with your spouse and your friends? You talk with them. You communicate through various means.

So, today’s question:

How prepared are you stand firm?

This is the last of this series on Renewing the Mind. I could easily go on for such a long time. So I will likely pick it up again at a later date.

One core value that runs throughout the Bible is relationship. The Bible speaks to the value God places on the relationship between Him and us, the relationship between husband and wife, between parents and children, and even between employer and employee. Today however, we will be discussing our relationship with God. God initially created us because He desired a personal relationship with us – not as “master & pet,” but as Father and child.

Repeatedly, the Bible declares that Jesus and God are one, and the same. Jesus clearly states, in John 15.12-17, that those who do His will are His friends. However, not all who call themselves Christians do His will.

Sin is defined as anything that contradicts God’s nature or instruction. Sin has a natural consequence of a broken relationship with God. However, it also has another natural consequence – death. As an expression of His love for us, and His desire for a sincere relationship with us, God chose to come to earth as a man, live among us, and die in our stead – paying our penalty for sin.

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

(Romans 5.6-8)

There is no greater demonstration of love than this! So, today I need to ask:

Is the way you are living your life truly thanking God for the sacrifice He made on your behalf?

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
(1 Corinthians 16.13)

The apostle Paul couldn’t get any clearer than that. We must always be alert concerning our faith. Diligence is vital. In last Thursday’s entry (Input=Output), we saw that what we accept into our mind through various media becomes a part of us and will eventually come out. Therefore, we must be diligent concerning what we allow our eyes to see and our ears to hear. We often hear Christians telling us to avoid porn sites – and so we should. But, how often are we told to avoid certain TV shows or certain literature? This principle is valid in every part of our life. This is why Paul wrote the above verse to the Corinthians. Peter however, went a step further with that admonition by writing the following.

“Be of sober {spirit,} be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in {your} faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen {and} establish you.”

(1 Peter 5.8-10)

If we are not careful – if we are not diligent, the devil (who is a real, live being by the way), will take full advantage of every opportunity to step in to destroy you. But keep in mind, he will normally do it a little at a time so he can bag you before you can realize it.

We need to be faithful in the small things as well as the big things.  in the way of illustration, imagine dropping water into a glass one drop at a time. it may take a while to fill the glass, but a little at a time each drop will add up to a full glass.

Often times we will hear of a public figure having an affair, cheating on his wife. I doubt they just woke up one morning and decided, “I’m going to have an affair.” These thing start out as small, seemingly insignificant indiscretions. Maybe a double-take at a woman in a supermarket. Or possibly a peek at an indecent website or magazine. It may even start as an innocent, unsupervised lunch with a coworker of the opposite sex. These all may seem like simple drops of water, but they will add up and will, if not stopped, overflow your glass.

Today, I need to ask you:
“What are you doing to avoid falling prey to the devil?”

This discussion on Renewing the Mind will consist of several different entries. Today’s entry is titled:

Input = Output

If you have dealt with computers for a while you have likely heard the phrase, “Garbage in – Garbage out.” That simply means that you get out of the computer whatever you put into it. If you only put bad information into a computer, you will only get bad information out.

The interesting thing is that computers were designed after the human brain! In many ways, the two are very similar! The phrase, “Garbage in – Garbage out” also goes for us. For example, if we watch garbage on TV, those same morals will be expressed through our lives.

The apostle Paul admonished the church at Rome, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans.12.2)

As difficult as it is, Christians need to be set apart from the ways of the world. But, the only way to do this is to allow the Holy Spirit of God to renew our minds. Paul gives a hint of how to do this in his letter to the Philippians.

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Philippians 4.8)

Dwell on these things, he says. How many Christians watch soap operas? How many of us watch, read, or participate in other activities that major on qualities that conflict with these stated by Paul? It is high time for Christian’s to take seriously the responsibility of bearing the name of their Saviour!

How are we going to truly understand what is true, honourable, right, pure, etc? Since the world’s definition of these terms are different from God’s we need to be sure to understand the correct meaning. The only way to do get a Philippians 4.8 mind is through prayer and spending time in God’s word. How else are we going to know what our Lord expects of us?

Today’s question:

If you are a Christian, how serious are you about having a Philippians 4.8 mind?