tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-202914152012-02-16T02:00:34.785-06:00These are collected thoughts on God, His practicality, and where we fit in. Sometimes I'm a bit self-focused. Other times the thoughts are more general.Hopefully you'll find yourself prompted to think about God. I also welcome thoughts and comments on any writing.Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.comBlogger811100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-90316769874395562722012-02-02T16:18:00.001-06:002012-02-02T16:18:14.364-06:00

         From Justin Roberts   Student Pastor at Pinnacle Community Church Amarillo, Texas Area       I'd like to add you to my

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-12536047676190868772010-10-11T09:30:00.002-05:002010-10-11T09:51:48.887-05:00

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 4:17John the Baptizer came first with the command to repent. His message was slightly different in the way it sounded. He said to baptize in preparation for the coming of Christ. "Prepare the way of the Lord," he said. In my understanding of this, we don't have to be perfect for Christ to work in

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-57276337856849645822010-04-20T21:28:00.003-05:002010-04-20T22:01:13.234-05:00

Recently I read this beautiful poem penned by William Blake:The Sick RoseO rose, thou art sick;The invisible wormThat flies at night,In the howling stormHas found out thy bedOf crimson joy,And his dark secret loveDoes thy life destroyI am no expert on Blake, or even on poetry, though I fall more and more in love with it each year. Therefore, as you read my words, don't discredit me for what could

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-61431496090238362142010-02-23T09:23:00.002-06:002010-02-23T09:37:11.163-06:00

For anyone following this to keep up with what the Roberts family is up to, this blog is for you. Over the last month or so I have been reading a book called Total Truth by Nancy Pearcy. The material covered in the book has created a change of heart and mind that cuts deep into what I have thought about myself for so long. The book discusses the split of the Christian mind and the absence of

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-11657648061896263672010-01-07T22:17:00.003-06:002010-01-09T10:49:09.144-06:00

Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he! Psalm 99:3 This is less a devotional, more an attempt to put my thoughts in order to help make sense of them. I have been attempting to talk to God more than I have been with a desire to close the gap between Him and me. As a part of that, I have been listening to some worship music from the IHOP in Kansas City. Misty Edwards' new album

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-39291839569486108352009-10-13T22:29:00.002-05:002009-10-13T22:57:02.041-05:00

Let's not call this a devotional. This truly is a writing of thoughts and meditations that have been building in my head. The focus is a developing one, but I believe that a clear vision is on its way. If you want to label this post, label it a call to arms. Look around you. Our world is on the verge of power shift and colossal change. Developing nations run by tyrannical egoists are waving

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-12325982857848434382009-10-09T21:16:00.002-05:002009-10-09T21:46:09.434-05:00

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 I must admit now that my heart is heavy. When something needs to be said, I begin to feel this way. I am praying about what it is that needs to be said. There is no way to explain it, but I like the feeling and miss it

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-44013662545978270372009-10-07T20:42:00.002-05:002009-10-07T21:27:07.863-05:00

After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it." So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:"Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. -- Acts 13:15-16It has been said that children can be the meanest of all creations. The lack of couth and the absence of

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-17866279081599608492009-10-06T19:36:00.006-05:002009-10-06T20:29:49.478-05:00

"...For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved." 2 Peter 2:19b In the classic novel Great Expectations, the main character Pip chases a dream of riches and romance that his own imagination created from fragments of truth mixed with fantastic ideas, only to find that nothing was as he thought. His beloved did not return the emotion; rather, she was a pawn in someone else's game of

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-58142447579490958332009-09-28T21:51:00.003-05:002009-09-28T22:11:06.320-05:00

1The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;He turns it wherever He wishes.2Every man's way is right in his own eyes,But the LORD weighs the hearts.3To do righteousness and justiceIs desired by the LORD more than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:1-3Read Micah 6:8 along with this verse. Righteousness and justice are what the Lord requires of us; they are His commands to us. Another

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-25412230960800912592009-08-07T07:39:00.002-05:002009-08-07T08:10:56.975-05:00

Behold, how good and pleasant it iswhen brothers dwell in unity! Psalm 133:1The only thing that never changes is the fact that change is inevitable. As I was talking with my wife earlier this year, we discussed the feeling that our family is always in a state of transition and change. For whatever reason, we have never felt like we were at rest or settled in any place. Living like this is

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-46264384908274690842009-07-10T14:13:00.000-05:002009-07-10T14:14:06.332-05:00

Stockholm Syndrome Trailer from Derek Webb on Vimeo.

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-65247410692298434162009-07-10T09:14:00.005-05:002009-07-10T10:03:09.397-05:00

There are many books that lay claim to God's purposes. They offer all kinds of advice and suggestions on how His purpose affects our purpose. Frank Viola's book, From Eternity to Here, is one of those books. This book is a bit different, though, in its goal. In the end, God's eternal purposes challenge us to completely rethink and then respond to how we live. Why did God create mankind? Why

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-17291097816203214562009-07-03T21:01:00.000-05:002009-07-03T21:02:12.164-05:00

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-48380742434247389902009-06-15T07:51:00.003-05:002009-06-15T08:22:08.333-05:00

At time in life, it seems as though we may be caught in the midst of chaos. In literature the word is derived from the Greek who gave this name to the original nothingness from which Gaia and the other protogenitors emerged. Another way of putting it is that it is the unpredictable gaping whole from which existence came. Even in the Bible chaos seems to be the formless and void earth that existed

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-5842652893715168402009-05-08T21:29:00.004-05:002009-06-10T08:29:01.607-05:00

Standing on the precipiceLooking over kingdoms spread outAcross my back and in my nameFed by words and breathing inthe fear of all the innocentsLetting out an air of confidenceDo you believe that life has meaningAre you concerned with all the reasons I didn't jumpThere's no threat of death where death is not allowedThere's no faith alone without the threat of deathSo I say look me in the eye,

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-30272895016609385592009-05-08T10:12:00.000-05:002009-05-08T10:15:39.526-05:00

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-19063516147337759972009-04-26T11:34:00.003-05:002009-04-26T11:49:05.020-05:00

I find it funny how faith works. You absolutely must face your fears with faith. If you have no fear, you aren't exercising faith. It is just another task. If you face your fear with arrogance, you are a fool. The question arises, is faith equal to courage? It takes courage to face your fears. In that respect, it takes courage to have faith. It then matters who you have faith in, where your

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-69137939177508534192009-04-24T10:02:00.002-05:002009-04-26T11:49:59.483-05:00

This is a test for moble blogging. Ignore it.It's a beautiful day; don't let it get away.

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-80196531702639854282009-04-24T07:19:00.002-05:002009-04-24T07:24:39.296-05:00

This is the last week of my online class. The past months have been the most overwhelming of my life. I have been attacked spiritually from two fronts. I have had to watch as my own state of overload affected friends and family. I cannot wait until this is over. I am looking forward to getting back to writing poetry. I have stumbled upon a poet named Gregory Orr. While I have yet to read much of

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-50958787699907958972009-04-09T11:33:00.002-05:002009-04-09T11:38:20.401-05:00

A mind! A mind of her own!Is self will rebellion?Of course, of courseIf they say it is.Audacious one sheTo express her anguishTo relinquish her confusionTo utteranceTo airAs the mockingbird'Tis only the callShe learned from usWe who teachLiberty withoutrestraint. Will willever follow others'will?

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-27317369961814568902009-04-08T15:31:00.001-05:002009-04-08T15:33:27.584-05:00

That dangerous diadem which Adorned the brow of my Savior Punctured the flesh and then painted Its own indecorous designs In rivulets of scarlet and Sweat through the cracks creases and crevicesOf a sacrificial countenance. I inquire of my own nature Do my crowns make me bleed? Or did His dear blood make purchase of my waste?

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-12291867903885027642009-04-08T13:31:00.002-05:002009-04-08T13:35:23.503-05:00

These words are from verses I began writing about a year ago. Many of them are, as yet, unfinished, but they need to see the light of day. They chronicle struggles with calling, truth, God, and life in general. Please take the time to ask questions, write responses, criticize, or just let me know you're reading them. I have submitted to a magazine of poetry, but was rejected. I figured this was a

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-32211052372652673482009-04-08T13:24:00.003-05:002009-04-08T13:30:55.405-05:00

Last night I asked what should I do?The peace that descended on me was soWelcome and needed. But this restlessness returnsSo quickly when I raise the question (!) The onewhose answers I need. Your response was, "Just go."Nothing clearer than this? Go where?So now my mind falls to a new way of askingthe question. Both options need me, so which one needs memore? Where can I be most glorifying to

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-42172457905674554222009-04-08T13:20:00.003-05:002009-04-08T13:24:20.619-05:00

The box is too bigOr I am too smallExpectations of meAre to conform to allMaybe my visionwrong point of viewThe box is too crowdedWith lemmings just like you

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-71786672129967471652009-04-08T08:27:00.002-05:002009-04-08T08:31:17.556-05:00

If I were given one word to speakWhich would be delegated to me?Faith, love, hope, angel soap, pass the plate,Burn the goat? Crucify! Who's your saint?It couldn't be done with one aloneA message so broad in power and in scopeOne word. One man. One God. All is done.Jesus

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-27928067749904987072009-03-31T14:23:00.000-05:002009-03-31T14:24:41.835-05:00

This lofty crag threatens My security, but what Is safety without risk Of faith or suicide? Empyrean comes With sleep alone, alone. Can trust be carried by Comfort, callow and clean, Bravery exist in Want of bloodshed threat? If not then life is not.

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-68889166321979705632009-01-08T15:10:00.000-06:002009-01-08T15:11:02.404-06:00

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-57506346555880026982009-01-03T09:59:00.003-06:002009-01-03T10:36:53.966-06:00

I'm in my third year of teaching now. When I think about it, I am drawn to the kids. A desire exists to reach out to them and guide them in their walks. I want to help their souls grow closer to Jesus. When they have questions, I want to help find the answers. The kinds of questions though have nothing to do with literature and grammar, though. They are the questions that deal with life and death

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-78396687874116311842008-12-27T23:03:00.003-06:002008-12-27T23:25:05.924-06:00

Mark 7:24-30 "And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. Jesus was a dangerous guy. He came wielding a sword of sorts. He talked about love and peace and how those things would split households and nations. Consider your respect demanded. Stories came from him about being born

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-17177639800084164332008-12-26T13:30:00.001-06:002008-12-26T13:30:43.377-06:00

I am testing a new feature on my blog. If you get this in your email and don't want to receive anymore, just drop me an email or a comment and let me know.Justin-- It's a beautiful day,don't let it get away.

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-63424828622262027512008-12-26T13:13:00.000-06:002008-12-26T13:15:47.201-06:00

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 - 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. I read somewhere once that it is easier to die for something than to live for it. Consider the life of the soldier.

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-79821059344590096522008-12-17T22:41:00.002-06:002008-12-17T22:57:53.926-06:00

Recently, opportunities and encouragements to write have been thrown my way. I am pondering these things in my heart as it were. I am grabbing the opportunities as they come. I am writing now. Unlike my last posts, this one will be less a devotional thought, more a journal entry. Thoughts in pixels for stranger and friend alike to read. Time is spent peering back at my life. I began an artist. I

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-6482634727419440462008-10-29T21:45:00.002-05:002008-10-29T22:00:23.651-05:00

Faith, repentance, diligence, endurance - these are some of the tools stored in the box of a conqueror. Tonight I taught on this subject to the group of teenagers I lead. Many of them face demons of a sort that I never thought of at that age. Before we jumped into Revelations we read from Hebrews 11. In the latter part of the chapter, descriptions are there of a people who were dressed in lowly

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-15619636391523523992008-10-28T20:22:00.002-05:002008-10-28T20:34:06.470-05:00

I'm still in chapter 2, but there is a feast of knowledge. I feel I'm only nibbling the outer crust. There is a recurring set of words here that has snagged my attention: "The one who conquers..." In each letter, there is a challenge. These challenges aren't tests, though. They are a matter of life and death in a sense. If the challenge is met successfully you are considered a conqueror, and

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-61522263303530234752008-10-27T22:00:00.007-05:002008-10-27T22:24:59.374-05:00

I am beginning a journey through the book of Revlelation. I am taking my sweet time, savoring the words and letting them seep into my spirit as much as I can. Being human, I will most likely fail some of the time, but that is neither here nor there at this moment. It is in chapter 2 that I began to wonder. This is the letter that is to be sent to the church in Ephesus. This church has quite a

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-5151165927477330202008-07-09T11:19:00.002-05:002008-07-09T11:21:07.495-05:00

John 12:35-36So Jesus said to them, "For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light " These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. We all like to dabble

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-89141172098562883882007-09-26T21:32:00.000-05:002007-09-26T21:33:32.083-05:00

Then said he unto the disciples, "It is impossible but that offences will com; but woe unto him through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if her repent, forgive him. Luke 17:1-3 When I

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-72741878196089766402007-09-10T22:47:00.000-05:002007-09-10T23:00:05.450-05:00

As I closed last night after our youth meeting at church, I prayed from a compulsion. The compulsion was to ask for God to develop and create a hunger and a desire that burned for Him and Him alone. Today I was confronted with many things that feel like a spiritual net dragging me to the ground. Negativity, faceless criticism, and voiceless supporters wrangle my spirit and my mind. I feel like

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-82200799932615336732007-06-08T00:45:00.001-05:002007-06-08T00:57:22.534-05:00

Psalm 37:5 "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act." I risk taking this verse out of context. I'm not schooled in the background of each psalm that is in the Bible. This particular psalm compares evildoers with the righteous. Laid out in the verses are the consequences of doing evil and admonition against being jealous. We are told that the little in possession of the

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-43691514921751913242007-06-06T23:53:00.000-05:002007-06-07T00:13:08.220-05:00

Reading in 2 Kings chapter 4 has revealed something to me. I knew it in my head already. You probably do, too. If you believe in Jesus as your savior, you have received the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is represented many times in the scripture by oil. In this particular story, the prophet Elisha has recently received a double portion of his predecessor's spirit. A widow approaches him with a bit of

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-79558835021820522072007-03-14T08:59:00.000-05:002007-03-14T09:22:41.802-05:00

I live in a part of the world that is inundated with a sort of cult. There is a certain university nearby whose alumni and student body are so attached to the school that their behavior is almost sickening. You can't go anywhere without seeing their colors. They assume that you know about every game and event that occurs, even if you're a graduate of their rival. I find this very

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-18565195074010617572007-02-18T00:34:00.000-06:002007-02-18T00:49:03.215-06:00

I am convinced that we are afraid of ourselves. We get up every morning and look in the mirror and just think of ways to change so that who we really are can't catch up to us. That new car is nicer, faster, cooler, sleeker, and will completely fool the real me. If I dress like (insert role model here) then I won't look like myself; I'll totally blend in with the rest of the world. The one thing

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-37694346771251820532007-02-14T13:08:00.000-06:002007-02-14T14:01:32.149-06:00

I am learning a thing or two about the human race. Their self-absorption causes a complete lack of honest communication. That lack of communication leaves space for us to fill in the blank. For some reason, we always expect the worse. We absolutely refuse to talk to the source of what my be nothing! I have been observing this in the school setting. Is it our need to be right that causes us to not

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-75894103856447833452007-02-12T14:27:00.000-06:002007-02-11T22:23:19.674-06:00

I write these questions well aware that I have a link on my page to a magazine called Relevant. That said: what exactly does it mean to be relevant? Derek Webb might be referring to this when he uses the term "dress me like the culture." It could be that Paul wrote about relevance when he said that he became all things to all people that he might win some. But what about us? Today, there seems to

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-20399059814547210792007-02-11T21:21:00.000-06:002007-02-11T21:20:53.413-06:00

Almost a year since the last entry. Very much has happened since then. In August, I finally graduated from college. Shortly afterward, I took a job in Brenham as an English/Reading/Journalism teacher. In addition to teaching those junior high classes, I also oversee the chapel services at the school. I hope to take up where I left off, entering my thoughts and rants and other useful and/or

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1142832850540951602006-03-19T23:33:00.000-06:002006-03-19T23:34:10.560-06:00

Every time Shane turns over, the red numbers inform him that another hour has passed. It won't be long before the jarring sounds of the alarm would begin. This routine of sleep and wakefulness has been the norm lately. Though there is really nothing overtly worrying in Shane's life, his nights are spent taking inventory of his life. That is what he's doing now. He thinks of his wife, whom he

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1140756931653389412006-02-23T22:54:00.000-06:002006-02-23T22:55:31.673-06:00

Warning. I've been thinking. Lately I've been thinking about the kingdom of God and how it applies to our lives every day. We talk about being kingdom subjects, under the lordship of Yaweh, but how do we see it and experience it? When I pray, I try to follow the Lord's Prayer example as closely as I can and I always pray for God's kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.There is a recent song

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First things first. The kingdom of heaven is present around you and me. Mostly unseen, but there. And so we pray that God's will be done here on earth the same as it is in heaven. Visible and tangible and real. But then there's the curse. That wretched bind that refuses to release our hearts and minds fully to God.That said, we move to Jesus' words. Blessed are those who are persecuted for

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Jealousy. Envy. Disappointment. Anger. Depression. Arrogance. Low Self-Esteem. Addiction. These things and more do one thing in our lives above all else. They create divisions. Take a look around you. Think back to younger days. Visualize how people are automatically categorized upon appearance, ability, education. Think about how even our churches are separated and categorized by color,

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The heart. It is a final frontier for most of the world. It tends to be a place we talk about and speculate over how to fix it and work on it. But we rarely go there. Scripture tells us we should guard it above all else, for it is the wellspring of life. Our mouths speak with what overflows from the heart. The heart is the very center of our being. It makes us who and what we are. And every day

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1138370484679038962006-01-27T07:58:00.000-06:002006-01-27T08:01:24.706-06:00

http://www.ps260.com/molly/SHINING%20FINAL.movIf possible, watch the above link before you read on.I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did. I've watched that trailer several times. You know what I like about it? It is a picture of redemption. The first thing you have to realize, is that all of those clips are taken from a movie called The Shining, based on one of Stephen King's early novels.The

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"Are you alright?" I was peering through smoke and steam into the window of what was once a compact car."Can you hear me? You okay?"Some movement, then the drivers' side door opened with a howl. The blond brat stepped out, coughing and squinting. She was breathing, at least."Are you hurt?" Could she hear me?"I don't think so," she muttered, looking worriedly at the air bag burns on her forearms."

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I couldn't stand it anymore. Another elderly man was found stabbed to death in his own home. That makes three violent crimes in one small town in one week. How did we get to this? I waited until I caught the weather forecast for the next day. Then I switched the news off. The guide showed that another news program was going to cover transsexuals in the United States. In my mind I just think

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The white stripes passed beneath his dangling arm at a furious pace. Wind from the friction caused by speed blew hot on his face through the lowered window. At the time, he wasn't sure which was faster; the beat of the pistons or his pounding pulse. He brought in his left hand to take the wheel so that his right could twist the radio knobs. When a firm signal was found, Jude cranked the volume.

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When she danced, I swear it seemed that her feet never touched the floor. It was as if she were gliding on air. To top that, she was a looker. I mean that in a respectful manner. Her evening gown was blood red and reached all the way to the floor. The neckline was modest. She smiled at every one who passed by, carrying on in small talk and pleasantries. And yet, she never had the last word and

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1137524552942847162006-01-17T13:02:00.000-06:002006-01-17T13:02:32.960-06:00

4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 I bet you've lost your keys before. You've probably lost the television remote control. It's highly likely that you've lost at least five dollars in the couch cushions or in the laundry. I imagine that, except for a little inconvenience, there wasn't much suffering and pain going on. I've seen those court shows where

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1137419249895628642006-01-16T07:47:00.000-06:002006-01-16T07:47:30.423-06:00

3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Jesus came directly from his test in the desert and taught. He introduced the kingdom of heaven to people, healing and teaching. The crowd grew, forcing him from the synagogues to the side of a mountain, where he described kingdom life. The first thing he says is that those who have every reason to be

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You speak of signs and wonders, but I need something other.I would believe if I was able. But I'm waiting on the crumbs from your table.-U2I haven't spoke with Bono personally about the meaning of this song. But walk with me a moment. In your mind's theater place a table. It is one of those long tables, solid oak with a cherry finish. Gorgeous. There is an embroidered runner that spans the entire

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"Change your life. God's kingdom is here." Matthew 4:17b Jesus comes out of the desert, the spring back in his step after being tended to by angels. He learns that his cousin, John, had been arrested. So he moves to Capernaum and starts delivering his message. "The kingdom of heaven, God's kingdom, is here. It's time for a change." Here, he also calls some fishermen to follow him. Simon

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1137124231292270532006-01-12T21:32:00.000-06:002006-01-12T21:50:33.833-06:00

Think of how simple life could be. My desk is scattered with CD's, books, photos, pens, and a stack of papers from school and studies. Each item has a story and a link to my life in some way. How terrible to try and think of them all and organize them in my mind. I'd go nuts. Quickly. Perhaps I am too anal and controlling about my organization. If I'd loosen up, then it wouldn't matter so much.

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1137093174766735632006-01-12T13:12:00.000-06:002006-01-12T13:12:54.776-06:00

9"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Matthew 4:9 Jesus had every right to every kingdom ever established on this earth. That includes our own government. That includes those that Satan brought before him, parading them and taunting Jesus. Jesus had created every person in those kingdoms, given talents of design and architecture to build them. None

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1136989508833258742006-01-11T08:24:00.000-06:002006-01-11T08:25:08.846-06:00

6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down...." Matthew 4:6 That question sounds vaguely familiar. During times of tragedy, there is always a question raised like it. If God is so good, then why....? Fill in the blank. Why is there war? Why so much destruction from hurricanes? Why so many cancer patients? At the cross, Jesus heard the question again. It was more like scorn at

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1136905526132061482006-01-10T09:04:00.001-06:002006-01-10T09:05:26.273-06:00

4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4 Have you ever been hungry? I don't mean food, necessarily. Did you ever want something really bad? Perhaps you wanted a new job. It could be success. It could even possibly be a steak.We all have times where we want something that is important. It may not even

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4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4 Have you ever been hungry? I don't mean food, necessarily. Did you ever want something really bad? Perhaps you wanted a new job. It could be success. It could even possibly be a steak.We all have times where we want something that is important. It may not even

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1136818703365076542006-01-09T08:57:00.000-06:002006-01-09T08:58:23.376-06:00

5Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. 6He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. 7Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!Philippians 2:5-7 (The Message)I read Matthew this morning. I am in search of how

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1136556664996710862006-01-06T08:10:00.000-06:002006-01-06T08:11:05.006-06:00

3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.Matthew 2:3Focus not on King Herod here. See the latter part of the verse. All Jerusalem, the one's expecting the Messiah, were disturbed. Or as the Message puts it, they were terrified. Why?Change. It was in the air. Scholars from the east, men of great learning had come to find this new king and pay homage. The Jews knew

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1136469325253477852006-01-05T07:54:00.000-06:002006-01-05T07:55:25.263-06:00

23"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel," which translated means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23Do you have any idea what that means? God with us. At that time, it was as literal as you can get. God was with us in that he had flesh and bone. He felt pain and pleasure and could laugh. He spoke in words we could understand. And had we been there,

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1136390054669784582006-01-04T09:51:00.000-06:002006-01-04T09:54:14.676-06:00

I've been thinking about what I wrote this morning. God is not a God of confusion. Anything like that that sets in is not from Him. One thing that I wrote has stuck in my mind and I hope to grow this concept. But I want some feedback. I wrote that we need a balance in our lives, a balance of grace and action through faith. That leads me to say that grace through faith causes change in us. That

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21Jesus looked him hard in the eye--and loved him! He said, "There's one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me." Mark 10:21The last few days I've thought about and written about living what we believe. I am afraid that I sound so legalistic sometimes when I get in this mode. And then I am even more afraid to

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1136296616271564362006-01-03T07:56:00.000-06:002006-01-03T07:56:56.280-06:00

44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! John 8:43-45 The first deception has been the most debilitating one for

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1136263636312675022006-01-02T22:36:00.000-06:002006-01-02T22:47:16.320-06:00

I am a great fan of Derek Webb. You may know his voice from the band Caedmon's Call. For the past several years, he's been a solo artist. Now with about four albums under his belt, he is as powerful a song writer as there is in the Christian community. The thing that I love about his songs is that they are honest and double edged. You won't hear his music on Air1 for some reason. Maybe because it

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12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.Psalm 90:12Last night I read a line in a book that goes something like this. "If we're not willing to wake up every morning and die to ourselves, perhaps we should ask ourselves whether or not we are really following Jesus." Those words hit me hard and have dwelled in my mind ever since. I couldn't read any further in the

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1136129562817632892006-01-01T09:18:00.000-06:002006-01-01T09:32:46.116-06:00

January 1st. 2006. A new year. A new opportunity. Will I seize it? Will you? I'm not much of a New Year's Eve kind of guy, so we didn't do too much last night. I'd like to say once more, in reference to the last entry, that I am glad I'm a Christian. God is faithful and just and merciful. He has been our provision in numerous ways, especially in the past few months. It's just that I'd rather be

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1136005517102631972005-12-30T22:29:00.000-06:002005-12-30T23:05:17.153-06:00

First a word of warning. What you read may disturb some of you because of the question I ask. There is no need to worry. I'm merely looking for clarity of truth, or truth without religion. Whatever you do, don't blame Donald Miller. His book is merely helping me to better visualize my questions.So...What is a Christian? Wikipedia says that Christians are disciples of Christ. Here are a few quotes

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1135953343383629172005-12-30T08:34:00.000-06:002005-12-30T08:36:14.926-06:00

A few years ago I was taking a graphic design class at WT. Like any other group of people do, we had formed smaller groups with shared interests. My particular group hung out because we really didn't fit with the crowd of class favorites. I may have said this before, but I never really got along with the graphic design professor at WT. Anyway, this particular day we had began to discuss God and

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1135913006790737722005-12-29T21:07:00.000-06:002005-12-29T21:23:26.803-06:00

It has been another interesting day in the life. I did find out that I do have some money coming my way for school from the WIA program, but not sure how much until I lay out some longer range plans than before. Also need for them to be more detailed. As weird as it feels, I'll probably go without a job until May, and then try to get part time work while finishing up classes for graduation.

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1135891996412113232005-12-29T15:32:00.000-06:002005-12-29T17:02:17.666-06:00

Just want you all to be able to see the new Superman Returns trailer.It seems rather familiar...http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbmovies/supermanreturns/teaser/teaser_hi.mov

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1135876236971887242005-12-29T11:10:00.000-06:002006-01-02T09:55:08.643-06:00

My eyes

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1135867010243937832005-12-29T08:36:00.000-06:002005-12-29T08:36:50.253-06:00

I had him in a headlock. By this time he was struggling quite hard. There was no way I could beat this guy. Sure, at first he was stiff and easy to toss around. But the more I wrestled him, the more alive and limber he became. And at this point we'd been wrestling a while. I was getting winded.So he broke free. All I knew to do was duck, so I did with my arms over my head. I darted from his reach

Mr. Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633802301309734688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291415.post-1135833298181131772005-12-28T22:56:00.000-06:002005-12-29T08:10:47.456-06:00

So here we are. We're about to start 2006 so why not try something new. Here is the blog spot for my ramblings. Maybe they'll make sense, maybe not, but they'll be here for posterity. As to the title, Paper Train... Back in high school I created this fictional band in my head. At the time I had not musical talent to speak of, so I wrote songs in my head and put them on albums together during

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