Reflections at the Summit: A Place of Missed Opportunity

 

Reflections at the Summit

Week Four

A Summit of Missed Opportunity

Focus Text: Deuteronomy 34

Bible Reading: 2nd Timothy 1-4, Titus 1-3

      One of my fondest memories of growing up was playing little league.  I loved playing, but I wasn't particularly good at it.  I played for the giants. There used to be two fields in my little home town; a front field where the really talented kids played and a back field where the uncoordinated kids played.  I don't think I need to tell you which one I played on.  But once a year the back field teams were invited to come to the front field to play a night game under the big lights!  I vividly remember it being the last inning, bases were loaded, we were down by one run to the Astros, there were two outs, and I was up to bat.  You can't make this stuff up.  The butterflies in my stomach were sick to their stomachs.  I felt like Mighty Casey coming up to bat.  I held on tightly to my bat, waited for the first pitch and swung....foul ball.  The pitcher wound up and threw a second pitch that was also fouled off.  My heart raced as the pitcher released the third ball and I swung with all my heart.  My heart was in the swing, but nothing else was...I struck out....we lost the game.....I didn't just miss the ball but an opportunity.

      Our mountain summit today takes us to a place of missed opportunity.  Mount Pisgah, also known as Mount Nebo is famous because of the events that take place in Deuteronomy 34.  Here we find Moses, God's faithful servant for the past forty years standing at the pinnacle of Pisgah, glancing into the Promised Land.  Moses gets to see the land but he is forbidden by entering.  This is the place where Moses would die.  But what did Moses do that was so terrible to prevent him from entering the land of milk and honey?  In Deuteronomy 32 we find God telling Moses that he broke faith with him.  How did Moses break faith?  He broke faith with God at Meribah.  The people of Israel were thirsty and God directed Moses to speak to a rock and then the rock would spill forth water.  This was the opposite of how God opened the rock at Rephidim.  There God told Moses to strike the rock.  Moses came before the people in Numbers 18 and directly disobeyed God by striking the rock, not speaking to it.  Moses' single act of disobedience and desire to take the glory from God prevented him from entering the promised land. Tragically each of us have suffered through missed opportunities.  We missed the chance to witness with someone, to bless someone, to encourage someone, to serve the Lord, or develop spiritually.  But unlike Moses many of us are granted this very day another opportunity, another chance to pursue the Lord.  The Mount of Missed Opportunities is not a place for us to dwell in permanence, but only for a short period of time.  We merely set up tents of repentance at this summit, not homes of stone.  You might have missed an opportunity, but let that serve as a lesson so we do not make it a habit.  Make the most of every opportunity gifted to you.

Reflections on the Road:

Always be intentional with the opportunities that God gives you.  This week ask God to give you clear evidence of 'divine' opportunities and that you would make the most of them.

Churches in Missions: May Update

 

Churches In Missions  P.O. Box 1559 Sanford, NC 27331

“Mobilizing the Church Through Short-term Missions”

Our faithful friends,

      Lately our minds have been focused on God’s overwhelming goodness.  A.W Tozer wrote “The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.”  Our family understood the theology of God’s goodness, but we have ‘experienced’ God’s goodness in a new way since surrendering to missions.  We wanted to invite you to celebrate God’s goodness with us.  We have had two new churches join our team and multiple new supporters.  Because of this influx of new friends we can finally share with you that we have reached our 75% support level!  That means that we are now full-time missionaries with Churches in Missions.  We can draw salary, coordinate trips, and see our ministry expanded for God’s glory.  We aren’t at 100% yet but we have hit a major milestone!

 

      Another huge moment of celebration was our first trip to Jackson Kentucky to deliver relief supplies and to examine the damage from the flooding.  Pastor Jeff from Hagerstown Bible Church traveled down with Matt to deliver the supplies to the Happy Church.  The flooding occurred in early March.  The water of the local river rose from 2 ½ feet to over 40 feet, making it the second worst flood in Eastern Kentucky.  The flood totaled over 2000 homes and damaged countless more.  Many of the people are displaced and in need of basic necessities and spiritual encouragement.  The flood exasperated an already difficult situation for the people in Jackson.  The nearly $5000 worth of supplies along with thousands of dollars in donations will go a long way to rebuilding the area, reopening major ministry buildings for outreach, and for future Bible Schools!  We are collecting items for another trip which is planned for June.  A huge THANK YOU to each church and person that donated!!

 

      Our family was blessed with the opportunity to share the Word with our friends at Genesis Fellowship in Marion PA.  This congregation was such an encouragement to us!  Matt is also finishing up his two evangelism classes.  These two classes gave him the chance to share with over sixty students a week on the ‘how’s’ of evangelism.  God has also opened up more ministry doors for the future.  Matt is scheduled to present the mission on a podcast out of Berkeley County West Virginia.  New churches have reached out in regards to us teaming up with them to fill their pulpits and assist while they are going through pastoral transition.

 

      Before closing we wanted to give a few personal family updates.  Titus has started playing T-ball in Martinsburg.  He enjoys spending time getting his baseball pants dirty.  Matt has become one of the coaches.  He enjoys spending time loving and coaching the boys.  This has provided an opportunity to build redemptive relationships with the parents.  A few weeks back we were able to take a vacation to Pidgeon Forge Tennessee and Mount Airy North Carolina.  This trip was such a blessing.  It provided us with rest, relaxation, and lots of memories filled with laughter.

      We can’t thank you enough for being a part of our team.  We are humbled and grateful for each of your gifts and prayers.  I am in constant awe of the people that God has sown into the tapestry of our life.  We are excited to see what God’s going to do in the future!

 

Gifts sent to:  P.O. Box 51519 Durham, NC 27717

Or give online via www.churchesinmissions.org      Designate for Matt & Tiffanie Robinson

Trip to Pigeon Forge

                                                               Supplies to Jackson Kentucky

Laying new dry wall

Replacing damaged wood from the flood

The Happy Church (Clayhole Kentucky)

Titus and daddy

Vacation

Reflections at the Summit: A Summit of Holiness

 Reflections at the Summit

Week Three

A Summit of Holiness

Focus Text: Exodus 20

Bible Reading: 2nd Thessalonians 3-1st Timothy 6

      Our third mountain summit takes us to the base of one of Scripture's most famous mountain's, Sinai.  The Israelites had been traveling through the wilderness for around three months and had already lived through some miraculous events.  But their movement ceased as they came to the base of Sinai , they became stationary.  They would remain stationary at the base of this mountain for months.  But why?  Why stop here?  What was God's ultimate purpose?  The purpose begins to be revealed in Exodus 19:18-25.  God invites the people of Israel to gather at the base of the mountain  and He would set His presence upon it. It is during this time that God calls His servant Moses up to receive the Ten Commandments.  I think it's worth noting that these are not suggestions, but commandments.  I think it's also world noting that these basic ten commandments have never changed.  God has never taken them back or said they were dated.  These ten commandments showcase God's holiness, His perfection.  The concept of Holiness means to be without stain or blemish and the Bible makes it clear that there is only one who is perfectly righteous, and that is God.  The Bible overwhelmingly provides us with evidence of God's perfection, that He is without error, mistake, or sin.  This is clearly seen in Isaiah chapter six when the angels give us triune "holy, holy, holy" to God.  I think it's unique that this is the only attribute of God that is mentioned in triunity.  We never read in the Scriptures that God is love, love, love, nor do we see the Word saying God is mercy, mercy, mercy.  We know He's those things but for whatever reason the holiness of God is what is emphasized.

      I'm not an old fashioned legalistic preacher, but I believe that holiness is still pertinent today.  One pastor once said I would rather preach on God's love then God's holiness.  That statement is an oxymoron.  You can't have God's love without His holiness, nor His holiness without His love.  To sacrifice one is the sacrifice the other.  Instead of gaining one attribute of God you end up without either!  I think the reason why God's holiness seems hard to preach is that it seems to make God unapproachable.  He's no longer this 'buddy deity' that will turn a blind eye to your sin.  God's holiness might be beyond our full understanding BUT it doesn't make God unapproachable.  The holiness of God keeps us in awe of Him who in resides in unending light.  The holiness of God helps us to understand His greatness.  God's holiness is not a barrier that keeps us from Him.  God in His holiness invited Moses to come to the mountain summit, God in His holiness invited Isaiah to say "here am I, send me", God in His holiness sent His Son to become the way of salvation for us.  No, God's holiness is not a wall to separate, but a door of invitation.

Reflections on the Road:
1st Peter 1:6 tells us that we are supposed to be holy because God is holy.  If we agree theologically that God is holy but do not allow His holiness to penetrate our life then we have not truly grasped God's holiness.  Pursue holiness, scratch that, pursue He who is perfectly holy.

Reflections at the Summit: A Summit of Tried Faith

 

 (Mount Moriah/The Temple Mount)

Reflections at the Summit

Week Two

A Summit of Tried Faith

Focus Text: Genesis 22

Bible Reading: 1st Thessalonians 1-2nd Thessalonians 2

      In 1799, Conrad Reed discovered a seventeen-pound rock while fishing in Little Meadow Creek. Not knowing what it was made of, his family used it as a doorstop for three years. In 1802, his father, John Reed, took it to a jeweler who identified it as a lump of gold worth about $3,600. That lump of gold, which was used as a doorstop for three years in North Carolina, is one of the biggest gold nuggets ever found east of the Rockies.  No one knew the value of the rock until it was tested.

      Our second Mountain Summit focuses on the same concept, tried faith.  Genesis 22 takes us to Mount Moriah and our main character, Abraham.  Much had happened in Abraham's life by the time he journeyed to Moriah.  Many years earlier God called Abraham and his family to leave Ur of the Chaldees.  The purpose for their departure was to become a covenant people.  God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a nation, which seemed impossible since both he and his wife were both elderly and unable to have children.  Abraham and Sarah waited for 25 years until their precious son Isaac was born.  Abraham was 100 years old.  Most people are planning nursing homes, not nurseries at that age.  Imagine the excitement that would have flowed through Abraham, the pride that would have coursed through his veins.  The promise had come!  But all of that was challenged when God told Abraham to take his only son Isaac and offer him as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah.  How would Abraham respond?  In faith.  Along the way Isaac questioned the purpose and asked where the sacrifice was, Abraham's response was the God would supply a lamb.  Abraham tied up Isaac, prepared an altar, and raised the blade but God stilled Abraham's hand.  The goal of this account in the Bible was never the death of Isaac, but to 'try' Abraham's faith.  The book of Hebrews makes it clear that Abraham was so confident in God's promise that He believed even if he did kill Isaac that God would raise him from the dead!  Talk about a deep faith!

      I'm doubting that God is trying your faith in the same fashion, but in truth our faith will be tried from time to time.  The goal of the fiery trial which comes upon us is not failure, but growth and spiritual development.  Our faith will never mature or become strong unless trials beset us from time to time.   The trial isn't meant to harm, but to help.  Not to destroy, but to develop.  The Bible tells us in 1st Peter 4:12 that we should never be surprised when a trial comes against us.  We can expect them.  If we can expect them then we need to be prepared for them.  We prepare for the trials that lay in front us by walking with the Lord.  Praying, reading our Bibles, staying connected with God's people, by serving the Lord.  If you are not already enduring a trial then know one is on the way.  In the midst of it ask God "what is the purpose of this trial" and "what are you trying to teach me?"  Trials of faith are created with purpose, with a goal in mind.  Allow the trial to refine you and define you.

Reflections on the Road:
Maybe you are currently going through a trialsome time; if so take time this week and talk with God.  Focus not so much on asking God to take the trial away but to show you clarity on why the trial is there.  If you are not currently embattled with a trial then get prepared by anchoring your life into Christ.

Reflections at the Summit: A Summit of Promise

 

Reflections at the Summit

Week One

A Summit of Promise

Focus Text: Genesis six-nine

Bible Reading: Philippians 2-Colossians 4

      A few years ago my family and I traveled to the Midwest for a family reunion.  This was my first time ever meeting my wife's 'midwest' family and it was also my first time traveling to the Midwest.  One of the most shocking things was the change of terrain.  I had lived my entire life surrounded by the gentle rolling mountains of the tri-state area, needless to say the Midwest is absent of mountains.  The landscape was eerily flat.  Cornfields went on and on and on without one tiny hill.  I could see a stop sign on the horizon that would literally take MINUTES to get to.  The change of scenery strangely made me feel uncomfortable.  The absence of mountains unnerved me.  The mountains bring about the fondest of memories of home and hearth.

      Some of the most powerful moments in the Bible have taken place at mountains.  We are going to start a new set of reflections looking at the important spiritual truths that are permanently tied to a mountain range.  Our first mountain range is Ararat.  This mountain is first mentioned in Genesis chapters 6-9.  The Bible makes it clear that spiritual darkness hung over humanity at the time.  Scripture shares that every thought and intent of man's heart was only evil continually.  The heart of man is always prone to sin because of our broken nature, but that particular time period seems to have been unique in it's bend to evil.  This mass wickedness broke the heart of God.  God, who is just, determined that He would wipe clean the face of the earth.  But one man found grace in the eyes of God, that man was named Noah.  Noah and his family were tasked with a seemingly impossible job, building an ark.  The ark would be a vessel for humanities salvation, if they choose to enter.  For 120 years Noah built and preached.  For 120 years man continued their downward spiral.  Finally God called Noah and his family to enter an ark filled with animals.  God shut the door and the clouds began to burst forth rain, the earth cracked springing forth more water.  It rained for 40 days and 40 nights.  The water covered the highest peak and wiped out all life.  As the water receded the ark rested on a mountain named Ararat.  Noah and his families journey on the ark lasted over a year!  

      Shortly after exiting the ark God made a promise with Noah.  We call this promise the Noahic covenant.  It is found in Genesis 9:12-17.  At the base of Ararat God promises Noah (and us) that He will never destroy the earth with a flood of water.  He guarantees His promise with the rainbow that is set in the sky.  God has kept that promise through the ages and will continue to keep that promise.  This promise to Noah is not the only one that God makes with mankind.  The Bible contains countless thousands of promises from the Lord, each of them geared toward us.  God's promises are abundant in number but they are also unbreakable in their nature.  They are sealed and bound by God's own Word.  God cannot break His Word and thus cannot break His promise.  His promises are unfailing and unending.  We have a God who is not just a promise maker but a great promise keeper.  When God says something we can believe it and claim it.  We have no reason to doubt Him, for He has never once failed.

Reflections on the Road:

Anxiety and stress lay at each corner of life.  It seems like it greets us as soon as we open our eyes.  This week allow God's promises to calm the anxiety of your heart.  Turn that anxiety to assurance, that worry to worship, that doubt to determination.  Rest in His unfailing promises to you.

Churches in Missions: April Update

 

Churches In Missions  P.O. Box 1559 Sanford, NC 27331

“Mobilizing the Church Through Short-term Missions”

Our faithful friends,

      Happy belated Easter friends!  I pray that your hearts were filled with celebration as you worshipped a Risen Savior.  This Easter was very memorable.  Matt had six different speaking occasions during the week of Easter.  One service was at Grace Bible Church in Greencastle PA.  Matt shared on how Christ was delivered into the hands of a sovereign God, to deliver us as sinners, so in turn we would share the message of deliverance with others. During Easter we usually ask the question ‘are we saved’, but for the believers we need to ask, ‘what have we done for Jesus’.  In dark days we need to take advantage of every opportunity to redeem the time.

     The last few months of mission’s work have been so incredible.  Matt has continued teaching two evangelism classes each week and meeting with many pastors.  Many of these pastors are struggling through various different issues, namely discouragement.  These godly men want to see their sheep return back to the church and need someone to help shoulder the burden of ministry.  Matt has had the joy of loving these men as they traverse some very difficult days. He also remains in transitional leadership at Hagerstown Bible Church as they continue to seek for a new senior pastor.  We ask that you would keep praying that God would send a pastor not only to this church, but for countless other churches who are patiently waiting for the right man to arrive.

      One of the highlights of our month was traveling to Paw Paw Bible Church to present the mission.  Matt helped lead a team there in 2017.  This small church has a big heart for missions.  They are deeply burdened to see others come to know Christ.  After church our family shared a meal with the pastor’s family.  It was a multiple hour lunch filled with prayer, laughter, and encouragement.  Earlier in March we ministered at Hilltop Christian Fellowship in Clear Spring.  This church is also looking for a pastor.  Fellow missionaries with CiM will be serving as transitional leaders.  Our CiM staff will help fill their calendar with quality speaking and leadership along with leading a trip to Kentucky in August.

       Our biggest praise has been your outpouring of support for the work in Kentucky.  We have received A LOT of supplies and financial donations.  We are planning on traveling down April 22nd to drop off the first load.  THANK YOU SO MUCH for being the hands and feet of Jesus. Pray for safety as we travel and that we would develop good Gospel connections in Kentucky. 

       We also wanted to share with you some really EXCITING news.  We are SO close to our support level in order to start leading teams and drawing salary!!!  In the last few weeks we have had two churches join us.  God has literally added nearly 20% since the start of the year!  We would love to have you join our team as we climb over the last few hurdles.  Keep those prayers coming as our ministry calendar remains full for the next few months.  We will be sharing with Genesis Fellowship, Hilltop Christian Fellowship, and prepping for an extremely busy summer.  

 

Gifts sent to:  P.O. Box 51519 Durham, NC 27717

Or give online via www.churchesinmissions.org      

Designate for Matt & Tiffanie Robinson

Hilltop Christian Fellowship

Paw Paw Bible Church

Some food donated for Kentucky

Maggie and Noah with their speech meet ribbons

Reflections on the Beach: The Lifeguard

 

Reflections on the Beach

Week Ten

The Lifeguard

Focus Text: Matthew 14:22-33

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2-Philippians 1

      There are certain mainstays that are at every beach.  Most beaches have the boardwalk, quaint shops, more pizza places than you can count, sand and surf, boats roaring in the water, seashells littering the shoreline, etc.  There is one constant at the beach that we take for granted until we hear them blow a loud shrill from their whistle.  The mainstay is the lifeguard.  We have seen lifeguards before sitting in their tall white chairs, overseeing the scene before them.  Typically they are clad in some kind of red swimwear.  The lifeguards at the beach are considered the best trained.  They see and experience situations that other lifeguards will never endure.  Usually, the lifeguard doesn't have to do much more than just watch.  But I'm sure that there has been a time when we were visiting the beach when the lifeguard sprang to action, diving into the ocean making all efforts to rescue someone.

      Traditionally my family and I visit the beach in the off-season because it's cheaper.  One of the downsides of visiting the beach during that time is that there typically isn't a lifeguard on duty.  They will have a sign that says 'swim at your own risk.'  There is a certain danger to diving into the water when the lifeguard's eyes are not there.  As a Christian, we have a lifeguard, a rescuer.  A lifeguard who never knows an off-season, a savior who never takes His eyes off our lives.  His name is Jesus Christ.  Jesus entered into this sin-cursed world and threw Himself headfirst into the currents of an evil world.  He fought against the strong currents of sin and temptation and came forth victorious.  His victory did not come at a discount price, it cost Him His very own life.  Imagine for a moment if a lifeguard enters the water to save someone from danger and dies in the act of rescue.  He would be lauded, praised, and memorialized.  Jesus did so much more for us.  He entered the current of sin, laid down His life as a sacrifice, and rose victoriously from the grave granting us salvation and hope.  Our lifeguard is not overcome by the waves of sin....remember our lifeguard walks on water.  He isn't just a lifeguard, He is a life Saver.  

Reflections on the Road:

This week take time to recount again your salvation story.  Remember when you were tossed about with the waves of sin and despair.  Remember your hopeless estate.  But also rejoice knowing that in the face of your doom a lifeguard named Jesus plunged in to rescue you.  May your reflection this week be filled with abundant praise and celebration.

Reflections on the Beach: The Selfish Seagull

 

Reflections on the Beach

Week Nine

The Selfish Seagull

Focus Text: Philippians 2

Bible Reading: Galatians 1-Ephesians 1

      One of my favorite Disney/Pixar movies is Finding Nemo.  Finding Nemo premiered in 2003 and remains the best-selling DVD in history.  The movie follows the undersea exploits of a clownfish named Marlin who is frantically trying to recover his son named Nemo who was taken by a human diver.  Along the way, Marlin meets a well-intended, though absent-minded fish named Dory.  Together they team up to take on the whole ocean.  Sharks, mines, scary fish with flashlights on their heads, jellyfish, the East Australian Current, nor whales can stop them from completing their epic journey.  One of their greatest enemies in the movie were seagulls squawking "MINE, MINE, MINE" while trying to eat them.  Seagulls are notoriously selfish.  All you have to do is throw a french fry onto the beach and they will practically fight to the death over it.  Each beachgoer has encountered the displeasure of sneaky seagulls encroaching on their beach blankets.

     Seagulls are rats with wings.  Their number one priority is themselves.  Tragically we as Christians battle with selfishness from time to time.  We like the attention and the priority to be upon ourselves.  I can honestly say that as an only child I struggle with being selfish from time to time, putting other people as more important than me.  It is our nature from birth to demand our own way.  Picture a baby.  A baby's primary concern is them.  We are 'inbred' to be selfish due to our sinful nature.   We find Paul tackling this exact issue in Philippians 2:2-3.  Paul challenges the believer to put on the mind of Christ and the mind of Christ was that of selflessness.  We can be reminded of Jesus' own words when  He said "I came not to be served but to serve and to give my life ransom for many."  Paul exhorts us to do NOTHING from selfishness.  He doesn't leave a lot of room for interpretation.  We can't afford to be self-centered.  As Christ-followers we cannot desire to have the spotlight on us.  The seagulls in Finding Nemo said "MINE, MINE, MINE."  Tragically we emulate that in our lives from time to time. Instead, we should be saying "others, others, others" or better yet "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."  When we focus our eyes off ourselves and onto Christ we will quickly notice the needs of broken people.  With the eyes of Christ, we will be burdened for less of us, more of Him.  

Reflection on the Road:

How selfless are you?  Do you listen to other people?  Do you try to help them?  Do you value other people?  Can you work with others or do you always need things to go your way?  This week's challenge is to extend your hand with selfless acts of love and grace.  Look for other people to prioritize in your life, but make Christ the main priority.  

Hope in the Hills

 

Hope in the Hills

an outreach to Jackson Kentucky

 

Dearest friends,

      We are coming to you with a very urgent need.  Churches in Missions has been faithfully serving in Jackson Kentucky for many years.  This is an area that suffers with severe poverty, drug use, broken homes, child abuse, and sex trafficking.  Recently this area was devastated by severe flooding.  This area was already suffering through a multitude of different issues which were complicated by Covid.  This blow hits these people very hard, leaving many of them homeless and without hope.  The church that traditionally is the sole means of outreach in the community suffered incredible damage due to the flooding.  They are asking the mission to be the hands and the feet of Christ in this very broken community.  I wanted to share a few ways that you or your church could help be ‘Jesus’ to these people.

      A primary need right now is non-perishable food items that have a long shelf life and do not need refrigeration(soups, "one-can meals" such as stews, ravioli, and such), pasta's, boxed dinners, canned meats, cereals, sugar, coffee, rice, any kind of boxed food that has a long shelf life. Bottled water. Go ahead and get your food donations together and let us know when you're ready and we will come by and pick those items up.  Please keep in mind this food needs to be transported so please put it in a heavy duty cardboard box or purchase a plastic crate from Walmart.

      Another huge need is BABY ITEMS such as baby clothes, diapers, wipes, formula that doesn't need to be refrigerated, bottles, blankets, diaper rash cream, baby food, etc.  This is an area with a high single parent population and these items would go toward a family in tremendous need.

      We will also be needing disinfectant cleaners, tarps and ropes to tie down over garbage trailers, large heavy duty trash bags, brooms, or basically any cleaning supplies.

      Sleeping bags and tents (many are homeless, some are in gyms and other locations but tents and sleeping bags are a bonus). New or gently used.

      Naturally monetary donations will go a long way. Your gifts are 501c3 tax-deductible. An online option has been created at our Churches in Mission's website.  You click on the choose a fund and go down to Kentucky Relief.  100% of your gifts will be used for Kentucky Relief, under the discretion of The Happy Church Ministries. The needs are many. Construction materials, clean-up expenses, appliances, vehicle needs, etc. Any amount helps. Your donation will be receipted for your charitable tax purposes. (Lowes giftcards will also help)

      If you have a trade skill such as plumbing, carpentry, drywall, masonry, electrical, or flood damage restoration, your skills are needed if you happen to find the opportunity to spend a few days in Jackson Kentucky we can put you in contact with our leads there who can use your services immediately

      Finally clothing is not the most urgent need RIGHT NOW but will be in the near future.  Feel free to start collecting clothing items while we start to search for a place to store our donation items.  As you begin to organize clothing donations for a future "run", please WASH, FOLD, BOX, and LABEL the clothing. Bags of clothing do not travel well and cause incredible wrinkling and such. Boxes travel better and having them labeled helps during distribution. We will let you know WHEN we are ready for new or gently used clothing.

      Thank you for partnering with us.  If you have any questions feel free to contact email us at faithiskey@hotmail.com.  We are excited to start collecting these items to deliver to Kentucky.  Help us be the hope in the hills.

 

Blessings,

The Robinson’s 

Reflections on the Beach: Sin Burn

 

Reflections on the Beach

Week Eight

Sin Burn

Focus Passage: Psalm 51

Bible Reading: 2nd Corinthians 7-13

      There are so many wonderful things that can happen on a vacation at the beach.  You share great memories like burying dad in the sand, building sandcastles, going for a stroll on the boardwalk, eating yummy food (Thrasher's  French Fries namely), playing games at the arcade, and stopping by your favorite local shops.  Almost nothing can ruin a vacation to the beach....that is until you suffer through the effects of sunburn.  Each of you reading this have been there, done that, and probably didn't learn your lesson.  The pain of a sunburn is constant.  It hurts to wear a shirt, to lay a blanket over your body, every move you make is literally agony.  The worst thing is that you typically get burned on your back which is the one place you need help from someone to apply aloe to soothe you.  I am one of those people that doesn't tan, I burn.  I go straight from pale white to bright red.  I hate sunburn.  I bring the strongest SPF spray they make, I wear a hat, and of late I wear a t-shirt to avoid sunburn.

      Too much exposure to the sun does damage.  Likewise, too much exposure to sin in the life of the Christian does spiritual damage to our life.  We know that the ultimate damage done by sin is death (Romans 6:23) but we also know that we have been given eternal life as a free gift through Jesus Christ our Lord.  As Christians we no longer fear the ultimate damage, suffering in hell, but that does not mean that we receive a sin freely card at salvation.  We are saved by grace through faith but that does not excuse us from not displaying the fruits of a changed and new life.  While we will not be perfect on this side of heaven we also should strive to be Christlike.  Each Christian will battle sin, we will lose, and we will fail miserably.  Our text for today showcases how David dealt with sin exposure.  He was broken, hurt, shattered, and without excuse.  David's lone hope was by repenting and confessing his sin.  Though we are saved we will still deal with the effects of sin in our life.  The longer we dabble in sin the more normal that lifestyle becomes to us.  We start to quench and grieve the Holy Spirit.  But please know that God does not allow us to sin cheaply or without ramifications.  The longer you remain in sin the worse the damage will be.  Maybe one of you reading this have been feeding out of the pigpen of sin for too long.  The Master calls you to His table to dine.  Repent, turn from your sin, and run to Jesus.  

Reflections on the Road:

      We live in a world of cause and effect.  We do something and there will be an effect.  It would only make sense that this scientific law would trickle down to our spiritual life too.  What effects are you currently experiencing from unrepentant sin?  The lone means to be 'healed' from too much sin exposure is to agree with David's broken heart "Against you, You only, I have sinned...create in me a clean heart O' God."  Admit your guilt and failure to the Lord.  He is gracious and merciful.

Churches in Missions: March Update

                                                     

Churches In Missions  P.O. Box 1559 Sanford, NC 27331

“Mobilizing the Church Through Short-term Missions”

Our faithful friends,

      The months of January and February are highlights in our home.  Our three children celebrate their birthdays within fifty days of one another.  This year Titus turned five, Noah turned nine, and Maggie just turned seven.  As parents we are constantly amazed at how quickly time has passed.  They are growing so quickly.  The sand in the hour glass is constantly running out in our lives and the seconds that pass are never able to return.  Watching our children’s rapid growth reminds me of how little time we have on earth to serve Jesus and make a Gospel impact.  Of late we have felt the urgency of making Jesus known with what little time we have and pray that you would feel the same pressing need.

      The past month has been incredibly fruitful.  Matt continues to be part time at Hagerstown Bible Church aiding them as their
transitional pastor.  He has the thrill of working with their leadership as they navigate God’s direction for HBC.  While at HBC, Matt and a missionary from Guinea West Africa have started an evangelism class for the teenagers.  Each Wednesday they get to challenge over forty teenagers on the why’s and how’s of practical evangelism.  Matt has also joined a Bible institute in Greencastle, PA to teach personal evangelism. The institute focuses on training men to be pastors and laymen to serve.  He has sixteen students each Tuesday.  This group is hungry to share Jesus and build Christ honoring relationships that lead to redemption.

      Our family had the privilege of presenting the mission and speaking two Sundays at Berean Bible Fellowship in State Line, PA.  We have also shared at multiple different chapels for elementary students.  Matt has continued to meet with multiple pastors.  God has faithfully been filling out our future ministry calendar.  We will be speaking at Hilltop Christian Fellowship, Paw Paw Bible Church, Genesis Fellowship, Grace Bible Church for a Good Friday service, and multiple other chapels.  Matt is also scheduled to go to a training seminar on teacher training/evangelism in May.  God has blessed us with two VBS’s this summer, three camps, and so far one mission’s trip to Kentucky.

      We did want to invite you to team up with us for a special mission.  One of the churches that we minister to in Jackson Kentucky has recently suffered through severe flooding.  Jackson is in the third poorest county in the United States.  This area is devastated by drug use, broken homes, and abject poverty.  Hundreds of families that were already suffering have been dealt another piece of discouragement.  This was an area already struggling to meet their most basic of needs.  The mission is burdened to be the hands and the feet of Jesus in this community.  We want to help with physical needs like clothing and food, construction teams to help people put their lives back together, to sit with people and cry, to play with kids that have lost their homes, to come alongside them and let them know that they are not alone, but most of all to let them know that even in the midst of this that Jesus loves them.  We will keep you updated as we finalize these ministry details but, in the meantime, please be praying.

      Thank you again for your incredible faithfulness to our family.  We are blessed by you.  We still offer you an invitation to join our work.  We would love to have you be a part of our team!

Gifts sent to:  P.O. Box 51519 Durham, NC 27717

Or give online via www.churchesinmissions.org      

Designate for Matt & Tiffanie Robinson

Reflections on the Beach: Forgiveness at the Surf

 

Reflections on the Beach

Week Seven

"Forgiveness at the Surf"

Focus Passage: Colossians 2

Bible Reading: 1st Corinthians 16-2nd Corinthians 6

      One of the first lessons I learned as a father is that there are certain tasks that dads typically do on a trip.  Most dads do the driving, and much to our wife's dismay we also do most of the navigating. We can't choose what the radio station will be despite the fact we are driving, (Baby shark on repeat for a multiple hour drive is not part of a relaxing vacation), we do most of the arranging of luggage items, and then when we arrive at the hotel we do most of the unpacking of the car.  It's almost as if certain things are ingrained into our Y chromosomes.  I also have come to the conclusion that it's our manly duty as a father to tote more stuff than humanly possible through hot, soft sand.  Take a moment and watch guys with a family try to make it a single trip, it will entertain you.  And yet another observation of being a beach dad is that it is your job to chase down any toys that were taken away in the surf.  You hear your child scream that the waves have taken away their precious fifty-cent sand bucket and we respond by throwing caution to the wind by diving headfirst into danger to rescue the irreplaceable bucket that can be found at any storefront along the boardwalk.

      The surf/tide is powerful.  It brings in seashells but it also takes away things.  It washes the shoreline clean.  During one trip my children and I were sitting near the water.  They were learning their letters and we were quickly trying to write them out before the wave came in and erased them.  I used this occasion to write the word sin.  The kids saw it and waited for the wave to wash it away.  Sure enough, the power of the wave overmatched the sand writing, and it vanished as if it was never there.  God does this in a much more powerful way in our life.  The problem is that the sin of our life is not written on sand, it's written on our hearts and soul.  Sin, the things we think, say, and do that doesn't please God, cannot be easily removed by a wave.  Because of the depth of our sin, because of how seemingly permanent the stain is we need something more powerful.  What is more powerful than our sin?  What is of such a force to wash away sin?  Jesus.  God in His infinite love sent Jesus Christ, His precious and perfect Son, to come to this world to die for us.  Jesus loves you, He shed His blood for you on an old rugged cross.  Colossians 2:14 says "By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."  Our sins are forgiven only by the death of Jesus.  Not by my own works, effort, morals, or religion.  It is by grace, through faith only.  It is only by Jesus.  You can't wash away sin etched on our stony hearts, but the Lover of our Soul Jesus can with His shed blood.

Reflections on the Road:

Robert Lowry, the famous pastor and hymnist asked a question in one of his songs, "What can wash away my sin?"  His reply was nothing but the blood of Jesus.  Nothing, not one thing other than the blood of Christ can cleanse us from all sin (1st John 1:7).  Have you come to Jesus to be saved from sin?  If not, why not today?