For inspiration, encouragement, and a challenging message call Robin for your event's speaking needs. She travels from the Houston area and is available for conferences, seminars, and retreats. To check her availability and confirm appointments contact her at Robin@RobinBryce.com or 936.295.4941.
Included in this book compiled by Laurel Brunvoll is a funny story about my brother and I at our Grandma’s house. Through inspiring, fun-loving stories, this book captures the charm and winning qualities that only grandma's possess. Endearing quotes and fun "grandma-isms" complete this package as a true celebration of grandmothers and those who adore them.
Pierced (vs. 37) “Really, I didn’t mean to do that.” Doing or saying something that comes across differently than we meant it pierces us. It could have been an accident or maybe, like me, you didn’t think things through before doing it and the results were not what you expected. Ouch. I really didn’t mean it. We are pierced, cut to the core.
When those gathered in Jerusalem heard the wonders of God explained and their wrongs pointed out to them from Peter’s previous sermon. They were pierced to the heart—a cutting pain to the center of their being. They had screwed up. They begged, “What must we do?” They wanted to correct it, to somehow make it right.
Penance (vs. 38) How do you desire people to respond when they hurt you? A wordy apology isn’t enough without a sincere seeking to change a behavior.An “I’m sorry I got caught” doesn’t cut it. But a true turning around, repentant sorrow is desirable. Peter calls for this kind of repentance, a change of behavior, a seeking forgiveness of sins.
Purify (vs. 38) Miriam Webster defines baptize as “to purify or cleanse spiritually esp. by a purging experience or ordeal.” Relationally, we are to seek spiritual cleansing in Jesus’ name, becoming a Christ Follower, a believer. The water baptism is only a picture of what has taken place on the inside relationally with Jesus.
Promise (vs. 38-39) God gives us a promise when we respond to our piercing with penance and purification—believing him for salvation. The promise is the Holy Spirit (Ep. 1:13) We are marked by God with the Holy Spirit, and it is a down payment of the future eternal life in the presence of God. The promise is for any who will believe.
Picked (vs. 39) This promise is for “as many as the Lord our God will call.”
If one has a personal relationship with Jesus, it is because God chose them. He first showed his love toward them, drew them unto himself using any number of means—his word lived out, spoken out by his people. Believers are picked.
Picking (vs. 40) This promise is for those that chose to believe. If one has a relationship with Jesus it is because they chose to believe. Like a coin with two sides, on one side we are picked and on the other we pick. Peter understood this duality. In the same breath that he said “God will call” he begged “strongly urged them, saying, ‘Be saved from this corrupt generation!’”
A two-fold question applies. Have we been pierced, picked the promise through penance and purification? If so, are we sharing God’s wonders with the same fervency as Peter, being used by God to pierce and bring promise to others? It’s as simple as telling about the last God moment you had.
For real. Please come sailing with me. It will be so much fun to have my friends along. I’m excited about going and my joy will be greater if you’ll come along.
Hightower Cruises has joined with Carnival Cruises to bring us a trip with Christian entertainers, comedians, speakers, and authors. AND they called me to join them. Oh yeah, I was delighted to join their team and excited to vacation with those fun loving kinds of people. Picture you and I sitting right here in breezy-comfy beach clothes with our shades and a tall glass of fresh squeezed lemonade. Life is good. Let’s add some chocolate, okay?
I could stare at the water forever, unless of course you said something then we could talk forever while enjoying the view. We won’t sail until March 30th so you have plenty of time to plan. For more details check out Hightower Cruises. Tell them I sent you and they’ll leave the light on for you!
Proof’s in the prophecy (vs. 29-31). Peter is a common ordinary guy who like to fish, but he knew some scripture. He quotes the verses from the mouth of King David of old. The words were prophetic concerning the events that recently took place during the time Peter stood to talk. Proof that Jesus is the Christ is found in God’s word. The challenge is for us common ordinary people to study God’s word in order to show ourselves approved, able to receive and give its proof when called upon to stand.
Proof’s in the personal experience (vs. 32). “Look, we are all witnesses of this.” Peter says he saw firsthand Jesus resurrected. He personally experienced God working in and around him. Christ followers today can experience God working in and around them. Think of a time when God did something in your life. I call those times God moments, a place in history to mark or raise an Ebenezer (a stone of remembrance). You are a witness, a proof of Jesus’ Messiahship. You experienced that God moment firsthand, personally. The object is for Christ followers to keep experiencing God and telling others about it. Not as a canned, memorized presentation, but with personal experience.
Proof’s in the wonders (vs. 33). “What you both see and hear” are the wonders of God working. These people aren’t drunk. This is the promise of God, the Holy Spirit working in the lives of God’s people. It’s odd. It’s unexplainable. It’s God. God uses out of ordinary wonders as proof Jesus is the Christ. God desires to do odd things in our lives to cause others to question or even be amazed. “How could you handle that?” Christ followers tell their experiences with God, giving God credit for the wonders that take place in restored marriage or destroyed marriage. Whatever circumstances we find ourselves in we can find a God moment and share it with others. Our challenge is to allow God to show wonders in our life to bring him glory.
Proof’s in the ascension (vs. 34-36). Peter points out the as great as King David was, he’s still in the tomb. My paraphrase of David is “My God said to My Jesus, ‘sit here at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.’” God did that. He raised Jesus out of the tomb, out of death, and far above all. Peter gets nasty pointing his finger, “You killed him, but God made him Messiah and Lord!” The believers’ challenge is to live like Jesus is alive and at God’s right hand in power, ready and able to make a difference in our daily lives—proof in a meaningful and purposeful life.
So, you want proof? Find a Christ follower who can show it to you. Become a believer who is proof. Proof is available. Jesus is the Christ.
Oh my gosh. If you don’t have a teenager in your life, you need to go get one. Let me tell you what fun you are missing out on. They are full of creativity, originality and list for life. I love ‘em, especially mine.
My two oldest moved out this summer. They are working at a Trinity Pines Christian Camp as staffers. Christa had a few days off, so I brought her home. She kept asking, “What are we going to do Monday?”
I’m thinking . . . work on speeches, writing, and marketing, but Nooo . . .
“What are we going to do? I want to go to the mall and look around, watch people. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
I ignored the questions or gave them a cursory, “Uhmhm.”
Monday morning.
“I know. Let’s go to the mall and in every store pick an item and create an outfit to match it from head to toe, accessories and all. We hide our items from each other ‘til we get to the dressing room. We put it all on, then take pictures. No, wait. For each store, we will have a certain identity to dress-up as. Beach dweller, Italian, Inspector, Parisian, nerd, little girl, etc. And we’ll get the store associates to take our picture. Come on won’t that be fun?”
Her enthusiasm oozed out and began infecting Charissa and I. We succumbed and loaded up in the truck for our great weird “scavenger hunt.” Charissa and I lost heart often during the course of the game, but Christa kept plugging and prodding us on. She was having the time of her life running around the department stores picking up jewelry and $200 handbags from downstairs, going upstairs for tops and bottoms, asking the shoe guy for a special pair in her size, texting us to find the same dressing room for the grand finale of each outfit.
You want me to do what?!?!?
Carrying around all that pricey stuff made me nervous, but Christa said, “What’s the worst they will do? Kick us out for making outfits?” We forged ahead trying not to look suspicious.
Did I mention there was no retrying different sizes? It was hit or miss the first time. Zipped or not the pics were made and the fun was had. And yes, for all the sales assistants reading this, we put all the items back where we got them.
We spent six hours doing this, laughing our heads off. While relaxing our sore feet in Starbucks with drinks and The Great American Cookie Co. treats, we decided the fitting end to the perfect day would be pasta in our pj’s and a good movie. We ordered pasta to go from The Cheesecake Factory, then drove home to watch August Rush.
What fun! I was a reluctant adventurer at first, but the experience and memories were great. I sure didn’t like taking her back to camp to live. Charissa and I suffer the loss of a little something when she’s not around.
Robin’s Ramblings on various thoughts and experiences.
My honey and I went to Indy for the SBC annual convention. The event was encouraging. We visited with friends and met new ones. I thought to take only one picture while in Indy. (My mind has lots of pictures of good friends met while in Indy, but the
camera only has one.)
Chuck and I loved meeting up with our friends James and Sheri Cowley, pastor from Galax, Virginia.
Our friend and previous pastor, Frank Page introduced Chuck and I to Avery Willis. As I shook his hand, I remembered how much of my growth as a Christ follower came from his discipleship studies and writing. What a history I felt. What a privilege and sense of indebted gratitude. Thank you for your obedience and commitment Dr. Willis.
We previewed the new movie Fireproof coming to theaters September 26th.
Staring Kirk Cameron, the movie is about a fireman in the fire fighting for his marriage. It portrays real love during tough times showing that love is a choice, and not only a warm-fuzzy, emotional feeling.
On the note of love, I am so in love with my man!
He is the greatest husband and Father. This Father’s Day is special with all our kids and the great, bold love of such a gallant man. I’m so blessed with Chuck. I love you, honey. I will follow you wherever you go, admiring you all the way. Not worrying about perfection in you, but building you up to accomplish all God desires for you to attack. I love you.
I’ll conclude my ramblings with that thought.
Robin
When we are the weakest, we can receive our greatest strength. For the past few days, I have delighted in another touch from God, and quivered in fear of the “what if’s” of life. I called out to a friend for prayer, and this morning received a wonderful word from God through her, my mentor, Vonda Skelton. God had given her scripture and prayer to share with me. Isn’t God the best?
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands![1] (Is. 55:8-12, NLT)
Dust trembles, shuffles, then travels on the wind. I am dust, an earthen vessel, broken and shattered to dust. A frail nothing in light of God’s presence.
God’s mighty ways, his plans, his thoughts are powerful, perfect, and superior. His Word, Jesus, is not empty, impotent, or incapable. He brings life to dust.
He makes me—leads me on in joy, forward in peace, and my eyes see his glory break forth in praise. What was once useless and trampled upon becomes a imperfect container for unspeakable treasure. Because of my Jesus, I am . . . Yes, that’s it! Because He is, I am _____. (Fill in the blank) We are everything God calls us. I am dirt on my own. But in him, I am all I need to be: I am sufficient in him. I am powerful in purpose. I am joyful in his presence. I will sing his praise as only dirt and rocks can!
Thank you, God, for hearts of flesh to share this life and your presence with. Thank you, Vonda, for sharing.
Blessings,
Robin
[1]Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible : New Living Translation., "Text Edition"–Spine., 2nd ed. (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004), Is 55:8-12.
Friends, I am conferencing out the wazoo. I attended the East Texas Christian Writer’s Conference at ETBU, my alma mater, last Friday and Saturday. Late Saturday evening, I received an invitation to speak on a Christian Cruise ship (more on that when I decide and return the phone call). Sunday morning I flew to Chicago waited on the tarmac for two and half hours to get to Indianapolis for the SBC Pastor’s Conference, Church Planter Dinner, and SBC Annual Convention. I was privileged to meet up with my pastor from our seminary days, Dr. Frank Page, soon to be the past President of the SBC. He has led with integrity an humility, and I am thankful for his service and friendship. He introduced Chuck and I to Avery Willis. That was cool. But better than that, we watched a video of Kerry Shook and the church of Fellowship of the Woodlands (Houston) baptize over 800 this past Sunday (Yes, I said in one Sunday). Revival is in our land if we let it in our hearts to seek and obey God. I bawled watching the video.
I digress. In my absence God has blessed us with a guest blogger with lots of deep contemplations. Join Rebecca as she thinks out loud on the timing of the events in Acts chapter 2. You will be blessed as you ponder these thoughts and consider these questions. Here’s Rebecca. . .
Robin,
Our study of Acts chapter 2 begins, “when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.” I began ponder that statement. It seemed to have more meaning than I understood. So I began investigating.
What is Pentecost, to the Jews? One of seven feasts in their religious calendar. What did it celebrate? The giving of the law. Moses gave the law written on stone tablets on Mt. Sinai. When is it celebrated? 50 days after the Passover Feast. How was this celebrated? There were offerings given, and individuals traditionally stayed up all night studying the Torah—the Law. The early morning hours then were spent praying followed by the reading of the book of Ruth. Why the book of Ruth? I found no well explained reason. But after taking an in-depth look at Ruth, one can make some connections. Ruth is sustained first by the law that says owners are to leave the corners and droppings of the harvest for those in need. Ruth had no husband to provide for her. Second, she was redeemed, provided for by her Kinsmen Redeemer, Boaz. He was the closest male willing and able to take Ruth as his wife and provide for both Ruth and Naomi. Oh, and did I mention Ruth was not a Jew bound by the law or customs of the Jews.
As I was studying, at this point several other things began to come to my mind. One, Christ said he came not to do away with the law, but to fulfill it (Matt. 5:17). Then he goes on to explain that we are to keep not only the letter of the law, but the spirit of it as well. The other, Christ was crucified on the Passover, the first of the seven feast. In the Passover from Exodus, they sacrificed a lamb and placed it’s blood on the door post so that the death angel would pass over the house. Jesus has become Christ followers’ Passover lamb—the lamb who was slain, who became our sin.
The fact that the Holy Spirit was sent in fullness at the Pentecost feast is no mere happen stance. But what does it mean? If Passover in the Old Testament was a foretelling of Christ’s work for us, what part does the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost play? What else do these two events—the giving of the law and the coming of the Holy Spirit—have in common?
There were 50 days from the crossing of the Red Sea until the law was given, and 50 days from Christ’s resurrection until the coming of the Holy Spirit.
There were 3000 killed by God as part of the punishment on the people worshiping the handmade golden calf after Moses came down from the mountain with the law. And 3000 were added to the number of believers as a result of Peter’s sermon. In the past, God wrote the law on stone, but now the Holy Spirit writes it on Christ follower’s hearts.
Jews had the letter of the law that was to free them from worshiping idols and from immorality. The Passover freed them from physical slavery. The Holy Spirit is at work in us to set us free from all sorts of bondage.
1. Well that is just a surface scratch of questions and information compared to what is available, but here are two closing thoughts. he Jewish feasts were also agriculture in nature as well as religious bringing another level of meaning. Christ was resurrected at the First Fruit festival. If I understand what I read correctly, the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost also had to do with the harvest of grain. Two loaves made with yeast were waved at the altar, and these loaves were big made with about 16 cups of flour. Some say the two loaves with yeast (with sin) represent Jews and Gentiles.
2. Many European countries celebrate Pentecost as a national holiday. The date is different in different countries and under different names. Since Easter/Passover does not fall on the same date year to year neither does 50 days from the day. In some English speaking places, the name is something like Whitten, maybe from the white robes of the people who were baptized. It was common to have one baptismal service a year, in some cases after a year-long trial run—a test to see if you are for real or a fake. In France, it has been celebrated on June 6th. That date stands out in modern history as the beginning of the Normandy invasion, D-day.
So how does any of this help us? Know that God is at work. He is at work on His schedule. What He has started He will complete, whether it fills all pages of history or the depths of our hearts. He who began a good work will surely finish it.
Take care, let the Peace of Christ reign in your hearts.
Rebecca.
Wow, Thank you Rebecca. I want to copy here a note she wrote me. “God gave us the Old Testament for more than a history lesson. It was a shadow of what was coming, just as the present is a sketch of what is to come. Will heaven be in full color, full power, and HD life?” I sure do think so. For then, we will see things clearly. Thank you Rebecca for helping us see that old, new, and future are all tied together, and that God never changes.
God Pointed, God Knew, & God Killed (Acts 2:22-28)
God pointed out Jesus as the Savior with God-moments—miracles, signs and wonders (vs. 22).
Pick a Gospel and list all the amazing things Jesus did, the fulfillment of prophecy, and words of authority Jesus spoke. Go ahead and glance through the headings of Luke. I’ll wait . . .
Oh, you’re back. Pretty amazing stuff, huh? Take a mental inventory of God-moments in your life. Think back as far as you can remember. Got at least one? These moments are God’s pointing you to Jesus as the Savior.
God knew what you’d do (vs. 23). God knows everything. He is bigger than Big Brother.
God knew you’d chose to do bad things, stumble, and sin. We all do it. (Rom. 3:23) He knew beforehand that our sin would kill Jesus. It is amazing that he loved us enough to forgive us ahead of time. (John 3:16, Rev. 13:8)
God not only knew, but he had a plan. He saw a cause worth dying for—that’d be us—then killed death itself. Death couldn’t hold Jesus (vs.24-28). This passage is a quote from David in Psalms 16:18-11. David focused on God, and the sight of God gave him power, fearlessness, gladness, a mouthful of praise, and heart of peace in the midst of circumstances. When we keep our spiritual eyes sets on Jesus, we gain those same things. Death has no hold on one who has hope and full vision of Christ.
Receiving God’s love in our sinful state, and passion to see him gives us a cause worth dying for as well. Some purposes and pursuits carry high costs.
portrays a fight to the end for a principle. Compromise was never a question. Discipline and life purpose in the face of death made life worth living. I need that same kind of focus, purpose to give my life for, and I found it in Jesus. Whether in living or in dying, I have purpose. He has “revealed the paths of life to me” (vs.28). And DEATH has no hold on me!
Pierced (vs. 37) “Really, I didn’t mean to do that.” Doing or saying something that comes across differently than we meant it pierces us. It could have been an accident or maybe, like me, you didn’t think things through before doing it and the results were not what you expected. Ouch. I really didn’t mean it. We are pierced, cut to the core.
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