Tag: christ Page 5 of 8

Hey friends! Today we are continuing our Back to School series. This series is geared towards helping children transition back into school all while bolstering their faith. This gives them courage, love and humility. So, let’s CONTINUE to talk about it! 😉

Last week, I told you about my first big job as a bank teller. One of the things they taught me was how to spot counterfeit money. For some reason, I was fascinated by this! And because I was fascinated, I REALLY studied the different bills and what made them authentic. Because the only way you can spot the fake ones is to know the real ones, right?

Kids need to know the core truths of the Christian faith. When you send your kid to school, they are facing the “real world”. Their faith will be questioned and trials will follow. Will they be like the man who dug down deep and built his house upon a rock? (Luke 6:48) Will they “be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks” them for the reason for their hope? (1 Peter 3:15). Teaching the foundations of faith is based on what and why.

What is the what?

That’s easy! I know we have all heard this before but kids are sponges. Their little brains are ready to soak up knowledge. This is peak time to make sure they KNOW the Bible. They know the truth so they can draw from that knowledge for a lifetime. We can help them store up God’s word in their hearts, so they’ll be equipped to fight temptation when it comes (Psalm 119:20). By giving them the what, it’s an investment in your child’s life…entire life. They will encounter false gospels and false gods no matter how hard you try to protect them. So, you have to arm them.

What is the why?

You can teach your kids what we believe all day and they may or may not retain it. But, if you give them the why behind it it shows our faith has substance. There’s two ways you can teach the why: digging deeper in the faith with your child or allowing your child to ask questions. Personally, I have taught both ways but I prefer the second option and I’ll tell you why. When children learn the what and think about it and turn it into a question, then you know they are genuinely thinking about what is being said. Also, it challenges me! I don’t always know the answer and again, I’m ok with that. I LIKE letting them know that I don’t know the answer and we look for the answer together.

When a child asks a why question that sounds like they are questioning the faith, it’s ok. A questioning faith is a stronger one. How you respond to the question (not the question itself) will dictate a lot of their feelings towards faith. You know, when you teach the why it’s ok to elaborate on why people leave and reject Jesus. It’s ok to expose false narratives that are being taught. It’s ok to admit to them if you have ever had doubts or struggles. Curiosity will come. And, if they’ve never seen it before, it might be bright and shiny, even as it leads to death (Proverbs 16:25).

I think sometimes, we are scared of questions. We think if we can’t answer questions, that’s a reflection on our faith. And you have even been around a child for 5 minutes, sometimes they can ask hard questions because they usually have no filter. As adults, you need to remember that God has provided us with a family within our homes and within His church that can help with questions if needed. That’s why we are all here. Questions shouldn’t be looked at as a sign of their faith unraveling. Reassuring them it shows a deeper confidence in God as they ask for answers.

Love you all and see you next week,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On July 21, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Listen, I knew yesterday what my topic was on today. Wanna know why? Because I was HOT! Yes, I was physically hot because it was a million degrees with 100% humidity but what I am specifically talking about is mad. 😡 As I am upset, I thought, “Yep. This is what this week’s topic is going to be about!” So, let’s talk about it.

We are having a deck built on our house. Some of you might have heard me talking about it. This deck is on the larger side and we are adding to our roof line. We have saved for this deck for YEARS and honestly, I am SO EXCITED to get it. But…like most projects, it is not going as planned for a lot of reasons. And truth be told, they are all avoidable reasons. Yesterday, as I was working in the yard (that I hadn’t cut in 2 weeks because of the deck project), I was getting madder and madder about the situation. I was working myself up in a tizzy and I was mad at EVERYBODY. You’ve been there, right?

So is anger a sin?

The short answer is no. It’s a God given emotion. Anger is a signal that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. What you should be angry over is sin and injustice because we serve a God that is just and holy. And man, let me tell you. When reading the Old Testament, there are LOTS of examples of when God was angry. Whew. The quickest example that comes to mind is the Great Flood. He flooded the whole world and destroyed all living creatures except who and what was on the Ark. Why? Because he was OVER the wickedness and corruption on the Earth. I would say He was pretty mad…

Whereas anger is not a sin, how we react to it can be. To be completely transparent, how I acted yesterday was sinful. I was quick tempered and infuriated by our situation. And trust me, everyone knew I was NOT happy. Everyone who couldn’t fix the situation knew about it. I was misusing my anger. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”(Ephesians 4:31-32) Another short verse that is easy to remember is, “…everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment…” (Matthew 5:22)

When you become that angry, you need to pause, reflect on why you are angry and then ask God to help you. Now, look. I did ask God to help me with my anger yesterday because I didn’t like being around me. But was I ready yesterday to reflect? Truthfully, no. I wasn’t mentally ready to work through it. Was that right? Well, I asked God for help and that did help me to simmer down enough to get through the day. Then, I slept (I always have to sleep on it to have a clearer understanding). Today, I was ready to work through it.

Some of the questions I asked myself were:

Has there been injustice? Was there sin against you, another, or God? Before you look to who your angry with, are you convicted about your own sin or how you have contributed? If so, begin to biblically address sin in you. (Matthew 18:15-17)
Are you hurt? Has this person hurt you (physically, mentally or emotionally) or opened an old wound? Is your pride wounded or do you feel shame? Be honest with yourself and God about your pain, recall God’s forgiveness of you, and continue to take steps to forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13)
Are you afraid? Has something stirred up an insecurity? Do you feel threatened? Are you struggling to trust God? If so, confess your fear and lack of trust to God and begin to confront your idols. (Psalm 56:3) If this is the case, I would recommend immediately seeking help.
Are you frustrated? Has someone failed to meet your expectations? Have you yourself failed them? Examine whether your expectations are realistic and address how you may have sought significance or life apart from God. (Psalm 42:11)

Look, luckily for me, it is just.a.deck. But this deck means a lot to me because this is something I have wanted for years. And we have worked hard to get it. So, there is some minor hurt and a lot of frustration. After reflecting, I do know my anger was just but how I went about it was wrong. And I want to own that. I know that God is completely in control and can bring good out of a mess. I know it will work out one way or another because God’s got me.

I used this example because, typically, I am pretty easy going. And I know a lot of you out there are probably like me. Some of you might struggle and you consider yourself to be hot headed. What’s important to note is, most of us can name a time we misused our anger. Have you ever gotten mad and later felt bad how things went down? Well, that’s a sign your anger might have been misused. All you can do is confess and ask forgiveness from God and from the person you were ugly to unnecessarily.

This week, I challenge you to reflect on the why behind your anger. If you encounter someone who is angry, was their anger just and valid? Maybe, maybe not. But if it’s a “maybe not” situation, maybe you can show them grace. Because they will calm down and they will remember what you said or did. This will cause them to reflect and see that maybe they overreacted. 😬 Not that I’m talking from experience…nope not me.

Love you all and don’t be ugly,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday- VBS Style!

By Jennifer Robbins

On June 16, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Guess what next week is??!! VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!! WOOHOO!!! So naturally today’s motivation was an easy pick for me. Why is vacation bible school so important? You know where I’m with this…let’s talk about it.

I have been a part of Spring Creek’s VBS for…years now. Honestly, I can’t remember how many years and honestly it’s unimportant. I always tell Kathy to put me where she needs me and she ALWAYS needs me as a storyteller. I’m going to be honest here and tell you this always puts me out of my comfort zone. I want to make sure I convey the story correctly and in a way that particular age group gets it. And those kids have GREAT questions!! Which I absolutely LOVE because that means they are engaged. But it stresses me out because I don’t have all the answers! 😂

But every year, before VBS, I get stressed because I want to make sure my part is done 100% and those kids enjoyed what I talked about. So before I begin studying the story I am assigned to, I have to remember what these kids are getting out of VBS every.single.year.

First, it’s a much needed summer engagement for kids. All year during school, a lot of focus for these kids are on academics. During the summer, they have time to allow their brain to soak in stories of the bible without the stress of school. And because these kids are doing this away from school, they are able to build relationships with others. These relationships can be long term with the community. These kids get to meet ALL KINDS of wonderful and knowledgeable people just because of VBS!

How do these kids soak in more during VBS versus attending church?

If you have never been to VBS, you need to come. Yes, even YOU as an adult. VBS is HIGH energy. These kids dance, sing, make arts and crafts and sweat buckets outside while playing. They do ALL of this while learning about Jesus. It’s not sitting in church, having to be still and focus. Side note- there is NOTHING wrong with that but if you’re a kid, it might seem…boring. Sorry Pastor Scott! I love your sermons! Even the stories they learn…listen. The volunteers at Spring Creek make story time ah-maz-ing with how life like they make it. Last year, we crawled into a whale as I told the story of Jonah. It even SMELLED like fish in his belly 🤢.

In today’s world, these kids really need VBS (for the record, I feel like every generation says this about the new generation). But kids today have to compete with things I didn’t have to compete with when I was their age. The societal pressures are different. Technology is great and…not so great. These kids literally have access to EVERYTHING at their fingertips. As much as parents try to restrict or parent their kids, the kid has to make the decision to obey because it is just that easy to not obey.

VBS gives them the why behind obeying. The Bible stories equip them with making good decisions on their own because they see and feel the love of Jesus! VBS offers them a safe place to not compete with those who are not like minded. They can unplug, connect with others and grow in their faith. VBS offers an opportunity to create moments that these kids will carry with them for a lifetime.

If you are not volunteering with VBS this year, THAT’S OK!! You can STILL be a part of VBS. How? Be a recruiter and a prayer warrior! Tell every parent and child you see about our VBS. Remember. It’s free. We feed them. We wear them out. They learn all about Jesus. This is YOUR opportunity to show them the church is a place where they belong and their lives can be transformed by Jesus. All because you stopped and spread the word.

Love you all and see you next week!

Jennifer

Details about VBS:

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On June 9, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! I am so glad you stopped by. Today, I want to talk about validation. Where do you get your validation from? Is it ok to want people to like you? Let’s talk about it.

As I do every Monday, I think about the previous week and decide what to write about today. I was laying in bed and I opened TikTok. I follow a K-9 police officer and he’s great. He’s funny, vulnerable and just wholesome. When I opened the app, there he was giving a Monday message (oddly enough, I have never seen him give a message like this one). He said, “Stop trying to find validation in a world that crucified the perfect man.” And that really hit me. Wow. I like to think of myself as someone who doesn’t need earthly validation but I do. Let me give you examples: needing to be reassured, people pleasing, difficulty in making decisions alone, feeling anxious without approval, over apologizing, overachieving to gain praise, comparing yourself to others, and list could go on and on. Do you see yourself in any of those? Transparency moment..I see myself in every.single.one of these.

So the pressing question, is it wrong? As with every Motivational Monday most answers are not quite black and white. There are a lot of gray areas. So the answer is mostly yes and some no. I’ll explain.

If you look at the examples I gave above, it all boils down to being liked. Which means we naturally want to seek approval, fit a certain mold, wanting to belong and feel accepted. But if you have ever been in this place of wanting these things it’s exhausting, frustrating and a lot of times end in disappointment. It’s an emotional roller coaster. For me personally, I struggle with wanting to be the best christian I can be (which can be difficult depending on the day). I feel like I need to be an example so I see myself needing to be validated by what I am doing. I know it sounds silly but that’s just how I think. But then, I think, didn’t God make me this way?

Actually, yes. Isaiah 43:4 shows us that God designed us in a way that we yearn to belong. But here’s the thing, if we are looking for approval from others (even godly people) we will never truly feel validated. They will fail you as YOU will fail them. This is because they can’t fill our souls with what we truly need. And truth be told, it’s unfair for you to place them on a pedestal for them to give the feeling of validation.

But if he designed us in a way of wanting to be validated, how is this wrong? What does God say about it? I need receipts!

So glad you asked. Let me deliver.

When you seek validation from others, it can be swept up by emotions, compromise our beliefs, and grow frustrated because they (whoever they are) are not living up to our expectations. In Galatians 1:10, Paul points out that if we are constantly trying to please people, we are not serving Christ. We literally can’t do both. 1 Thessalonians 2:4, tells us that we have the honor of sharing the gospel. So, basically, we can’t twist what the Bible says to fit their narrative. And in Acts 5:29, Peter warns of people pleasers. Pride cannot get in the way by wanting validation from others and placing ourselves above God.

Well, how can I determine if I am seeking external validation because I thought I was doing pretty good in the department? Same friend. I thought I was good but I realize I need work.

Here’s some scripture to help you weigh your personal situation.

Examine Intent- Galatians 6:4 reminds us to test our actions and motivations. Are you doing this for comparisons? Are you expecting or wanting an atta boy?
Consider your response to reactions- 1 Peter 2:23 shows us that despite Jesus facing insults and suffering, he did not retaliate or seek revenge. This teaches us our self worth should not be defined by others.
Quantity and quality of sharing- Matthew 7:6 shows us the importance of discernment in sharing aspects of lives with others. Listen, not everyone needs to know everything and that’s ok. Some people are negative. You can choose to not share certain highs and lows because it will expose you to negativity from certain people.
Dependency on external validation- Galatians 1:10 tells us who we need to seek approval from and it’s not those here on Earth. Our focus would be on pleasing God and not people.
Check your feelings- Philippians 4:4 tells us to find joy in relationship with God. Remember, true joy comes from within and not in people.

This week I want you to challenge you in being honest about your validation on Earth. Can you relate to these things and if so, how are some ways you change to seek validation in the Lord?

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On June 2, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! June is a big month for marriages. How do I know? Well, next Saturday, Jon and I will be celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary. I’ll be honest, some days I didn’t think 23 years would ever get here! Marriage is hard but definitely doable with Jesus (and yes! Marriage needs Jesus!) So, let’s talk about it.

In our 23 year marriage, we have had countless. Yep. I stopped there. Countless. Countless fights, annoyances, and financial hardships (I’m really selling this marriage thing aren’t I?) But, we have also had countless laughs, deep discussions, happiness, adventures, teamwork, pets 🙂, but most importantly, love. Having been married for 23 years, Jon and I have learned a thing a two and I suspect we will continue to learn a thing or two here and there. We are not experts, because the Lord knows we need help daily, but here are a few things we have learned along the way.

First, marriage is about “we” and not “me”. Listen, when we first got married, I wanted things done my way. We HAD to have certain things (that we couldn’t afford). Jon was there trying to get me to see that WE couldn’t do those things. Listen, marriage was created to embody selfless love, just as Christ poured himself out as a sacrifice (Isaiah 53:12). In a biblical marriage, God calls us to prioritize “we” over “me.” I honestly didn’t know how selfish I was until I got married.

Second, marriage is about the long haul. Nowadays, the mindset is, “Well, if it doesn’t work out, we will get divorced.” No, no. You took an oath before God. The apostle Paul begins the familiar “love” passage in 1 Corinthians with the words, “Love is patient.” Patience in marriage is vital for a healthy relationship. Relationships have seasons. Some seasons are GREAT and others not so great. But we have to be patient to wait out the bad seasons. Scripture says: The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Pet. 3:8-9, Rom. 2:4).

Third, marriage is a covenant and not just a contract. Jon will playfully say, “Listen. I got papers on you!” Of course, this is just a joke but marriage is more than a piece of paper. Marriage is God’s idea. Genesis 2:24 says: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Just as God created an everlasting covenant with his people, marriage is a solemn and binding covenant between a man and a woman made before God (Eph. 5:32). We are taught to treat everyone with Christ like love. And yes, that includes your spouse. It is so easy for your spouse to be the brunt of a bad day.

Lastly, and probably most controversial, marriage is counter cultural and not conformist. I’ll explain. Ephesians 5:22-24: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” In today’s time, many have an issue with this passage because some believe it justifies abuse. In a Christian marriage, a husband’s role requires that he love his wife enough to lay his life down for her as Christ did for the church. God calls wives to respond to that radical Christ-like love with submission. (1 Pet. 2:13, 22-25, 5:5, Eph. 5:21). Ultimately, God requires husband and wife to submit to Him.

As sassy and headstrong as I am, when Jon says stop or no, I listen. I don’t do it because I don’t want to fight. I don’t do it because I’m scared of him. I don’t do it because I am a submissive person. I do it because I trust him. I KNOW he’s looking out for me or us. When he speaks authoritatively, I listen. And to be clear, he doesn’t abuse this either. In fact, he knows me well enough to know that I am more prone to do the EXACT opposite if he gets too sassy.

Listen, my marriage is not perfect. It won’t ever be because we are two flawed people trying our hardest to be the best for God and for each other. I have learned that our marriage is not defined by our disagreements. It is not defined by a bad day or the times we thought about giving up. Our marriage is about trusting God to be the driving force. And just like everything in the world, you start at the top and it trickles down from there.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On May 19, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Today, I want to talk about something I try to do everyday. Do you ever just close your eyes and listen to the birds and thank God? Thank him for the sounds you hear and birds happily singing (have you ever heard a grumpy bird sing?). Or maybe thank Him for that tooth that’s hurting (true story right now for me!). I am thankful I have a tooth to hurt, dental insurance that will help pay for it and a dentist who is willing to help me this week! And all of this is…God. So, let’s talk about it.

When I was younger, I never thanked God. Not because I was a brat (I mean, I might have been) but it wasn’t something I thought about. Weird, isn’t it? I mean, I thanked people around me. I had manners. But when it came to God, I just didn’t think about it. One day as I started praying, I thanked Him for something major that had happened in my life and He helped me through it. And that’s when it hit me. Why am I thanking Him for this…and ONLY this? From that point on, I would try to make it a point to thank Him everyday for something. And some days it’s hard to thank Him. But as you do it daily, you realize how not hard it is. Cultivating a grateful heart takes dedication but not a huge amount of time.

Begin your day with thanks. You can literally thank Him for waking you up. This is usually the time my sweet Marcy (calico cat) wants her cuddle time. So, I lay there and cuddle her. I thank Him for her. I thank Him for all my animals and all my loved ones. No, I don’t say, “Thank you for waking me up” but I do. Beginning your day with a conversation with the Lord is a great way to start the day.

Thank Him in your worship. I know, I know. You feel like since you are worshipping Him, that is a sign of gratitude. I don’t disagree with that mindset but while you are worshipping Him, take it one step further. Listen to the words of the songs Amy picks for the choir and congregation to sing. I can’t tell you how many times I close my eyes and say, YES LORD!! Thank you!” Or when Pastor Scott is in the pulpit and he reminds us of what we have been given. Thank you Lord! Which is a perfect segway into the next one.

Speak of all His benefits. What does that mean? Basically, how has God shown His faithfulness to you? How has He blessed you? Psalm 103:2 says: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” When we recall these benefits, we need to tell others. It is our goal to lead others to Him. One of the ways is to tell your testimony. I guarantee you that your testimony has many benefits you can share.

Thank Him as you read the Word. Many people, including myself, can find the Bible challenging to read and understand. You are not alone, friend. There are times I have read whole sections of the Bible and I just go with it. I have no idea what I just read. But that’s why we have Bible studies and we go to church. Pastor Scott has a great way of explaining scripture. But when we do stop and thank Him while hearing or reading His word, it turns our hearts to Him and not to ourselves.

Lastly and one of the hardest…thank Him for hard times. We live in a sinful world. We will encounter difficult things everyday. It could be a tooth that hurts or we lost a loved one. It is so easy in difficult times to become despondent. And hey! I am no different than you when it comes to being down. By thanking Him in a hard time, again, turns our hearts to Him. We are surrendering to Him and allowing Him to help us when we need it the most.

I want to challenge you for 7 straight days to pray a thankful prayer to God. This doesn’t have to be anything grandiose. This can literally be a quick, “Thank you God for my green grass.” That might sound silly but if you pray that prayer this is what I hear you say. You are thanking Him for the opportunity that you have grass and it’s healthy (maybe you have battled army worms). You are thanking Him for the health you have to mow your grass or the financial security for you to pay someone who maintains it for you. You are thanking Him for a place for insects to live and a place for the birds to eat. So you see, a prayer like that isn’t usually as topical as it sounds. And it gets you thinking how blessed you really are even when times are tough.

Thank you for being here and reading this far. I thank God everyday for each and everyone of you.

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On May 12, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! How was your Mother’s Day? I hope you spent it with loved ones. I know holidays can be a difficult time for some (no matter the holiday). Holidays are a time that brings up memories…sometimes good and sometimes bad. Holidays can also leave us feeling lonely. So let’s talk about it.

There have been times in my life where I felt very alone. And trust me, I was never really alone. My husband, son and all our 8 million animals have always been there physically for me. In fact, there are times when being physically alone might’ve been nice at the time. 😉 But the alone I am referring to is being mentally alone. And, we have all been there no matter your age. This could be something small and insignificant to something huge like a loss of a loved one. But let’s be honest, the small things are usually the ones that come and go the most in life. Do you ever feel guilty about it?

Fun fact! Did you know May is Mental Health Awareness Month? It’s ok, I didn’t either until recently. But how appropriate this topic came up during this month.

Is it appropriate for Christians feel lonely? Well of course it is! If you listened to Pastor Scott’s sermon yesterday, he talked about Jesus having emotions. Can you imagine how lonely Jesus felt on the cross after He was betrayed by His disciples? I mean, man. What about in the Garden of Gethsemane when He wanted his disciples with Him yet they were asleep? If you have ever felt lonely, it’s not a good feeling at all. So why does God allow it?

Why does God allow anything bad to happen? He can stop or start anything He wants. So why does this happen? Well, just like all things, we have free will. Let me tell you how my mind works on this. We are a rubber band. When something happens, our rubber band is stretched. Sometimes just a little and sometimes it’s stretched to the max. Sometimes it stretches a little and little more and little more. But there is a time when the rubber band is going to break or you have to relieve the tension. What relieves the tension? God. Yep. Just God. Seeking Him and allowing Him to work through you resets your rubber band.

I think what is important when loneliness hits you is to compartmentalize it. That way, once you know where it falls, you will know how to correct it, right?

Situational Christian Loneliness– This is where we don’t have enough friends and/or family.This could be more of in general or maybe you moved. So how do you combat that without making friends in an unchristian-like manner? Always be proactive in making friends. Listen, years ago, I met a lady while she was working at Publix. Today, I hug her when I see her out and I keep up with her on social media. You never know who or where you are going to meet someone! And social media…it’s great and it’s not so great. It’s great because you can stay in touch. And just go to church! I can’t tell you the amount of friends I have now just because I go to church. You don’t have to get involved in everything. Just go. Trust me. These people will be your friend!
Emotional Christian Loneliness– Honestly speaking, this is what I experience the most. This is where you DO have friends and family but you feel like they don’t love you. This sounds really dramatic as I write it but we all experience it. This can be something as simple as not being invited to a party or social event you feel like you should have been invited to. This one is hard to get around because you are in your head. It is important to remember to not set unrealistic expectations for how people love you. You need to believe they do love you. Also, envy is a terrible thing. Envy sets the stage for loneliness (one of the downsides of social media). Remember, study your own lawn. Don’t worry why their grass is so green. And just be thankful! Thank Him everyday for what you have and WHO you have.
Social Christian Loneliness– Where are my introverts? Shocker. Y’all are in the back. These are your socially awkward people, introverts and those with low self esteem. That all sounds bad but I promise…it’s not. My husband is an introvert and we complement each other well but it was a learning curve. So for those of you that struggle in this area, make sure to renew your mind daily. Have your quiet time with God. Ask Him to help you connect with others who see you as you are.
Spiritual Christian Loneliness– This is where you don’t feel close to God. Or maybe you feel like God let you down. Listen friends, if this is where you are, know that it’s ok. But know that relationship needs to be fixed asap. You need to work on your relationship with God. That’s the only way to get out of that loneliness. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Tell God how you feel even if it’s not pleasant! Trust me, He knows what you’re thinking anyway. You might as well say it. If you are struggling to talk to Him and you are not there yet, start a new habit of renewing your mind. This could be self driven or group driven Bible study or maybe just journaling. Write it down! Write Him letters.

I would love to tell you that my life is perfect and I never experience loneliness. I am extroverted and I seem confident. In reality, there are days that it is all a show. And it’s normally something pretty small that causes me to get that way because I am in my head. All I am saying, you are not alone. You are never alone because you have Him. He is literally a prayer away. And listen, when I’m struggling, I just start talking. He knows and He loves me for it.

Love you all (and I mean it),
Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On May 5, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! I hope you were all able to make it to Homecoming this year. I heard it was phenomenal (as usual). Listen, we know how to cook and eat, don’t we? I missed it this year for good reason. My nephew graduated from college and I, of course, wanted to go and support him in his accomplishment. So today’s topic…it would be a huge foul if I didn’t talk about Mother’s Day since it is this upcoming Sunday. So mommas…is motherhood a duty or a privilege? Let’s talk about it.

Several weeks ago, Logan came to me and informed me he wanted to go skydiving. He expected me to just lose it but instead, I shrugged my shoulders and said, “Just be careful.” I mean, what could I really say that would stop him? Not to mention, I have thought about skydiving myself. I waited several weeks to tell my mom (his beloved granny) about him skydiving. She ABSOLUTELY lost it. In fact, she called Logan and asked him to rethink his choices. I had to have a talk with her and tell her that no matter what we said, he would do what he wanted. She sighed and said, “Well, he is your child.” 😆 Sigh.

As a kid, it was never my goal to stress her out. It’s just that I live my life as a “we only live once’” type of mentality. If it’s something I am interested in, then…I research it and do it or not. But I put it to bed one way or another. That’s Logan. But after that comment, I worried that I upset her more than I should have because parenthood is hard! We don’t have all the answers even when we are expected to have one. There are days where task after task sucks all the joy out of your day. Or your child acts out or is sick. And you just run on autopilot.

This is going to sound cliche but it is so important to find the joy in your life. And if you are a mother, especially find joy everyday in motherhood. YES!! Even those days your kid wants to skydive. Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” You see…your child was given to you for you to take care of and raise. But your child doesn’t belong to you. Your child belongs to God. God entrusted you with their soul.

And the funny thing about kids, they are all unique (like fingerprints!). And as they grow, they change every way possible (physically, emotionally, mentally). As I am writing this, I think of a rubix cube. When one thing changes, three other things change. Think about that for just a second. Slowing down just a little and realizing that stuff you have to do, can wait. You don’t need a perfect house. You need to make memories.

So to answer the original question, is motherhood a duty or a privilege? Truthfully, both and I don’t think it a bad thing to admit that to ourselves. The word “duty” sounds negative but why? It IS our duty to raise, nurture, model faith and character, discipline and just be a positive influence. Is that a privilege as well? Yes. 100%. But it’s all a mindset…your mindset.

I absolutely love being a mother to Logan. He brings me happiness and joy that I never knew I needed. If you are reading this, you have a mother. This mother might be someone who legally (or not) adopted you or birthed you. Some of us have a lot of “mothers” in our life who would be there in a heartbeat if we called and needed them. This Mother’s Day, make sure to tell all the moms in your life how much they mean to you. Just like you, moms are also unique. Some ok skydiving and others don’t…and that’s ok.

Love you,
Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On April 21, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Wasn’t yesterday just beautiful? And I mean beautiful for so many reasons! I know Easter is once a year but it is so important to remember ALL YEAR what He did for us and our salvation. Which is an awesome segway into our motivation this week…

Have you ever gone through something and felt alone? Of course, you have family and friends all around you but you feel…isolated. You feel as though no one understands what you are going through. You are stuck in your head. OR, you have been isolated from friends and/or family and it’s devastating. And you asked, “Why me? Why now?” Well, let’s talk about it.

As you all know, I am a talker. An overall extrovert. But when something is wrong in my life, I retreat. And when I say retreat, I am a turtle that you just came up on from behind. I ain’t coming out of that shell until I am safe. To be fair, my “safe” is usually working things out in my head. This can last a day to months. Which is why I am involved in church as much as I am. Church doesn’t allow me to be in my shell long because I have people who call and text to say, “Where have you been? We’ve missed you.” I have a sense of accountability to those people and I don’t want to let them down.

But in the seasons where I have retreated and I was isolated, they were not good times in my life. Something was wrong. So, it was hard on me mentally. I guess because I did isolate myself, I talked to God a lot. I can remember times trying to make deals with Him. I know that’s not how it works (and I knew it then), I just wanted Him to intervene and make things better. I wanted to know why this was happening. Why is God isolating me?

Well, first, He wants your focus on Him. Listen. I know I say this every week on Mondays and Pastor Scott says it every week in church and in his midweek messages but God loves you. He really does. You are here on this Earth, because He put you here. He wants you to choose Him like He chose you. Maybe this season of isolation is to get your attention. We all have a to-do list and we are all crazy busy. Sometimes we push Him to the back because we know He will be there always. Well, maybe this is His way of saying, “Um ma’am. Hi. I need you to focus on me and not that list.”

During these times, God is protecting you. We all come to God at different places in our life and because of this, we all have unique testimonies. However, God may ask us to let go of certain people, environments, vices, ungodly habits, etc. You can’t hold onto those things because God has bigger plans for you. And there are LOTS of times, you don’t understand why. And that’s ok. It’s your job to know the whys behind everything. It’s your job to trust and obey Him. Jeremiah 29:11 and Hebrews 11:6 are great verses to back this up. 🙂

From personal experience, these isolations have a lasting impact on me. I can honestly say, I am a better person because of them. God uses this time to grow His people…to develop our character that helps shape us to carry out His divine assignments for us. Maybe you are going through this because you are meant to help one person on this Earth. Or maybe 10. 100. 1000s. You just don’t know who and how many you are meant to impact with your testimony and fulfilling God’s purpose. John 16:33

Lastly, He is trying to realign your heart. I am so guilty fighting with God because I want to do something and it ain’t happening. Because I want it and God says, “No ma’am. Not today.” He uses these times of isolation to realign our hearts to be in line with His desires and not our own. Sometimes, we have to be taken all the way down so we depend on Him. And this should be somewhat familiar because this is how my parents disciplined me as a child. They took away things I liked so I would see the error of my ways. My parents did this because they love me. God is no different here. He disciplines those He loves. Hebrews 12:6

I say this all the time. I am not someone who is the most studious christian. I make mistakes every.single.day. I even make mistakes when I write these. I sin every day! And these sins are things I know not to do! But I like to think I am called to write these motivations week after week because God believes in me. Sometimes, I think these are more for me and y’all are just my cheerleaders (who doesn’t love an entourage?!). But every week, I pray that He speaks through me to help one of you. And because I sin daily, these are just a way to stay close to Him. 1 Corinthians 1:27

Seasons come and go for a reason and every season is beautiful. Sometimes it’s hard to see when you’re in the middle of it. If you are in a season of isolation, just know this is an opportunity for you. This is the BEST time for you to grow. Lean into Him. He is there waiting to hug you. And for those who are not in that season, look around at those who are. Check on them. Stop right now, and send them a quick text. Let them know you love them and you are there if and when they need you.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On April 14, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Well today is the last of our miniseries on Easter. Today, I want to talk about something that affects all christian holidays but how do we celebrate Easter as a 21st christian? So, let’s talk about it.

Like most holidays, Easter has become HIGHly commercialized. Everywhere where you turn it’s chicks, bunnies, eggs, candy, baskets, clothes, etc. And listen, don’t get me wrong here. I love all the things. I love that a lot of Easter activities bring families together (like dying eggs!). This is fun and wholesome. But as you are partaking in these activities, this is a GREAT opportunity to discuss the meaning behind Easter.

Easter Sunday is the day Jesus rose from the dead. This is the heart of our Christian faith. His resurrection is more than a miracle. It is the fulfillment of God’s plan to bring salvation to the world. “He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” Luke 24:6-7 Jesus willingly gave his life to pay the penalty of our sins so that our relationship with God the Father is restored.

This story is the absolute cornerstone of God’s redemptive story. From the beginning of the Bible to the very end, Scripture points to a Savior who defeats sin and restores the broken. Romans 6:9 says, “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.” This has the clearest and purest expression of God’s love and power. It brings you and I lasting hope because we put our trust in him. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,’” John 11:25. Because we remember the resurrection, we are reminded that nothing is impossible without God. “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” Philippians 3:10

So, I say all of that to say…Easter is more than traditions. We need to turn our hearts and minds towards what truly matters this season. Let the children in your life hear you talk about the meaning of Easter and why we celebrate it. I understand the story of Jesus being crucified is not the happiest. But it is. It’s a reminder of God’s faithfulness and grace. When you are talking to these sweet children, remember God gave his only son to us.

This week, you have opportunities. When you’re buying candy at the store, talk to the cashier about their plans for Easter. Use that opportunity to discuss the meaning behind the holiday (and yes, you can do this without it being uncomfortable!). When you are driving the kids to the Easter Egg Hunt at our church this Saturday beginning at 10am (did you see what I did there?), talk about His love for us. As you are sitting at the table with the family eating dinner or lunch, start a new Easter tradition and ask the question for all to answer, “How does the resurrection give you hope and change the way you live?” I think you will be surprised by the answers.

Love you all,

Jennifer

P.S. If you haven’t seen or heard of Empty Tomb Rolls you are missing out! They look delicious AND they are a great way to explain and show kids the story of Easter. I love this idea for Easter breakfast or even as a snack the night before.