About this time of year Larry Norman, in a song he wrote many, many years ago sang: "...the kids are getting greedy" in reference to Christmas. We play that song before we open our Christmas gifts as a kind of fun thing to do--it has no subliminal meaning for us; it's just fun. But, and here's one of the best "buts" of all time: Christmas was a time in history when God demonstrated just how incredibly loving and generous He is: "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." (John 3:16). He didn't have to do that--He just wanted to because He loves us so much. John 3:16 has to be the most quoted verse of all, yet it never loses its impact on my life.
As
Christians, here's how our statement of belief (Nicence Creed) puts it:
...who [Jesus] for us men and our salvation came down from heaven and
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man...
." He was born just like we were; grew up just like we do yet lived
without sin and then freely gave His life in sacrifice for us so that we
who do sin can be saved. In that same Nicene Creed it goes on to say
that ...He [Jesus] will come again in glory to judge the living and the
dead, whose Kingdom shall have no end... ." Oh boy oh boy oh boy--He
will return one day and for us who are ready to meet Him, whose lives
have been lived for His pleasure and glory--there is eternal life and
joy for all of eternity. Yep, we like Christmas and we love the most
blessed and Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
And
this is our "Christmas" blog update so here it comes. Jackie and I have
had a mostly great year here in America. Our family is nearby, we are
all healthy and there's a new Robinson on the way, though he will be a
bit late for Christmas this year. Nathan and Becka, who you see over
there on the right (I hope) are going
to have a baby boy some time around February 1st. This has brought a
bit of excitement to their lives and of course makes us happy. That will
make 4 grand sons. From the other side of the world, Boom, the Thai
student that we've claimed as our own and is now living in KY while her
husband, Glynn, goes through Bible school, will also be having a baby
boy. We are flooded with boy grandchildren and are thinking we may never
have a grand daughter. But we are so thankful that our kids are well,
having babies and having the times of their lives. Here's Boom and Glynn
over on the left side (again, I hope).
So if you are wondering how we look in our advanced years, try these photos out for size. You have Jackie and I being contemplative and then you have us being a bit crazy. The craziness came at the urging of our kids while we were on vacation together in North Carolina last November. Old, yes, but we still like to have fun.As you can see, we are quite serious and in deep thought--or perhaps exhausted from hiking around the woods with the kids. You can see Jackie still has her balance as she "planks" out on the right and I also do some levitating on the left. Our kids nearly wet themselves.
to have a baby boy some time around February 1st. This has brought a
bit of excitement to their lives and of course makes us happy. That will
make 4 grand sons. From the other side of the world, Boom, the Thai
student that we've claimed as our own and is now living in KY while her
husband, Glynn, goes through Bible school, will also be having a baby
boy. We are flooded with boy grandchildren and are thinking we may never
have a grand daughter. But we are so thankful that our kids are well,
having babies and having the times of their lives. Here's Boom and Glynn
over on the left side (again, I hope).
So if you are wondering how we look in our advanced years, try these photos out for size. You have Jackie and I being contemplative and then you have us being a bit crazy. The craziness came at the urging of our kids while we were on vacation together in North Carolina last November. Old, yes, but we still like to have fun.As you can see, we are quite serious and in deep thought--or perhaps exhausted from hiking around the woods with the kids. You can see Jackie still has her balance as she "planks" out on the right and I also do some levitating on the left. Our kids nearly wet themselves.
And there's more news: Leah and Rob (left) are now engaged but haven't given a date yet. Here they are with Elijah and Zachary (Zachary is alone).
So there's the Robinsons news. It is our prayer for you all that this Christmas will be one filled with the blessing of God. Never forget that He loves you way more than you can imagine and that every bit of life that comes blasting at you is buffered by His grace and mercy. With much love from all of us...
