The Mountain

Still there. "Move!" I say! In Jesus' name! Amen!

Daniel

Smiling on Purpose

I find myself having to "smile on purpose" right now, because I don't know what to do about church. I thought I had found a church I might be able to join, but I went to "choir practice" last night, and found myself having to walk right out! I could hardly believe my ears! They were practicing "Jazz" and got to this one "song", where they're singing about "painting the town red" and some young woman clearly going against anything her mother would want for her; and dancing very sensually! And this was a "church choir"! Now, I admit, it was the Unitarian Universalist Church, but I still didn't know I was going to get THAT when I showed up for practice!


The thing is? I really didn't want to have to conclude I cannot join this church either! I was NOT in the mood for a revelation like that. What else can I conclude, though? I sure am not planning to join it at this point! And if I'm not going to join this church? I really have no idea what to, other than - again - smile! :)... On purpose.


AND listen to this song again:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alP8Qt52UXQ

Love Bug!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOIj5_WdeCk

I just HAD to share this here, as well! See, I went to the "Church of Christ" last "Son-Day", and - seriously! It was actually worse than I thought! A LOT worse! In fact, I no longer consider myself a Christian. Believer? Yes! Christian? No. Not after that experience with the "Church of Christ". If that is "what is in a name" (and it so obviously is), then count me out. Not that that isn't at all sad. I do not relish disappointing anyone. But I went where the Spirit led, and he led me there - and I am acting on that revelation.

Anyway, then I went to "this other church", and when I got there, the choir was practicing "Love Bug". Of course, then, they sang it in the meeting. It was such a blessing - especially after the sheer and utter evil I had to experience at the "Church of Christ"! It was such a balm - and still is! I thank Raffi, from the bottom of my heart, for writing that song; and "that other church" for presenting it via the choir at church! I DEFINITELY have that "love bug" - THAT had NOT changed!

LOVE!

Daniel

Bachelor Moment!

I'm here at work, and ordered in some salmon. When I went to eat it, though, it was cold. Therefore, I warmed it up in the oven in the kitchen. When it still wasn't hot, though, I decided to really "Bake" it. While I was waiting for it to "Bake", I HEARD sounds coming from the kitchen. I finally went to check it out, and it was on fire! The top of the container was actually smoldering in the oven. I am SO thankful the fire alarm did not sound! I am happy to say, though, I was still able to eat my food (I THOUGHT that IT was what was burning! It was actually the cover of the container!)

I admit it! I need a wife! In the meantime, however, I will DEFINITELY learn from THAT mistake of leaving something like that unattended in the oven (especially if there is anything FLAMMABLE on it!). Now, I need to get some work done and get home! I also, I know, need to leave that "mountain" I've been talking about, with God. And I do, in Jesus' name! "Into thine hand I commit my spirit - thou hast redeemed me, O LORD, or Jehovah, God of truth." Psalm 31 (if I am remembering correctly).

Daniel Robbins

Taking a Stand a Work... Again!

I cannot say I saw this coming, but I have been running into even more pressure to compromise on the very issue I left my last job over! Even from my (de facto) manager! And it came yesterday! I was really ruminating as to what to do last night; but, today, I got my opportunity to speak!


I was asked to be a part of a web meeting with MiTek, our truss metal plate supplier - and the company which provides our truss design software. They were discussing... COMMERCIAL TRUSSES! One of the requirements they mentioned? TEN POUND PER SQUARE FOOT BOTTOM CHORD LIVE LOAD! Again, the VERY issue I left my last job over!


Well! When they had question time after the presentation, I knew what my "question" was! "What's going on!" The funny thing? The person who answered my "question" made it sound so obvious that we HAD TO be putting that live load on for commercial trusses - EXCEPT FOR exceptionAL circumstances!


And my point? I have been (and even - really - AM) being expected to CHRONICALLY leave that live load off of commercial trusses! The last thing I said was, "They're doing it because they can." In other words, other truss designers ARE chronically (i.e. as a general habit) taking that live load off!


The funny thing is: just when I was saying all of this, Boris (I'm pretty sure - who is one of the salesmen who has told me to leave that live load off (but not my manager - that is "Kevin") was standing to the side and listening in - "overhearing" me! I am certainly glad God provided an opportunity today to speak out! And speak out I did! My name is Daniel (which means: "God is my judge" - or "Judged of God"); and I love living up to my name!


I have even been dreaming of living up to that name on a whole new level - I but I feel I have GOT to get this certain "mountain" moved! It is "stymie-ing me"! For now, I thank God for making me wait; but I feel like I'm holding my breath under water until I can get this thing out of my way!


Now, I admit: the person who is stymie-ing me? If she knew in what capacity she was doing so, she might say: "Oh! Is that so? In that case, I'll go ahead and stymie you all the more!" What I would say to that, though, is: "By all means! If you have to 'stymie me' (try saying that fast five times!), I understand, completely! If I were in your shoes, I might want to 'stymie me' too! In that case, I would simply encourage you to: a) delete that article... and then, b) 'call me off'! You have every right to, and I would completely respect it if you did! I by no means refuse to be stymied! I only would want to talk you into finding a way to 'stymie me' that doesn't involve an article on your wall that contains the 'f-bomb'. That's all!"


And - hey! Again! Not that you have to do anything you don't want to do - just that I know even my mother would agree that getting that article off of there would be a good move. I would even encourage you to talk to your mother on the matter (and feel free to mention me, while your at it, and prayerfully consider whatever she has to say about me! I say this with some fear and trepidation, but far be it from me to hide from the light! If what I am praying happens, IS going to happen, then my dreams will HAVE to be able to stand up to the scrutiny of the truth!)


http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WPG6K7NX


I'm listening to this song again - and I believe God just might be wanting to use me to speak out for a very specific demographic of people: who REALLY cannot speak! Cannot talk!... To... ANYONE! Some of the most "cut off" people I know of! And I pray for them - because I know God cares about them, and even remembers them! They're people, too! And they need to love and be loved (legitimately, of course - and only legitimately), too!


I do not boast of tomorrow, for I know not what I day may bring forth (Proverbs 27:1); but I do have a burden to REALLY issue a wake-up call to our society. I have tried and tried to let this certain "dream" die; but it isn't working! It keeps on sprouting up from the ground - and I'll be honest! I love it! As long as I can realize the dream legitimately (and I believe I can), my prayer to God is: bring it on!


"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick - but when the desire cometh; it is a tree of life." My hope? Has been deferred for over four decades, now. And has it ever made my heart sick! I have even been told I AM "sick". (Funny, though - the people who have tried to say or imply that? When they have told me some of the mistakes they have made, and sins they have committed against other people? Since when do they have stones to throw at me!)


"...LORD, or Jehovah, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My SOUL hath kept thy testimonies, and I love them exceedingly. I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies - for ALL MY WAYS ARE BEFORE THEE.


TAV


LET MY CRY COME NEAR BEFORE THEE, O LORD, OR JEHOVAH; GIVE ME UNDERSTANDING ACCORDING TO THY WORD.
Let my supplication come before thee - deliver me according to thy word.
My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
My tongue shall speak of thy word - for all thy commandments are righteousness.
LET THINE HAND HELP ME, for I HAVE CHOSEN THY PRECEPTS.
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD, or Jehovah, and THY LAW IS MY DELIGHT.
Let my soul... LIVE! And it shall.. PRAISE thee... AND LET THY JUDGEMENTS HELP ME!
I HAVE GONE ASTRAY LIKE A LOST SHEEP! SEEK THY SERVANT...FOR...
...I...
...DO NOT...
...FORGET...
...THY...
...COMMANDMENTS!...
Psalm 119

I did it!

I actually unfriended someone one Facebook! It felt so good! It is not as though I couldn't have continued being friends with her. It was, however, that I realized I was going to get NOWHERE with that friendship. I mean, I had never even come close to meeting her in real life. I could have hung on, but I realized it was simply a "tease". I new it was time to say that enough was enough with that friendship. Now I don't have to, again, tease myself with things that I know are never going to happen, in connection with that friendship. It was good while it lasted, but cutting those ties was a very freeing experience. I should try even more of that!

One more thing?

I used to be wont to strike up new friendships on Facebook - even with people I didn't even know from Adam (or is that "Eve" or, in the Hebrew, "Chavah"). Now? I don't do it! I have no interest in going down that dead-end street anymore. I really feel like God is helping me narrow my focus.

I Can Trust... "You" (also known as "Thee")

I went looking for this song (by Rebecca St. James), and found the following cover of it! Someone had played it on the piano and sung it! I love the job he did on it! He said he had really come to enjoy this song, and I told him he was in good company!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alP8Qt52UXQ


I have been really drawing help from this song today - because it is agonizing! I think, however, about certain "other dear people"; and what I would want if I were in their shoes! I know what I would want! Space! Room! Room to breathe! To think! I would NOT want any "claustrophobia"! I would want me to chill right out! I know for a fact that that is exactly what I would want.


Therefore, it is very straightforward what I need to do! As I already said: CHILL OUT! Another thing? Same thing I did last night! SLEEP! I got to bed BY 9 PM last night! What a miracle! I want that miracle again tonight! In fact, I am going to even aim for EIGHT! After all, I set my alarm for just after 4 AM; so if I want "eight" hours of sleep, I have to GET to bed by "eight!" Again, I can always aim for it!


I recall that Adam, in Genesis 2, was alone; and it wasn't good. And seems like in naming all of the animals, he was somehow keeping an eye out for a creature that could keep him company - and he wasn't finding one! Therefore, what did he do? Well, it was really God that caused him to fall into a deep sleep. Tonight, I pray that I will follow Adam's example and simply sleep! "...for so he giveth his beloved sleep..." (Psalm 127).


What did God do? He formed the woman out of Adam's side and BROUGHT HER TO HIM! I have been waiting on God to do that for me, too; for a very long time! Furthermore, I thought I was discerning him actually having been doing that for me, for the last several years. Even now, I am moving this one mountain I mentioned earlier so I can get back to waiting on him regarding this certain person (if not this one other person). In the meantime, however, I have to know that - once I have done everything I can to move those mountains - I might as well (again) sleep tight! They do move, but they also take time to move! This can be agonizing, and it is; but I recall the words of Paul from II Corinthians 4:

⁷ But we haue this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellencie of the power may be of God, and not of vs.

⁸ Wee are troubled on euery side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despaire,⁸

⁹ Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast downe, but not destroyed.

¹⁰ Alwayes bearing about in the body, the dying of the Lord Iesus, that the life also of Iesus might bee made manifest in our body.

¹¹ For we which liue, are always deliuered vnto death for Iesus sake, that the life also of Iesus might bee made manifest in our mortall flesh.

...

¹⁶ For which cause we faint not, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for vs a farre more exceeding and eternall waight of glory,

¹⁸ While we looke not at the things which are seene, but at the things which are not seene: for the things which are seene, are temporall, but the things which are not seene, are eternall.

(Taken from the 1611 edition, which - as I am sure is apparent - has some rather funky spelling!)

By the way? I read an article someone else had posted on Facebook; which a good friend had shared. I would have shared it too, but it contained the acronym, "WT#" (the # is a censorship job!). What the acronym stands for is: "What the... 'bleep'!"; and I don't like it! I certainly wasn't going to share that article, seeing I am "moving a mountain" - in other words, waiting for a certain article to get deleted from a friend's Facebook wall, which contains the expression: "Scary as 'bleep'!" I knew - when I saw that profane acronym in the article I was thinking of sharing - that the least I could do was be consistent!

Now, of course, though I am waiting for that article to get deleted, my hands are somewhat tied! If it was my Facebook account, I would simply delete it! This, however, is a friend's page! And this friend has every right to go right ahead and leave that article exactly where it is! I pray and hope that doesn't happen; but I still know it is up to her!

It is distressing and agonizing, but, as they say in AUS: "No worries!" Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof! I do pray, though, that any married person would be able to rest assured that they DO have a lot to be thankful for. I know I do too; but I don't want all this uncertainty for ever!

On the flip side? I'm going to have to make an agonizing phone call! To a woman! An attractive woman! Who is definitely interested in me! And I showed interest in her at first! I, however, am no longer interested in her! Why? It was too easy! She up and wanted me, seemingly, right away! That's no fun! That's boring! I WANT a challenge!

And this other situation? Challenge? Eat your heart out! And I am "eating my heart out"! I am reminding myself that - God willing - if this works out the way I want it to? Then, when it does? As I have said, I WILL do cartwheels! I will be 100% satisfied! And one of the reasons? It will have been the ULTIMATE struggle!

...THAT... I love! "...For hope that is seen is not hope - for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we SEE NOT, then do we with patience wait for it..." (Romans 8)

I do wait for it. Again - first and foremost: for that mountain to move! And I command it, in Jesus' name, TO move! I do not, however, command the owner of that Facebook page to do anything! I pray that she will know she is free to do what she wants; but if she could be talked into wanting to delete that article, that would (I admit) be SUCH a relief to me. If she would be willing to pray about deleting it? That would be perfect for me! Goodnight!

Sincerely,

Daniel Robbins

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. (Psalm 142:3)

Still Moving That Mountain!

It is agonizing - because, again, I have said that same word myself way too many times (the word I mentioned being in the article on a Facebook wall, which I had encountered when I wrote my last post)! Therefore, though I am grieved at the sight of it in that one article on that Facebook wall; I cannot complain. I did, however, discuss it with my mother and - of course - she agreed with me and even affirmed that I ought never to let that word roll off my tongue. Furthermore, seeing that word in an article on someone's Facebook wall is not a good sign! Until that sign changes, I MUST wait. Even if it does change, however (i.e. that article gets deleted); that does not mean I am guaranteed success if I proceed with trying to win this person (though, I admit, I sure want to be able to proceed!) THAT (i.e. success) will only happen if it is God's WILL! And if it turns out to NOT be God's will, I completely understand! Either way? Here is a song that has been on my mind lately:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFvJUBEMLxA


Not that I am worried - just feeling the need to, again, move this mountain so that I can at least take a SHOT at winning this certain someone (if not some other certain someone). As things stand, however, I feel I cannot even do that - and that is what makes this song REALLY applicable!


Daniel Robbins

Feeling the Need to "Move a Mountain"

I felt like a "ran into a mountain" last night. A friend shared an article on Facebook, but when I went to read it, the first thing I noticed was a certain word; which, I am sorry to say, I have said, myself, far more than I should have. Nevertheless, I was grieved that the author had not found a more creative (though not as "sledge-hammer-ish) way to communicate. This, to me, was a mountain. One which I have decided to move! So - mountain: "Move! In Jesus' name!" Bye for now!


Sincerely,

Daniel Robbins

I was thinking...

I remember living in Australia, and having a close call with marrying someone significantly older than me. Then my mother emailed me, saying she had mentioned to my aunt what I might do - and that my aunt had said, "Oh! No! He mustn't! It might seem like a good idea for a while, but as time goes on, it will turn out to be a mistake." (I'm paraphrasing what she said, but that was the gist). Well, I wound up not marrying that older lady, and I sure am glad of that!


With that thought in mind? Even last year, when I was thinking I would like to marry this certain someone: I thought - I sure do pray that I would be preserved from inviting her into a situation that is anything other than the best for her. If this can be an opportunity of a lifetime for her, and the best thing that ever happened to her (and I am believing for it to be that, by all means), then as God allows, guides, provides, and makes way I intend to go all the way. I just want to make it clear - in no uncertain terms - that I have every intention of (as I have said) doing things legitimately. If things cannot be done legitimately, I don't want to do them!


Now, one might ask: HOW do I intend to do what I want to do, legitimately? By faith, determination, and a whole lot of creativity! At the end of the day, though; I want all involved to be able to rest assured that they have NOTHING to worry about from me, when it comes to integrity! And I pray to this end, in Jesus name!


By the way: Cuong - my Vietnamese supervisor at work - was talking to Kevin; the sales manager, and de facto overall manager where I work, about a certain pricing job. I overheard him say that he had given it to "Doctor". He was referring to me. Nino, one of the salesmen, called me by this nickname one day a long time ago, and I had to go back downstairs to ask if he was talking to me. He explained, "Your initials are 'DR' (i.e. Daniel Robbins)". That, to me was an "end of Psalm 86"-token-for-good! Especially hearing Cuong call me that, to my manager.


"Commit thy way unto the LORD, or Jehovah; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass - and he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light; and thy judgment as the noon-day." Psalm 37:5-6


"Abba! I would really like this girl! I consider her to be the 'desire of my heart'. I was willing to forego marrying her and seek someone more my age; but I sincerely believe that thou art bringing to pass a relationship with, again, this girl; which even goes beyond where we currently are at. If I am discerning thy will correctly; then please give her, her parents, and all other necessary people a peace that passeth all understanding about this. Bring it to pass, I pray thee. 'Hold deferred maketh the heart sick - but when the DESIRE cometh, it is a tree of life.' I have been waiting and doing what I can for a very long time. I do not want to be alone anymore; but I need thy help. I even need thee to move heaven and earth, and - thou willing, give me who I want. Bow the heavens, and come down. I know I can trust thee with this, and I do; but please remember me! In Jesus name, amen!

There's a Will!

My (Vietnamese) supervisor asked me how my "love life" is these days. I said, "Great!" I admitted that the challenge loomed (and it is a sizeable one, to say the least), but I also said, "There is a saying: where there is a will, there is a way. And there definitely is a 'will'!" (Of course, a "God willing" will - but I definitely "will" nonetheless!)

"I Need You"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzSEivCtIns


This is a song I discovered in South Korea, and I definitely fell in love with it. If I am discerning God's will correctly, then I would like to dedicate it to my future wife (God willing, of course). I think I know who it is? But at work today I definitely agonized at what would be involved in winning her. The flipside, however, is that when (again, GOD WILLING) "I DO" (no pun intended) win her - I am going to do CARTWHEELS! After all, I have always loved challenges - and in this case? CHALLENGE! Really, I cannot think of any more of a "mission ...possible" if I tried! I was going to call it the "other kind" of mission; but then I caught myself! I said, "Wait a moment! Am I believing this is possible or not?" My decision? DEFINITELY "POSSIBLE!" By the grace of God, alone, of course; though! What makes this mission so... "...possible"? Well, let's just say that marrying her would involve a pretty serious "flip", as a dear trusted friend was explaining from his perspective over the phone last night. I thank God for his input; because I do NOT want to presume upon this person or her parents! Not for even a moment. I simply want to get married to someone where I love her, and she loves me. I cannot think of a situation where that is even close to being the case as much as this (with only one caveat - and God knows what that is! ;)) I think I am discerning that God bringing us together, but I wait on him (as I have said many a time), with open hands... and mouth! ;0 Psalm 81:10.


Daniel Robbins

By the way? I now have a job in Calgary at Davidson Enman Lumber! Seriously? This was almost a 50% raise compared to my last job! And how did I get here? I did the right thing. I mean, I made mistakes along the way, too - and I cannot say I always did the right thing, the right way; but God obviously saw my heart and gave me this HUGE promotion! Hallelujah!

Here's Hoping, Believing, and Waiting!

Well, I made that phone call yesterday, and was encouraged! Seeing as this blog is called, "Give Your Heart a Home", I think I'll share that song again here!

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB8QyCkwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D6tAldfoCbkc&ei=zfeyVI7-AdOOyASg6oKYCg&usg=AFQjCNEVm_TLcxqPqqBI0TGi3lZBqOBa_g&sig2=tMaXdGCZzpTzOZDt1Fka7Q

One more thing, though? Remember that story of Boaz and Ruth? He discovered that someone significantly younger than him wanted to be his wife? And he was elated! But I recall what he told her: I'll do what I can, but I cannot guarantee that this will go ahead. If that other man, who was first in line, had wanted to; he could have redeemed Ruth and married her. In that case, Boaz would not have been able to marry Ruth. If he could understand that fact, I KNOW I have to!

"Abba! Father! I really want to marry this girl - but, again, I know I have to be prepared for the disposing thereof; which, I know, is of thee (as per Proverbs 16:33). I agonize at the thought of having to let this dream die... AGAIN! But I know that I can afford to wait on thee, smile, and continue to open my mouth! (Psalm 81:11)" In Jesus' name, amen!

Daniel Robbins

Finally!

I finally figured out how to post to this thing! What a relief! See, I do not have the same primary Gmail address I had when I created this blog. Therefore, until now, I would still run into frustration when signing in - because I was signing in under a different Gmail account. Either way, I am finally able to post something here; and, again, that is such a relief!

Do you know what? I might actually know whom I am mean to marry - but if I am right, then am I ever going to be taking on the world! It is very agonizing, but I cannot seem to stop thinking this certain someone is the one! I really to pray and hope she is. If she were, that would solve everything - and then some... and actually: and then a whole lot more! That would redeem the shattered pieces of my over four decades of existence so far - at least in my humble opinion! Here's praying, waiting, and even - God willing - preparing to make a phone call... But first, I've got to get home and get to bed! :)