Robin Khoury

Gardening With God

Robin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:10:01 +0000

The Lord always tells me stuff when I am watering my flowers. (That’s why if I’m not careful, this little job can do a scope creep that takes up my entire day!) Here are a few of the gems I got today as I puttered around on my patio and in my yard.

Burned up Hydrangea

This hydrangea is burning up because it is not planted in the right spot. God made this plant to live in the shade where it is cool. This plant has not bloomed for two whole years because basically I’ve been to lazy to move it. I keep thinking that it is going to come out of it. I need to face the fact that God designed this plant to live in another place. What has God designed you to do? Are you serving in the spot that He has fitted you for?

Gorgeous Planter, right?

This planter is one of my favorite things on my patio. My husband bought this for me a couple of years ago on our anniversary. I’ve never had caladiums do as well as in this planter. Last year, I planted it with impatiens, and they did wonderful too! So, what’s the story? Well….. it’s actually a fountain.

Fountain Piece in Lion's mouth

See where the water used to come out? And that was one of the problems. The water came out of his mouth in this huge strong stream. So instead of the lovely tinkling sound of water, it sounded like someone running a bath! There is another problem with this fountain if you examine it closely.

Broken Fountain

It’s even broken! Up close if you move the caladiums aside, you see this place where our May 16th hailstorm hit it.

So the Lord’s message to me in this today was: “You think you know what you do best, but actually I do. Do what you do beautifully, and leave the rest to others. Yes, I know you have imperfections and broken parts. Don’t worry about this. Turn your life over to me, and I will make it beautiful!”

God's Gorgeous Planter!

Amen!

Sharing Laughs, My Testimony With Wichita Women

Robin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:10:10 +0000

Today has been a blonde day all the way around. I started my trip to Wichita by forgetting my dresses. (The ladies at the country clubs would have LOVED my shorts I’m sure!) God gave me a chance to settle down and think, and when I stopped back by the house to get the dresses on the way out of town, I didn’t double check to see if anything else was amiss. When mom and I got about 50 mi. out of Wichita I said, “Get that folder out of the back seat that has all of the directions in it.”

This so named folder is the folder that I had devoted the previous 2 days of my life to. Making neatly stapled stacks of directions to the hotel, the country clubs, my speech, my introduction….in short my life for the next 3 days. “There is no folder back here.” My mom can be such a killjoy!

Thank goodness I had just worked over my fax machine and Chad was able to fax the guts of that folder to the hotel. So yes, I need a handler. Anybody need something to do? The ladies at the East Wichita Christian Women’s Club were so much fun! Now I’m getting ready to speak again tonight at the West Wichita club. Here are a few photos of our laughs during my talk, “My Extreme Inside Makeover.”

So happy to have Mama with me today!

Showing off Grumpy Monk

Sharing My Story Today

Robin — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:16:28 +0000

I had a great time with the ladies at the Norman Women’s Connection today. I shared my testimony, My Extreme Inside Makeover. I really want to get the book finished. My Women’s Connection talk is only 25 minutes long, and I want to fill in all of the details for those “Inquiring minds that want to know!” Ha! Today I brought some pictures with me that the ladies really enjoyed. If any of you folks would like a talk for your group about how God changed a material girl (me) into someone seeking Him, give me a call or email! I would love to come to your church.

Children’s Chores Teach Responsibility

Robin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:58:17 +0000

Teaching Kids to Work When They Are Young Builds Character, Teaches Responsibility

I just got back from the Metropolitan Baptist Church MOPS group. I enjoyed seeing all of the young mothers that I was Titus Woman to last year, and meeting new moms! We talked about chores for kids, and how to help your children learn to do chores. Chores serve many puposes in the home. They:

Build Character
Build a child’s self esteem
teach responsibility
give structure to your day
help your family be happy

As moms, one of our greatest responsibilities and challenges is teaching our children to do their chores. This does not need to be a problem. It can even be fun! The definition of work is: exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil. We can teach our children to exert themselves, to direct their efforts to produce or accomplish something. Then in a few short years they will be ready to take care of themselves, their families, and maybe even you!

Help Children Learn to Have a Good Attitude While Doing Chores

We must model the right attitude about work for children. If we gripe and moan about doing housework, or neglect to do it, our children will learn to do this as well. Since I started writing The Grumpy Monk, The Practice of the Presence of God for Children, I have become increasingly aware of my own attitude toward work. We must learn to do everything out of love for God and not duty. This will give us the right heart as we work.

Asking a Child to Do Chores Reveals What is in His or Her Heart

When you ask a child to do a chore, you will immediately learn the state of his or her heart. Does your child willingly obey, or is there rebellion lurking inside? We must repent of our own rebellion toward God, and then guide our children to do their chores out of love for God also. Brother Lawrence, who wrote The Practice of the Presence of God, said that he had the same peace in the noise and clatter of his kitchen, when many people were asking for things, as he did when he was on his knees in church. God help us learn to practice his presence, even while doing our chores!

My Visit With the Carmelite Nuns

Robin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:42:41 +0000

I have been studying about Brother Lawrence for The Grumpy Monk and our newest book, Keep Calm in Chaos, which will be out in June. Since Brother Lawrence was a member of the order of Discalced Carmelite Monks, I did some online research on them. Guess what? Out of only a few orders in the U.S., two of them are in Oklahoma City!

The Discalced Carmelite Nuns live only a few miles from my home. They have a lovely website which describes their life and even shows a few pictures. After looking at the website last week, on Saturday I went to the local fabric store to buy some quilt finishing material for my son’s birthday quilt. As I perused various bindings, two Discalced Carmelite Nuns walked by me. I recognized one of them from the website pictures.

“Excuse me, are you one of the Discalced Carmelite Sisters?”

“Yes.” (She smiled.)

I proceeded to tell her about The Grumpy Monk and my new friend Tony Silva of Narrow Way Films. Tony is making the book trailer for us, and we had decided to ask either the nuns or the friars if we could film the book trailer on location at one of the monasteries. I had prayed for direction on this. Sister Donna gave me her phone number. As we drove home, I marvelled, “How often have I ever seen a Carmelite nun? What were the chances of running into one in the fabric store?” Yup. It was a divine appointment!

Today I called Sister Donna’s phone number. I drove to the monastery. I showed up during quiet time, and boy was it quiet there! I gave Sister Donna the copy of The Grumpy Monk for the sisters. She showed me the sanctuary and on the way pointed out the cloister. “You can’t go back there,” she said, “Because, well, it’s cloistered.” I thought that was kind of funny.

Plaques in the lobby of the Carmelite nuns monastery

Inside the sanctuary, where the nuns sit for mass

this place is where the sisters sit several times a day to chant prayers and scripture and say vespers.

look up!

This crucifix is mounted on a travertine wall. Sister Donna showed me the fossils in the rocks! How sweet that memorials of the flood are in the wall of their sanctuary.

Sister Donna gave me a book about Sister Therese, or Little Flower. I haven’t read it yet, but she thought it would be a good companion to the Brother Lawrence book. Her whole focus of teaching was little things. Nothing done for God is a little thing. I love that! Perhaps an appropriate title for Little Light Press! We’ll see. For now I’m looking forward to my next visit to the monastery to film the book trailer next week.

Practicing the Presence of God While Doing Laundry

Robin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:14:20 +0000

Oh ain’t it lovely! Ain’t it fun! My Granny used to say, “Man must work from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done. I admit it. I didn’t want to fold those towels today.

robin with load of towels

I really wanted to put them in the basket and dread them a while. Of course, this is not what God wanted me to do. He cares about laundry. Oh, I know, isn’t that silly of Him? I keep asking Him why He cares about stuff like that. But He does. I guess it has something to do with Him being a God of order and all of that. (Let all things be done decently and in order.) Ouch! God and my husband, they have this order club going that I just don’t get. Anyway, let’s say that I needed a big attitude adjustment. (I have hated to fold clothes ever since I was little. I used to beg my mom to let me do the dishes instead!)

Yep, there they are. Still there. Waiting on me. “God, don’t you realize that I have MUCH more important things to be doing instead of THIS? Don’t you know how much stuff I have to do to promote the book? This is such a waste of time right now!”

Oh, yeah. The book. The Grumpy Monk. Practicing the Presence of God for kids. Story about a monk who hated his job. He learned how to be happy and peaceful while doing work he hated. Oh, yeah! Brother Lawrence realized that God cares about everything we do. He started doing every small chore in his life out of love for God, rather than duty.

Lord, fill me with your Spirit. Empower me to love you with all that I am. Teach me to do your will, and guide me in the work that you have prepared beforehand for me to do. Give me joy in serving that You gave Brother Lawrence. Amen.

New York School District Denies Christian Club

Robin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:32:37 +0000

Why Homeschooling? DUH!

People used to wonder why I homeschooled my kids. Well, it was a really radical thing to do back in 1990 when I started. I have to say, there probably isn’t any decision I’ve ever made as a mom that is affirmed as often as that one. Take this recent headline on Fox News website:

N.Y. High School Sued for Disbanding Christian Student Club

The bottom line is that in Half Hollow Hills High school they have over 60 clubs, (including a gay rights club.) Isn’t it amazing that they decided to cancel the Ichthus club without notice. The Ichthus Club was started four years ago by a student who just graduated last year. The student’s little sister was looking forward to being in the club this year. Strangely enough, Ichthus was denied club status this year.

Mom Fights For Kids’ Right to Have a Christian Club at School

There is a heroine in this story. It is the students’ mom, who has only let herself be known as “Mrs. P.” Mrs. P got wind of the school’s anti Christian leanings when her son was forming the club. It turns out that the school tried to block the formation of the club, and only allowed it to get started when Mrs. P threatened legal action. So it isn’t really a big surprise then that they gave the club the ax as soon as her son, the founder, graduated. Good for Mrs. P! She contacted The Alliance Defense Fund, who has taken the discrimination case.

Superintendant Claims Club Cut for Budgetary Reasons

According to Dr. Sheldon Karnilow, the Superintendant, there were lots of reasons not to let the club form this year. He says that there wasn’t a faculty advisor. (Even though Mrs. P offered to find an advisor.) He says that there were 16 other clubs which were cut strictly for budgetary reasons. (Wonder how they decided which ones to keep?) He claims that there were only six or seven students attending regularly. (David Cortman, the ADF attorney, denies this. According to him there were regularly thirty or so attendees with fifty on the roster.) Why, Dr. Karnilow was so accomodating that he even offered to shuttle Mrs. P’s daughter to another school to attend their Ichthus club. (leave class early, miss work, and find her own ride home.) Gee that was nice of him.

One Day, Jesus Will Set It All Straight!

Wonder if Dr. Karnilow knows what Ichthus means? Ichthus is a transliteration of the Greek word for fish. The Greek spelling of Ichthus is IXOYE. The Greek word fish—IXOYE—forms the acrostic “Iesous, Christos, Theou, Yios, Soter” or “Jesus, Christ, God’s, Son, Savior.” It will indeed be sweet when those who are the big shots in this world like Dr. Karnilow get put in their places, when every knee shall bow and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Thoughts About Servant Leadership

Robin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:48:48 +0000

Pastor Randall Faulkner DMin

Yesterday at church, (Metropolitan Baptist in Oklahoma City) we honored our Pastor, Dr. Randall Faulkner. He has shepherded our flock for twenty years in a day when a hundred and fifty thousand pastors leave the pulpit every month and the average stay of a Pastor at a church is eight years. Thank God for men like Pastor Faulkner, who aren’t on a fast track to building a mega chuch, but are busy about shepherding their flocks. Just like Jesus! Pastor Rick Hermanson gave a brief but powerful message on servant leadership. Here are the high points:

Servant Leadership

If you want to be like Jesus, you have to serve like Jesus. If you want to serve like Jesus, you have to live like Jesus. None of us can do this in our own power. If you want to be a servant leader you must constantly open your mind, heart, life, and everything you are to God.

Advice on Servant Leadership From 2 Peter 5

Shepherd God’s Flock
Serve People Willingly
Serve Eagerly- Be ready in mind and heart. This is worthy of your very best effort.
Your flock is assigned by God to your care. Lead by example.

Let yourself be molded by God. This doesn’t happen overnight. It fits in with the practice of being a shepherd. Call your sheep, do not push them from behind. Trust and obey regardless of your emotional state.

Amen! I would highly encourage you to follow the link and listen to this entire msg. on servant leadership when they get it posted. (It isn’t up yet, but check back in a day or two.) And thanks again and happy anniversary, Pastor Randy! Every family needs a Pastor like you.

Robin’s Yummy Weight Loss Soup

Robin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:12:54 +0000

It’s that time of year again, isn’t it? Time to get serious about our weight! I didn’t do as badly this Christmas as I have been known to do in the past. I didn’t bake my traditional mounds of goodies. (Sorry boys!) I finally admitted to myself that one of the real reasons that I enjoy baking all of that stuff is that I also enjoy eating it! So, one of the keys to weight loss for me is finding good tasting things to make and enjoy. Try this tasty weight loss soup! It is cheap to make and super nutritious. Weight Watchers doesn’t make you count a single point for eating this!

Robin’s Yummy Weight Loss Soup Recipe

Soup Base: Chicken base or boullion, 1 can of diced tomatoes for chili, 1 small can of tomato paste mixed with water, 4 cloves of chopped garlic

Veggies: 1/2 cabbage, 3 carrots, 1 onion, 4 mushrooms, 2 zucchini, 3 celery stalks, (and any other veg that you think sounds good!)

I make this in a big pot, and I start with the pot 1/2 to 3/4 full of water. Add the boullion to the water and bring it up to a boil. Mix tomato paste with 1 cup of water and add to soup base. (It is easy to mix tomato paste with water if you use a fork.) You can experiment and make this as tomato-y as you like. You can also add some tomato juice or V-8 if you have any around.

While your soup base is getting hot, you can cut up your vegs. Add them all at once. Add the can of diced tomatoes. Bring up to a boil,then turn down and simmer for 30 minutes or until veggies are soft enough to eat, yet still firm.

While the veggies are simmering, sprinkle in some tumeric, salt and pepper, and curry to taste. Eat this soup anytime you need a snack. It stimulates your immune system, the curry and tumeric help ward off alzheimer’s disease, and as I said, it is quite tasty!

Christian Arabs Produce Christmas Show in Israel

Robin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:26:28 +0000

Rosan Khoury, the Newest Star

Ms. Khoury and Family Host the First Christmas Show in Her Arabic Village in Israel

Will wonders never cease? The first time I visited Israel in 1981, Rosan Khoury was a babe in arms, less than a year old. I was honored to become her Godmother, or shbenti as we call it in Arabic. We are proud of Rosan for the lovely person she is. But God has blessed Rosan with an incredible voice. And Rosan hit it out of the park two nights ago in the little Arab village of Tarshiha, nestled in the northern hills of Israel. Rosan and her brother Jeries produced and starred in a Christmas program, the first of its kind in the village. This is really unheard of around there. (You might imagine that Christmas shows aren’t exactly all the rage in Israel.)

She played to a packed house. Mind you, this wasn’t a “holiday show.” It was a Christmas show. If you go to the Arabic community website, note all of the comments. (You have to scroll down to start the pictures.) As we perused them last night, we found comments from Christians, and Muslims. Even one Bedoin man from Jordan wrote about howmuch he enjoyed the show! As we are bombarded ad nauseum with Santa and Rudolph, Jesus was remembered bigtime night before last just a few miles from where He was born.

Merry Christmas from all of us Khoury’s to you!

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See more pictures on my facebook.