bob thoughtshttp://bob.blogs.com/bob_thoughts/enMon, 21 Dec 2009 07:28:51 PSTTypePad http://www.typepad.com/spiritual,Christianity,religion,God,churchReligion & Spirituality/Christianitynospiritual,Christianity,religion,God,churchrandom thoughts about spiritual stuffrandom thoughts about spiritual stuffbobrobbinshttp://feedburner.google.comSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with PageflakesSubscribe with ODEOSubscribe with Podnovahave a great dayfunny mondayhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bobrobbins/~3/SrksaFseYdQ/f.htmlbob robbinsMon, 21 Dec 2009 07:28:51 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341d241b53ef01287670c9be970c

Jack Bauer Interrogates Santa! This has to be the funniest thing I've seen this Christmas. Have a great Monday and a Merry Christmas.

]]>Jack Bauer Interrogates Santa! This has to be the funniest thing I've seen this Christmas. Have a great Monday and a Merry Christmas.noJack Bauer Interrogates Santa! This has to be the funniest thing I've seen this Christmas. Have a great Monday and a Merry Christmas.Jack Bauer Interrogates Santa! This has to be the funniest thing I've seen this Christmas. Have a great Monday and a Merry Christmas.spiritual,Christianity,religion,God,churchhttp://bob.blogs.com/bob_thoughts/2009/12/f.htmli want this for christamshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bobrobbins/~3/dgUxcARLBUY/i-want-this-for-christams.htmlbob robbinsThu, 17 Dec 2009 15:38:59 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341d241b53ef0120a760d67a970b

If you want to know what to get me for Christmas then I have something for you to see.

You can't get it yet because it doesn't extist but if it did I would really want one.

Watch the video and check out what magizines will look like in the future.

Mag+ from Bonnier on Vimeo.

]]>If you want to know what to get me for Christmas then I have something for you to see. You can't get it yet because it doesn't extist but if it did I would really want one. Watch the video...noIf you want to know what to get me for Christmas then I have something for you to see. You can't get it yet because it doesn't extist but if it did I would really want one. Watch the video...If you want to know what to get me for Christmas then I have something for you to see. You can't get it yet because it doesn't extist but if it did I would really want one. Watch the video...spiritual,Christianity,religion,God,churchhttp://bob.blogs.com/bob_thoughts/2009/12/i-want-this-for-christams.htmlEgypthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bobrobbins/~3/zonKue9Wfqw/egypt-1.htmlbob robbinsMon, 14 Dec 2009 06:07:39 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341d241b53ef0120a74eedcf970b

I still find in hard to put into words - my trip to Egypt had a huge impact on my life. I loved the people and the culture. This video is a good overview of my trip and will show you a little bit of everything. It's almost 12 minutes but I think its worth checking out. I would love to know what you think about it.

Egypt 2009 from bob robbins on Vimeo.

]]>I still find in hard to put into words - my trip to Egypt had a huge impact on my life. I loved the people and the culture. This video is a good overview of my trip and will show...noI still find in hard to put into words - my trip to Egypt had a huge impact on my life. I loved the people and the culture. This video is a good overview of my trip and will show...I still find in hard to put into words - my trip to Egypt had a huge impact on my life. I loved the people and the culture. This video is a good overview of my trip and will show...spiritual,Christianity,religion,God,churchhttp://bob.blogs.com/bob_thoughts/2009/12/egypt-1.htmlStaying On Budget For Christmashttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bobrobbins/~3/_IoV4S8R2l8/staying-on-budget-for-christmas.htmlbob robbinsFri, 11 Dec 2009 05:55:00 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341d241b53ef01287642b2b7970c

From my friend Dave Bowman

Christmas-gift USA Today has an article in their Money section today about staying on budget this Christmas. Seeing as how most of us are looking for ways to cut back and avoid overspending this Christmas, it's worth a read. But for those of you who won't take the time, here's a quick synopsis:

1.    Have a plan

Retailers always have a plan - a plan to get you to spend more than you should! So the first thing you need to do is plan your spending before you get into the retail environment. Plan ahead of time what you can afford to spend without going into debt and then STICK TO YOUR PLAN!

2.    Don't fall for questionable "deals"

The so called "deals" that many stores offer at this time of the year are nothing more than come-ons. When you get into the store and see the camera or DVD player or TV that was advertised at that super low price you can tell pretty quickly that it's not such a good deal. So what do you do? You buy the model that wasn't advertised at a higher price, busting your budget. Be sure to run price comparisons online before you get into the store.

3.    Don't miss any discounts

This is one I haven't used much personally, but the writer of the article says that many times there are additional coupons and discounts available online.

4.    Buy practical gifts

Whenever the economy is tight gifts tend to trend in the practical direction. The author suggests things like clothes, tools, books and my favorite - FOOD!

5.    Use cash or debit cards

This is probably the biggest budget protector in the list. DON'T USE CREDIT CARDS!!! Even if you plan to pay them off January 1st. Why? Studies show that we tend to spend more when we use cards - about 20% more on average. Use cash or debit cards and you avoid the Christmas spending hangover in January!

So what's your budget protecting strategy for the Christmas gift-buying season?

]]>From my friend Dave Bowman USA Today has an article in their Money section today about staying on budget this Christmas. Seeing as how most of us are looking for ways to cut back and avoid overspending this Christmas, it's...http://bob.blogs.com/bob_thoughts/2009/12/staying-on-budget-for-christmas.htmlmy trip to egypthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bobrobbins/~3/4Zwlyzu83JA/my-trip-to-egypt.htmlbob robbinsThu, 10 Dec 2009 13:51:07 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341d241b53ef01287642ab7e970cIMG_0932

I thought I would just post a few thoughts on my trip to Egypt. I hate using cliches but it truly was a life-changing experience. I didn't know and I don't think most Americans know what it's like to be a Christian in Egypt. The majority of my time was spent at a conference center outside of Cairo with some pastors and church leaders from around Egypt.

• Egyptians are passionate people - they are passionate about everything they do.
• I was shocked at how underdeveloped the country was.
• I got to ride my first Camel.
• Many Egyptians have been persecuted for following Jesus.
• Christians in Egypt are the key to peace in the Middle East and changing the world.
• The majority of Egyptians live in poverty.
• By encouraging and equipping a few leaders in Egypt I can be a part of changing the world.
• I visited a place called trash city and saw an awesome cave church.

IMG_0835

IMG_0813
]]>I thought I would just post a few thoughts on my trip to Egypt. I hate using cliches but it truly was a life-changing experience. I didn't know and I don't think most Americans know what it's like to be...http://bob.blogs.com/bob_thoughts/2009/12/my-trip-to-egypt.htmlchristmas lightshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bobrobbins/~3/ThUDptZOvuc/christmas-lights.htmlbob robbinsTue, 08 Dec 2009 09:06:25 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341d241b53ef0120a72e3391970b

I wanted you to see the Christmas lights we put on our house.

Not really - we don't have an lights on the house but I thought these lights were very cool.

]]>I wanted you to see the Christmas lights we put on our house. Not really - we don't have an lights on the house but I thought these lights were very cool.noI wanted you to see the Christmas lights we put on our house. Not really - we don't have an lights on the house but I thought these lights were very cool.I wanted you to see the Christmas lights we put on our house. Not really - we don't have an lights on the house but I thought these lights were very cool.spiritual,Christianity,religion,God,churchhttp://bob.blogs.com/bob_thoughts/2009/12/christmas-lights.htmlchristians in egypthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bobrobbins/~3/pvAhE7jJMao/christians-in-egypt.htmlbob robbinsSat, 05 Dec 2009 01:08:21 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341d241b53ef0120a70c91b8970b

I don't think people in America have any idea what it's like to be a Christian in Egypt. If you follow Jesus there is a good chance you will be persecuted in some way. At the conference I'm at they feel the freedom to worship freely and as a result they almost never go to bed. I have met some pretty amazing people and even though my job is to encourage them I think they have encouraged me more.

]]>I don't think people in America have any idea what it's like to be a Christian in Egypt. If you follow Jesus there is a good chance you will be persecuted in some way. At the conference I'm at they...noI don't think people in America have any idea what it's like to be a Christian in Egypt. If you follow Jesus there is a good chance you will be persecuted in some way. At the conference I'm at they...I don't think people in America have any idea what it's like to be a Christian in Egypt. If you follow Jesus there is a good chance you will be persecuted in some way. At the conference I'm at they...spiritual,Christianity,religion,God,churchhttp://bob.blogs.com/bob_thoughts/2009/12/christians-in-egypt.htmlprayer walkhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bobrobbins/~3/a7PcfUISECY/prayer-walk.htmlbob robbinsThu, 03 Dec 2009 02:00:29 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341d241b53ef01287606cf19970c

Around the edge of the compound where we are staying there is a prayer walk with 10 stations. At each of the stations there is a sign with one of the ten commandments written on it. This video shows the stations.

At the center of the compound there is a little hut where people are praying 24 hours a day.

As I write this I can hear the Muslim prayers on a loudspeaker at a mosque just outside the walls of our compound.

]]>Around the edge of the compound where we are staying there is a prayer walk with 10 stations. At each of the stations there is a sign with one of the ten commandments written on it. This video shows the...noAround the edge of the compound where we are staying there is a prayer walk with 10 stations. At each of the stations there is a sign with one of the ten commandments written on it. This video shows the...Around the edge of the compound where we are staying there is a prayer walk with 10 stations. At each of the stations there is a sign with one of the ten commandments written on it. This video shows the...spiritual,Christianity,religion,God,churchhttp://bob.blogs.com/bob_thoughts/2009/12/prayer-walk.htmlegypthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bobrobbins/~3/cnf9pppFRLo/egypt.htmlbob robbinsWed, 02 Dec 2009 05:38:39 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341d241b53ef0120a6fd3d63970b

Here is a quick video. I don't really have the words for my experience so far. I am overwhelmed. The people here are very kind and I love their passion for life. We're staying in compound - like with a wall and a gate. There is a lot of tension in the country and being a Christian is not looked at as a good thing.

I have already discovered that my name is easy for them to say and remember.

Check out the video and there will be more to come.

]]>Here is a quick video. I don't really have the words for my experience so far. I am overwhelmed. The people here are very kind and I love their passion for life. We're staying in compound - like with a...noHere is a quick video. I don't really have the words for my experience so far. I am overwhelmed. The people here are very kind and I love their passion for life. We're staying in compound - like with a...Here is a quick video. I don't really have the words for my experience so far. I am overwhelmed. The people here are very kind and I love their passion for life. We're staying in compound - like with a...spiritual,Christianity,religion,God,churchhttp://bob.blogs.com/bob_thoughts/2009/12/egypt.htmlpray for your pastorhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bobrobbins/~3/gwZhnK77Iz8/pray-for-your-pastor.htmlbob robbinsMon, 30 Nov 2009 12:29:33 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341d241b53ef0120a6f104c1970b

This may seem like a strange post but I don't think I could have said it better myself.

from Perry Noble dot com by perry

This particular post may seem a little self serving…but so be it…this needs to be said (AND…I don’t mind asking people to pray for me!)  :-)

This past Thursday (Thanksgiving) I was enjoying some great food and watching a football game when all of a sudden I began receiving text messages about something happening to Matt Chandler, the pastor of The Village Church in Texas.  Long story short…Matt passed out, hit his head…was rushed to the hospital and after some tests was diagnosed with a mass on his frontal lobe that will be looked at this week.  Matt is a young leader (33 or 34 I believe) whom God’s hand is all over.  His preaching/teaching is amazing…and God has used him to grow the Village Church from about 100 or so people to over 7,000 in just a few years.  (He is an incredibly gifted preacher/leader!)

Hearing about what happened to him shook me up…BIG TIME.  I had VERY few words for the rest of the day as I began to think about the stress and pressure that is on pastors that simply is not understood by many.

My prayer is that things like this will cause the church to rally behind their pastor…and pray for him with more passion and intentionality than ever before.  Here are several areas where you can be praying for your pastor…

#1 – His Walk With God – Pray that his relationship with Jesus isn’t one out of obligation…but of OBSESSION for HIM!!!  It is VERY tempting for a pastor to read the Bible for sermon prep and NOT to know Jesus.  Pray that His relationship with Jesus will be FRESH and that he will be filled with vision and passion like never before.

#2 – His Integrity – It takes YEARS to establish integrity…and it can be destroyed in seconds.  Pray for your pastor to keep his eyes on Jesus and OFF of anything that might lead him astray!!!

#3 – His Marriage – Pray that your pastor just doesn’t preach about a healthy marriage…but LIVES it out.  I promise you the enemy comes STRONG after his marriage…and his kids!!!  Lift up his wife and children by name as well!!!

#4 – His Sanity – He deals with critics, he deals with unrealistic expectations, he deals with accusations, he deals with pressure that is intense.  Pray that he will keep his sanity.  I recently heard of a survey that said only 10% of the men entering the ministry actually retire…the others either get disqualified OR drop out!  That is a 90% failure rate!!!  THE STAKES ARE HIGH!!!

#5 – His Health – I was in a meeting of pastors a few years ago…everyone of us were leading large churches…everyone of us were under 35…and over HALF of the men in the room (remember, we were under 35) had been hospitalized in the past two years because of serious medical problems (most likely brought on by stress and anxiety!)  Good health is so vital for ministry…and I can promise you that physical, emotional and spiritual health do not just “happen!”  Do not assume that just because your pastor is young that he is healthy…lift him up.

Whoever your pastor is…seriously…I would ask that you lift him up.  No matter who you are…no matter who your pastor is.  I don’t care if you are reading this site and hate me…don’t hate your pastor.  Cover him…and pray that Jesus will speak to him and through him in ways that he has never experienced.

Rick Warren once said that he believes pastors are the most underrated changes agents in the world…and I believe that!!!  SO…let’s lift him up before God…and pray that Jesus will have HIS way in his life!

AND…keep praying for Matt!!!  He is in God’s hands…God has a plan for him…and I know God will receive ultimate glory out of all of this!!!

]]>This may seem like a strange post but I don't think I could have said it better myself. from Perry Noble dot com by perry This particular post may seem a little self serving…but so be it…this needs to be...http://bob.blogs.com/bob_thoughts/2009/11/pray-for-your-pastor.htmlnonadult