Hello family, friends, and supporters…

 For the past month God blessed me with the opportunity to go with Arrows International Dance Ministry Team to London, England! I arrived back in the USA on Monday, July 23. I am so thankful and continually amazed that God chooses to use me for His glory. My heart is overflowing with gratefulness for people like you who love and support me. Without you believing in me, I wouldn’t have been able to fulfill the calling God placed on my heart this summer. Thank you so much for giving and praying.

Throughout my time in London, we danced and ministered at several conferences, churches, and schools.  I loved meeting the children and listening to them talk! One of my favorite experiences was dancing at a conference called Project Dance. We performed at The Scoop amphitheater located by the Tower of London. Throughout the day, it rained sporadically so when we could not dance on the slippery stage, our team ended up worshipping in the rain. It was really amazing getting to spread God’s presence and joy with a diverse and vast amount of people stopping to watch. At times, the experience seemed surreal as I prayed and danced for the crowds of people who needed to know the saving grace of our Lord Jesus.  Even though we didn’t get the chance to share the gospel specifically with each person, I know that seeds were planted in the hearts of many and the Holy Spirit was at work to “draw all men to God.”   

Another of my most memorable experiences was dancing at the market place in Poplar which was predominantly a Muslim community. While waiting for our clothes at the launderette, God led our team to perform some of our dance pieces in the square using a laptop and small speakers. Starting off, we could barely hear the music but after a while people started to notice and stopped to watch. After a short while, a gentleman that worked at one of the booths came over and offered the use of his speakers. Blasting Jesus music, we danced for about an hour and talked to some of the people standing by. They were really interested about the motive and inspiration for our dancing. The next day, we went back to visit and shop while connecting with more people in the area. The third day, we returned to perform in the square again. By then, people knew who we were and we were able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Bringing smiles and life to the people in this community was one of the highlights of my trip. Knowing that I was used to be His vessel of inspiration and light in a dark place was a blessing.

I think the greatest thing God taught me on this trip was how to have JOY in the midst of any circumstance. He definitely showed that He wanted my focus and attention completely on Him. Before leaving for London, I prayed specifically for divine appointments which I thought was for me to pour into others. I did not expect that I would be the one receiving ministry and encouragement. Instead, God, in His faithfulness, put certain people in my life to challenge, counsel, relate, and encourage me to keep following the Lord whole heartedly. The memories and lessons that God gave me on this trip have  solidified and strengthened the call on my life to be His hands and feet, to love with His abandon, and to always be willing to be available to go wherever He asks me to go. 

 Thank you again for pouring your love and support into my life.  May God bless you abundantly.

Sincerely,   

Kimberly Robinson   

The sweetness of Your Presence

For a moment I feel like I am on top of a mountain breathing in Your love and goodness.
Looking upon all You have done in my life; all that we've walked through and all that is yet to come.
I see a glimpse of the future. Joy, peace, and hope overwhelms my soul.
Your radiant love seeps into my skin and brings a smile to my face.
I am utterly content with who You are and that You love me with such intensity.
Gratitude and thankfulness is all that I can offer.
You have blessed me over and abundantly.
The sweetness of your Presence floods my life and overjoys my heart.

Dream BIG!

                “So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18) Everyone says to dream BIG, but who actually dreams BIG and follows through to live out their BIG dream?  I not only want to be a dreamer of the things God has placed in my heart, but furthermore a doer; one who acts and lives out those dreams. I have learned throughout the years that seeking the unseen is a tough road to travel, but it is the most filling, the most joyous, the most lasting, and the most REAL. Through that realness, I have found God. Though many other people have their own ideas and plans in mind, they seek after the things that are temporary and worldly, but I have chosen to put my trust and hope in the Lord, ultimately giving Him my dreams and desires.

            This choice has totally changed my perspective on life because, as I see it, a dream is an aspiration or goal that comes from a genuine relationship with Christ. As a follower of Christ, I have come to realize that my dream is not about me. Instead, it is about what God does through me and how my specific role is important and vital for glorifying Him and furthering His kingdom. Throughout the rest of this writing, you will see a glimpse of how God laid the foundation for my dreams, how He has built on that foundation, and how He is beginning to shape it into a beautiful masterpiece.

My story begins even before I knew what my dreams were. Venturing back to my childhood, I see where God was at work preparing me for great things. Ever since I was a little girl, my parents have helped and encouraged me to find the God-given dreams placed deep inside. They have been an incredible godly influence and example in my life. Being born into a pastor’s family, I have learned a lot about servanthood and leadership. The many lessons were learned in daily tasks such as staying up late at the church working on projects the night before an outreach, being the first ones to an event and the last ones to leave, setting up and cleaning up, plus everything in between; listening to and interacting with people, treating them respectfully, and being caring and kind even when you do not necessarily feel like it. True ministry is not always being the one up front leading; instead it is about having a humble spirit. Being willing to do the nitty gritty work, like my weekly duty of setting up chairs for worship service, kept me from thinking too highly of myself.

            I believe that God placed me in a family focused on ministry because He not only wanted me to grow and learn in leadership and servanthood, but also to test my perseverance. Ministry is not easy, it is time consuming and energy draining. There have been trials and hardship, persecution and failure, but through it all, God has been constant and faithful. “We also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)  

            Another way God began to plant dreams into my heart was by my love of choreography and directing plays. Instead of always playing house or pioneers with my sisters and friends I would want to make up dances and perform them. Evidently, the Lord gave me a creative and artistic mind for a purpose, which leads to the small vision I was given at the age of twelve. I have since realized that this is just one piece of the tremendous plan He has for my life. Dance used to be an activity I did for myself, but in growing and learning more about the talents and gifts God gives each of us, I discovered the true and divine side of dance which is found in worshipping and honoring my Savior. I believe that each of God’s children has a spiritual gift and mine is dance!  Although I had been in dance classes since I was four years old, I never really considered dancing my passion. However, the Lord was at work cultivating my heart to realize, use, and teach the art form of dance as a type of worship. Sondancers Ministry was birthed from a young creative mind, my supportive parents, and most importantly God who laid the dream on my heart in the first place. Being director and teacher of Sondancers Ministry at age twelve was a huge step out of my comfort zone of shyness and fear. I began by teaching two basic ballet and creative movement classes with sixteen students which was held at my church. Through this venture, I began earning money, but my purpose was to extend the joy of dancing and the love of Jesus to others. “Do not look down on those who are young, instead set an example to the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” (1Timothy 4:12)

Little did I know that my small job at the age of twelve would explode and grow to one hundred students when I was eighteen years old! I look back now and see how the Lord took my willingness and obedience in something small and blessed it because of my faithfulness. Throughout the six years leading this ministry, the Lord grew me in many ways and taught me countless lessons. One of the greatest things I learned was responsibility. I had to take care of all the money, promotion, organization, communication, costuming, and teaching on my own. God was also was preparing and urging me to overcome my fear by my obedience to speak and pray in front of people at recitals and by interacting with parents.

Surprisingly, with much diligence, the Lord started opening doors of opportunity for my Dance 4:1 Ministry Team to perform at outreaches, girls’ retreats, nursing homes, and block parties. The reason I started Dance 4:1 Ministry Team was to be able to spread hope, encouragement, and strength to others who need to know that Jesus loves and cares for them. Another reason was to challenge and encourage young dancers who have a passion to learn more and whose heart is tuned in with God. “You will be able to move mountains if you can move people, and you can move people if you know how to touch their hearts. When your heart is tuned to God’s song, He will put you in the right place at the right time to use you for His glory.” (The Divine Dance, 40-41)

            “All the truths you have learned on your journey so far will serve as your weapons and armor.” (The Dream Giver) God brings us through specific experiences and challenges to build our character, make us a stronger person, and to draw us closer to Himself. The more I think about it, the more I realize it is not the destination that is the dream, but the journey that is the dream. After all, no one really arrives at the finishing mark and no one’s dream ever dies because the Big Need is always there. So Dream BIG and be expectant of what God will do !!!

Sort Me Out

Thoughts a twirling

Emotions swirling

So much on my mind

Can’t contain the anxiety inside

My heart drowns in bitter sweetness

Confusion, doubt, sadness, pain

Excitement, joy, love, disdain

So much to carry

Too hard to handle

In the middle of this mess

Lord, sort me out

That I might be most effective

And love so deeply

No time or person taken for granted

Give me your perspective and peace

To finish strong and stay on beat

The Power of the Tongue

“I tell you, on the Day of Judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37

Last week Pastor Robert’s sermon was about WORDS. How words cost, words hurt, and words last. The scripture from Proverbs 26:18-19 really convicted me and made me think. It says, “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, ‘I am only joking!’”

The Lie is that words hurt unless you are joking. This is nonsense; there is always some truth to what is being said sarcastically. What comes out of our mouth is the fruit of what is root in our heart. This is why we need to be careful in what we say. What is the root of what you are saying? If what you say is sarcastic then there is a bad root within your heart that needs to be dealt with.

The only way to deal with bad fruit (words) is to go to the root and cut it off by repenting and forgiving. You can never take back the words that come out of your mouth but God does bring forgiveness. Instead of carelessly running my mouth, this sermon has challenged me to really examine my heart for bad roots and to really think about what I say before speaking. I want my tongue to speak life not death.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Proverbs 18:21

She laughs at the days to come...

Proverbs 31:25-26, 30

“Strength and honor are her clothing, and SHE CAN LAUGH AT THE DAYS TO COME. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue… Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.”

This verse challenges me to become a woman that is so in love and wrapped up in trusting God in the present, that I forget about the worries and fear I have for the days to come (aka the future). Therefore I am able to laugh and enjoy to the fullest His presence, the understanding and further discovery of realizing who He is, and the little blessings that He places in my life each day.

Have I come to the point where God can withdraw His blessings from me without my trust in Him being affected? Am I putting such a trust in the Lord that I no longer want His blessings, but only want God Himself? Whoa. Heart check. Do I really trust God entirely? It is so hard to let go and let God be the complete authority in my life. It’s also easy to hang on to what is comfortable because I know where it leads, but trusting God in the midst of the unknown is true faith. Comfort is easy but sometimes God asks us to do hard things. Am I willing to risk everything in order to follow what God is calling me to?  

All of God’s revealed truths are sealed until they are opened to us through obedience. Surrendering my will to Him today creates a greater opportunity for God to work in and through me. When I am reminded that I am absolutely nothing without Him, life becomes a lot clearer because I am not the center of it, God is. Obedience should be something I want to do as an expression of my love for God.

I am praying that as a woman seeking after God’s heart that my fear and doubt would cease in the lightness and utter joy of my trust in the Lord most High. I am so excited for the adventure God is taking me on and cannot wait to see what He is going to do. All the while I will enjoy each day filled with peace and laughter because I know my God is in control and loves me. I will choose to trust Him.  

Sometimes it's just that simple...

Sometimes all we need to do is live simple.
Sometimes the complexity of our minds go on never ending journeys of possibilities and we get trapped in a world of worry, doubt and what if's.
Sometimes we need to focus on and lend an ear to God for the right here and now.
Sometimes we need to be totally and completely surrendered which comes with a faith filled heart expectant of great things to come.
Sometimes all God wants us to do is wake up and love Him.
Sometimes it's just that simple.