Keeping Up With the Roberts Family
Each month Cliff and Denise Roberts write home to their high desert family at New Life Fellowship to share all the happenings in their lives and their new church community. We look forward to posting their spiritual insights as they continue walking with the Lord in Lakeland, Tennessee.
october: Invisible Fruit
How often have you had a conversation that includes how “busy” the week has been, or will be? It’s like a badge of honor that we wear to display our productivity, work ethic, enterprise and effort. Shoot, even our President is held in high regard for his relentless work schedule! As a culture, we’ve forgotten much of what it means to “honor the Sabbath” and prefer many times to flop onto the couch late at night in exhaustion, or check out for an entire day, or spend the weekend binging on “me time” to recharge our batteries for another week of grind. No, this isn’t going to be a dissertation on proper Sabbath observance for Christians (I’ll leave that to Charlie Kirk’s last book, “Stop, in the Name of God”), but a caveat that I’m NOT trying to one-up anybody here.
In full transparency, this is what my October looks like:
19 days away from home
10,000+ miles of driving across the country
22 states to prayerwalk through
13 airline flights
and a rear end that’s sore just thinking about it all.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining and I’m certainly not bragging. This is simply what my own little slice of the world looks like in October. How’s yours?
“Invisible Fruit”
Tom and I were back on the road late September with a spreadsheet, some contact info, a schedule, a travel route, and some plane tickets to get home once we finished. We walked yards more than miles, and prayed by ourselves more than with others in person or over the phone. And we didn’t get to do everything or meet everyone we had initially tried to make room for. We did the best we could do to be obedient, open, flexible and diligent. It took weeks to prepare, and some of those preparations seemed unnecessary afterward, but there’s really only one checkbox that matters: obedience.
But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” - Luke 11:28
Jesus is teaching immediately after driving a demon out of a man, and a woman in the crowd raises her voice to say, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” (Luke 11:27 NASB) I’m sure she was well intentioned, but Jesus still corrected her. Why? I think it’s helpful to remember that the blessings He brought weren’t meant to be kept at arm’s length as a reward only for those closest to Him. Salvation, forgiveness, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit—these were freely offered to ALL who would hear the Lord and obey. Those “close” to Him (family, disciples, the mother who nursed Him), weren’t in some sort of privileged position. They were included among ALL who would respond to the gospel. Holding people like Jesus’ mother in esteem wasn’t necessarily wrong, it just missed the point. “Man, those people around You are so lucky, Jesus. You’re such a great guy!” Instead, the Lord corrected that kind of thinking: “Actually, the great guys are those who receive My words as God’s and then obey. THOSE are truly the praiseworthy people.”
And that’s the place where I like to squeeze myself into this narrative. If I acknowledge His words as absolute, perfect, coming directly from the Father, Jesus as the Word Himself, then I must obey. Honestly, there really isn’t any other option, is there? I remember asking the Lord years ago as we were discovering His sending us to Lakeland, TN, “Why me, Lord?” I will never forget His response during that time of prayer: “Because I know you’ll do it.” Yeah, it’s almost like He knew exactly what He was talking about, huh? We’ve been here eight years, and amidst all the surprises and uncomfortable uncertainties, I can honestly say that we’re still doing our best simply to hear His words and obey.
And it’s in obeying that I’m supposed to find blessing. “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” I often look at external markers as signs of blessing, but the blessing of obedience doesn’t always reveal itself with tangible results. Sometimes the results seem to reflect the opposite of my expected “blessing”. Sunshine and roses and skipping through the tulip fields with fluffy bunnies doesn’t always accompany a life laid down in submission to Him. If obedience is following Him and doing what He says, I need to remember that Jesus told His disciples to do that by denying themselves and carrying a cross. I don’t know how “blessed” others may have considered them, but in response to their own suffering, they actually rejoiced! (Acts 5:41)
When things are difficult for Christians, sentiments about how “blessed” we are kinda fade away in the eyes of many. When Christians are persecuted, few look at them and call them blessed or rush to join their cause. When Jesus was on the cross, few would have deemed His mother and His followers as specially privileged or favored. And when faithfulness to the Lord doesn’t produce expected tangible results, the tree can get “judged by its fruit” by observers and found wanting. In all of those instances, His words here must be our constant reminders: “BLESSED are those who hear the word of the Lord and observe it.” I must live blessed.
Relationships take time and significant investment—they require sacrifice, commitment, and valuation beyond utility. The trust involved in those friendships often develops slowly, and many times through enduring trials and difficulties together. I still remember the Lord teaching me, “Ministry flows from relationship rather than the other way around”. And doing things that way doesn’t always produce the immediate and abundant fruit I’m looking for. Instead, I get to WAIT, and be patient, and pray when things seem to be hopelessly forever stuck the way they’ve always been. It’s not exactly a life filled with fruit that I can see, but as best as I can do it, it’s one that is set on obeying Him. And according to His Word, I am blessed.
As Tom and I travel, pray, talk with candidates and leaders, even chat with passengers on airplanes, it’s abundantly clear that our nation desperately needs the Lord. True unity is only found in Christ, and we get to represent His unity, Church! As we rally to Him, pray for America, point others to Christ, and seek His Word for wisdom, He uses us in mighty ways far beyond just our own circle of influence. This upcoming election is no different, and we’re reminding folks of that regularly as we travel. Thank you for joining us in spirit and in prayer, and make sure you vote!
Our kids are chugging away with school, work, social activities and Club America gatherings (go, Justice!). Honestly, it feels like I’m the one falling behind because of our travel schedule. But Denise does an amazing job, even in my absence, and if I have to read up a bit on some Algebra or Geometry when I get home, that’s okay. Hey, at least I’m the one who gets to read the Teacher’s Guide, right?
I apologize for this update coming a few days late…and also want to give fair warning that next month’s may very well get delivered AFTER Election Day (probably on purpose). We live in interesting times, don’t we, Church? Our monthly updates are posted on New Life Fellowship’s web site (https://newlifebarstow.com/keeping-up-with-the-roberts) if you care to follow things there. You can also review past newsletters too! For our email recipients, thanks so much for taking the time to read these! (And if anyone would like to be added to that list, shoot me a text/email/call/etc.) As always, your support, encouragement, prayers, prayer requests, updates and visits are treasures for our entire family. Thank you for all the ways you demonstrate your love for us—we love you back tons! For those wanting to contribute to this crazy mission to Memphis and beyond, New Life Fellowship in Barstow, CA remains our giving connection: newlifebarstow.com/give (Missions—Roberts Family). We love y’all so much and can’t wait to rejoice in the FRUIT of all of our obedience to Him with one another.
Lots and lots and lots of love,
The Roberts Family
(Cliff, Denise, Purity, Wisdom, Truth, Justice, Honor and Life)
In full transparency, this is what my October looks like:
19 days away from home
10,000+ miles of driving across the country
22 states to prayerwalk through
13 airline flights
and a rear end that’s sore just thinking about it all.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining and I’m certainly not bragging. This is simply what my own little slice of the world looks like in October. How’s yours?
“Invisible Fruit”
Tom and I were back on the road late September with a spreadsheet, some contact info, a schedule, a travel route, and some plane tickets to get home once we finished. We walked yards more than miles, and prayed by ourselves more than with others in person or over the phone. And we didn’t get to do everything or meet everyone we had initially tried to make room for. We did the best we could do to be obedient, open, flexible and diligent. It took weeks to prepare, and some of those preparations seemed unnecessary afterward, but there’s really only one checkbox that matters: obedience.
But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” - Luke 11:28
Jesus is teaching immediately after driving a demon out of a man, and a woman in the crowd raises her voice to say, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” (Luke 11:27 NASB) I’m sure she was well intentioned, but Jesus still corrected her. Why? I think it’s helpful to remember that the blessings He brought weren’t meant to be kept at arm’s length as a reward only for those closest to Him. Salvation, forgiveness, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit—these were freely offered to ALL who would hear the Lord and obey. Those “close” to Him (family, disciples, the mother who nursed Him), weren’t in some sort of privileged position. They were included among ALL who would respond to the gospel. Holding people like Jesus’ mother in esteem wasn’t necessarily wrong, it just missed the point. “Man, those people around You are so lucky, Jesus. You’re such a great guy!” Instead, the Lord corrected that kind of thinking: “Actually, the great guys are those who receive My words as God’s and then obey. THOSE are truly the praiseworthy people.”
And that’s the place where I like to squeeze myself into this narrative. If I acknowledge His words as absolute, perfect, coming directly from the Father, Jesus as the Word Himself, then I must obey. Honestly, there really isn’t any other option, is there? I remember asking the Lord years ago as we were discovering His sending us to Lakeland, TN, “Why me, Lord?” I will never forget His response during that time of prayer: “Because I know you’ll do it.” Yeah, it’s almost like He knew exactly what He was talking about, huh? We’ve been here eight years, and amidst all the surprises and uncomfortable uncertainties, I can honestly say that we’re still doing our best simply to hear His words and obey.
And it’s in obeying that I’m supposed to find blessing. “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” I often look at external markers as signs of blessing, but the blessing of obedience doesn’t always reveal itself with tangible results. Sometimes the results seem to reflect the opposite of my expected “blessing”. Sunshine and roses and skipping through the tulip fields with fluffy bunnies doesn’t always accompany a life laid down in submission to Him. If obedience is following Him and doing what He says, I need to remember that Jesus told His disciples to do that by denying themselves and carrying a cross. I don’t know how “blessed” others may have considered them, but in response to their own suffering, they actually rejoiced! (Acts 5:41)
When things are difficult for Christians, sentiments about how “blessed” we are kinda fade away in the eyes of many. When Christians are persecuted, few look at them and call them blessed or rush to join their cause. When Jesus was on the cross, few would have deemed His mother and His followers as specially privileged or favored. And when faithfulness to the Lord doesn’t produce expected tangible results, the tree can get “judged by its fruit” by observers and found wanting. In all of those instances, His words here must be our constant reminders: “BLESSED are those who hear the word of the Lord and observe it.” I must live blessed.
Relationships take time and significant investment—they require sacrifice, commitment, and valuation beyond utility. The trust involved in those friendships often develops slowly, and many times through enduring trials and difficulties together. I still remember the Lord teaching me, “Ministry flows from relationship rather than the other way around”. And doing things that way doesn’t always produce the immediate and abundant fruit I’m looking for. Instead, I get to WAIT, and be patient, and pray when things seem to be hopelessly forever stuck the way they’ve always been. It’s not exactly a life filled with fruit that I can see, but as best as I can do it, it’s one that is set on obeying Him. And according to His Word, I am blessed.
As Tom and I travel, pray, talk with candidates and leaders, even chat with passengers on airplanes, it’s abundantly clear that our nation desperately needs the Lord. True unity is only found in Christ, and we get to represent His unity, Church! As we rally to Him, pray for America, point others to Christ, and seek His Word for wisdom, He uses us in mighty ways far beyond just our own circle of influence. This upcoming election is no different, and we’re reminding folks of that regularly as we travel. Thank you for joining us in spirit and in prayer, and make sure you vote!
Our kids are chugging away with school, work, social activities and Club America gatherings (go, Justice!). Honestly, it feels like I’m the one falling behind because of our travel schedule. But Denise does an amazing job, even in my absence, and if I have to read up a bit on some Algebra or Geometry when I get home, that’s okay. Hey, at least I’m the one who gets to read the Teacher’s Guide, right?
I apologize for this update coming a few days late…and also want to give fair warning that next month’s may very well get delivered AFTER Election Day (probably on purpose). We live in interesting times, don’t we, Church? Our monthly updates are posted on New Life Fellowship’s web site (https://newlifebarstow.com/keeping-up-with-the-roberts) if you care to follow things there. You can also review past newsletters too! For our email recipients, thanks so much for taking the time to read these! (And if anyone would like to be added to that list, shoot me a text/email/call/etc.) As always, your support, encouragement, prayers, prayer requests, updates and visits are treasures for our entire family. Thank you for all the ways you demonstrate your love for us—we love you back tons! For those wanting to contribute to this crazy mission to Memphis and beyond, New Life Fellowship in Barstow, CA remains our giving connection: newlifebarstow.com/give (Missions—Roberts Family). We love y’all so much and can’t wait to rejoice in the FRUIT of all of our obedience to Him with one another.
Lots and lots and lots of love,
The Roberts Family
(Cliff, Denise, Purity, Wisdom, Truth, Justice, Honor and Life)
Yes, this picture is blurry, but here’s our family at the movies with some friends. Text me to find out what we watched…and why you should 100% skip it. Lol!
Hanging out with friends, reading books, and Life is…well…being Life!
Life got to take a couple of friends with him to the Children’s Museum of Memphis. He hadn’t been in quite a while, and the others had never been at all! Needless to say, they had a blast together.