The Maluch is Running

Yes, this past week we finally put the finishing touches on the registration of our Maluch and finished the registration in John’s name.  I was absolutely ecstatic.  It is a token to me of how much love people have shown us (shown me).  Love does not equal money, but I am really, really thankful for the gifts that made it possible for us to buy and drive this Fiat. Thank you all very much.  We “dedicated” our car the other day and asked God to bless us when we use it.  We especially asked God to give us opportunities where we can use our car to bless other people and not just use it simply for our own benefit.  The other night we had such an opportunity.  I got really excited; mostly after the fact.  We were heading out of town, leaving the street lights behind and pushing through the darkness towards home.  When I flipped on the highbeams, they caught a young man standing on the side of the street who was ‘thumbing’ for a ride.  I say “thumbing” because Polish people do not “thumb a ride” but instead they sort of outstretch their right arm and “flop” their hand loosely at the wrist.  It gives me a strange feeling almost like the person who is asking for a ride is totally ashamed and that getting a ride doesn’t mean too much to them.  But that is not the case.  In all actuality, the young man seemed grateful to get a lift when he slouched into the front seat that Eric had just vacated or partially vacated.  Eric’s leg was still stuck between the two front seats and it took a moment to get him “unstuck” and start down the road.  It became evident that the young man was quite drunk when he opened his mouth to speak; the alcohol fumes were overpowering. But he was nice enough and we exchanged our names above the roaring techno music from his cell phone.  He even invited us over sometime for a beer.  I did not say that I would take him up on the offer, but I said that I would like to visit him sometime.   That is enough for today. With Polski Rolski, this is Robin signing off.

Revival

       You know, I am not a big fan of most Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) even though I know a lot of folks who are really devoted to this particular genera of music.   Music is an important part of my life and I listen to music from many different genres and by different artists,  but I guess that in a recent talk with a friend of mine I realized again about how crucial it is for me to think about my music and how it is affecting my life.  Back to theCCM songs.  If I am honest the vocal and musical style does not appeal to me many times, and so that is why I do not like some of these songs.  I feel unsettled by the really “breathy” vocal style of some of the singers.  Maybe I should search in the depths of my brain and specify why exactly I am not comfortable with this style but couldn’t I just leave it by saying that I think the “breathiness” really accentuates not only the importance of the message the  singer is trying to convey but also something very visceral, physical about the singer.  What is communicated ends up being more about the experience of the singer and less about the actually message of the song.  So having said all of that I would like to introduce a song that has meant a lot to me in the last year and a half.  I guess that he is my namesake or else I am his namesake.  His name is Robin Mark.  From what I understand, he is a man of God dedicated to the renewal of men in soul and body.  Here are the lyrics to his song “Revival”.

Revival

I hear the voice of one calling, prepare ye the way of the Lord.
And make His paths straight in the wilderness
And let your light shine in the darkness
And let your rain fall in the desert.

As sure as gold is precious and the honey sweet,
So you love this city and you love these streets.
Every child out playing by their own front door
Every baby laying on the bedroom floor.

Every dreamer dreaming in her dead-end job
Every driver driving through the rush hour mob
I feel it in my spirit, feel it in my bones
You’re going to send revival, bring them all back home

I can hear that thunder in the distance
Like a train on the edge of town
I can feel the brooding of Your Spirit
“Lay your burdens down, Lay your burdens down”.

From the Preacher preaching when the well is dry
To the lost soul reaching for a higher high
From the young man working through his hopes and fears
To the widow walking through the veil of tears

Every man and woman, every old and young
Every fathers daughter, every mothers son.
I feel it in my spirit, feel it in my bones
You’re going to send revival, bring them all back home

I can hear that thunder in the distance
Like a train on the edge of town
I can feel the brooding of Your Spirit
“Lay your burdens down, Lay your burdens down”.

Revive us, Revive us,
Revive us with your fire!

I will write more later concerning why I am affected and inspired by this song.  With Rolski Polski this is Robin signing off.