Tribute to Diane Robinson May 10, 2026
By Carolyn Smith
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It is hard for me to refer to Diane as our church Mother and I guess its because I am so much older than she is. To me she is still just a young lady probably close to my own daughter in age. |
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But what catapulted her into this position is the fact that her husband, the man that she married long before the idea of becoming a Pastor ever crossed his mind, was called by God himself to preach. I am sure if you had talked to her back in the good old days when things were just starting out for this young couple, she would have never mentioned her plans for her future would never have included becoming a Pastor’s wife . If she had known then what she knows now, history may have even rewritten itself. But the truth is God had this plan and He orchestrated that plan and He is still in charge of their lives even today. She might have been like Moses telling God I can’t do it but see God didn’t give her a private view of her life to be. No warning. Every bump she hit was a Big surprise but she and Butch held on for dear life and they were able to weather every storm that came their way. It wasn’t that they were managing all of this on their own, it was because God wanted this to happen and so it did. Diane has walked shoulder to shoulder with husband into this calling and done all that she has been instructed to do. God has used Diane and she has been the helpmate that God wanted for this man he was calling to preach. I believe God didn’t only call Pastor Butch but he also called first Lady Diane to this divine appointment so that she could serve as a wonderful First Lady of Christian Fellowship. We love her and we do see what a wonderful mother she has been to her own children. Just know Diane we all love you very much. When you stepped into the shoes first filled by our own Alice Isom, you may have been overwhelmed but you have truly made them your own and we are so proud that you belong to our church family. Bless you this Mother’s Day. |
Saw this picture of the dividing line between two driveways. Says a lot about a fellow who won’t mow the whole strip.
The Bible tells us that to have friends we have to show ourselves friendly. That ain’t always easy. Oh, we talk some, see each other often as we can but as life does life, we get away from each other. Just knowing they are there. That’s enough for me. Has to be.
Still, we can always be better about those who are near us. A pile of simple things done with love are sometimes worth more than any one thing you’ll ever do.
“Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”
-1 Corinthians 10:24
I’d say that about everywhere a man can live there’ll be a call for the one that will always do a little extra to make life good for their neighbor.
There’s no cost…and very little reward. Just being a good neighbor. Compassionate. Dependable. Solid.
Seems though that nowadays those people are fewer. Too many are all about themselves. Huh, wonder how that happened? Totally rhetorical question.
If it is within you to take care of yourself, why then is it such a bother to offer a hand to someone close? Some would say we should.
It just ain’t enough of us.
So, don’t be that guy.
-Pastor Butch
Weekly Encouragement
5/24/26
written by Frank Gupton
You may not understand why God has allowed certain circumstances in your life. But you can know this, that He is right there in the midst of them with you! Together, you can do anything no matter how difficult it might seem. Isaiah 30:20 "Though the Lord give you the bread of adversity.... yet He will be with you to teach you..." Everything is going to be ok! Trust Him!
How about a little something to think about? Seems appropriate for the day.
You win some and you lose some.
It’s called life…and it hurts. Sometimes things don’t workout so folks have a point of reference that keeps them from doing it again.
You really shouldn’t judge the actions of another especially if they are the same as yours.
But you will.
Mainly because even if you know you’re wrong, it’s easier to point a finger than to look in a mirror.
Please. Be careful. The standard you use will be the one you’re measured by.
-Pastor Butch
Thought for today:
As a believer, you must learn to visualize what God has prepared for you.
Oftentimes it’s pride that keeps you from seeing it.
Pride is an enemy of grace. There is a time that you will walk into everything that God has for you.
I believe that. I pray you do.
But, it will not happen until you learn to see past your troubles.
-Pastor Butch
https://www.chathamstartribune.com/opinion/article_8d12f9b7-1617-4ebf-bd78-c79e628ddc78.html
Reflections on Life, Parenting and Community
You don’t have to run my race. I appreciate your wanting to help. But, your legs won’t hold up. You’re not strong enough to carry me and you. What about “He ain’t heavy. He’s my brother” and all of that? That’s not a thing. That’s a 60’s ballad. Sometimes your brother is heavy and if you’re not strong enough to meet that you’ll stumble while carrying his burden. Sometimes after having done all things possible, you just have to run your own race.
What does it mean to run your own race? Back in the day I was an avid runner. I took up running figuring to lose a few pounds. Actually when I first started, I was a pretty heavy smoker. Maybe not so much pretty as I was heavy. I’d get on a treadmill and run a mile. Get off to smoke. Get back on, run a mile, get back off.
Anyway, I liked running because well, basketball wasn’t for me. (I’m a little short on tall). Running though, I could do. All I needed was time and no talent. It was personal. I set my own goals at my own pace without comparing myself to anyone. I never came in last but it wasn’t about the win no how. It was to finish as best that I could. I talked with people who’d been around the sport for a while. They’d tell me how to train and what to eat. Course all of these were just suggestions and I tried and failed many times. Wasn’t always the right thing or what I needed but I did what I could, found what worked and stuck with it. So I ran…every day.
What started as a way to lose a few pounds became a passion and before long everywhere I went…I was runningaa… (Think Forrest Gump)
I believe in terms of the race that is this life, some of these same principles hold true. Still it seems we never lack in the number of people who want their hand in it. People who want to tell us how to act and what to say. People who want to tell us what to watch or not on TV. We’ve got people today who want to tell us who to love and how to love them. This has got to be the only country in the world where any chosen group of citizens believe that it is they who dictate to the rest who to like and who to hate. Yet not a one of those people are lacing up your shoes.
I have always held to the opinion that unless you are shucking off cabbage to pay the bills around my place, you have no say in what goes on there. I believe that it is just easier for people to help others with their problems than it is to look at their own. Or as my grandfather used to say, “If your backyard is a mess, don’t come fooling around in mine.”
My experience tells me that while I may be able to offer help and encouragement, I am no one’s savior. Neither are you. Now, if you’re wondering why I’d say that it’s because I’ve seen it happen too many times. I believe that there are some well-meaning folks in our lives that are so guilt-ridden the consequences of their choices that rather than squaring away their own mess, they compensate for it by intruding upon the lives of other people. All in an effort at keeping them from making the same mistakes that they did. It’s in these moments that they “lose” the folks that they are so desperately trying to “save”. The big deal in that is that they have become so invested in “helping” that when they have hit a wall they end up getting lost themselves. Thusly, they come to dump their misery on those around them.
One of my favorite passages from the Bible is written by the apostle Paul and is found in 1 Thessalonians. Seems more than relevant for today. It says: “Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 12 Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.”
If we’ll aspire to three principles in our lives, it will be all that we can do to run our own race. The first is not to draw a lot of unnecessary attention to yourself. Too much can be troublesome. It’s one thing to be loud. Quite another to be considered a loud mouth. Next, mind your own business. Not many people that I know care for someone butting in. If you’re asked your opinion then by all means, give it. Otherwise you’ll find little trouble if you just keep it to yourself. Lastly, support yourself. Stay off the coat tails of another.
People with a good name realize that a good name does not relieve us of the practical responsibilities of life. We should remember that someone is watching us, not that we need their approval but we should use that as a catalyst for us to run the best race that we can.
If you are doing your best to be your best every day, I’d like to not only congratulate you but thank you for you belong to an exclusive club. But be careful that you only carry what you can.
Believe it or not, this world needs more people like you. Busy-bodies are a dime a dozen. Sadly they seldom know that it’s them. But people like you…they’re worth a fortune.
So you just keep doing it. Carry only what you can. You are impacting more lives by your example than you will ever know.
Butch Robinson is the Pastor of Christian Fellowship Church, located at 135 Winstead Drive in Danville, Va. He and his wife, Diane, have been married for 38 years and have a daughter, Hayley, 24, and son, Patrick, is 19. The family reside in Danville.
The sunset behind our church.
Photo taken by Scott Sexton
135 Winstead Dr.
Danville VA
(434) -792-5999