Hello and welcome to RADICALIZED HOPE. My name is Robbie Armstrong. I’m sure you’re wondering why I would create a forum around HOPE. First, I believe the world is devoid of hope. Look around you. Hate and bigotry, arguing and tearing people down, bullying, strife and deceit are EVERYWHERE. Even if you don’t know me, you’ll soon learn that my life has been blessed and I have achieved and experienced MANY great things. However, almost two years ago, “life” happened and the fairytale bubble I had been living in for so long burst in a violent way. Every facet of my life exploded almost simultaneously. For the first time in my life, I found myself incapable of “willing my way through it”. I lost myself in the process and the person I once was no longer existed. One evening, someone whose friendship I value, said to me “God didn’t bring you this far to leave you.” I thought about that through a sleepless night. The next day, I woke up in more ways than one. That day, I began my journey back to the place of HOPE and STRENGTH I had forgotten. As I have shared different aspects of this journey with others, I have been told many times, “Robbie, you have to share this with others.” After much soul searching, I made the difficult decision to do just that. The reason I say “difficult” is because, in so doing, I must expose myself and my vulnerabilities openly, honestly and completely and then share the insights I am learning to REDISCOVER, REKINDLE and REESTABLISH my HOPE again also. If I can help anyone see that in our moments of brokenness, we still have the capacity to THRIVE and show others the same thing, then I have achieved my life’s greatest accomplishment. My destiny. We are given certain circumstances in this life because we are strong enough to handle them and, by doing so in a positive way, we have shared HOPE with others. See how this works?
As I put this website together, my hands are shaking and my mind is racing. I have always kept my personal life very private and in silos. So, this feels as though I am standing in a downtown display window, at the corner of two busy streets, naked, with magnifying glass windows while your pastor walks buy. Yes, like that.
**WARNING – I do not intend to withhold any information that has brought me from the depths of despair to a renewed sense of who I am and why HOPE has prevailed in me. This will be presented in a “PG” format. Should you decide to respond with a comment or note, please match this tone. And, since this is MY website, if you use language unbecoming to all audiences, are a racist, bigot, hatemonger, or just a general troublemaker, I have the right to remove your note without anyone’s permission or counsel. Please don’t force this issue as I really do love a good debate. A debate – not an angry battle of misguided diatribes. Cool?
Each post, quote, blog, story, etc. will be coded. S=Spiritual, I=Inspiration, CP=Chronic Pain, G=Grief, T=What Would “TUDY” Say, R=Robbie’s P.O.I.N.T.S., etc. If you do not wish to read anything on that subject, please skip over it.
Again, I will not hide any part of myself in order to make anyone else feel comfortable. I mean no disrespect by this but, at the same time, these are the stories and events of my life which have influenced who I am. I intend to own all of them. Every detail. Some names will be changed or omitted to protect the guilty or oppressed. Should your theology be different from mine and you would like to respectfully discuss or debate, I’m happy to do so provided that the discussion remains civil. Same with any other subject.
Please remember your opinion is WELCOME and APPRECIATED. Just as in life, you and I may think we are COMPLETELY RIGHT in our thoughts and opinions. However, if you present them in a way that is DISRESPECTFUL, people will close their ears to you permanently and your influence will go with it. Please join me on this adventure. I look forward to your interaction and, even more, appreciate your love and support.
STAY RADICALIZED!
Robbie