I Have Decided

That 2009 will complete my time in the blogging world. It has been an incredibly fun and rewarding and revealing time for me. But as most things in this world, there is a time and a season to it. And I believe this is the end of the time and the season.

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to read and even a bigger thanks to you who have taken the time to respond.

All for now,
Lisa

What Can Faith Really Do?

Ever ask yourself that? I have. Plenty of times. I heard this song and it spoke to me. I hope it speaks to you also.

What Faith Can Do
by Kutless

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think its more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don't you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It'll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You do have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't
It'll tell you that you can!

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do
hat's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

All for now,
Lisa

Not a "First Song" But a Good One

I heard this on the radio this morning, yet it wasn't the first song I heard. But I so needed to hear it.

Truth be told, I guess I've been feeling a little more lonely than usual lately... perhaps with all the traveling, all the changes, all the constants. But the song reminds me that there is one thing I too often forget to do.. come to the cross. That's where my heart belongs.

Perhaps you need to be reminded of it also.

Where Your Heart Belongs
by Mainstay

You lost yourself in finding out
The wonders of the world will let you down
You gave yourself to those who never
Cared about your soul, they only cared for their own
Seems everyone has left you

You're not alone, I hear you call
And I've been waiting here for you through it all
You're not alone, come to the cross
Let me show you where your heart belongs
You're not alone

You went down the darkest roads
And you know just how it feels to lose your hope
But don't give up on everything
When everyone has given up on you
And it feels like everyone has left you

You're not alone, I hear you call
I've been waiting here for you through it all
You're not alone, come to the cross
Let me show you where your heart belongs
You're not alone

I will never leave you
Come back to my open arms
To the only love you need

You're not alone, I hear you call
And I've been waiting here for you through it all
You're not alone, come to the cross
Let me show you where your heart belongs
You're not alone, you're not alone, you're not alone

All for now,
Lisa

Another "First Song I Heard This Morning"

I heard this song as the alarm went off this morning. I couldn't help but smile thinking how true it was. I've felt His arms particularly strongly the last few weeks - especially being on a mission trip. But when I felt it strongest I was walking alone on a pretty sidewalk in Madrid, Spain. There was nothing notable about the walk, but I couldn't stop smiling. I simply felt God's presence. Safe in His arms.

In My Arms
by Plumb

Your baby blues
So full of wonder
Your curly cues
Your contageous smile
And as I watch
You start to grow up
All I can do is hold you tight

Knowing clouds will rage
And storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

Story books full of fairy tales
Of kings and queens and the bluest skies
My heart is torn just in knowing
You'll someday see the truth from lies

Knowing clouds will rage
And storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

Castles they might crumble
Dreams may not come true
But you are never all alone
Because I will always
Always love you

Clouds will rage
And storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

All for now,
Lisa

October Will be a Busy Month

October has started out very well - especially with the David Crowder concert (and meet and greet) and a wedding of two good friends this past weekend!

Shortly I leave for Spain for a mission trip, mainly working with College-aged students. We will also make a trip to Morocco for 4-5 days for a scouting trip for future mission trips.

When I return, I will be volunteering with the Wildlife Rehab and Education center. We will be building flight cages for native wild birds currently being rehabilitated at the WR&E center (such as hawk, owls, and pelicans). I'm really looking forward to this.

I also hope to get to see the "Speaking Louder Than Before" tour with Jeremy Camp, 10th Avenue North, and Bebo Norman. That will be a great way to round out the month. And a nice way to set up for November... which should be full of camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, bday celebrating, and, of course giving thanks, on that 4th Thursday!

So, you may not hear from me too much. But stay tuned - you just never know when I might be an itching to blog.

God is good!

All for now,
Lisa

What in the World Will I Do?

Yesterday, I received yet another very profound article from Hudson Russell Davis entitled, "When the Expected Arrives - Part 1". If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll remember that I first started reading Davis when he released articles entitled, "A Confession of Longing" and "A Longing like Starvation" back in late May 2008.

Yesterday's installment was no different. He has a keen way of getting to some very deep feelings and thoughts - and presenting them so clearly and concisely. Sometimes when I read his articles I feel like I'm reading lines on my own heart.

I particularly liked this quote:

Life is lived just where we are with the hope and expectation of what our hearts desire and we are to live there in peace. It is the greatest test of faith to be laid low by a desire for more and in the midst of it all still know peace. It is a testimony to our faith that we can trust Him in the now while hoping and expecting more in the future. In this we can be content but not satisfied. What we dare not do is lift our voices to accuse God of being unkind.

And then this hit me like a done of bricks:

We live by faith and not by sight. We live with a desire not a realization. We pursue what we have not yet attained and sometimes after the long period of expectation—an occasion of realization—the expected arrives. Then that traveler, so familiar with the roughed landscape through the wilderness of loneliness must exchange what sustained out there for those things that sustain a marriage.

I've pondered often much of what he wrote... about what exactly I will do once my waiting is done. Once the prayer for a husband turns into a reality of the husband. I have prayed often that during this time of wait I don't put my husband on a pedastal or create such a realistic fantasy that the fantasy becomes more enduring than the reality. Will the dream of a husband be better to me and more natural to me than the reality of a husband? After all, I've been in wait over 20 years. Has it become such a natural part of me that I'll miss it once it's gone (meaning, once he arrives?).

What in the world will I do? I can't wait to find out. :-)

After all, I don't want to marry a perfect husband. Just a perfect-for-me husband.

All for now,
Lisa

An Untitled Hymn to Go Along with a Psalm

My friend, Heather, just updated her facebook status with a verse in the Psalms. A song immediately came to mind so I figured I'd post both!

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
Psalm 91:2

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)
by Chris Rice

Weak and wounded sinner,
Lost and left to die,
O, raise your head,
For Love is passing by

Come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus
And live

Now your burden's lifted,
And carried far away,
And precious blood
Has washed away the stain... so

Sing to Jesus ,
Sing to Jesus ,
Sing to Jesus
And live

And like a newborn baby,
Don't be afraid to crawl,
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall... so

Fall on Jesus,
Fall on Jesus,
Fall on Jesus
And live

Sometimes the way is lonely,
And steep and filled with pain,
So if your sky is dark
And pours the rain... then

Cry to Jesus,
Cry to Jesus,
Cry to Jesus
And live

O, and when the love splills over,
And music fills the night,
And when you can't contain
Your joy inside... then

Dance for Jesus,
Dance for Jesus,
Dance for Jesus
And live

And with your final heartbeat,
Kiss the world goodbye,
Then go in peace,
And laugh on Glory's side... and

Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus
And live

Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus
and live,

All for now,
Lisa