A Year in Review, a Year to Behold, and a Signing Off

On January 29 of this year, I wrote a blog entry in which I recorded a bucket list. While I don't "live by it", I did find it fun to write. It also gave me cause to write a thankful list, which again, gave me an opportunity to realize how thankful I am to God for giving me so many different opportunities in this life on earth.

With that in mind, I figured now would be a good time to reflect over the past year and write down a year in review.

Things done this year from the 2009 Bucket List
Visit Spain (and a priviledge that it was a mission trip)
Fly in a glider (soaring)
See an American eagle in its natural habitat
Climb up the Grand Canyon
Learn how to tie different knots
Shoot a machine gun
Go deer hunting
Go rappelling - Aussie style!
Play a wii

And some things I didn't expect
Climbed the 3rd largest cathedral (in Sevilla, Spain) (I've already climbed #1 and #2)
Took the Jeep 4 wheeling (again)
Rode the MS150 in Texas
Rode the MS150 in California
Went to my sister's 30th High School reunion
Went dove hunting
Went paintballing
Completed an artwork for the church's Easter art installation
"Badged" with the Houston Lifestock Show and Rodeo
Learned how to weld
Learned how to play the djembe and congas
Became "director" of a 1 year olds class for the children's ministry at my church
Took a photo with David Crowder (another CCM artist)
Saw a meteor shower

And looking forward to 2010, here's some things I'd love to do:

Here's my hopes for 2010 from my 2009 bucket list
Learn to fly fish
* Vacation in Costa Rica (maybe even surf!)
Swim with dolphins/whales/manta rays
Catch a firefly and put it in a jar
Learn to sail (by myself)
Learn to start a fire (without matches)
* Go back to Ireland, and be sure to kiss the Blarney stone this time
Visit Peru (and climb Machu Picchu)
** Get married
Go deep sea fishing
Learn how to make beer, wine, or even moonshine!
Peg a speedometer of something fast!!
See a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans
Ride on the Ferris Wheel at the Texas State Fair

And some new things
Visit Alaska
Ride a zip line (again)
Learn how to build a log cabin
Participate in a drum circle
Learn to play the trap set (drums)
Teach mosaics at Laity Lodge (again)
Kayak on Corpus Christi bay
Do an artwork for the church's Easter art installation (again)
Buy some recreational/retirement land
Go rappelling - Aussie style! (this time, not get talked out of it half way down!)

* These may have more of a missions focus now, but this remains to be seen... or unfolded!
** Hope springs eternal!

You know, life is definitely more than "doing things" but, we have a short time here and I want to enjoy ALL that He has created for us. And I want to make sure to enjoy it with the perspective that I am an alien here - meaning, with a God-honoring perspective and in a way that makes me think not about earth but about our eternal home.

This is probably more than all for now... this is probably all.

Signing off,
Lisa

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

First Song I Heard This Morning

You know how when you just wake up you're not quite moving? I try to take those moments to listen to see if the Lord is saying something to me. Just in the quiet of the morning. I don't think I had ever heard the song that played after my alarm went off this morning. It was a peaceful song. I had to look up the singer and the lyrics. Here they are... enjoy!

Healer
By Kari Jobe

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus, You're all I need

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus, You're all I need

Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You

All for now,
Lisa

Could Not Have Been a Better Devotional for Me!

Today's Streams in the Desert was just absolutely perfect for me! I could not have said it better! He has put me in a place of utter confusion only to make my path straight. Something only God could do... oh how He loves me! And oh how I cling to Him closer than ever.

I will add it here for your convenience!

Making Straight the Crooked

"Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked" (Eccles. 7:13).

Often God seems to place His children in positions of profound difficulty, leading them into a wedge from which there is no escape; contriving a situation which no human judgment would have permitted, had it been previously consulted. The very cloud conducts them thither. You may be thus involved at this very hour.

It does seem perplexing and very serious to the last degree, but it is perfectly right. The issue will more than justify Him who has brought you hither. It is a platform for the display of His almighty grace and power.

He will not only deliver you; but in doing so, He will give you a lesson that you will never forget, and to which, in many a psalm and song, in after days, you will revert. You will never be able to thank God enough for having done just as He has. --Selected

"We may wait till He explains,
Because we know that Jesus reigns."

It puzzles me; but, Lord, Thou understandest,
And wilt one day explain this crooked thing.
Meanwhile, I know that it has worked out Thy best--
Its very crookedness taught me to cling.

Thou hast fenced up my ways, made my paths crooked,
To keep my wand'ring eyes fixed on Thee;
To make me what I was not, humble, patient;
To draw my heart from earthly love to Thee.

So I will thank and praise Thee for this puzzle,
And trust where I cannot understand.
Rejoicing Thou dost hold me worth such testing,
I cling the closer to Thy guiding hand.--F.E.M.I.

All for now,
Lisa

The Top 12 Indicators that the Economy is Bad

I received this in an email. Thought I would post just for grins...

The top 12 indicators that the economy is bad:

12. CEO's are now playing miniature golf.
11. I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.
10. I went to buy a toaster oven, and they gave me a bank.
9. Hot wheels and Match box car companies are now trading higher than GM in the stock market.
8. Obama met with small businesses... GE, Pfizer, Chrysler, Citigroup, and GM to discuss the Stimulus Package.
7. McDonald's is selling the 1/4 ouncer.
6. People in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and are learning their children's names.
5. The highest paid job is now jury duty.
4. People in Africa are donating money to Americans.
3. Motel 6 won't leave the lights on.
2. The Mafia is laying off judges.

And the Number 1 indicator

1. If the bank returns your check marked as "insufficient funds," you have to call and ask if they meant you or them.

All for now,
Lisa

Taking Good News

Having just finished the Houston Project this year with my church, I am coming down from the high of a great blessing of being the hands and feet of Christ in a very focused way. And I was able to take lots of photos too! I just love the faces of the nations! "Let the nations be glad" as Piper would say.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

And I have quite a few friends that are on mission trips right now... all over the country... Kenya, France, and other parts just to name a few. I have been praying for these folks.

With all of this happening, a song keeps coming to my mind (nothing new for me... I pretty much live in song lyrics!). :-) The song is Twila Paris' "How Beautiful". It's based on the scripture:

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Romans 10:14-15

you can listen here

Have you taken the good news to anyone recently?

all for now,
Lisa

U2's 40

I'm not a big U2 fan, but a friend told me about this song... based on Psalm 40. If you're read much here, you know God has really been speaking to me through this Psalm. So, to hear it put to a modern melody brings a new understanding of it.

You can listen/watch here

lyrics:

I waited patiently for the Lord.
He inclined and heard my cry
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the miry clay

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song

How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long...how long...how long...
How long...to sing this song

He set my feet upon a rock
And made my footsteps firm
Many will see
Many will see and fear

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song

How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long...how long...how long...

All for now,
Lisa

A Conversation about Hope Deferred

I forwarded a great article on hope deferred to a friend of mine (who is currently single). Her response was good:

you know this was a great article about hope deferred. I really want to persevere during this time in my life and not let the desire for a husband consume me, especially when there is guy on the horizon or when friends start dating or get engaged. I know I have compared my life to others and thought, well how come they get that blessing and I don't? What did you think of it?

Here's my response back to her... pretty much says all I had to say:

To say I haven't done that would be a lie. Yet to say I have done that a million times would be an understatement. :-) But I trust in God's grace and mercy. The important point is to recognize the lie and to agree with God's truth.

A few points I really liked in this article:

• You have asked of God, and now you must trust Him and entrust your desires to Him. Now you must let go of them. Surrender them to God, your Father
• What we find here in Romans is that years of waiting on God should produce more hope, not less.
• One thing I’ve learned to do is praise God in the middle of my dashed hopes.
• "chain of hope” in Romans 5:3-6

In Sunday school, my teacher said, "our roots grow deep in adversity". Call waiting on a husband "adversity" - or whatever you like. But I agree. It is not until you are tested that you can truly see your character. When I was in Gethsemane, there was an ancient oil press there... to press the olives. The guide said something very insightful, "the quality of the oil cannot be known until the olive has been pressed." I think we are a lot the same.

One of the biggest questions you have to ask yourself is does waiting produce more hope or less?

Of course, this all goes back to another question... what do you really think about
God? What is His character? If you have questions about that, then the rest crumbles.

And then the next question... what is He about? Our comfort or His glory? ouch.

So, then, I rest in the fact that He is always at work, always good, always for my best, and apparently me being single right now affords Him the most glory.

And that's where I rest. In trust. And waiting.

All for now,
Lisa

Living in the Waiting Room

I actually started this blog entry on 15 June. Over two weeks later I'm finally able to finish it. Not because of laziness. Quite the contrary. I love blogging and look forward to it. But there was a thought missing. And idea not quite blossomed. Only now can I finish it. Yesterday's Streams in the Desert devotional helped me to finish forming the thoughts. I'm big on letting the revelation come in due time. And I didn't want to rush it. Hmmm... perhaps this alone was an exercise in living out waiting...

I have been studying Psalm 40, which is such a picture of David waiting on the Lord... and receiving strength because he was waiting on the Lord - ALONE - and not waiting on something or someone.

What does it mean to wait on the Lord? I am realizing that waiting and obedience have the same effect. They both are surrendering to the Lord. Waiting is obedience.

If the waiting room is the refuge of the Lord then I run into its shelter. But what does that mean? What are the aspects of waiting? I read these somewhere and have forgotten where I saw them. But I want to talk about each of them:

1. A demonstration of love
Waiting says "I trust you and know you have the best way". It says I love you enough to wait on you. A friend of mine who just got engaged was telling me that while she waited to say the direct words, "I love you" to her fiance, she told him, "I do these things because I love you". It made me mindful of action showing love. After all, Shakespeare once said, "He does not love who does not show love".

2. An acknowledgement of our source of power and life
When I read this point, Moses immediately came to mind. He would not go anywhere without God's presence.

Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here."
Exodus 33:15

Too often have I rushed off, half-cocked when I felt the Lord direting my path. However, if He says He's going to do something, He will do it. We don't need to do it for Him. But make sure you're there with Him and that you haven't gone out on your own - trying to do something for Him.

Because we can do nothing without Christ, we ought to believe, expect, wait for, and depend upon His operation in everything that we do through His Spirit dwelling in us.
–Andrew Murray

3. In a position to receive and respond
This is probably the most powerful point of waiting. It is not our job to "do" anything, but just receive and respond. How can we if we are not focusing on Him. Casting our eyes upward during this time of waiting puts you in a perfect position to receive and respond. I found a great prayer in today's devotional which can be prayed to put yourself in a position to receive and respond:

Now, Lord, not my will, but Thine be done. I know not what to do; Iam brought to
extremities; but I will wait until Thou shalt cleave the floods, or drive back
myfoes. I will wait, if Thou keep me many a day, for my heart is fixed upon Thee
alone, O God, and my spirit waiteth for Thee in full conviction that Thou wilt yet
be my joy and my salvation, myrefuge and my strong tower.
--Morning by Morning

I suppose I'm a little tired right now from a season of protracted waiting. Yet a friend said something very insighful:

We all consider "waiting" to be exhausting. But, if we read the verse Isaiah 40:31 and truly BELIEVE it, then "waiting" for us should be a time of gaining new strength. Perhaps we are exhausted in our efforts of waiting on the LORD because we are not really waiting on the LORD. Rather, in our heart of hearts, we are waiting on the thing, person, or our circumstances to change. Our strength will be renewed if we wait on the LORD! That is so exciting to me. Be patient and in the meantime have God-time.

I suppose that goes back to the very first point of what I learned from David.

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
Psalm 40:1

David waited patiently for the Lord - not what the Lord had in store. ouch.

All for now,
Lisa

P.S. For all the waiting the David did, especially in Psalm 40, I can't help but identify with the ending verse of Psalm 40 - a kind of "I'm waiting, but can you hurry?" :-)

Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.

Dissecting Psalm 139

Psalm 139 came to my attention, again, in this past Sunday's sermon on End Times. On Sunday, I knew I wanted to look back in my journals, blog, and calendar because the whole chapter has meant so much to me (but I really didn't know when I'd have time). Why I chose today to look at only makes me smile, now that I have taken the time to investigate it. Isn't time with God always like that? Always makes you smile after you've taken the time to spend with Him.

Chronology:

On the below dates, I somehow blogged or noted in my calendar the below events. Some of the below I understand now, but some may be revealed in the future (which is marked by the (?)). But regardless, it amazes me how keenly aware He is of every detail in my life (which is definitely one of the points in Psalm 139).

• June 8, 2008 - HFBC, "God Provides" sermon - Psalm 139:23-24
• June 9, 2008 - found Angels' website, "B: Leading Ladies... B is for beauty", Psalm 139:13-18 (really when it occured to me that Psalm 139 was becoming a theme)
• July 30, 2008 - blogged after being convicted of pride and arrogancy - Psalm 139:23-24
• August 29, 2008 - "test" was one of the words I received - Psalm 139:23
• Feb 17-18, 2009 - blogged the entire chapter after I did the Missions Committee devotional on "the only way it comes is through Jesus Christ"; and very keen on the word "inheritance" (?)
• June 7, 2009 - HFBC, "End Times" sermon - Psalm 139:7-10
• June 8, 2009 - looked back to see, and unknown to me at the time, that it was one year - to the date - that I was first given the idea of Psalm 139!

Viewpoint:

I'm going to attempt to share what the different sections mean to me. But that's like a blind man trying to describe a rainbow. Just too beautiful for explanation; it has to be experienced. I invite you to do the same.

verses 1-6:
seem to focus on who God is - His character. Most of the sentences being with "You". I have been learning a lot in the past year or so about His never-failing character. In fact, I have a whole page in my journal which is devoted to one-word descriptions of our Lord: Faithful. True. Lover. Healer. Judge. Protector. King. Friend. Beginning. End. Provider. Creator. Patient. Powerful. Real. Persistent. Forgiver. Promise. Precious. Majesty. Authority. Sufficient. Complete. Self-existent. Banner. Secure. Beautiful. Comforter. Love. Grace. Mercy.

you get the idea. He's BIG! David got it also. And I think that's always a good place to begin... looking at just how big our God really is. It definitely puts things in proper perspective.

verses 7-12:
describe God and His ability to be in all places at all times. The God who created time is not bound by it. That's why He is forever the same, never changing. And it can be intimidating and reassuring all at the same time. There is no where I can that He is not there. David says, "If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me', even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." I think He truly understood that God was always there.

(Now what's really funny is that I have itunes playing in the background and what came on "coincidentally" while I was writing this section was "Always on My Mind" - Willie Nelson's version. I had to bust out laughing. God's timing is so amazing. We just need eyes that see.)

I remember Rich Mullins sharing about one time when he was in a bit of a rebellion that he asked God to "blink... for a really long time". I can identify with that. There have been times (more times than I'd like to admit) that I've wanted God to just blink. But He cannot and does not... because He has chosen to not. Now that's love of the covenental kind.

verses 13-18:
tell of God's power - and to create beauty! US!!!! Yes, you and me. David was speaking very personally here... and praising God for creating Him just the way He was. What I also love about this section of passage is that David says, "Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." It reinforces the whole idea to me that God has been at "rest" since creation, end of day 6. Everything was created, including time. But He created time and we live in it and must wait as things unfold. Things already created, just waiting to happen. This, again, reinforces to me the idea of trust, rest, wait.

verses 19-24:
David focuses inwardly to conclude this chapter. But this is how it started off with me: examining myself - via the Holy Spirit's prompting.

I think it very telling that David starts off this section with hatred - for those who hate God. But then the last two verses, to me, describe a man who realizes His hate and asks God to search him to see if there is any offensive way in him and lead him in the way everlasting. What this says to me is that I think he may have "gone off" on others, maybe being a big judgmental, and when he realized his judgmental spirit, he caught it and humbled himself. Man, how many times has pride, judgment, and arrogancy clouded my eyes?

(Another song "coincidence" - would you believe Chris Tomlin's "My Chains are Gone - Amazing Grace" just came on?!? Don't you think David must have been overwhelmed with God's grace as he wrote those last two verses?)

The last 6 words are the most grace and mercy filled: "Lead me in the way everlasting". I mean how could we even entertain the idea of a perfect and Holy God being anywhere near us, save grace and mercy? Thank you, Lord, for Your perfect grace and mercy.

Enjoy who you are and who God has made you to be. There is no one else like you. He only makes originals. And as Psalm 139 confirms, God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. But God gave us the ability to choose. As Andrew Murray points out, as believers, we will do one of two things - either deny self or deny Jesus.

What do you choose today?

All for now,
Lisa

Puncturing Illusions

I actually thought of this blog title way back on 30 April, 2009. Although I don't remember much of what I wanted to blog about then, I have a full idea of what I want to write now.

I think I absorb the most by looking reflectively at things; after they happen. I know I write a lot here about my reflections since last May - which was such a watershed for me. And not to stop there, many a significant event has happened since then, only for me to recognize and acknowledge God's unrelenting work in me.

I looked online for "reflective learning". I was suprised at how many results came up (1,200,000)! The 4th result listed had some interesting information:

Reflection can help you to:

• better understand your strengths and weaknesses
• identify and question your underlying values and beliefs
• acknowledge and challenge possible assumptions on which you base your ideas, feelings and actions
• recognize areas of potential bias or discrimination
• acknowledge your fears, and
• identify possible inadequacies or areas for improvement.

Reflection can lead to greater self-awareness, which in turn is a first step to positive change – it is a necessary stage in identifying areas for improvement and growth in both personal and professional contexts. Taking time to reflect can help you identify approaches that have worked well, and in that way reinforce good practice.

I don't want to turn this into a self-awareness exercise because I this it is more about the Holy Spirit's work in me. Yet, truly, all this has really been puncturing illusions that I had been living with for years. Illusions of who God truly is; who I am (faults, habit, blind spots, and chains and all); who He has created me to be, His design for love and marriage; and most importantly the power of transformation. Praise Him!

I've learned a lot, despite my kicking and screaming - for the crucible that I have been in, for growth that sometimes hurts; for truth that can sometimes be painful and for the protracted trust, rest, and wait that He calls me to... all of which I have, at times, demanded that He relent. Ye loves me too much to give into my demands; especially desires that turn into demands which turn into felt needs.

The most of what I have learned: All of Him is more than enough for all of me. I'm trusting Him for the rest and wait.

All for now,
Lisa

May Seems to Be the Month of "Trust" for Me

I received yet another wonderful article in my inbox from Hudson Russell Davis. He's the Crosswalk author that has written so many wonderful articles about the art of being single... especially when one's singleness is protracted years beyond what one would have expected.

Ever read an article and notice yourself nodding in agreement almost all the way through it? Well, I have before and did it again when I read his latest article. I find myself nodding in agreement through most of Davis' articles. He writes truth, without blushing. I appreciate that.

What I noticed as I was reading his latest article was it reiterated so many of the themes that God has been showing me for some time now. I looked back and May tended to be the month that it hit:

May 2006 --> A Season to Simply Trust
May 2008 --> Surrendering: Letting Go But Not Giving Up
May 2009 --> I Believe Him; I Trust Him

Not sure what else to say, other than thank you Lord!

All for now,
Lisa

I Believe Him; I Trust Him

I just read this song on another blog... had yet to hear it. Really powerful!

Let me just say this.... I believe Him now. There is no evidence to prove one way or another, yet I believe Him. And I trust Him too. His words are true, and all His promises are sure.

Believe Me Now
by Steven Curtis Chapman

I watch you looking out across the raging water
So sure your only hope lies on the other side
You hear the enemy that's closing in around you
And I know that you don't have the strength to fight
But do you have the faith to stand and...

Believe Me now
Believe Me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you and I am for you
So believe Me now
Believe Me now

I am the One who waved my hand and split the ocean
I am the One who spoke the words and raised the dead
And I've loved you long before I set the world in motion
I know all the fears you're feeling now
But do you remember who I am?
Do you..

Believe Me now
Believe Me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you
And I am for you
So believe Me now
Believe it's true
I never have, I never will abandon you
And the God that I have always been
I will forever be
So believe Me now

I am the God who never wastes a single hurt that you endure
My words are true, and all My promises are sure
So believe Me now
Oh, believe Me now

All for now,
Lisa

Thoughts from 10 Dirty Fingernails

Though my backyard is relatively small, the greenery can get out of hand very easily, especially if you're not looking! :-)

This past weekend I decided to forage my way into the very back of the yard to trim up some vines and branches that had gotten WAY overgrown. This was an attempt to make a pathway to a neighbor's tree that has grown branches into my backyard - and even encroaching on the 85 year old crepe myrtles. I eventually need to tackle those encroaching branches, but first things first!

Saturday was a hot and humid morning, but I was enjoying getting my fingers dirty. There’s nothing like spending a little time digging into God’s green earth that puts everything into just the right perspective. I thought about turning on some tunes, but the silence, broken only by a bird singing, was nice.

At first, I didn’t think the vines were that overgrown. Although it had been at least two years since I last trimmed them. Well, as I started tackling the vines, I realized they had grown over the fence and down the fence line! Wow – and the vines were as thick as a rope!
It’s those kinds of moments that give me such a unique spiritual perspective. I thought about how Jesus says...

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:5-8

...because earlier last week I had started removing some vines. And just a few days later, the vines and branches where I chopped a path were already brown and withered. It really brought home the point that branches that are thrown away wither and are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. They don’t last.

Then I started thinking about vines that just grow, without direction. They may grow, but they won’t bear fruit. It made me mindful of the verses earlier in the chapter:

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
John 15:1-4

Lord, thank you for being the gardener. And for pruning me so I may bear Your fruit. Fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

And thank you, Lord, for even using a hot humid day in my backyard to teach me something about You.

I love you Lord.

All for now,
Lisa

Ever Have a Song Roll Around in Your Head For Days?

I Will Rise
by Chris Tomlin

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise I will rise
And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
[x2]

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

All for now,
Lisa

Thoughts from a Recent Camping Trip

One of my favorite things to do is to go camping, paired with doing some sort of adventure (hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, rapelling)! I love the outdoors, the fun, the activity, and the fellowship. I guess you can call me a people person because I would have never thought of going camping alone until recently.

On my last camping outing I did just that. I ventured alone to our camping site early and stayed two days and a night alone - before the rest of the crew arrived. It was an odd site to be at a campsite alone (I think the ranger checked on me more than usual, which I thought was very sweet).

But I wasn't alone.

Yes, there were tons of animals around, which I was more accutely aware of due to it being quieter than usual around the campsite. I just know a deer visited me during the night. But I had one of the most awesome, yet unexpected, times alone with our Lord.

I wasn't nearly alone.

It was early morning of my second day. It had gotten colder during the night before and was actually really chilly in the early morning hours. I didn't have much wood to start a fire and the wood that I had didn't burn very well. But I was cold. So, I got the fire going, but had to tend to it pretty regularly or it would go out. I was trying to get the campsite up so I was doing a few things around the camp and then would go back to the fire to stoke it (and warm up). I finally sat down in a chair and took a little break to enjoy the fire.

It was then as I just stared into the beautiful flame that I had an "aha" moment. Isn't tending the fire much like my relationship with God? If I "walk away" for too long the relationship will suffer. And if I walk away I'll miss the "benefits" - the warmth, the glow, the energy. I was beginning to understand.

And there was more.

As I put a big log onto the fire, the flame almost went out. I hurried around to get some kindling wood to supplement the big log. I thought about the analogy to prayer. Big long prayers are good; short quick prayer are good - and both are needed.

Thank you. Lord, for even using a campfire to teach me something about You.

I love you Lord.

All for now,
Lisa

I See

great lyrics from a great lyricist...

When the Saints
by Sara Groves

Lord I have a heavy burden of all I've seen and know
It's more than I can handle
But your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones
and I cannot let it go

And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought

I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

Lord it's all that I can't carry and cannot leave behind
it often overwhelms me
but when I think of all who've gone before and lived the faithful life
their courage compells me
And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought

I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
I see the shepherd Moses in the Pharohs court
I hear his call for freedom for the people of the Lord

And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

I see the long quiet walk along the Underground Railroad
I see the slave awakening to the value of her soul
I see the young missionary and the angry spear
I see his family returning with no trace of fear
I see the long hard shadows of Calcutta nights
I see the sisters standing by the dying man's side
I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
I see the man with a passion come and kicking down the door
I see the man of sorrows and his long troubled road
I see the world on his shoulders and my easy load

And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
and when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
I want to be one of them
I want to be one of them
I want to be one of them

All for now,
Lisa

Perth, Western Australia

This is my first try at doing photomerge in Photoshop. Actually, I took these photos in October, 2008 using my trusty little point and shoot camera that I carry most places. I just did a best guess as I took a few shots of the Perth skyline and the Swan River without a tripod.

I've had the photos for a while and didn't know how to photomerge them until recently. At the time I took the shots, I had the idea of printing them and merging them manually. The more interesting thing is that I took these photos long before I bought Photoshop or the Canon 40d. I guess God knew what was coming in the future. I like that He knows those kinds of things! :-)

I've also posted the panoramic on my smugmug site. It may provide a better image quality.



All for now,
Lisa

Photojournalism

I recently watched "The Endurance", which is an amazing account of Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1914 ill-fated journey to Antarctica. It's truly a take of survival! I quote the American Museum of Natural History here:

Just one day's sail from the continent, the ship Endurance became trapped in sea ice. Frozen fast for ten months, the ship was crushed and destroyed by ice pressure, and the crew was forced to abandon ship. After camping on the ice for five months, Shackleton made two open boat journeys, one of which—a treacherous 800-mile ocean crossing to South Georgia Island—is now considered one of the greatest boat journeys in history. Trekking across the mountains of South Georgia, Shackleton reached the island's remote whaling station, organized a rescue team, and saved all of the men he had left behind.

There was an expedition photographer aboard capturing the 22 month journey. Frank Hurley was called a "warrior with his camera". His photographs are truly amazing. You can see more about him and the story of the Endurance here: http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/features/endurance/

I am intrigued by photojournalism... truly trying to capture a story with photos. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. But how do you get across more than words? How do you capture the experience?

Who else is known for their photo journalism? Anyone have any recommendations?

All for now,
Lisa

Thoughts from 75 miles on my bike

All went VERY well yesterday as day 2 of the MS150 ride went on as planned. Many kudos to the MS150 organization as they did a wonderful job preparing changes (at very late notice) for yesterday. If you didn't know the rain had come on Saturday and cancelled all of that day (and evening) you would not have known it. I know they worked VERY hard and it went off (as far as I'm concerned) without a hitch. And the traffic getting to La Grange was not nearly as difficult (or stressful) and I thought it would have been.

As you may know, on the second day of the ride, there are usually two routes you can take - one is the "challenge" route (which goes through the park and consists of some pretty tough hills). The second route is called the "lunch express" route - which basically takes HWY 71 into Bastrop. I've done the park a few times before, and having re-injured a bad knee this past October doing the half marathon in San Antonio, I had decided a few months back that I should not do the challenge route this year. Well, let me tell you, the relentless WIND made the express route (in fact, the whole ride) a little more challenging than usual. We had a pretty stiff head wind the whole 75 miles (well, except for about 100 yards where the road winded around and we got a full tailwind!). Regardless, the trip was fun, challenging, and encouraging all at the same time. I want to leave you with three snippets of memories I have from yesterday:

1) twin tandem cyclists
I rode up behind a set of tandem cyclists. Both of them were father/daughter teams. The one on the right was a younger set; the girl was probaby 8 or 9. She was doing quite well and you could tell she was enjoying the day. On the left was an older set; the girl was 21 (she had said it at one point) and she was also enjoying herself - telling about her plans for college and afterwards. I don't think the two teams knew each other. Yet I marveled at the mirror image; it was also a bit of a time machine. I could see how the right team could be the left team in a few years. And I prayed that it would be. A family that cycles together stays together. :-)

2) hand cyclist
I have seen this guy a few times on the Chevron-sponsored training rides and saw him again yesterday. I passed him a few times on the ride yesterday so I can only assume that he either gets a sag once in a while or never stops at any of the rest stops (or lunch). This guy is amazing. It was hard enough for me to do it with two legs, I can't imagine doing it with two hands. My hat is off to him! :-)

3) wheel-chair bound dude with big grin handing out strawberries
At almost the end of the race, I came upon a tent with a few people cheering riders on. That's always encouraging. What really caught my attention was one guy who was in an electric wheelchair. Now this wasn't the kind of wheel chair that had two big wheels and two little wheels. It had four little wheels. The most interesting part of it was that he made it to where he was just up on two wheels (I suppose to make him tall enough to reach cabinets). But he was up on these two wheels cheering us on and moving the chair forward to offer riders strawberries that he had on a tray. It made me smile. I so appreciated his effort to cheer us on. His smile was so beautiful! :-)

So, there you have it: three smiles from a ton stored in my head from yesterday.

One last story, I was at a rest stop toward the end when an older gentleman (probably in his late 60's) came in and was taken to the medical tent. I had put my bike near the tent so I saw him as he came in - with some contusions on his face and pretty bad cuts on his knee. He had obviously gone down pretty hard. He had road rash around his eye, what looked like he would have a black eye, a cut on his eyebrow which would need stitches, and (when he pulled away the ice pack from his nose) looked like what would have been a broken nose. What I was surprised at was his remarkably cheerful disposition. Now that's the mark of a true cyclist!

To end this on a happier note, I was also happy that I got to catch up with a friend - who was kind enough to pick me up and take me back to Houston - but first was taken to see his Austin house renovations (and got to use a shower, praise the Lord), and got to see 200+/- beautiful acres in Paige, TX.

What's next for me? I think the MS150 waves to wine might be in the cross-hairs!http://bikecan.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_CAN_homepage

All for now,
Lisa

Messiah in the Passover

The celebration if Passover tells the story of the redemption of the Israelites - from the bitterness of slavery in Egypt to the sweet hope of teh freedom in the Promised Land. But Jesus (Yeshua) is the fulfilment of the Hebrew Scriptures. And Jesus is the sweetness of our bitter experiences. Dr. Mitch Glaser, a messianic Jew, came to my church last Thursday to give an understanding of the Passover and how we can plainly see Jesus in the Passover meal.

The "script" for the Passover meal is the Haggadah (literally, "telling"). I want to give a few points here of what I heard about the passover meal:

Purity
Always prefaced with purification. It's about removing leaven from their houses (removing sin from our hearts). It is about preparing our hearts. Usually also involved washing hands... Jesus washed the disciples feet at the last supper (which was a passover feast).

Presence of God
to start the passover meal, the woman of the house lights the lights of the festival - which represents the shinah glory - the presence of God. They thank God for entering a new season (from one passover to the next).

Passover
The seder begins. 4 cups celebrated along with a meal. Elijah's cup always poured out (waiting for Elijah to announce the coming of the Messiah). We are spared because the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

The meal is full of interesting pointers and references to Jesus Christ. From the cup of redemption, to the lamb shank bone representing the spreading the blood on the doorposts of the Israelites, to the special three-part pouch that hold the matzah.

Other thoughts (from Dr. Mitch Glaser):
When redemption is near, even the bitterness of slavery is sweet. Stay sweet in hope because Jesus is near. Life without God is bitter. Life with God is sweet.

When we, by faith, apply the sacrifice of Jesus to the doorposts of our hearts, then the wrath of God passover over us. Hide behind the blood.

It all points to Jesus.

All for now,
Lisa

The Jeselsohn Stone: Gabriel's Revelation: God's Truth

I visited the Houston Museum of Natural science with a friend yesterday afternoon. There is a wonderful exhibit called, "The Birth of Christianity: A Jewish Story" that I had been wanting to see. And given this is Holy Week, I thought it would be a very appropriate time to see it. I was not disappointed. It was a very good show. And I'm sure it would not been as good had Kelley and I not latched on to a docent or two who added so much flavor to an already rich experience.

The exhibit explores the cultural, political, and personal environment that surrounded Israel 2000 years ago. I learned quite a bit about the Hasmoneons (Macabbees) reign. And having already been to Israel, it brought back wonderful memories of that land. The best part was the second half, with the Dead Sea scrolls of Matthew, John, Galatians (and a missing Isaiah scroll that I would have loved to have seen). And then there was the Jeselsohn stone (also known as "Gabriel's Revelation").

It is a three foot tablet with 87 lines of Hebrew text. That's not so amazing. Experts date it to decades before the birth of Jesus. That's not so amazing either. What is amazing is that the text speaks of a Messiah who will rise from the dead after three days!

I guess it brings new meaning to something being "written in stone". But I didn't need it to be written in stone to believe it either. It's written on my heart.

He is Risen indeed!

All for now,
Lisa

P.S. You can read more about the stone in the NY Times article here
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/world/middleeast/06stone.html?_r=2&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

You can see the Hebrew text here:
http://members.bib-arch.org/publication.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=34&Issue=1&ArticleID=16#BSBA340124

You can see the English translation here:
http://members.bib-arch.org/publication.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=34&Issue=1&ArticleID=16#BSBA340123

Just Keep Walking

This was one of the first songs played on Pandora this morning. I've been listening to "Third Day" radio on Pandora for the last few months, but I think this is the first time this song really sank into my heart. I thought it was worthy of sharing. It just reminds me that joy is... because... regardless.

Take It All
by Third Day

All the promises I've broken,
All the times I've let You down,
You forgot them, but still I hold on to the pain that makes me drown,
But now I'm ready to let it go, to give it away.

Take it all,
Cause I can't take it any longer,
All I have, I can't make it on my own,
Take the first, take the last,
Take the good and take the rest
Here I am, all I have,
Take it all.

And all the roads that lie before me,
All the struggles I go through,
Give me a secondary reminder that it all belongs to You,
Now I'm ready to let it go, to give it away.

Take it all,
Cause I can't take it any longer,
All I have, I can't make it on my own,
Take the first, take the last,
Take the good and take the rest
Here I am, all I have,
Take it all.

And ever since I died to myself,
You gave a better life to me,
I give You my finest moment,
I give You the last breath I breathe.

Take it all,
Cause I can't take it any longer,
All I have, I can't make it on my own,
Take the first, take the last,
Take the good and take the rest,

Take it all,
Cause I can'y take it any longer,
All I have, I can't take it on my own,
Take the first, take the last,
Take the good and take the rest,
Here I am, all I have,
Take it all.

All for now,
Lisa

Turned on the Radio at Just the Right Time

Coming back today from lunch (with an incredible friend), I turned on the radio in the Jeep at just the right time to hear the words (in bold below). Thank you, God, I needed that.

Always
by Building 429

I was standing in the pour raining
One dark November night
Fighting off the bitter cold
When she caught my eye
Her face was torn and her eyes were filled
And then to my surprise
She pulled out a photograph
And my heart just stopped inside
She said he would have been three today
I miss his smile, I miss his face
What was I supposed to say

But I believe always always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all hope is gone
God knows our pain and His promise remains
He will be with you always

He was living in a broken world dreaming of a home
His heart was barely keeping pace
When I found him all alone
Remembering the way he felt
When his daddy said goodbye
Fighting just to keep the tears
And the anger locked inside
He's barely holding on to faith
But deliverance is on its way

'Cuz I believe always always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all hope is gone
God knows our pain and His promise remains
He will be with you always
Friend I don't know where you are
And I don't know where you've been
Maybe you're fighting for your life
Or just about to throw the towel in
But if you're crying out for mercy
If there's no hope left at all
If you've given everything you've got
And you're still about to fall
Well hold on, hold on, hold on

Cuz I believe always always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all faith is gone
God knows our pain and His promise remains
Always, Always
He will be with you always
He will be with you always
He will be with you

All for now,
Lisa

Now I Realize the Truth

Although this song hit me over four months ago, I heard it afresh again last night. When it came to this part of the song, I stopped what I was doing and just listened. It was these words:

Now I realize the truth
That I must go through the valley
To stand upon the mountain of God

I just smiled and said, "Yes, Lord". While not necessarily my favorite thing to do, I realize the valleys are just as necessary as the mountains for life. Life with God. And that's really what I want.

It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
Psalm 119:71

All for now,
Lisa

My Ebenezer

Just as Samuel set a stone to mark the spiritual journey out of idolatry and into full commitment to God for the Israelites, God has given me the unique opportunity to mark my spiritual journey out of idolatry and into full commitment to God with letters, emails, journals, songs, writings, Bible studies, prayers, and conversations. And for some reason I've been able to capture dates - when different events have happened.

And on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of seeing those rainbows I thought I would give God the credit and the glory for not only loving me enough to want the best for me, and for weaving such a wonderful tapestry, but also for showing it to me so incredibly plainly. Ebenezer means "stone of help" and I've been putting together my Ebenezer in Microsoft Excel. How very 2009 of me, isn't it?

I've been amazed how intricately He's weaved it. I'm putting it together in a chronological fashion but am not doing it sequentially. Meaning, as events come to mind I enter them into the spreadsheet in chronological order. What I am finding out is as one event happens, practically the next day He basically comes to my rescue. I didn't realize it as it was happening and am only realizing it now.

It made me wonder about those in the great hall of faith (Hebrews 11). I guess for most of my life I had thought they were completely aware of what was happening at the time it was happening. I'm only realizing now that that's probably not the case. It was probably only in retrospect that they could realize just how much God had been right there all along, taking wonderful care of each one of them.

Thus far the Lord and helped me. I shall serve Him alone. I pray that it can be said that by faith Lisa simply was because she considered Him faithful who had made the promise.

All for now,
Lisa

Truth Without Love is Like Sodium Without Chloride: Poison, Not Salt!

While this is a direct quote from a recent article from WORLD magazine, it's been a recurring thought for a while. As a matter of fact, I wrote something about this early last month. So when I see recurring "themes" like this, it gives me cause to stop and pause to think about what the Lord is telling me.

You see, there is a battle. And at its most basic it's a battle between the natural and the supernatural. And the crazy thing about it all is that you can be naturally "right and moral" yet not be supernaturally "in truth and love". I suppose that's what I was trying to say in my earlier blog entry... you can be right yet so terribly wrong. Because truth without love is like sodium without chloride. It kills not saves.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:13-14

I have been down that road of self-effort... of self-piety. Of knowing God yet not following His lead. Of being the other prodigal. I've learned that what drives me should not just be being "right" but knowing, obeying, and walking with Him. I want to be someone who not only knows truth but also someone who wants to be a fellow laborer with Him. And that is driven by love through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

And that ministers.

All for now,
Lisa

Faith and Deficits

I thought this was good... and from the NY Times! :-)

Faith and Deficits

and would you believe this is the second time recently that George Herbert was quoted!

REDEMPTION

HAVING been tenant long to a rich Lord,
Not thriving, I resolved to be bold,
And make a suit unto him, to afford
A new small-rented lease, and cancell th’ old.

In heaven at his manour I him sought :
They told me there, that he was lately gone
About some land, which he had dearly bought
Long since on earth, to take possession.

I straight return’d, and knowing his great birth,
Sought him accordingly in great resorts ;
In cities, theatres, gardens, parks, and courts :
At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth

Of theeves and murderers : there I him espied,
Who straight, Your suit is granted, said, and died

by George Herbert

All for now,
Lisa

Ever Had An Isaac in Your Life?

Have you ever had an Isaac in your life? No, I'm not really talking about a friend named Isaac or a pet named Isaac, but something you held dear that you knew God asked you to give up!

As you know Abraham was promised and Abraham received. But what happened after Abraham received? God asked him to give Isaac up! And not just "give him up" but "offer him as a sacrifice!" Can you imagine? I truly cannot fathom it (and I don't even have kids).

I would have thought Abraham thought God was crazy! But he didn't even question him. Not once. I've read through the account multiple times and each time am convinced that Abraham completely trusted God. He had already had multiple accounts of trying to do things on his own. And each time ended up in a mess. This time it ended perfectly.

The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
Genesis 22:15-18

You know, the first commandment explains this perfectly

You shall have no other gods before me.
Exodus 20:3

It was the spiritual surrender alone that God required. Holding on to something results in idolatry.

I have had three "Isaacs" in my life in the last 15 years. And as much as God has called me to surrender these things, I have seen God's provision in two of them (so far). Yet through it I have felt the Spirit's presence and the fruits of the spirit very evident (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) most of the time. :-)

It reminds me that it is God who calls, Jesus who saves, and the Holy Spirit who gives empowerment for Godliness.

I am trusting God. And through this spiritual surrender I have seen more clearly a God would loves me and provides for me. And I'm learning what it means to live by faith!

All in all, God is my inheritance!

All for now,
Lisa

The Weight of Glory.

"If you asked twenty good men today what they thought the highest of the virtues, nineteen of them would reply, Unselfishness. But if you asked almost any of the great Christians of old he would have replied, Love. You see what has happened? A negative term has been substituted for a positive, and this is of more than philological importance. The negative ideal of Unselfishness carries with it the suggestion not primarily of securing good things for others, but of going without them ourselves, as if our abstinence and not their happiness was the important point...

If there lurks in the most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us, like and ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

~C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses

All for now,
Lisa

Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter (R)

We've been studying (R)uth in Sunday school. And it's been speaking to me in a very deep way. This Sunday I almost missed class but it was just too cold outside to ride the bike ride I had planned to ride that morning. It was 38 degrees at the start! That's just too cold for me!!!

And today, I am glad we rearranged our schedule to be in class. We're at the point in the story where Noami suggests to Ruth to go down to the threshing floor to be available to Boaz. It wasn't so much about where we are in the story as much as it is the story itself. And something came to me yesterday morning:

God: (R)omances, (R)escues, (R)edeems
Lisa: (R)ealizes, (R)eceives, (R)esponds

It is similar to what I wrote over 7 months ago. But vastly different! I think back to that entry and I smile at how much I've learned about myself, about God over these last 7 months. Blogging has been a great way to mark the mileposts along the way.

The last 7 months have been full of extreme highs and extreme lows, of realizing the character of God, of recognition of strongholds of self-effort, of obedience without understanding, about crises of faith.

And all of it is with thanksgiving. In my Tuesday night study last week, I had cause to flip by Psalm 119. I wrote out to the side of verse 71 "can I say this?" And I knew at the time I could not. That Tuesday night, I wrote a side note "yes I can. Feb 2009".

I see more clearly that these last months have been about feeling God's (R)omance and pursuit of me, understanding His character, (R)ecognizing my depravity and current strongholds, Him (R)escuing and healing me.... even from my own self-healing attempts. Hebrews 12:1-13 speaks a lot to this! He does not want us self-healed (i.e. lame) He wants us completely healed.

He has (R)edeemed me and my heart is His home. It's been a (R)adical work of God that I humbly (R)eceive and not take, and want to (R)espond to His great love for me!

All for now,
Lisa

My Exclusive Trust

God is working on my heart in the area of trust (as you all well know). Yesterday's "Walk with God" was SO GOOD! It spoke of a naked faith - and exclusive trust (and no plan B). The verses were Psalm 40:1-5. I was blessed by reading all of Psalm 40 this morning. I hope you are also! And a great commentary for more information. http://bible.somd.com/henry/H19C040.shtml

Psalm 40
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced;
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.
7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."
9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.
11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
14 May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"The LORD be exalted!"
17 Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.

All for now,
Lisa

Psalm 139 From the Viewpoint of Experts

I just read the most remarkable commentary (or collection of commentaries) on Psalm 139. It makes me appreciate it all the more.

Here... it's quick reading... http://www.abible.com/devotions/2001/20011001-0000.html

All for now,
Lisa

Meditating on Psalm 139

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

All for now,
Lisa

God Has a Way of Spoiling Me

Despite all that God is showing me... my yuck, His undefiled glory, His design for me... and the difficulty I've had dying to self, He still has a way of spoiling me.

Case in point #1: I've been doing art for quite a while and have wanted to be involved with other Christian artists for a while now. Nothing has happened in this arena and I thought all was lost. Well, I was just contacted by a guy starting an art group at my church! And he asked me to produce a piece of art for the Easter celebration. How cool is that?

Case in point #2: I've longed to see an American Bald Eagle is its natural habitat. I've seen them at the zoo, but never just "in the wild". A few weekends ago, I took a cruise on Lake Buchanan just to see eagles. We saw a few, but I wasn't really satisfied. We even saw a nest with two juveniles still in it and the mother watching over them. But I still wasn't quite satisfied. Well, on Saturday, while on a bike ride, there was an American Bald Eagle flying 30 feet over my head! I looked up to see it looking right back at me. He was beautiful! And I was amazed!! How cool is that?

God does have a way of spoiling me.

All for now,
Lisa

Alexander Supertramp

I watched "Into the Wild" the other night. This movie was based on the true story of a guy who was not enamored by the world that he was about to be ushered into by his parents. Instead, he broke free, left without saying a word, and went into the wild. It was actually a moving story - he crossed paths with many different people and each meeting had a beneficial effect on both. He changed his name to Alexander Supertramp.

God changes our name too. When we enter His kingdom here on earth we are changed forever. We are holy. Complete.

Feel like you've failed? Me too. But getting back on the path of righteousness does not involve "work" it involves "realization". Today's "Walk with God" devotional said it quite well.

We know what a mature Christian looks like. He or she will have the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). What we don't seem to know - or forget easily - is that we don't grow these attributes by doing our best at them. We get them by realizing how foreign they are to our human nature, how futile our attempts at achieving them are, and how dependent on God we are for His life wtihin us. It's a supernatural means to a supernatural life.

You were born anew when you believed. Now live by the Spirit.

All for now,
Liesel (living by the) Supernatural

Following God at All Costs

Yesterday's "Our Daily Bread" talked about God testing us to produce a God-devotion; a righteous loyalty.

There are times when God requires something really important to get His work done. He’ll ask us to give up our natural instincts to seek revenge so that we can communicate His forgiving love by forgiving our enemies. He may call us to sacrifice portions of our time or money or comforts to advance His cause. Or He may require us to allow our sons and daughters to go to a far-off land to tell others about His saving love. The way we respond to what He requires says volumes about how we really feel about Him.

But there is another kind of cost. One that very often Oswald Chambers talks about. We have to be prepared for the effects of following God. Obedience and submission means yielding and dying to self. And it means that we must follow God above all. And do what He asks. Even if it means a sacrifice of something you may hold dear. Do you love it more than God? Then it's an idol.

The question you must ask yourself is, "is God ever wrong?". "Is God ever mean?". The answer is always no. Good will come of obedience and submission. You may not see it, but it is always true.

I suppose the bottom line is that you have to look at the character of God. For how I respond to God tells exactly what I think about Him. But realizing what He has done for me reminds me exactly what He thinks about me. But I must look past my little idols to focus on exactly who God is.

All for now,
Lisa

The 48th 11:11

Well, today would have been my sister's 48th birthday.

And to her I say 11:11. :-)

All for now,
Lisa

Always Something New

You know, I've been a believer for a long while. Most of my life. And as I mature, I'm seeing the Bible in more dimensions.

You can read the Bible in two dimensions... take it at face value. And there is so much there. But it's so much bigger... to the nth dimension.

For instance, God is deeply teaching me about the fruits of the Spirit. You can take Galatians 5:22 at face value and go from there. Or you can go deeper into seeing the fruits of the Spirit; there are SO many connections. Like, how often after seeing "spirit" in the Bible do you see an attached fruit?

I would encourage you to look for those connections. It is only a perfect God who could have created such wonderful connections.

All for now,
Lisa

God is Moving

That is a title of a song that we sang this past weekend at a conference I went to at my church. And, for me, that has had multiple meanings:

First, while God does not change, does not move, He moves in us... drawing us closer to Him.

Second, within me, God Himself needed to move. He needed to move closer to His rightful place and better fill up my heart.

I've been learning a lot lately about my heart... and, I hate to admit this, I think I had underestimated my sin by underestimating my worth. So, God has been showing me my utter depravity (which has been eye-opening and actually quite yucky) and yet showing me my inestimable value/worth (which has been equally eye-opening and awe inspiring).

I just had a conversation with a friend on Saturday morning about this very thing. She confessed to me that she realized that she has downplayed her sins in her heart. Oh, how I could relate. "If they are not that bad, then I'm not that bad (I'm not that good, but I'm not that bad)". And actually, nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, I am that bad. My sins are deplorable. But my worth, because of who God made me, is priceless. Truly priceless. And we've taken our true and rightful places.

So, I am that bad, and He is that good. And I needed rescuing. And will always need it. My job is not too try to rescue myself, but receive and respond. And I'm seeing a difference between drawing in vs. pulling in, and receiving vs. taking. Very subtle, but vastly different.

All for now,
Lisa

How Can You Be Right Yet So Dreadfully Wrong?

Each year, our church goes through a devotional together. This year, we're doing "Walk With God, the One Year Devotional". I'm really enjoying it. A few days ago (January 30), the devotional was around commitment and success. It was talking about what it means to commit your ways to the Lord and how to define Godly success.

I began thinking about that. And thinking about how when I do something I want to do it right. Yet, without the power of the Holy Spirit infused in me, I may be able to do it correctly, yet fail miserably. I've failed because it's been I that has done it, and not the Lord. It may appear that I have achieved my goal or done something nice for someone else. But the bounty will eventually die. I may have done a very good and moral thing. But it is without eternal significance because it's been in my earthly power and that effort will be burned up along with everything else mortal. And I may have knowledge of the Lord and scripture, but if I don't obey and follow His lead, I move without the power of the Holy Spirit. I guess I'd just be a knowledgable pagan. That's not walking with Him. We're studying James and Ephesians in our Wednesday study and I was reminded of this verse last week:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22

Over and over again scripture tells us that sin (and not obeying the word of God is sin) leads to devastation, destruction, and death.

There is a great line in the devotional:

The issue is not status, achievements, reputation, or profit. It is godly character and eternal fruit.

Oh that is a mouthful. And probably appears foolish to many. But in that one sentence is the essence of following Christ. For with the Holy Spirit comes fruits of the spirit - and only by the Holy Spirit can one possess them. Great studying is meaningless - if you're not in the alignment of God's will. Oh, there is moral, plastic fruit. But I would suggest you scratch the surface of those fruits. The wax will appear quickly. I have learned quite a bit in this season about character. God's character. My character. And learned about fruit (even from yesterday's devotional) - fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) comes from our motives and attitudes. And it is those two things (character and fruit) that we will carry with us to Heaven. Nothing more. Nothing less.

After all, that is our form of worship. Our motives, attitudes, character, and fruit tell us exactly what we think about God.

I suppose we have to each ask ourselves what is our motive? Is it to try to do it right? Or to do it Godly? ("For the love of Christ that compels us" 2 Cor 5:14). And what is our attitude? To prove what we might know? Or to receive and respond to the Holy Spirit's leading? ("Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" Phil 2:15). All the work done for the sake of good in this world will burn up and leave all the work done for the sake of God in this world.

Beth Moore said it very well last night: We have a portion and a lot. We are harvesters (of fruit). May I gather up my sheaths and present it to my King.

Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Psalm 16:5-6

All for now,
Lisa

Thankful List

After writing my bucket list, it occurred to me that God has tremendously blessed me with many opportunites. Some of the below are very happy moments, others not so much. Regardless, I am thankful!

Here's my thankful list:
Gone to the original House of Blues (in Cambridge – no longer exists)
Rode a horse in Colorado
Been to a rodeo
Been in a rodeo
Drank beer at the Hoffbrau house in Munich
Seen the Aggie bonfire (pre-1999 tragedy)
Sent a message in a bottle (off the coast of Florida)
Been to the top of the Crysler Building and the Empire State Building
Been to the top of the World Trade Center in NYC (no longer exists)
Been interviewed on live TV (on the street) in NYC
Been to the top of the Sears tower in Chicago
Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower (with my cousin and my sister)
Rode a gondola in Venice (with my sister)
Seen the Mona Lisa at the Louvre
Toured the Notre Dame Cathedral
Been to Oxford and Cambridge - the same day
Seen Haley's Comet
Flown an airplane (I took control for about 5 minutes)
Been outdoor rappelling
Been indoor climbing
Successfully completed an outdoor high-ropes course
Jumped off a tower to ride a zipline (twice)
Climbed the Mo Pole at Mo Ranch (and jumped off the tippy top!)
Gone caving (at Enchanted Rock State Park)
Celebrated my 40th birthday with breakfast in Florence, lunch in Pisa, and dinner in Rome... ooh la la!
Driven the Pacific Coast Highway in a convertible
Climbed St. Paul’s Cathedral dome
Climbed St. Peter’s Basilica dome
Gambled in Las Vegas (but not much)
Bet on a horse
Held somebody I loved while they cried
Drank a pint of beer at the Guiness Brewery in Dublin
Stood at the Equator
Stood at the Greenwich Meridian (Greenwich, UK)
Stood on stage at the Grand Ole Opry (when it was at the Ryman) but not during a show ;-)
Visited the Mayan ruins in Mexico
Gotten a thai massage in Bangkok, Thailand
Taken an African safari
Seen a black bear in the wild in Yellowstone National Park (incredible!)
Gone hot-air ballooning (over the Serengti in Kenya, Africa)
Gone sky-diving (just once so far)
Hang-glided (technically, para-glided) in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Rode in a helicopter (over the jungles of Indonesia)
Para-sailed (in Minnesota)
Completed the MS-150 (4 times so far)
Completed a ½ marathon (twice)
Completed a triathlon (5 times)
Completed an adventure race (just once so far)
Completed a 5k/10k race (more times than I can count)
Learned to roller blade
Graduated with high honors from high school, college, and graduate school
Have been absoluted awed by a sunset - to the point of tears
Gone white-water rafting (3 times)
Gone fishing and ate my own catch
Been to the Austin City Limits Festival (twice)
Been to the New Orleans Jazz Fest (twice)
Been an "extra" at the GMA Dove Awards
Have met CCM artists: Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Wes King, Ashley Cleveland, Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, Chris Rice, Bebo Norman, and had the chance to meet Rich Mullins but didn't take it (lesson learned there)
Been to an opera
Been to a show on Broadway in NYC
Walked around Times Square at night - alone
Ate a pretzel from a street vendor in NYC
Ice skated at Wolman Rink in Central Park, NYC
Been to a show in London
Failed my first driver's test
Seen a Shakespeare play performed outside (in Ashland, Oregon)
Gone snow skiing (twice so far)
Gone water skiing (twice so far)
Was pulled behind a boat on a big giant innertube, really really fast
Ridden a Hovercraft (airboat) in Bend, Oregon (fast!)
Slept under the stars (near Big Bend)
Wished upon a shooting star
Wrote a song (11 in fact)
Held a sleeping baby until my arms went numb
Held a child until they fell asleep in my lap
Totaled a car (brand new Honda Accord, ouch)
Successfully submitted an art project for a nationally touring art show
Went on international mission trips to Yucatan (Mexico), Ecuador, Guatemala, Cuba, and Kenya
Traveled to 6 of the 7 continents
Traveled to 28+ countries
Traveled to 46 US States
Learned to play the guitar, piano (though not well), and trumpet
Marched in the Rose Bowl Parade (played trumpet in my high school band)
Been to Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium (the old one)
Caught a fly ball in the stands at an Astros game (thanks Lisa Weir)
Rode out a hurricane (4 times - Celia, Alicia, Rita, Ike, as well as Tropical Storm Allison)
Flown first class to Greece
Given blood (multiple times)
Volunteered (multiple times)
Listened to my uncle tell his WW II stories (very moving)
Visited the grave of all 4 of my grandparents
Visited the grave of my only sibling
Spoke at a funeral (my sister's)
Led worship (multiple times)
Taught youth how to lead worship
Was in China for Chinese National Day (and saw fireworks in Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong)
Smoked a cigar on the front porch of an old house - at sunset
Hiked a ‘13er+ in Colorado
Gotten locked out of my house
Gotten locked out of my car
Created a website
Stayed out all night dancing and went to work the next day (I did shower)
Researched my family genealogy (going back to 1621 in the USA – my mom’s side)
Toured the Whitehouse
Visited the US Senate and the House of Representatives
Walked right into the US Secretary of State's offices in the Pentagon (my Aunt worked there)
Visited the Texas State Capitol in Austin (even been on the floor)
Have eaten a vareity of wild meats including: snake, crocodile, frog's legs, kangaroo, ostritch, antelope, deer, rabbit, buffalo, and dove
Wrote a fan letter
Milked a cow (didn't drink it)
Planted a tree
Danced with a stranger
Driven a four-wheeler (fast!)
Played all the instruments in RockBand2
Ridden on a wooden roller coaster
Tickled a child until they couldn’t stop giggling!
Given money anonymously
Bought a house and then made it into exactly what I wanted
Walked through the red-light district in Amsterdam (with my sister)
Stood at center court at Wimbledon (but not during a match!)
Gone to a topless beach in the south of France (with my sister, but when in Rome…)
Gone mountain biking down an abandoned horse trail (DOWN HILL!!)
Salsa danced in Cuba - twice!
Partied with the African Maasai tribe – in Kenya
Snorkeled in the underwater national park in Cozumel
Bought a new car and drove it for over 200,000 miles (and still counting!)
Drove a car on the German Autobahn (not a fast one unfortunately)
Been on a sailing team that was in an actual sailing race (raced J/24's on Lake Travis)
Been to 3 big Old Testament areas (Israel, Greece, Italy)
Visited the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem
Stood in the Jordan River
Floated in the Dead Sea
Taken the subway in Los Angeles, Chicago, NYC, Washington DC, London, Paris, and Rome
Internet dated
Climbed to the top of a Buddhist temple (in Hong Kong)
Built a computer from scratch (in the late 80's)
Most importantly: Led someone to Christ (well, next to receiving Him for myself)

All for now,
Lisa