lieseldiesel

2012-01-05T08:33:00.006-06:00

Another Year!

I realized today that it had been one year since I last posted a blog! My how time flies!! So, I thought I'd sit down and reflect on the past year. In keeping with past posts, I'm going to list out, by month, different events that I remember.

January
Built a pump house over the well pump at the farm
Began taking New Land Owner classes from the Colorado County Ag Extension service
Hopewood Farm becomes a non-profit corporation in the state of Texas

February
Purchased a 12 foot lowboy trailer for the farm
Began taking the Urban Rancher classes from the Harris County Ag Extension service
Purchased a Colt Anniversary III 1911 pistol in celebration of 20 years employment at Chevron

March
Cleared land for the log cabin site
Site for the log cabin was staked out
Volunteered at the Texas Quest adventure race

April
Built a two bay lean-to next to shed at the farm for tractor, 4 wheeler, and side by side
Pad site was created for the log cabin

May
Traveled to Salt Lake City for business
Took first load of timber to be milled down for the log cabin
Concrete was poured for the foundation of the log cabin

June
Went to Canton to find items for the log cabin
Traveled to Midland for business

July
Satterwhite Log Homes constructed log cabin
Traveled to Salt Lake City for business
Made 2 knives
Tractor Supply opens in Columbus, TX (woohoo!!!)

August
Put up electric fence so cows could graze on property
Shingles installed on the log cabin
Plumbing/electrical rough-in at the log cabin
Hopewood Farm now has a website domain name!

September
Interior walls up, painted at the log cabin
A/C installed at the log cabin (whew!)

October
Put up deer feeders and deer cameras on property
Kitchen cabinets installed at the log cabin
Septic/propane installed at the log cabin

November
Deer hunted first day of deer season (no kill)
Moved furniture from mobile home to log cabin

December
Countertops and appliances installed at the log cabin
Had Christmas at the farm!

I look forward to what God has planned for 2012!

All for now,
Lisa

2011-01-05T05:28:00.009-06:00

Signing Back On: Can't Stop a Good Thing!

At a friend's encouragement of my blogging, I had reason to revisit my blog a few days ago. And when I did, I re-read my 2010 wishlist - to which I had to smile at how God guided me through the year.

Now, let me reiterate that I try not to be just about doing things. But reviewing the list reminded me of how God provides. And it made me realize that my hopes shouldn't be like a Christmas list to give to a Santa-god. But more of a "is this what you would have for me?" petition to God. I'm now seeing it as a way to submit a prayerful request and to see if it aligns with God's will. Putting it up to a light, so to speak.

A friend recently posted on facebook, "when God made the world he intended on today happening. powerful to live, love and walk in that truth..." Exactly!

So I present to you 2010 in review:

January
Played in a drum circle
Learned how to play a trap set (drums)
Shot my first buck and doe!
Taught a mosaic workshop again at Laity Lodge

February
Traded in my 1996 Toyota 4Runner (with 225,000 miles) for a 2007 Toyota Tundra Pickup
Badged again with the Houston Life Stock Show and Rodeo

March
Co-led as mission trip to Costa Rica
Went turkey hunting for the first time
Went to HFBC Hunt Retreat (a long time desire)

April
Started a new position at Chevron Pipe Line Company
Created another art installation for the Church Easter exhibit

June
Met Rich Stearns (author of "Hole in the Gospel")

July
Taught a mosaic workshop again at Laity Lodge
Went to my first (and probably last) Roller Derby
Picked pears at a friend's farm

August
Purchased 21 acres near Fayetteville, TX (recreational/retirement land)
Bought the obligatory 4 wheeler and side by side for the property

October
Attended a "How to Build a Log Cabin" workshop
Bought a TRACTOR! ;-)

November
Suprised my dad by installing a 1940's Fairbury Windmill on the property

So, you can see that some things from my previous "wish" list happened, some didn't. And I'm perfectly fine with that. I embrace it, in fact.

Because what was further instilled in me during 2010, that I hope to carry with me for a long time, is that God has a plan that is perfectly suited for me. My part is to trust. But to discern the will of God takes more than a bucket list. It takes calling on the Holy Spirit for a renewed mind. I just can't do it with my simple human mind. And when I do that I need to be ready. For when I call on the Holy Spirit, He will only fill what I have emptied. Meaning, He won't fill an already filled space. If my mind is cluttered with an "I want", "I was hurt", "I need" then there's no where for the Holy Spirit to go. And if I have a "well, I've done this then you should do this God", then all I see Him as is a Coke-Machine-god. And I'm totally missing what God wants with a relationship with me.

At the end of last year, I felt a stirring on some passages that God gave me a while ago (Psalm 37:5-9, Isaiah 58:6-10). After pondering them and discussing them over email with a friend, I realized that I wanted to leave all my insecurities in 2010. The anger, the wrath, the fret, the yoke of oppression, the finger pointing, and malicious talk! Just love God for God and let Him love me for me. "Free me to give and receive love as never before."

I was comforted with “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise." (Isaiah 43:18-21).

I choose to trust because of who I know God to be (righteous and blameless) and because I know He has already chosen to love me. And my actions are based on a response to His love. But when they aren't, the good news of grace is that nothing is irredeemable. It takes repentance, then surrender. And I can't express how peaceful surrender is, when I know that it is to a perfect God who loves me more than I'll ever know.

And the marathon of surrender will continue to teach me for the rest of my life; and ending with a wonderful finish line... Heaven!

All for now,
Lisa

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. -- Proverbs 3:5-6

2009-12-22T06:35:00.011-06:00

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

2009-11-16T06:26:00.000-06:00

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

2009-11-10T06:53:00.001-06:00

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

2009-10-26T06:40:00.000-05:00

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

2009-10-22T06:37:00.000-05:00

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

2009-10-05T06:39:00.000-05:00

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

2009-09-11T06:42:00.001-05:00

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

2009-09-01T13:15:00.002-05:00

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

2009-08-20T06:24:00.002-05:00

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

2009-08-10T06:33:00.000-05:00

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

2009-07-28T06:34:00.002-05:00

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

2009-07-23T06:13:00.001-05:00

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

2009-07-22T06:26:00.000-05:00

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

2009-07-15T06:39:00.002-05:00

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

2009-07-02T06:28:00.002-05:00

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.

2009-06-08T22:31:00.008-05:00

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

2009-06-08T06:11:00.000-05:00

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

2009-06-01T06:13:00.001-05:00

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

2009-05-27T06:20:00.001-05:00

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

2009-05-18T06:21:00.004-05:00

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

2009-05-13T06:22:00.001-05:00

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

2009-05-01T06:28:00.000-05:00

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

2009-04-30T06:40:00.000-05:00

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

2009-04-28T08:46:00.003-05:00

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

2009-04-22T06:31:00.006-05:00

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

2009-04-20T06:21:00.001-05:00

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

2009-04-14T06:10:00.001-05:00

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

2009-04-08T06:34:00.005-05:00

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

2009-04-06T08:00:00.003-05:00

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

2009-04-01T15:43:00.002-05:00

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

2009-03-26T06:37:00.001-05:00

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

2009-03-23T06:35:00.001-05:00

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

2009-03-11T06:35:00.002-05:00

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

2009-03-10T06:19:00.001-05:00

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

2009-03-03T06:24:00.002-06:00

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

2009-02-26T06:27:00.001-06:00

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

2009-02-23T06:01:00.001-06:00

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

2009-02-20T06:17:00.000-06:00

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

2009-02-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

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

2009-02-17T06:26:00.000-06:00

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

2009-02-16T06:22:00.001-06:00

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

2009-02-13T06:11:00.003-06:00

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

2009-02-11T06:27:00.000-06:00

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

2009-02-10T06:27:00.000-06:00

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

2009-02-06T06:22:00.003-06:00

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

2009-02-05T06:21:00.004-06:00

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

2009-02-04T06:19:00.009-06:00

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

2009-01-30T06:21:00.020-06:00

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

2009-01-29T06:16:00.007-06:00

My Bucket List

Lists seem to be the current craze on Facebook (random facts about yourself). One friend's post inspired me to think about my bucket list. I've compiled a few bucket list items of things still to do. And then thought about a list of things I've done - and has made me very thankful for this life on earth. Oh for the life to come after this... cannot come close to comparison!

Here's my bucket list:
Mountain bike in Arches National Park
Cruise to Antarctica (will be my seventh continent to set foot on!)
Mountain bike in the Ft. Davis Mountains
Hike the Guadelupe Mountains (Guadelupe Peak)
Hike Half Dome in Yosemite
Go deep sea fishing
See the Olympics (preferably summer)
Visit Cadillac ranch (in Texas)
See the Marfa lights (went there, but didn’t see them)
See the lift-off of the space shuttle live
Drive what is left of Route 66 (in my dad’s 1956 Ford Thunderbird convertible)
Hike part of the Appalachian Trail
Ride the Trans-Canadian train
Learn to fly fish
Go to the top of the Statue of Liberty (not sure if this can be done anymore)
Go back to Ireland, and be sure to kiss the Blarney stone this time
Vacation in Costa Rica (and maybe even surf!)
Vacation in Cabo San Lucas
Vacation in the Florida Keys
Visit Japan (and climb Mt. Fuji, and see the sunrise)
Visit Spain
Visit Brazil (maybe even during Carnival)
Visit Peru (and climb Machu Picchu)
Vacation in Phuket
Visit Cambodia
Swim with dolphins/whales/manta rays
Fly in a glider (soaring)
See an American eagle in its natural habitat
See the Pyramids (and climb one for sure!)
Ride a camel
Ride an elephant
Climb an actual ‘14er in Colorado
Be a 46'er (climb all 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks)
Raft in the Grand Canyon
Climb up the Grand Canyon
Fly over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter
Fly over Hoover Dam in a helicopter
SCUBA dive
Become a missionary (as my next career)
Go ice-climbing (climb a glacier)
Go dog-sledding
Go snowmobiling
Own a dog
Learn to sail (by myself)
Learn to start a fire (without matches)
Learn how to tie different knots
Get married
Grow my own vegetables
Fly around the world on one ticket (I had the opportunity to do this right after graduate school and I wish I had taken it)
Go deep sea fishing
Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
Visit the Great Wall of China
Shoot a machine gun (at a paper target)
Go deer hunting
See Victoria Falls near Zambia
Raft the Zambezi River
See World's Highest Falls - Angel Falls in Venezuela (and hike through the jungle to get to it)
Bike vacation in New England (New Hampshire, Maine, etc)
Catch a firefly and put it in a jar
Go rappelling - Aussie style! (maybe in Zion National Park)
Live outside of Texas (maybe even the USA!)
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
Play a wii

All for now,
Lisa

2009-01-22T06:31:00.001-06:00

It's Beyond Me

I may never get the opportunity to be President of the USA, to dine with Presidents, or to even take another tour of the White House. But I do know this: Whatever I do, it will be beyond me. It will be beyond me because God will do it.

You know, in so many areas of my life, I am no spectator!! I like to get out there and DO! I'm an adventurer who doesn't mind rolling up her shirt sleeves and getting in there and doing it.

However, I've been mindful of this lately: When God calls us, He's really asking us to be a spectator. Really, all He asks of us is to be faithful.

Yes, I suppose you can call this thing called Christianity a spectator sport.

And pride, independence, and self-effort often masquerade themselves in hard work and perceived altruism. I shudder to think the times I've felt God has told me something only to run off, without Him, in hopes of accomplishing it for Him. What am I thinking??

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

He's all around us every day doing things that are just way beyond us. Don't take my word for it. Try it for a day. And the end of the day, just take a moment to think about what may have happened that day that was "beyond you". It was beyond you because it was God!

So, I say this publicly:

Lord, I'm Yours. Here's my life, please take it. Make my life your own. I say yes to You. And, with Your help, may I stay obedient to You, and keep my fingers off! I will receive the power of the Holy Spirit. May You receive ALL the glory. Whatever You're doing, it's beyond me. I surrender all.

Whatever He does, and whever He does it, it will be greater than I could have ever imagined.

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"
1 Corinthians 2:9

All for now,
Lisa

2009-01-21T06:17:00.002-06:00

A Heart and a Song

Yesterday's devotional from "Walk with God, The One Year Devotional" keyed in on steadfastness. I smiled because God has been calling me to this for a few weeks now.

It was this past Sunday that the idea of commitment was reinforced in our teaching (we're studying Ruth). I wrote the following on the bottom my handout:

walking through a season of singleness
making a statement of faith to God:
"where you go, I will go
where you stay, I will stay
your people will be my people
as for me, I will serve You"
walking from Moab (idolatry) and leaving it behind
walking to Bethlehem (house of Bread) with determination
with hope of being restored
to gain my inheritance, deliverance, FREEDOM, abundance of life
RESOLVE in my mind today

And all Monday morning I'd been thinking about that commitment. It was then that I went to lunch and got my fortune cookie. smile!!

Yesteday's devotional had some wonderful truths: "No matter what uproar is going on around us, no matter how much pressure is applied, God will wait to answer us until it is clear to Him, to us, and to those who observe us, that our heart is resolutely fixed on Him. And more than just steadfastness of hope is required; it is a steadfastness of worship, too. The heart that learns to make music in its darkest moments is the heart that is delivered." "The wait may be long, but the victory is sure. God does not remain silent in His love when we do not remain silent in our worship."

I think Albert Einstein was quoted as saying, "The Lord God is subtle, but malicious He is not."

One thing though: He demands it all. He is worth it.

All for now,
Lisa

2009-01-20T06:12:00.002-06:00

I Don't Believe in Fortune Cookies...

I met a friend for lunch yesterday and we went to a Chinese restaurant. I teared up when I read my fortune cookie:

Alas!
You are the apple of my eye.

WOW! I've never had a fortune cookie quote scripture! It's the song of Moses... and the Word of God!

I don't believe in fortune cookies, but I do believe in God. And believe God. And trust God. He is real. More real than I've ever known. And I just loved my fortune cookie... I can't help thinking it was from God. And I receive it from Him!

All for now,
Lisa

2009-01-19T06:02:00.000-06:00

Hope to Carry On

This song gives me hope. Hope it does you also...

There Will Be A Day
by Jeremy Camp

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth,
That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place,
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I know the journey seems so long
You feel you're walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you've walked out all alone

Troubled soul don't lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that's in store
Outweighs the hurt of life's sting

I can't wait until that day where the very one
I've lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I've faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame
And misery this is why this is why I sing

All for now,
Lisa

2009-01-16T06:35:00.001-06:00

feb 15. the tabernacle. 7pm

http://www.passioncitychurch.com/

And here's a little more from Louie about starting the new church.

all for now,
Lisa

2009-01-15T06:31:00.001-06:00

What If?

Some friends of mine played that game just a few weeks ago. It really sounds like a fun game ... coming up with an answer to a what if... what if I had never started blogging? Well, I might have more time on my hands, but I would definitely have not been blessed by thinking through kernels of thoughts. ;-)

Well, I began to think in what if terms with yesterday's "Beyond Words" devotional. I didn't expect to at all. The word for day 14 was "Alcoholics Anonymous". It definitely caught my attention... as I wasn't sure what to expect. I will write out the devotional for you because it was just that good.

Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, is the name of a group of men and women who acknowledge that addiction to alcohol is ruining their lives. Their purpose in coming together is to give it up and help others do the same. They realize they can’t pull this off by themselves. They believe they need each other, and they believe they need God. The ones who aren’t so sure about God speak instead of their Higher Power.

When they first start talking at a meeting, they introduce themselves by saying, “I am John. I am an alcoholic.” “I am Mary. I am an alcoholic,” to which the rest of the group answers each time in unison, “Hi, John”, “Hi, Mary.” They are apt to end with the Lord’s Prayer or the Serenity Prayer. Apart from that they have no ritual. They have no hierarchy. They have no dues or budget. They do not advertise or proselytize. Having no building of their own, they meet wherever they can.

Nobody lectures them, and they do no lecture each other. They simply tell their own stories with the candor that anonymity makes possible. They tell where they went wrong and how day by day they are trying to go right. They tell where they find the strength and understanding and hope to keep trying. Sometimes one of them will take special responsibility for another – to be available at any hour of day or night
if the need arises. There’s not much more to it than that, and it seems to be enough. Healing happens. Miracles are made.
You can’t help thinking that something like this is what the church is meant to be
and maybe once was before it got to be big business. Sinners Anonymous. “I can will what is right but I cannot do it,” is the way Saint Paul put it, speaking for all of us. “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do” (Romans 7:19).
“I am me. I am a sinner.”
“Hi, you.”

Hi, every Sadie and Sal. Hi, every Tom, Dick, and Harry. It is the forgiveness of sins, of course. It is what the church is all about.
No matter what far place alcoholics end up in, either in this country or virtually anywhere else, they know that there will be an AA meeting nearby to go to and that at that meeting they will find strangers who are not strangers to help and to heal,
to listen to the truth and to tell it. That is what the Body of Christ is all about.

Would it ever occur to Christians in a far place to turn to a church nearby in hope of finding the same? Would they find it? If not, you wonder what is so big about the church’s business.

So, what if the church was that way?

What if you were that way?

All for now,
Lisa

2009-01-14T06:39:00.000-06:00

Study to Be Quiet

Given that I've had the last 3 weeks off (and didn't travel anywhere), I took the opportunity to clean out closets, sell old books, throw away junk, etc. I came across a book mark a friend gave me over 20 years ago... it simply says, "study to be quiet". I'm not sure where she went (possibly New England), but she gave it to me upon her return.

I never really understood the idea expressed... until lately. God has had me incredible still lately. Those three words ("trust, rest, wait") demand it.

Ungodly things are determined to occupy our minds and mix our perspective to take our focus off the important. Quietness returns our focus to what is right, what is correct.

I think Psalm 46:10 sums it up nicely.

I wrote this quote down years ago and it makes more sense each day:

"We can make our minds so like still water that beings gather about us that they may see, it may be, their own images, and so live for a moment with a clearer, perhaps even with a fiercer life because of our quiet."
William Butler Yeats (love that he was Irish!)

All for now,
Lisa

2009-01-12T06:11:00.000-06:00

Revelation

Good song... perhaps you need to hear it today.

Revelation
by Third Day

My life, Has led me down the road that's so uncertain
And now I am left alone and I am broken,
Trying to find my way,
Trying to find the faith that's gone

This time, I know that you are holding all the answers
I'm tired of losing hope and taking chances,
On roads that never seem,
To be the ones that bring me home
Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You

My life, Has led me down this path that's ever winding
Through every twist and turn I'm always finding,
That I am lost again (I am lost again)
Tell me when this road will ever end

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without...

I don't know where I can turn
Tell me when will I learn
Won't You show me where I need to go
Oh oh
Let me follow Your lead,
I know that it's the only way that I can get back home

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move

Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You

Oh, give me a revelation...
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You

All for now,
Lisa

2009-01-01T11:05:00.004-06:00

Don't Squander This Leg of the Race

The three main words for me in 2008 were: trust, rest, and wait. I'm sure the both of you who regularly read my blog know this by now. ;-)

I've dug into trust and learned that it's different than belief. You can believe in God, you can believe God, and then you can trust God. It's three different levels requiring three different types of faith. A trust-based faith is one where you know there is a God, you know He is who is says He is, and that He has your best interest at heart. That's why you can trust Him. Even though you may not understand what He is doing.

Then I've dug into rest. I've learned that it is a ceasing of ceasings. That to enter His rest means to stop trying to do it on your own. I've always known that God made the heavens and earth and all that is in it in 6 days. And He rested on the 7th. What has dawned on me is that has He created anything new since then? No. Your children. Your children's children have all been created. They just haven't happened yet. God created time and we live in it. So, to enter His rest means to align yourself to His providential plan.

Then just today it finally dawned on me about waiting. About expectancy. And being different from expectation. I can hope in expectancy of what God will provide. But when I hope in expectation, I've begun to put my own ideas of what God will provide. And that's not resting. And further, I've realized that waiting is active. Not passive. And it's not something I hope to be stubbornly defiant of. Or think that it's a boot camp to suffer through. In reading a weekly devotional this morning, it said it all for me... I don't want to squander this leg as I wait for the next leg to begin. There is a reason for the right now. Be blessed by it.

Happy New Year.

All for now,
Lisa

2008-12-22T09:10:00.003-06:00

Worship

Today's "Beyond Words" devotional was on the word, "worship". And during this time of celebration of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, I think it's very appropriate. I wanted to share it here (page 414 if you have the book... day 357).

Worship
Phrases like worship service and service of worship are tautologies. To worship God means to serve God. Basically there are two ways to do it. One way is to do things for God that God needs to have done - run errands for God, carry messages for God, fight on God's side, feed God's lambs, and so on. The other way is to do things for God that you need to do - sing songs for God, create beautiful things for God, give things up for God, tell God what's on your mind and in your heart, in general rejoice in God and make a fool of yourself for God the way lovers have always made fools of themselves for the one they love.

A Quaker meeting, a pontifical High Mass, the family service at Zion Episcopal, a Holy Roller happening - unless there is an element of joy and foolishness in the proceedings, the time would have better spent doing something useful.

All for now,
Lisa

2008-12-16T16:37:00.002-06:00

Not the First Time I've Listened to this Song

But maybe the first time I've heard it.

Every Season
by Nichole Nordeman

Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

All for now,
Lisa

2008-12-12T11:11:00.000-06:00

First Time I've Heard This Song

While I'm Waiting
By John Waller

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You While I'm waiting
I will worship While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

All for now,
Lisa

2008-12-11T11:11:00.002-06:00

Emmanuel, God is with Us
El Shaddai, All Sufficient

Our Hope Endures
by Natalie Grant

You would think only so much can go wrong
Calamity only strikes once
And you assume this one has suffered her share
Life will be kinder from here
Oh, but sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear?

But our Hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our Hope is unchanged

How do we comprehend peace within pain?
Or joy at a good man's wake?
Walk a mile with the woman whose body is racked
With illness, oh how can she laugh?
Oh, 'cause sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear?

But our Hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our Hope is unchanged

Emmanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
We never walk alone
And this is our hope

But our Hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our Hope is unchanged

All for now,
Lisa

2008-12-10T07:50:00.004-06:00

Thy Will Be Done

I believe we are all aware of our own sinfulness. I don't believe that comes as a surprise to anyone. If it does, then there's a lot more we need to chat about. But I do believe we need to realize the depravity, pervasiveness, and grievousness of our sins. And that things we don't think of as sin are really sin indeed. We've numbed ourselves to sin to be able to cope with it. And I don't think that's the best way to deal with it.

Stealing, lying, killing are obvious sins. Encouraging my self-will, my independence, my over-wrought passions, my inner selfish, arrogant, or prideful thought-life are a little less obvious. And those are where the stealing, lying, and killing begin. Don't you see it?

I'm realizing over and over again that it always comes down to a heart issue. And that's where it really sits. Jesus told us that over and over again. Somehow we think we can put rules of order around our heart to protect it. But we can't. Sin creeps in. It gets to us, even when we have the best intentions. After all, have you ever rationalized doing the wrong thing for the right reason? The wrong thing is always the wrong thing. Truth is truth. It doesn't EVER change. Right is right. It never moves.

But let's focus in on the more insidious. Our own piety. Scripture says to do things with excellence. But do you realize that that very command, when we do it and yet not surrendered to God, can be sinful in itself?! The minute we think we are good, or have done right, we've failed. We've sinned. Because we have not denied ourself! We have glorified ourselves over glorifying God. And that's idolatry.

Moreover, the minute we pray and ask for something (for ourselves or for someone else) and do not end the prayer with something to the effect of "not my will, but thy will" then we are in sin.

After all, that's what Jesus did, even in Gethsemene - at probably one of the most grievous moments, "... Yet not as I will, but you will".

And that's even what He taught us to pray:

9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]'
14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Our supplication must always be followed by our submission.

All for now,
Lisa

2008-12-02T15:25:00.002-06:00

The Message of Redemption and the Cross of Christ

I've been pondering lately about the message of redemption and the cross of Christ. I think we all know WHAT He did paid for our horrible, messy, ugly sins. But WHY did He do what He did?

Did He do it just for me as I often hear?
Did He do it only for love as I often hear?
Did He do it out of complete and absolute obedience to the one who called Him (which is love, but love for the Father, not for me). (by the way, it does say that "For God so love the world"...)

Again, I know I benefit. I know all believers benefit. But I don't think He did it "mainly" for me, you, or anyone in particular. I think He knew why He was sent. Again, it's not about us. It's about God. So the message of redemption and the cross of Christ is not about us, it is about God. We benefit. Glory to God we benefit.

Just thoughts... but it made me really think: What was Jesus thinking about when He was up on the cross? I looked back to John (chapter 19), Matthew (chapter 27), Mark (chapter 15), and Luke (chapter 23).

In all four accounts, the focus of His attention is on God Himself.

I would think the He had His Father on His mind. Makes sense, because that's why He did it. For His Father.

I also keyed into this passage (bolded areas mine):

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."[c]
20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."[d]

All for now,
Lisa

2008-11-19T08:49:00.010-06:00

A Bucket List Trifecta!

I'm sure you've seen the movie, The Bucket List. Well, my list of things to do before I kick the bucket included hang gliding (or paragliding as the case may be), riding in a helicopter, and sky diving. And really, without much planning, all three of those things happened this year! I am thankful. And I think the key lesson I learned is to just be aware. I really had no intention of paragliding when I went to Jackson Hole on vacation this summer. It just kinda happened. And the riding in a helicopter was part of a work trip that came up last minute (I even rode in the helicopter over the jungle of Indonesia which was pretty cool in and of itself). And lastly, I had been wanting to sky dive for years and deciding to do it for my birthday was pretty much a game-time decision!

What's on your bucket list? Just do it!

All for now,

Lisa

2008-11-13T13:54:00.002-06:00

Just Hafta

OK, so I wrote earlier that I would refrain from writing about myself. Well, I just heard this song on the radio and it spoke to me. Had to share!

Mountain Of God
by Third Day

Thought that I was all alone
Broken and afraid
But You were there with me
Yes, You were there with me

And I didn't even know
That I had lost my way
But You were there with me
Yes, You were there with me

'Til You opened up my eyes
I never knew
That I couldn't ever make it
Without You

Even though the journey's long
And I know the road is hard
Well, the One who's gone before me
He will help me carry on
After all that I've been through
Now I realize the truth
That I must go through the valley
To stand upon the mountain of God

As I travel on the road
That You have lead me down
You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me
I have need for nothing more
Oh, now that I have found
That You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me

I confess from time to time
I lose my way
But You are always there
To bring me back again

Sometimes I think of where it is I've come from
And the things I've left behind
But of all I've had, what I possessed
Nothing can quite compare
With what's in front of me
With what's in front of me

All for now,
Lisa

2008-11-11T07:18:00.011-06:00

And Now a Moment to Honor the Veterans in My Family

I wanted to take a moment today to honor the veterans in my family. I'll start with my mom's side then go to my dad's.

Mom's Side

I've been able to trace my mother's heritage in the United States back to 1621. So, it's no surprise that I found out some good history.

My great grandfather (x4) on my grandmother's side - Osbourn Holley (b 1764, d 1847) - was listed as having served in the Revolutionary War! His identification is S-7021. Yes, I'm a DAR!!!

My grandfather's grandfather, John Robert Godwin, was born in 1841 and enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861. He served as a Private in Company H, 20th Regiment, North Carolina Troops. He was wounded in 1862 was captured by the Yankees in 1864. He was later exchanged (probably at the close of the Civil War in 1865).

My grandfather's sister, Octavia Bass, married William R. Miles (b 1909 d 1996). He was from Little Rock, AK. He served in World War II and received a purple heart. Bill retired as a Major.

My grandfather's other sister, Corinna Bass, married Rufus Wellon House (b 1912 d 1977). He was from Rutherfordton, NC. He was a Lt. Col. and served in WWII.
My cousin, Andrea, married Matt Tatman, who has been in the U.S. Army since 1988 and has served numerous times in Iraq. I am very proud of him.

Dad's Side

My father's side is quite the opposite. Both of his parents immigrated to the US in the early 1900's. So, it didn't take long to research that side! However, it is with extreme pride that I tell you that ALL of their sons served in the US military! My grandfather had a tremendous sense of American pride and I can tell you it has definitely been handed down through the generations.

I'll go in birth order:

Theophilus (Ted) Karabatsos served in the US Navy during WWII. He was in the South Pacific on New Hebrides island where he contact malaria (and the young age of 19 in 1942). He made petty officer second class.

Ulyses Karabatsos served in th US Army in Europe in WWII. He won the Bronze Star for heroism against the German Army in France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany during the war in 1944 and 1945. He made sargeant (twice) - so he got busted a few times. ;-)

Kimon Karabatsos joined the US Marine Corp during the Korean Peace Action in 1952. He made sargeant and received a purple heart.
George Karabatsos (my father) joined the US Navy in 1950 as a cadet in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corp. He retired as a Lt Commander after 22 years of service in the Naval Reserves and on active duty.

I want to take a moment to say thank you to each of these heroes. Yes, John Robert Godwin fought for the side of slavery. All I can say is I'm glad the other side won. Regardless, John Robert Godwin was asked to serve and he did. And to the others who fought in WWII. I'm REALLY glad we won!!

But Most of All

While it is important to recognize and remember all those who have given service and even the ultimate sacrifice for their country in the name of freedom, may I never forget to recognize and remember Christ - who gives us ultimate freedom. As Our Daily Bread says, "His death was not just to give us a better life, but to give us eternal life."

All for now,
Lisa

2008-11-10T10:53:00.000-06:00

Great Men and Women of Faith Series: George Müller

There has never been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering.
Theodore Roosevelt
George Müller (1805-1898) was born in Prussia (currently Germany). He established many orphanages in Bristol, England and also founded the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad. If you want numbers: An 1871 article in The Times stated that “since 1836, 23,000 children had been educated in the schools and very many thousands had been educated in other schools at the expense of the orphanage. The article also states that since its origin, 64,000 Bibles, 85,000 Testaments and 29,000,000 religious books had been issued and distributed. Other expenses included the support of 150 missionaries.”

However, he started life off on a very different track. Although Müller’s father encouraged him to be a pastor, although it was encouraged less for the glory of God and more for the comfort of his family. Left on a very long leash, his younger years were filled with drinking, lying, thievery, and gambling. As a matter of fact, at age 15, he was in a drunken state playing cards with his friends while his mother lay dying.

With the financial support of his father, Müller attended the University of Halle, and while there, met Christ! In 1825, Müller was invited to a small house meeting by a classmate. It was there that he came to an understanding. “I understood something of the reason why the Lord Jesus died on the cross and suffered agonies in the Garden of Gethsemane; even that thus, bearing the punishment due to us, we might not have to bear it ourselves. And therefore, apprehending in some measure the love of Jesus for my soul, I was constrained to love Him in return.”

It was a short-time later that Müller decided to become a missionary. His father immediately withdrew support and Müller was left penniless. Obviously, this brought great struggle and heartache. However, he so firmly believed this decision was of God that he decided in everything he did there would be no patronage, appeals or requests for subscription. He was convinced that God would provide all resources and meet every need. (And, in fact, the George Müller Foundation today does no fund-raising.)

He started establishing the orphanages in England a short time after graduating. And after marrying, this work began full throttle. It was after she died and he married again that he began to travel for mission work. In fact, reports have him traveling over 200,000 miles (and this was in the late 1800’s).

Müller is often quoted in Streams in the Desert. Today is no exception:

Remember, the very time for faith to work is when our sight begins to fail. And the great the difficulties, the easier it is for faith to work, for as long as we can see certain natural solutions to our problems, we will not have faith. Faith never works as easily as when our natural prospects fail.

All for now,
Lisa

2008-11-07T08:33:00.003-06:00

Great Men and Women of Faith Series: Billy Graham

There has never been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name
is worth remembering.
Theodore Roosevelt

Today is a PERFECT day to honor Billy as it's his birthday! William Franklin Graham Jr. was born on a dairy farm in North Carolina in 1918. According to the Billy Graham Center, Billy Graham came to a believing faith in Christ at age 16 during a series of revival meetings led by traveling evangelist Mordecai Ham. Yet still not completely surrendered to Christ, he was considered "too worldy" by many and was almost expelled from college. If almost by prophecy, he was told he had a "voice that pulls". "God can use the voice of yours. He can use it mightily".

In his autobiography he writes that he "received his calling on the 18th green of the Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club", which was across a river from where Graham often paddled a canoe to a little island where he would later practice preaching to the birds, alligators, and cypress stumps.

I think Billy can best be described as a crusader, tent revivalist, and pastor/advisor to Presidents. In fact, he's had a sitting audience with every sitting US President since Harry Truman (which I can't help but wonder if that will continue).

In 1943, Graham married Ruth Bell (who died in 2007). They have five children, 19 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

Billy's integrity has always been very well respected. I've heard a story about him that he would never even get into an elevator alone with a woman. Integrity is something you have to treat with very careful hands. In fact, early on, being mindful of potential problems with public ministry, Billy, along with his team, created the "The Modesto Manifesto," in 1948. The first item on the list was a matter of money. It also mentioned the dangers of sexual immorality, criticism of local churches, and exaggerated publicity.

Beginning in 1949 and still going today, Mr. Graham has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history. The numbers are impressive. He and his team has preached to nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories— reached through live audiences, television, video, film, and webcasts.

In 1969, Woody Allen interviewed Billy. The 10 minute full interview video is here. It's worth watching... both are very witty. One of them is very wise. I bet you can figure it out for yourself.

"My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ." --Billy Graham

Billy, I think you have. Happy Birthday!

All for now,
Lisa

2008-11-04T16:42:00.007-06:00

Great Men and Women of Faith Series: Hudson Taylor

There has never been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering.
Theodore Roosevelt

James Hudson Taylor (1832 – 1905) was a missionary to China, and founder of the China Inland Mission (now called OMF International). Born in England, all in all, Taylor spent 51 of his 73 years in China. His “numbers” are impressive. Some accounts have him helping bring over 800 missionaries to China; and those began 125 schools and directly resulted in 18,000 Christian conversions. He also helped establish many stations of work. Other accounts have developing a witnessing Chinese church of 125,000 and to have baptized some 50,000.

His life is even more impressive. Once at age 4, Hudson said to his parents, "When I am a man I mean to be a missionary and go to China." And even though growing up in a Christian home, his early years were marked with a wordly flair. Yet, at 17, he picked up a gospel tract, read it cover to cover, and accepted Christ as his savior. 4 years later he left for China.

Escaping death more than once, one of my favorite Pauline-like stories happened in September 1853. He was the only passenger in the sailing vessel which almost crashed as they neared the vicinity of New Guinea. Cannibals were watching as the current carried them swiftly toward sunken reefs near shore. Taylor and three others began to pray and suddenly a strong breeze sent them on their way. He finally reached Shanghai, China, March 1, 1854.

Losing both wives and many of his children, Hudson Taylor became bankrupt in mind, body, and spirit. As he reread a missionary friend's letter, he realized his struggle with with his self-effort. "I have striven in vain to abide in Him, I'll strive no more. For has not He promised to abide with me...never to leave me, never to fail me?" He then entered into what he called the "Exchanged Life" where his work for the Lord was no longer done in his own strength.

One of his favorite hymns is below:

Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
Sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.

All for now,
Lisa

2008-11-03T14:46:00.002-06:00

Great Men and Women of Faith Series

There has never been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering.
Theodore Roosevelt

I had mentioned a while ago that I was kinda done with blogging about myself would prefer to put the spotlight somewhere else.

And about a week ago, a friend and I were cooking dinner one evening and were discussing why do we know certain names of believers who lived lives many years ago... Francis Schaeffer, Dwight Moody, Corrie Ten Boom? I had told her I was interested in blogging about just why do we know these peoples' names. She encouraged me to follow through with my idea of focusing a blog entry on a great man or woman of faith.

To that end, my intent is to provide a very short synopsis of the individual and their life. It is my attempt to show (myself mostly) that lives lived without conflict or struggle are probably not the kinds of lives that God can best use and show Himself mightily. It is also my attempt to encourage each of us right in our own struggles and that God will use them (and us) just as easily and completely as He used the lives of people's names that are somehow familiar or famous.

Our pastor has mentioned Hudson Taylor frequently over the summer so I want to offer him as the inaugural blog post. And our pastor's Theodore Roosevelt quote on Sunday (see above) was the final straw that made me decide to start this series. Matter of fact, I found another TR quote worth noting:
I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life; I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.
Theodore Roosevelt

Look for the post first thing tomorrow!

All for now,
Lisa

2008-10-24T04:11:00.009-05:00

Why Are You Still Single?

Good question. And I'm not sure I can answer that question. But with a simple comma the question changes to one I can answer quite well.

Why are you still, single?

Because that is what the Lord has asked of me. Yesterday's Streams devotional said it quite well, "the person who knows how to wait has grown to an exceptional degree in God's grace." I can look back at quite literally 20 years (since 1988) of journaling. And the overriding journal entry is praying for a mate. There are many things I've done in the last 20 years to try to make that happen. Many things that empirically there is nothing wrong with (maintaining my health, trying to improve my beauty, going places to make myself available, trying online dating, and even giving speed dating a chance). Like I said, absolutely nothing wrong with those. Unless God is trying to teach you stillness and waiting. Two things I've really yet to be good at. :-) But there is a lot at stake here: and it really wasn't what I had originally thought. You see, my truly seeing God through His grace was the central focus.

My heart has been the issue. Just in the last few months, He's raised the intensity level to RED! I can see the last few years were definitely learning years for me. But the last few months have been the crucible of testing. And there have been days where I failed horribly. Doubt, fear, sorrow, weariness, and worry have all crept in in a very sneaky and subltle way (isn't that so Satan?). But in God's grace, He has met me every time - without exception - and each time I see a greater vision of who He is. I can honestly say I know Him. And I know Him better and better each day. I have resolved, right and and right now, to NOT give up hope. But (continue) to give up trying. Cease striving, wait, hope, surrender, preparedness, sabbath, stillness, readiness can all exist together. BUT ONLY IN CHRIST. Christ IS our hope! Christ in us, the hope of glory. So, which prize are my eyes on? The prize of a husband or the prize of God through Christ Jesus? I would not be honest if I did not say both somehow. But let this be known: I will NOT take a husband without Christ being fully evident! And I will be still until I see Him move. And I can ONLY be still due to God's grace. Otherwise, I'd be scurrying around like a little ant trying to get things done. I know. I've been there and done that. It wasn't that great. Now I will trying something new. A new beginning. With clean hands and a pure heart. I will be still and know that He is God! The last few months have been about cleaning my hands and purifying my heart. For that I am sure. He has touched my heart and I know it. He has shown me my secret sins and I have been ashamed. But in His grace and mercy, He has restored me. Through Christ alone. I am righteous and blameless. I can see it. I have been an adultress - taking a lover in myself, the world, and sin. yet God has been faithful to Himself and His love for me. I spat in His face and He still said, "I love you". I felt forgotten and He said, "Child, I have not forgotten you". I sinned and He said, "I rebuke your sin yet I still love you". I confessed and He said, "Come to me". I said, "I want NOW" and He said, "wait". I said, "You promised". And He said, "the revelation awaits an appointed time.... wait for it".

So, "why are you still, single"? Because the Bible tells me so. It's as simple as a children's song. After all, I am a child of God. Only through God's grace. I know His grace. I know Him.
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.
Hebrews 4:9-11
Lord, in your grace and mercy, let me continue to be still in Your presence. Calm my restless heart. I know it can only rest in You. Forgive me and show me the wonder of You. For in only You will I be satisfied. You are faithful and true. And, Lord, when I take my eyes off You, and start to strive or worry or fret, please lift up my face. I won't turn away. You are more than enough.

All for now,
Lisa

2008-10-10T14:00:00.002-05:00

My Great Awakening: Blessings Abound
Is An End Really Just a New Beginning?

There's a question I've often heard: "How good is your word?" Meaning, will you do what you say you will do? It questions the strength of honor and respect in your word.

In a prayerful time, God gave me a word/promise over 3 years ago. And recently, God has been using a lot of words with me lately. Ninety nine specific words as a matter of fact. The interesting point here is that I can almost mark the point, to the day, that this particular segment in my journey began. It was that day, May 29, 2008 that I felt the need to blog about surrender. It's not that I've never blogged on that topic before (actually, looking back, I've blogged about it more times than I care to admit), but I felt a strange compulsion. You know the feeling... you really don't know what's happening but you just know you have to be obedient. I was.

It has been an unbelievable blessing. It's been difficult, don't get me wrong. It's demanded everything. But big things rarely cost little. In this case, it's cost everything.

OK, so how often have you read that? "God really bless me", God really amazed me", "God really showed Himself ". Now, that's not to say those times haven't been true. But I find it superficial to reduce God to brevity. I've shared my story since the beginning. It's no use stopping now.

I've had quite a few very cool milemarkers along the journey. But I find myself (I think) in the closing chapters. I find it interesting that the first word He gave was hope and the last word was enlargement. Well, I say "last", but that's really not for me to decide, is it? And perhaps I want a breakthrough so badly that I might try to conjur one up for God. Oh, forgive me God! Let me not put anything in front of you. Even my own desire to know You intimately.

The most recent words:

Come to me
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God. “Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.”
John 6:44-45
Yet there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."
John 6:64-65
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink".
John 7:37
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Still
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14
The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve."
Nehemiah 8:11
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Psalm 37:7
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10
Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.
Zechariah 2:13

Abide
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
John 15:7
But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:25
the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
1 John 2:6

Dwell
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4

Repentance
yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
2 Corinthians 7:9-11
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.
Hebrews 6:1-3
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9

Redemption
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
1 Corinthians 1:30

Inheritance
giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Colossians 1:12
since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:24

Enlargement
ANSWER ME when I call, O God of my righteousness (uprightness, justice, and right standing with You)! You have freed me when I was hemmed in and enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 4:1

There are 8 this time. Isn't 8 the number of new beginnings? My great awakening is complete. Or at least I feel like I'm turning a corner in this journey of mine.

I told two former Bible study group friends of mine that I felt a completion coming on. Matter of fact, here's the email (dated 2 June, 2008):

Hey,

Well, I've recently communicated with the both of you one way or the other, but I wanted to give you a further update on me right now. Truth be told, I feel a "completion" coming on to a time of growth for me (can't really give you more insight than that right now). I have no idea what. But it just feels like right now I'm finishing up the details" to some stuff God is working on in me. Will keep you posted.

That's why I've named this section of my journey the great awakening. It has been an awakening of my eyes to my heart. And awakening my heart to love. How specifically?

First in truly seeing that He was pursuing me. I don't think I could have gotten to the next steps if first I didn't really see that He loved me and was pursuing me (and had been with me, each day, all along).

Second, in seeing who He is. I have a page in my journal where I've just written one word descriptions of him (perfect, timely, creator, good, healer, etc). Just gave me new perspective.

Third, I saw that there was junk in my heart that needed cleaning up (arrogance, pride). He created a clean heart and He has made my heart His home.

The good news is that where there was once head knowledge and a willingness to follow Him, there is now a heart-mind connection and a passion to intimately know Him. There is a difference my friend. And the by-product, I would say, is similar to real vs plastic fruit.

It still boils down to a few things: being blameless and righteous, walking with Him, doing all the He commands. And even when we feel like we're forgotten, He always remembers His promises. Blessings ALWAYS abound!

I think His word is good.

All for now,
Lisa

Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." - Revelation 4:8

2008-10-09T17:32:00.000-05:00

Be Still

Kinda fitting.

Be Still
by Storyside:b

I remember all the times
The good times and the bad
I'm still holding on to you
Some days I wanna run
And times I come undone
But I still belong to you
That's how I know that

When I feel like caving in
My heart my soul is wearing thin
I just want to give up
Nothing seems at all to add up
Can you hear me Lord?
My face is down upon the floor
It's then you whisper in my ear
Be still and know I'm here
I see a side of you my friend
The same struggles that I have
My heart goes out to you
I know it's hard to feel alone
And this world's so unforgiving
I've been feeling that way too
But I can tell you Is that you?

Is this me
It's sometimes hard to believe that
I am not alone

It's not just you
And not just me
We all need to believe that
We are not alone

All for now,
Lisa

2008-10-09T06:24:00.001-05:00

New Dollar

'nuf said

All for now,

Lisa

2008-10-08T10:44:00.003-05:00

Day 281

I recently purchased the book, Beyond Words, by Frederick Buechner. According to its byline, it's a "daily reading in the ABC's of faith". Actually, Buechner has chosen 366 words, put them in alphabetical order, and has written a quick thought on each word.

If you've read here you know God has really spoken to me in the last few months via "words" (thus why the book interested me so). These words come to me in a variety of ways and each time I jot one down I try to dig a little deeper into the meaning to gleen what God may be teaching me. It has been powerful.

So, yesterday, I blogged about being still and confessed I have had moments of feeling forgotten. As God would have it, I did not look at the Buechner daily reading yesterday (even though I looked at the book on top of it).

Yesterday's word (day 281): Remember

I kid you not!

God has His ways. And they are ALWAYS so much better than I can imagine.

All for now,
Lisa

2008-10-07T09:42:00.002-05:00

When Nothing is the Thing to Do

My tendency is to be active. And I like it. It keeps me young. Daily physical activity (weight training, cycling, running) has helped me to stay strong and flexible. Mental activity (reading, writing, doing art) has helped my mind stay focused and sharp. However, spiritual activity (read maturity here) does not quite equate.

If you've read my blog for a while, you know God has had me on a fast track for the last few months learning some things, being healed from some things. And for that I am very thankful.

But right now, I'm in a bit of a darkness. In my feel-sorry-for-myself moments, I can say that I have felt forgotten. And if my God was anything other than who He is, I might have lost hope.

My knee-jerk reaction is to start doing something! Anything! But this is where I just have to stop.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10

I know who God is. And acknowledging Him doesn't always take the frustration away, but it does remind me that I've probably made my problems bigger than what they really are. And, in doing that, have limited my view of God.

Ah, perspective. It's a wonderful thing.

Just keep remembering... God is bigger!

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-30T08:38:00.003-05:00

Sweet Surrender

You know, I've blogged a lot about surrender. What it means. How hard it is to do, while still holding on to hope. But I've never really thought of it, until now, as sweet.

surrender... yes, it's sweet.

Sweet Surrender
by John Denver

Lost and alone on some forgotten highway
Travelled by many remembered by few
Lookin for something that I can believe in
Lookin for something that Id like to do with my life
There's nothin behind me and nothin that ties me
To somethin that might have been true yesterday
Tomorrow is open and right now it seems to be more
Than enough to just be there today
And I don't know what the future is holdin in store
I don't know where I'm goin, I'm not sure where I've been
There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me
My life is worth the livin, I don't need to see the end
Sweet, sweet surrender
Live, live without care
Like a fish in the water
Like a bird in the air

Sweet, sweet surrender
Live, live without care
Like a fish in the water
Like a bird in the air

Lost and alone on some forgotten highway
Travelled by many remembered by few
Lookin for something that I can believe in
Lookin for something that Id like to do with my life

There's nothin behind me and nothin that ties me
To somethin that might have been true yesterday
Tomorrow is open and right now it seems to be more
Than enough to just be there today

And I don't know what the future is holdin in store
I don't know where I'm goin, I'm not sure where I've been
There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me
My life is worth the livin, I don't need to see the end

Sweet, sweet surrender
Live, live without care
Like a fish in the water
Like a bird in the air

Sweet, sweet surrender
Live, live without care
Like a fish in the water
Like a bird in the air

Sweet, sweet surrender
Live, live without care
Like a fish in the water
Like a bird in the air

Sweet, sweet surrender
Live, live without care
Like a fish in the water
Like a bird in the air

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-29T10:06:00.004-05:00

Post DGNC

I've just returned from beautiful Minneapolis, Minnesota where I attended my first Desiring God National Conference. A friend suggested I attend and I'm so glad I did. The conference was entitled, "The Power of Words and the Wonder of God". And since God has been speaking to me in "words", I thought it was appropriate that I attend.

On a personal note, it was so fun to hang out with folks: Jessica, Dovie, Erin, and Todd all went to the conference. We also met up with Justin and Brian - who were up in Minnesota. Justin's parents were there also, and family and friends. Dovie's cousin, who lives up there with her family, also invited us over for lunch on the last day. All in all, I had quite the family time while up there. Thanks to all!!

My photo link here

About the conference: let me say at the outset that while I would attest that I'm not a confirmed Calvanist (and John Piper and most folks on the panel are), and yes, probably had a bit of a hesitation because of it; I still learned so much about the love of God, the gratitude of my heart because of who He is and what He has done, and the overflow of it into my life. And the conviction of sin in my life and the reducing affect it has on the power of God in my life. Especially the subtle stuff.

I took quite a bit from each speaker, but I would say my favorites are:

Paul Tripp - “War of Words: Getting to the Heart for God’s Sake”

John Piper - “Is There Christian Eloquence? Clear Words and the Wonder of the Cross”

I encourage you to listen.

Oh, isn't it "coincidental" that my church's women's retreat is entitled, "The Power of a Word". And this is the byline: "Words have a tremendous affect on us—they can wound and they can heal. Whether the words are spoken, thought or written, they have the power to change our lives as we hold those words in our hearts. Join us as we explore the impact of words in our lives, and most importantly, the power of God’s word to change us forever."

God is so good!

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-25T05:45:00.001-05:00

Something Heavenly

Yesterday, I heard this song for the first time. It's a beautiful song and it came at a perfect time. Enjoy!

Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)
by Sanctus Real

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
But I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
But I'm giving in to something Heavenly
Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly
Something Heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time breathe in and let everything out

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-24T10:44:00.004-05:00

Redemption Means A New Beginning

I heard this song in the car this morning. It spoke to me. I hope it speaks to you as well.

Feels Like Redemption
by Michael English

I know how hopeless feels
When you're staring at the bottom of an empty hole
In my life I know how forgotten feels
Wondering if the world even knows who you are

But I've never known anything, felt anything
Like the love of Jesus
And it's hard to describe what's happening inside
But right now all I know is

It feels like redemption raining down on me
It feels like forgiveness is come to set me free
All my chains have been lifted
'Cause when the hands of love touch a broken life
It feels like redemption

Now I know how thankful feels
'Cause I am overwhelmed by this gift of grace
And I know how healing feels
'Cause all my pain and all my shame
And all my tears have been erased

It feels like redemption raining down on me
It feels like forgiveness is come to set me free
All my chains have been lifted
'Cause when the hands of love touch a broken life
It feels like

Say goodbye, the past is ending
Say hello to a new beginning
No more night
The sun is shining

Feels like redemption raining down on me
It feels like forgiveness is come to set me free
All my chains have been lifted
'Cause when the hands of love touch a broken life
And when the hands of love touch a broken life
It feels like redemption

I cried out to the Lord, He heard my cry
He healed my heart and He touched my life
It feels like redemption

So say goodbye, the past is ending
Say hello to a new beginning
Feels like
Feels like redemption

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-23T09:07:00.004-05:00

September 11, 2008: An Odd Spiritual Application

Strangely, I started this post almost two weeks ago. On September 11, The New York Times, as you would imagine, had quite a few articles on memorials, reflections, and the after-math of that fateful day seven years ago. One of the last sentences I read said something about just being attentive to look around and be in the present. The odd thing is that I had read a devotional a few moments earlier where Buechner said, "pay attention!"

The “coincidence” caught my attention.

And speaking of paying attention, I think in this life with God, I've learned His voice best not in the "big" times, but in the little times. In my car, in my study time, as I drift off to sleep at night. I’ve begun to know when it’s Him and not just my own thoughts. After all, Jesus says, "You'll know me by My voice".

I think if anything, I've learned that life with Christ (and life is ONLY in Christ) doesn't involve effort, it involves surrender. And you can try harder at it; you just have to throw off more... of what is not Him. Travel more lightly.

My friend Andy says, "just show up". Just show up and pay attention. You'll know Him by His voice. I think that says it all.

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-22T09:15:00.004-05:00

First Blog Post-Ike

This is the first chance I've really had to blog post Hurricane Ike. I have to say I feel quite blessed that I was spared from major damage and all my friends and family came out of it safely and relatively unscathed. Some are still awaiting electricity to be restored to their homes. Myself included. But all in all I've learned quite a bit about God, myself, and others during this whole process. I'm glad I'm walking through it.

More soon.

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-12T13:50:00.000-05:00

Verses on the Fruits

I found some great verses on the fruits of the Spirit. Some of them are simple truths, some commands, and some benefits of the fruits. Hope this encourages you!

Love
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:5
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:2
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
1 John 4:7-9
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.
1 John 4:18-19

Joy
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
John 16:24
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
James 1:2-8

Peace
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Patience
A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Proverbs 25:15
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
Ecclesiastes 7:8
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Hebrews 6:11-12
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains
James 5:7

Kindness
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
Proverbs 14:21
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Luke 6:35
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1 Corinthians 13:4
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience
Colossians 3:12

Goodness
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you
Psalm 31:19
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10

Faithfulness
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ""The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness
Exodus 34:6
For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
Psalm 33:4

Gentleness
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:12-13

Self-control
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
2 Peter 1:5-9

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-10T14:02:00.012-05:00

Real or Plastic Fruit?

You know, manufacturers have gotten really good at producing plastic fruit. Sometimes it's really hard to distinguish the difference between real and plastic fruit. And I think the analogy holds for spiritual fruit in our lives.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

I wonder how good I am at producing fruit in my life? Because fruit produced by me is meaningless. It has to be out of Christ's love for me. Meaning, I have to ask myself a good question. Is it from an outpouring of Christ ruling in my life? Or is it just the action alone? I'm reminded of a passage that speaks about having great things, but without love it gains nothing.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Then, in another passage, Pauls talks about similar fruits and bearing and forgiving one another, as the Lord has forgiven me. Then it says,

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:14

So, love binds them all together. And this is the catchy thing about love. It's not our choice of whom to love. You really can't pick and choose whom to love. In three passages, Christ admonishes to love your enemies, to pray for those who persecute you or mistreat you, to bless those who curse you, to do good to those who hate you. And you know what I've found? In doing that, I received fruit I'd never imagine I'd receive... joy, peace, patience and faithfulness to name a few.

And then I see that love is the first fruit mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians. Well, makes sense. Love produces love. And I think love produces all of them. "out of love, I will surrender to God and He will clothe me in..."

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

Ever thought about why those three remain? And why love is the greatest? I think because faith and hope won't be needed in heaven. All we'll have is love!

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-09T12:47:00.005-05:00

Why Does He So Often Speak to Me in the Car?

I guess to answer my question, it's because in my car I'm probably a little more quiet and a little more still. I suppose a lesson is in there somewhere, but I can't stop long enough to think about that! ;-)

I heard this song at lunch. It spoke to me. I do feel like I've been in the crucible and a lot has been burned off. Yet I've felt Him more apparent that ever! Throwing off all that hinders me really does leave much more room for God! It doesn't mean it wasn't painful. But it was worth it! And it will continue to be. It's not over yet!! No, not yet.

I especially love the last lines! His love has set free because He is my total heart's desire. Let me shout that from mountaintops!

Hope Now
by Addison Road

If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm Yours

I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free
When my life is like a storm
Rising waters all I want is the shore
You say I'll be ok and
Make it through the rain
You are my shelter from the storm

I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free
You've become my hearts desire
I will sing Your praises higher
Cause Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-08T15:34:00.005-05:00

An Interesting Addendum

I found the verses on which the song, "Peace" is based. By the way, the full name of the song is: Peace (A Communion Blessing from St. Joseph's Square). There were three verses:

Matthew 26:26-30
John 6:32-58
Colossians 3:12-17

The last one really hit me:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. Everything else will be an overflow. And be thankful.

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-08T08:25:00.002-05:00

Grace, then Peace

It's no coincidence that, while studying on Friday about "pouring out", I find grace and mercy sewn neatly in the story of the woman completely pouring out her most precious possession onto Christ. Then, my pastor, in speaking of the church in Thessalonica on Sunday, shows where Paul talks about grace and peace. And how peace always comes after grace.

I have experienced that. I will never be the same. Thanks and glory be to God! I leave you with a GREAT song by one of my favorites, Rich Mullins. Of course, the timing is perfect!

Peace
by Rich Mullins and Beaker

Though we're strangers, still I love you
I love you more than your mask
And you know you have to trust this to be true
And I know that's much to ask
But lay down your fears, come and join this feast
He has called us here, you and me

And may peace rain down from Heaven
Like little pieces of the sky
Little keepers of the promise
Falling on these souls
This drought has dried
In His Blood and in His Body
In the Bread and in this Wine
Peace to you
Peace of Christ to you

And though I love you, still we're strangers
Prisoners in these lonely hearts
And though our blindness separates us
Still His light shines in the dark

And His outstretched arms are still strong enough to reach
Behind these prison bars to set us free

So may peace rain down from Heaven
Like little pieces of the sky
Little keepers of the promise
Falling on these souls the drought has dried
In His Blood and in His Body
In this Bread and in this Wine
Peace to you
Peace of Christ to you

And may peace rain down from Heaven
Like little pieces of the sky
Like those little keepers of the promise
Falling on these souls the draught has dried
In His Blood and in His Body
In the Bread and in this Wine
Peace to you
Peace of Christ to you
Peace to you
Peace of Christ to you

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-07T14:58:00.005-05:00

Dare to Let Him

Once again, prose from Sunday's class:

Full authority
Death was our greatest enemy
"The land of no return"
Remained since Adam and Eve
Yet still under God's authority
"I am the resurrection and life"
At the cross, He chose to lay down His authority
He did it for us
(the only time it is about us)
ALL-SURPASSING POWER
There's purpose
GLORY!
That which makes Him highly impressive
Agapeo
God knows what's best
He's sovereign
Fueling our faith
Faith = putting entire trust
Do you believe?
He is our PRESENT resurrection
Are you fellowshipping with death?
Are you unconsciously limiting Jesus' power to act in your present?
Give it over to Him today
Feed the spirit by walking in truth!
Walk in it, live obediently
Dare to let Him have it!
He is after what will most glorify God
Are you?
"God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him (Piper)"

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-05T11:40:00.004-05:00

Camping on "Pouring Out": Another Lesson in Grace and Mercy

Ok - So, I've been doing a little camping on "pouring out". There are accounts of Jesus being annointed with oil by a woman in each of the gospels. However, I'm confused with the different accounts, whether or not they were accounts of different events.... 1) Matthew, 26, Mark 14, John 12 and 2) Luke 7. Even though the John 12 passage has the woman pouring the perfume on Jesus' feet instead of head (like Matthew 26 and Mark 14 do).

Matthew 26
Jesus in Bethany, about two days away from Passover, staying with Simon the Leper. As Jesus was reclining at the table, a woman comes with an alabaster jar of perfume and pours it on Jesus head. The disciples were angry for the waste - money could have been given to the poor.

Mark 14
Jesus in Bethany at Passover time (two days away) staying with Simon the Leper. As Jesus was reclining at the table, a woman comes with an alabaster jar of perfume and pours it on Jesus head. Some were angry for the waste - money could have been given to the poor.

Luke 7
Jesus at the house of a Pharisee (no location referenced). As Jesus was reclining at the table, a "sinful" woman comes with an alabaster jar of perfume and pours it on Jesus feet. The Pharisees were upset because Jesus should have known a sinful woman was touching Him.

John 12
Jesus in Bethany (no house referenced) at Passover time (about six days away). As Jesus was reclining at the table, Mary took a jar of expensive perfurme and poured it on Jesus' feet. Judas was angry for the waste - money could have been given to the poor.

In researching a little and talking with friends, this is what I have so far:

anointing on one's head was a religious ritual with significance to the Jews and anointing on one's feet had to do with cleaning... perhaps for His impending burial (as mentioned in Matthew, Mark, and John)
anointing on the head was a sign by God singling out someone whom He had chosen for a specific purpose
think about who authored the gospels and who they were written to... perhaps that is why the different emphasis - Matthew to the Jews, Mark for the Romans, Luke for other pagan Gentiles (Greeks, etc.), John for Christians

On the flipside, here are some similarities:

Jesus was reclining at the table (at rest)
the woman completely poured out an extravagant and expensive gift (of love) - not out of necessity or obedience, but out passion and desire
she was criticized by someone for it
she was defended by Jesus

The thing I was left with was how the passage in Luke was so dramatically different than the others. In the others, Jesus just defended her by saying it was intended for his burial. Luke was the only account which had a parable enveloped in the story. Jesus talked about the parable of the moneylender - and him cancelling the debt of both a borrower of a small amount and one of a larger amount (10 times more) - yet both could not pay the moneylender back. It was decided the one with the larger amount owed would love more as a result of the debt being cancelled. He ended the parable with this truth:

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Luke 7:47-50

I think she was motivated to her actions ("for she loved much") because she knew the heighth, width, depth, and breadth of Jesus' mercy. And out of that overflow (not just perfume, but tears and kisses), she experienced Jesus' grace ("your sins are forgiven"). Her act demonstrated her faith and Jesus responded in the only way He could - in a good way. Her faith had saved her.

It's ironic. Because she loved much (grace), her sins had been forgiven (mercy). Yet because her sins had been forgiven (mercy), she went in peace (grace).

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-04T10:43:00.006-05:00

And Now a Word on Love

I have had a few tough experiences recently with expressing unconditional love. Oh, I don't mean that it's been hard to have unconditional love. For love - any sort of love - can only come from God. Because God is love (scripture says that and I believe it). I just mean it's been hard to express it. Regardless, it's made me camp on the idea of unconditional love. And it's God's covenant with us that He loves us no matter what.

I was reminded of this in a wonderful article by Paige Benton Brown. I will quote her here because I couldn't really say it any better:

The only time folks talk about human covenants is in premarital counseling. How anemic. If our God is a covenantal God then all of our relationships are covenantal. he gospel is not about how much I love God (I typically love him very little); it is about how much God loves me. My relationships are not about how much friends should love me, they are about how much I get to love them. No single should ever expect relational impoverishment by virtue of being single. We should covenant to love people--to initiate, to serve, to commit.

It is out of this love that I can love. And only out of this love. And it is a "cosmic impossibility" that He can love any other way. It should be for me also.

I want to leave you with Sonnet 116 - by William Shakespeare. Obviously, he speaks of marriage, but I look at it as covenental love:

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-03T23:23:00.000-05:00

Coincidence? I Think NOT!

If you've read my blog for any amount of time, you know it has been uncanny how my regular devotionals (Our Daily Bread, My Utmost for His Highest, and Streams in the Desert) have lined up with my journey. Today is no exception. Check out what MUFHH had to say about "pour out" and "satisfaction". And given my word "cease striving" check out the poem from today's Streams:

Be all at rest, my soul, O blessed secret,
Of the true life that glorifies the Lord;
Not always does the busiest soul best serve Him,
But he that rests upon His faithful Word.
Be all at rest, let not your heart be rippled,
For tiny wavelets mar the image fair,
Which the still pool reflects of heaven's glory -
And thus the image He would have you bear.
Be all at rest, my soul, for rest is service,
To the still heart God does His secrets tell;
Thus will you learn to wait, and watch, and labor,
Strengthened to bear, since Christ in you does dwell.
For what is service but the life of Jesus,
Lived through a vessel of earth's fragile clay,
Loving and giving and poured forth for others,
A living sacrifice from day to day.
Be all at rest, so then you'll be an answer
To those who question, "Who is God and where?"
For God is rest, and where He dwells is stillness,
And they who dwell in Him, His rest will share.
And what will meet the deep unrest around you,
But the calm peace of God that filled His breast?
For still a living Voice calls to the weary,
From Him who said, "Come unto Me and rest"

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-03T22:18:00.003-05:00

The Sixth Set of Seven Words

cease striving
Cease striving and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 (NASB)
What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 2:22

cast
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

commit
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Psalm 37:5-6
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
1 Peter 4:19

release
My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
Psalm 25:15
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed
Luke 4:18

satisfied
And I—in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
Psalm 17:15
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalm 63:5
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Luke 6:21

extravagant
I'll make a list of God's gracious dealings, all the things God has done that need praising, all the generous bounties of God, his great goodness to the family of Israel—Compassion lavished, love extravagant.
Isaiah 63:7-8 (the Message)
Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe.
Joel 2:13 (The Message)

poured out
So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD.
2 Samuel 23:16
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.
John 7:38

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-03T06:07:00.004-05:00

An Extravagant Act of Devotion

Yesterday's MUFHH talked about a “A Life of Pure and Holy Sacrifice”. I've been pondering it for a little bit.

It mentioned the story of Mary and her breaking her most precious flask of very costly oil and pouring it out on Jesus’ head. It was her extravagant act of devotion.

MUFHH continues with:

Our Lord is filled with overflowing joy whenever He sees any of us doing what Mary did— not being bound by a particular set of rules, but being totally surrendered to Him.

Being totally surrendered to Him means even giving up the searching in the journey. I know that sounds odd, but you can’t work harder at being holy. It just has to come. And be completely willing to go with it as He moves in you.

MUFHH ends with this:

Now is the time for us to break "the flask" of our lives, to stop seeking our own satisfaction, and to pour out our lives before Him. Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him?

I wonder what mine is? Perhaps it’s simply to stop searching in my journey for my own satisfaction. I think in all this journey of “healing to be content and still not satisfied” I’ve spent too much time on the not satisfied part and not enough on the content. So, this is where I’m ceasing striving. You just can't rush it.

As this segment of the journey comes to a close, I am thankful that He has shown who He is, how much He loves me, has disciplined and healed me. Now, I think that's enough about me.

Let’s focus on Him. It’s a much better subject!

Lisa

2008-09-02T07:49:00.002-05:00

His Hands Are Holding Me

I really "heard" this song for the first time on Friday afternoon in the car. It was such a sweet reminder of who God is. I heard it again this morning, so I thought I'd share it with you.

By Your Side
by 10th Avenue North

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-02T06:16:00.001-05:00

Grace and Mercy... Enough For All

I have to confess, sometimes I can get pretty selfish. Especially when I have been hurt or wronged, I want justice! But where is my compassion? If I want grace and mercy enough for me and my horrible sins, why then would I not want others to participate in the same? It is small of me to not want that. It is petty that I should think justice for them and grace and mercy for me!

I think the only thing that combats bitterness is grace and mercy. I leave you with a GREAT quote from "Captured by Grace", by David Jeremiah. Thank you, Tammie!

Think of it this way: Mercy is God withholding the punishment we rightfully deserve. Grace is God not only withholding the punishment but offering the most precious gifts instead.

Mercy withholds the knife from the heart of Isaac.
Grace provides a ram in the thicket.

Mercy runs to forgive the Prodigal Son.
Grace throws a party with every extravagance.

Mercy bandages the wounds of the man beaten by the robbers.
Grace covers the cost of his full recovery.

Mercy hears the cry of the thief on the cross.
Grace promises paradise that very day.

Mercy pays the penalty for our sin at the cross.
Grace substitutes the righteousness of Christ for our wickedness.

Mercy converts Paul on the road to Damascus.
Grace calls him to be an apostle.

Mercy saves John Newton from a life of rebellion and sin.
Grace makes him a pastor and author of a timeless hymn (Amazing Grace).

Mercy closes the door to hell.
Grace opens the door to heaven.

Mercy withholds what we have earned.
Grace provides blessings we have not earned.

All for now,
Lisa

2008-09-01T23:11:00.002-05:00

No Man Save Jesus Only

The title is taken from the KJV of Mark 9:8. But it's also the desire of my heart right now. Well, let me be completely honest. It's the cry of my heart.

Sometimes God will throw me for a complete loop just to use it to draw me closer to Him. Shaking my head and throwing my hands up can lead to either bitterness or peace. So, I just confess my disbelief, ask for forgiveness, and confirm in my mind who God is. And stay there for as long as I can. ;-)

I know God only exactly wants the best for me. And His ways (thankfully) are higher than mine. As a friend said to me, I don't need to be the problem solver!

Yet taking all of this back to him doesn't remove the sorrow (perhaps dissatisfaction), it just adds a measure of peace. And a tad more strength. Just enough strength to keep going for the moment. And that's good enough for me. Any more and I'd be likely to run off on my own (again). Been there. Done that. Don't want to do it again.

So I'm learning that complications often leads to simplifications. I think He will complicate things just enough to send me shaking my head and throwing up my hands. So, I throw up my hands, not in giving up, but in letting go. I've blogged about this before, Matter of fact, once again, it's coming back to what I'll call the first day of this recent journey! Funny thing is, I look back at that entry and yet I'm still at the point of surrender, yet I see things so differently now. I see God so much better. No man, save Jesus only!!

Reading Psalm 25 helped me too.

I thought of that Ginny Owens song first this morning. It's pretty fitting as I blog this too… "so if all of these trials bring me closer to you. Then I will go through the fire. If You want me to."

Here are some thoughts in prose form:

Hands
"palm of his hand"
that's where I am
I just hope He doesn't squash me like a little bug
He won't
I'm safe there
but not removed from being refined
and disciplined
and yes, that's painful
but the results is purity
and refinement
and a harvest!
I do have an inheritance
Christ in me
the hope of glory!

All for now,
Lisa

2008-08-29T06:27:00.002-05:00

The Fifth Set of Seven Words

crucible
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.
Proverbs 17:3
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.
Proverbs 27:21

test
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 139:23
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.
2 Corinthians 13:5-6

know
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10
We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.
John 6:69

refine
Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says: "See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?
Jeremiah 9:7
This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'
Zechariah 13:9
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness
Malachi 3:3

assured
Be assured that my words are not false; one perfect in knowledge is with you.
Job 36:4
Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 3:13
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:22-23

lose
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:42
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
Matthew 16:25

preserve
Your compassion is great, O LORD; preserve my life according to your laws.
Psalm 119:156
See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love.
Psalm 119:159
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.
Psalm 138:7
Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.
Matthew 9:17
Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
Luke 17:33

All for now,
Lisa