tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34449693909280047582024-02-07T13:56:18.011-08:00JOURNEYSa place to hook arms, face forward and move into the next step of the
JOURNEYlisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-65939836535425927992012-07-24T02:56:00.000-07:002012-07-24T02:56:25.236-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.draxe.com/images/cookbook/banners/rfd-250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.draxe.com/images/cookbook/banners/rfd-250.jpg" /></a></div>
I am quickly becoming a fan of this young guy. His website is full of relevant and cutting edge info. He cites and does cutting edge research. Read his bio on his website<br />
<div>
<a href="http://www.draxe.com/">www.draxe.com</a><br />
Let me know what you think.</div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-53358093752094438562012-07-21T12:47:00.000-07:002012-07-21T12:47:11.390-07:00GF TREATBeen looking for a good gluten free bread recipe. GF bread is so expensive and tastes bland with the texture of styrofoam...(I'm not the only one who has this opinion...) so, I tried this recipe after taking a few weeks to collect the different ingredients. They are a bit expensive in and of themselves but make many loaves. We just sliced it and spread it with coconut oil and honey. Quite yummy!<br />
Try it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg360QQ2TlNK_owLsSqPRCmcDwsDvcqFwk0NEaiVVazdpf7nEVKrw43H-0CgRYWmlM6H7itAfbD21b8ct30NcFyy3AE1TPwi9bESpzVChblYmV84Cgb9cinkwR1aBu-4TkgNgGJjniH6HlZ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg360QQ2TlNK_owLsSqPRCmcDwsDvcqFwk0NEaiVVazdpf7nEVKrw43H-0CgRYWmlM6H7itAfbD21b8ct30NcFyy3AE1TPwi9bESpzVChblYmV84Cgb9cinkwR1aBu-4TkgNgGJjniH6HlZ/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://gfrealfood.com/2009/06/10/kims-gluten-free-dairy-free-whole-grain-bread/">http://gfrealfood.com/2009/06/10/kims-gluten-free-dairy-free-whole-grain-bread/</a>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-13582512542816192872012-07-20T12:52:00.000-07:002012-07-20T12:52:30.584-07:00Hi All!<br />
It has been on my mind to restart my blog. One of my prayers of late has been for God to teach me to love people more and better. Communication...I am a crummy communicator. I need to practice. I need a good subject. No better subject than the Lord Jesus and what He's doing in my life. My JOURNEY involves being a wife, mother, teacher, and bible study, writing, fitness, nutrition, home-making, physical therapy and FRIENDS.<br />
I'd like this to be a place where we can ask questions, voice a concern, share a funny, pray, post a gluten-free recipe, review a movie...I don't know, just be friends. <br />
Join me? <br />
Outstanding!lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-60670588513379039112011-04-06T15:06:00.000-07:002011-04-06T15:06:03.097-07:00COLOSSIANS HERE WE COME!Hi You Guys,<br />
I am so excited about studying Colossians inductively! It is going to be great. I have gotten all the information about how to study inductively and will have it all arranged in a notebook with the text of Colossians printed up for us to use together. We'll be starting on Monday April 18th. As you wait to begin, you can be reading through the entire book of Colossians a couple or three times to get the flow and intent of the letter. You'll be one step ahead of the game with that. <br />
Please let me know that you are going to participate and if you will invite any friends to join us. I want to be prepared for them.<br />
My daughter Abi is going to do the first evening, introducing us to the inductive method, as she has been taught in it and is looking to practice teaching it. Both of us are excited about this. I hope you are too!<br />
Let me hear from you and pray for God to speak to us as we learn to study God's Word for ourselves under the direction of the Holy Spirit within us!lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-48411111343414812032011-04-06T14:52:00.000-07:002011-04-06T14:52:52.015-07:00MEDITATION: REST AND WORK<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At long last, I have arrived at a time when I believe I can begin into a new project!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After having a blessed rest in Monterey, CA with no demands, time alone meditating on scripture with just God and me, and much physical rest, I am truly looking forward to beginning anew. I actually am pretty pumped!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My meditations last week were in Psalm 119 where the psalmist sounds like some kind of goodie-two-shoes where he talks about only meditating on and walking in blameless ways always!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is this person?!?! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a New Testament believer, under the law of grace Romans 6:14-15 and living by the commandment of love Mark 12:30-31, as I read, I replaced “law”, “precept”, “rules”, “statues” with “the law of grace” and when I read “commandments” I inserted the fullness of “loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” and “your neighbor as yourself”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I did this, there was a transformation and challenge of how to apply that “law of grace” and “commandment to love” and see how it applied to </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">my everyday life and attitude.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My focus was on the WAW, the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which corresponded to verses 41-48. Here is how it went:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let your steadfast (resolutely unchanging) love come to me, O God, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me (the enemy, Deceiver, Satan), for I trust in your Word. And take not the word of truth (God’s Word of Holy Scripture) utterly out of my mouth for my hope is in your rules (law of grace).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will keep your law (of grace) continually, forever and ever, and I shall walk in a wide place (security, peace, freedom, gracious place) for I have sought your precepts. (law of grace). I will also speak of your testimonies (written or spoken proof of existence) before kings and shall not be put to shame, for I delight in your commandments (to love) which I love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will lift up my hands (worship) toward your commandments (to love) which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes (law of grace). ***all parentheticals mine<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All of the actions and thoughts are motivated out of gratitude toward God for His grace and provision, not fear of punishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Punishment was fully taken by Jesus on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Discipline and consequence surely follow our rebellion against God’s way, but it is inextricably mixed with His love to bring our hearts back to that “wide place” of security, freedom, mercy and grace IN HIM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is God’s heart’s desire for us to love Him back….He’ll do anything to rescue us and bring our hearts to His.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Living bound by the law of grace, I am free to love and see God’s work in my life and in the lives of those around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m free to live for God where He has seen fit to place me, in the ministries He’s placed me, with security and peace. It is wonderful work and rest! <o:p></o:p></span></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-4945064899083610082011-02-12T04:54:00.000-08:002011-02-12T04:54:54.554-08:00HIATUSThis is that last post until spring....April.<br />
Feel free to chat here if you'd like. I'll check once in a while to see if you have left any comments. <br />
I love you all so much.<br />
Lisalisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-46266334673676670452011-02-12T04:52:00.000-08:002011-02-12T04:52:28.925-08:00PURIFY LONGING EXPECTATION<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How about this freezing weather?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where in the world did the global warming go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard tell from the same folks who promote global warming that we are now entering into the ice age that will remedy the vast ice melt that we have experienced in global warming!!! Don’t get me started! It is an amusement, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can have confidence in the Creator of this planet that HE will sustain it for us. I will do my small part but let the Master </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Designer do the maintenance. Wow, side bar!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do you ever have a longing to go south at this time of the year?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the “ice age” began last month, my thoughts go to a place where it is warm with sunshine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a place where I would love to be outdoors much of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I go into hibernation mode about now, something that is not good AT ALL for a woman my age. It takes an act of self discipline to even run errands, no less get to the gym and go for a walk!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, for you on this blog that are half my age, you are probably thinking I’m a wimp…could be! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This morning as I was meditating on the second part of 1 John 3:2, I have developed a new longing for my perfection to come as a believer. In love, God gives me a chance to anticipate His appearing. He motivates and excites me about His appearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says in 1 John 3:2 that, as God’s child I don’t know exactly what I’m in for, “But we do know that we will be like him, for we shall see him as he really is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pastor Mike gave three batches of scripture to fill in some of the gaps.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Philippians 3:20, 21 we are encouraged about our physical change: “But our citizenship is in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Whew! A glorious body…I don’t have a good picture in my mind of what it will be like, because it is probably ill-perceived, but I know my glorious body won’t get sick, ache or run down!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I’m shouting Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Corinthians 15:50,51<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tells that my changed self will be raised imperishable, incorruptible, immortal! That is certainly something to which I look forward! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 17:15 was picturesque to me. “And I---in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.” The wording almost makes me think that David’s pondering bred awe and longing. Awaking from the sleep of death, he would IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, see Christ’s likeness….without a sin nature, IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, sinless like Jesus! I am nearly breathless with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, how I long to be sinless, righteous like Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">And I won’t want another thing but to see Him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now the very cool realization here comes in verse 3. “And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.” This longing and expectation of Jesus’ appearing and my subsequent change into His likeness is what purifies me, just as He is pure. This is the answer to the question of, “How do I live till then in my fallible, corroding, sinful body?” “Where is the victory today?” “I cannot do this righteous living thing!” The answer to all of this is to have the eager expectation of His appearing at the forefront of the mind.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The forefront of the mind is a battleground for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thought life is where the flesh succumbs to temptation giving birth to sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch what the mind’s focus on the appearing does for the walk of the believer. Titus 2:11- 13 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It teaches us to say, “No,” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">while we wait for the blessed hope---the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” </i></b>(bold italics mine.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That longing permits me to say, along with Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day---and not only to me but also <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to all who have long for his appearing</i></b>.” 2Timothy 4:7-8 (bold italics mine). I can have confidence that my pursuit will be rewarded because of the purifying longing for His appearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will have kept me busy to fight a good fight and win a good race and keep the faith. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I looked at the practicality of day to day focusing that is taught in Colossians 3:1-4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Setting my mind and heart on things above with Christ and God in heaven, keeps truth of who and what I am in Christ at the forefront of my mind’s eye. Then, “when Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Verse 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The verses that come after this are the imperatives of the life lived for the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, they cannot be accomplished without the mind being fixed on God, Christ, heaven and His glorious appearing! That is what is going to purify my walk!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The conscious fixing of our minds on those things make possible the walk in life in the imperatives.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My business is to focus on the loving relationship the Father desires with me. Relationship. Loving Him back. I’ll walk and talk with Him, longing for the day I’ll see His glorious face, feel His loving hands cup my face, and hear Him say, “I love you. You’re home. Welcome to glory.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Come quickly, Lord Jesus!<o:p></o:p></span></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-10549171142533894572011-02-09T06:51:00.000-08:002011-02-09T06:51:42.955-08:00HOW TO POST A COMMENT...<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">To post a comment on the blogspot…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">You need a platform from which to comment.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">Do you have a google account?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">There is a sign-in button at the top right hand corner of the blog post page. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">If you have a google account, sign in and then post a comment. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">If you don’t have a google account, all you have to do to open one is </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">click the sign in button and they will ask you to sign in. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">They give you the opportunity up there to sign up OR create an account. Put in your email address and make a password. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">Then, when you post a comment, you will see, just below the comment box, a line that says, “comment as” and then a drop down box.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">The list will include “google”.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">Click on in and it will ask you to sign into your google account.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">There is a handicap word they ask you to type, one of those swirly, words, for security reasons. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">Then you can post….it sounds complicated, but it really isn't.</span></span></li>
</ol><br />
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</div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-42048398517020014142011-02-09T05:42:00.000-08:002011-02-09T05:42:44.078-08:00LAVISH LOVE<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1John 3:1-3<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My heart and spirit where on such a spiritual sprint on Sunday during the sermon, I almost had to get up and sprint around the back of the church!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, being me, instead of that open display, which may very well have gotten me escorted out of the building and my husband kicked out of church leadership, I just sat and wept tears of gratitude realizing the provision of God’s lavish love. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1 John 3:1 describes how God gave His love….in my bible version, NIV, he LAVISHED His love on us. When I think of lavish, I think of the flowers I saw all over the island of Kauai. I remember the view from the deck of my brother’s ranch house in the Colorado Rockies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember seeing one of my babies on an ultrasound just two days after I found out I was pregnant with their heart just ticking away! Love lavished on me to even have senses to appreciate all this!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God has provided for my salvation from time immemorial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the ministries of the Savior is outlined in Isaiah 61:1-3.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1</span></sup></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"> because the LORD has anointed me</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"> to proclaim good news to the poor.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"> to proclaim freedom for the captives</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"> and release from darkness for the prisoners,</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><sup value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-18845a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah%2061&version=NIV#fen-NIV-18845a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span></sup></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br />
</span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><sup id="en-NIV-18846"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2</span></sup></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"> and the day of vengeance of our God,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">to comfort all who mourn,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><sup id="en-NIV-18847"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3</span></sup></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">and provide for those who grieve in Zion—</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">to bestow on them a crown of beauty</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"> instead of ashes,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">the oil of joy</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"> instead of mourning,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">and a garment of praise</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"> instead of a spirit of despair.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">Christ was sent, in the past tense, for the ministry of binding up the brokenhearted…from the Sovereign Lord, the Father.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">In Beth Moore’s bible study, Breaking Free, she taught that the Hebrew word for “sent” meant to “be shot forth”.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">In Psalm 127:3-4, God calls sons, arrows in the hands of a warrior.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">John 3:16,17 “For God so loved the world that he sent (shot forth) His only Son (that arrow), that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God didn’t send (shoot forth) His Son (arrow) into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">Parentheticals</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"> are mine.) I need to quote to you what and how Beth illustrated this unfathomable love and ministry of the Savior to us:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“John 3:17 tells us God gave His Son for the salvation of the people by sending Him into the world. You see, God only had one arrow in His quiver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most perfect arrow ever to exist. This arrow was a masterpiece, priceless to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cherished far above all the hosts of heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing could compare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His only heritage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His only Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as God looked on a lost world--desperate, needy, and in the clutches of the enemy-- His heart was overwhelmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though we sinned miserable against Him, few sought </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Him. God could not love us less</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Love reached sacrificially into the quiver and pulled out the solitary arrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The quiver would now be empty, His cherished arrow in the hands of hateful men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, God so loved the world, but God also loved His only begotten Son with inexpressible, divine affection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The divine dilemma: two loves. And one would demand the sacrifice of the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only one weapon could defeat the enemy of the world- God’s arrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He positioned the weapon, pulled back the bow, steadied His grip, aimed straight for the heart. “And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luke 2:7.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By that lavish love, God calls me His child!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made provisions for me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sacrificial provision for my salvation, adoption, and inheritance as one of His children!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">I’m doing a dance!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Be back tomorrow exploring how God’s love affects my future. Then in one last post I hope to talk about connecting God’s love to my present.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But here’s a question: Ever had the lavish love of the Lord bind up your broken heart? Has He ever revealed Himself such that your heart couldn’t resist His lavish love and you just had to relinquish the open wound in your heart for healing? If you are comfortable, share, would you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be a great encouragement to all of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-11695884158006759682011-01-31T03:37:00.000-08:002011-01-31T03:37:21.929-08:00HELP<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">OK, here is something for which I have been asking the Lord for help. I am looking for people in the scriptures who had expectations of either God or man that they felt were unmet....I was given one instance where Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, in Ruth 1:20 calls herself Mara, Bitter, because the Lord brought her back to her people empty when she left full of sons and a husband.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Can you think of places in scripture with such instances? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for your input, ladies.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for the above example, Bambi! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love you guys!</span>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-52116336923541527022011-01-28T10:38:00.000-08:002011-01-28T10:38:25.780-08:00YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been spending time today trying to link my Kindle to this blogspot. I know it can be done in a round about kind of way but I was thinking of a one-click-get-it-over-there-in-a-nanosecond-kind-of-way. Someone figure it out, please! I am itching to get it done!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Considering our discussion around my living room last night, we were essentially concluding that we<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1208276240"> are what we think. Because there is a war on for our minds, we must take our thoughts captive filling them with the Word of God lit by the Holy Spirit Himself who was given to us at the moment of our salvation. Fill the mind with the former and the spirit up with the latter and we have our defenses up! </a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1208276240"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> With that in mind, I would like to challenge our tiny blogworld with this: post a scripture verse that will raise our hearts and eyes to the Creator. Let's fill each others eyes and minds with God's Word. Philippians 4:8 says: "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worth of praise, dwell on these things."</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1208276240"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1208276240"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Proverbs 23:7 "As a man thinketh, so is he." </span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1208276240"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1208276240"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What do YOU think?</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's hear from everybody, OK?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1208276242"></span></span></a>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-92498366878462872011-01-20T06:10:00.000-08:002011-01-20T06:10:39.823-08:00On 1 John 2:18-29<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">In studying this passage for a couple of days, my deepest impression, believe it or not, is that the Lord, through John, coveys His deep concern for our hearts and souls.<span> </span>Warning after warning comes concerning what deceptions will come.<span> </span>Surely the picture of the <u>a</u>ntichrist is familiar to believers.<span> </span>At least it should be.<span> </span>But how do we know that they are <u>a</u>ntichrists? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">From the pulpit and the witness in my heart the answer is that we must know the Truth of the Word of God.<span> </span>Study His character.<span> </span>Search for scriptural principle.<span> </span>Stay in context of the whole of scripture.<span> </span>Then, comparison to the world’s standard can be made.<span> </span>The lies and deceptions are exposed by the Light of the Word of God.<span> </span>John’s description of the <u>a</u>ntichrist is full in the context of 1 John 2.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">1) Many antichrists will arise in the last hour (18)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">2) They went out from among us<span> </span>(19)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">3) They are not for us although they will try to appear to be<span> </span>(19)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">4) They deny Jesus<span> </span>(22,23)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">5) They deny the Father<span> </span>(22,23)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">6) They deny the Truth by trying to deceive (26)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">Mind you, the enemy of our souls is the father of lies, his native tongue is lying.<span> </span>He masquerades as an angel of light. <span> </span>Therefore, we must all the more know the true Light, and the Truth of the Light. The cunning of the deceiver is more insidious than ever now.<span> </span>So, biblical wisdom and deep faith and trust need to be our tools and weapons.<span> </span>Every article of our spiritual armor must be in place and reinforced continually so we can stand. Refresh yourself with Ephesians 6:10-18.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">I could barely get over the example Pastor Mike used by quoting Karl Marx’s statement of faith eight years before he became one of the most wicked rulers in the 20<sup>th</sup> century.<span> </span>He was clear in his statement but, boy, his heart and soul were never connected to it to have done the treacheries attributed to him.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">Our airways and media are full of such deceivers.<span> </span>And we would do well to scrutinize before we believe anything but whole counsel of the Truth of God’s Word.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">Here is a question I have for you all if you are following Pastor Mike’s sermons or have been studying along with me in 1 John 2.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">The word “anointing” appears in chapter 2 in verses 20 and verse 27 twice. What is this anointing? When did this happen? Why does it matter?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">I would love to hear your thoughts.<span> </span>Your responses mean so much to me.<span> </span>It is an encouragement to me to see interest in the Lord’s Word and how you take it to heart.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">I am full of anticipation for your response AND to be filled with encouragement by the Truth concerning our confidence in Him and His Promise.</span></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-84730316832201674652011-01-18T08:32:00.000-08:002011-01-18T08:32:11.877-08:00PARKING IN THE SNOW<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcE60yc99f5Bi-usauxOrxQ2uiLfopEx5NQZawVHFik24Db4cDkA2kINb2HgYTgfG0TsUZ9dEb-GGh25ItsCkPOI7KUBYLZflRll5PEPqFG2z6tlwbC4ymvAIg6MAaOiDmNWh2caI-Rsw/s1600/CIMG2681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcE60yc99f5Bi-usauxOrxQ2uiLfopEx5NQZawVHFik24Db4cDkA2kINb2HgYTgfG0TsUZ9dEb-GGh25ItsCkPOI7KUBYLZflRll5PEPqFG2z6tlwbC4ymvAIg6MAaOiDmNWh2caI-Rsw/s200/CIMG2681.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where?<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We have a snow day from our homeschool co-op today! There was a scramble from about 5 AM till 9 AM with text updates from the TV station and weather services, delays from the school districts, families from our distant locations (Berwick, Troy/Canton, Bloomsburg, Danville) calling to voice concern....whew, it was a relief to get the decision made and realize...I have a day in my week I had no plans crowding! Oh Cool! What to do?!<br />
One of the happiest visions of my morning was when my kids came to me all sleepy-eyed (yes, at ages 16 and 18) for the news of the snow day...kind of a squishy smile, eyes barely opened and cheeks hanging.... and their delight to return to bed for a while longer knowing there wasn't a bit of pressure to which they had to yield today. I feel it too.<br />
<br />
I wonder what I'll do? I wonder what you guys are doing today too.<br />
<br />
Why don't you write and tell what you are up to today for fun! Where did you PARK yourself?<br />
<br />
I for one, just haven't decided what the next thing is yet....carrot soup and fresh bread, I think!lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-81979573250055589632011-01-13T09:05:00.000-08:002011-01-13T09:05:51.257-08:00AN OXYMORON<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1/11/11<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For the word of God, which is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, has pierced and penetrated me to the dividing of my soul and spirit, my joints and marrow, judging the thoughts and intents and motivations of my heart. Nothing, even my inmost motivations, is hidden from God’s sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything in my heart, soul and mind is laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom I must give account.</span><span class="Heading1Char"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Therefore, since I have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, I will hold firmly to the faith I do profess. For my high priest, who is able to sympathize with my weaknesses, has been tempted in every way, just as I am—yet was without sin.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Therefore, I will approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that I may receive mercy and find grace and help in my time of need. Derived from Hebrews 4:12-14<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I have gotten to like action/suspense movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It surprises me too…everyone stay calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sound and movement and tension are a psyche for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I have begun to watch more of these types of shows and movies, I have seen broad sword battles on the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Narnia, Braveheart, Gladiator. If I was ever able to stay awake for one, I’d venture to say that the Lord of the Rings movies had their fair share of them too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Broadswords, as I understand them, are weapons used for cutting, most of which could dismember or decapitate the enemy. Lethal. </span></span><a href="http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/Broadsword.htm"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/Broadsword.htm</span></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You have to be mighty to wield one of these offensively. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I have been studying scripture, I find that the Word of God is “sharper than any two-edged sword”. It comes to bear on us to the dividing of our souls and spirits, to expose the thoughts, intents and motivations of our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heart of man is desperately wicked, who can know it; even the saved heart. The spirit is made new, but we carry it around in this flesh/body of ours that is bound by the curse of sin. So God sees fit to do this dissection.<span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see God as a warrior. He is a Defender taking whatever measures necessary to keep his protectee from harm. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I see the work of His Word as a surgery of sorts. Have you ever had the privilege of observing surgery?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The skilled surgeon’s hand manipulates the scalpel to open up the covering of our skin and connective tissue to expose what lies underneath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is he looking for an injury, a diseased organ, something to repair?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In any of these cases, a skillful incision must be made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The accomplished surgeon probes with intent and completes the task. I see God as a surgeon. He is One who skillfully opens and repairs or excises that which is diseased to make His beloved well.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God’s Word has been both of these to me recently. He’s jealous. He will not share His glory or worship with another. His name is Jealous. (Ex 34:14). He is a consuming fire, a jealous God, in response to the idolatrous heart. (Deut 4:24). Shoosh, there are many places where God’s jealousy surfaces and it is always because of His beloved’s wandering, idolatrous, adulterous heart. His beloved is so precious that He will do anything to rescue her from others. Enter the broadsword! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As expectations bind some of my most treasured relationships, God has lovingly shown me that even though these are most valuable, they are not supposed to be supreme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He alone is the Only One worthy of all of my heart. When I impose any expectation on another to meet a need for or in me that is fully God’s to penetrate, I am sabotaging the relationship and giving God less than all of me. This realization came to me recently. The crush of unmet expectations was incapacitating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I could do was wag my head…for days…outwardly and in my heart…what a bloody mess! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then came the infantile response, “What does this mean about this relationship? Is it all just a terrible, shallow, weak accord?” Blame and victimization for my misunderstanding God’s point was seeking vent! Lord help me!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally, the Word’s surgical procedure excised what was poisoning my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried in my own strength to right my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And with each attempt I saw that my effort only proved to expose my inabilities. I couldn’t forgive, couldn’t be unconditional, couldn’t give.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, the excision brought the remedy, the Truth of God for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Reckon it dead…but alive to Christ.”Rom 6:11. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Is that it? Yep. Every time the disappointment arises again, reckon it dead. Every time the anger boils, reckon it dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the tide of bewilderment and misunderstanding rises, reckon it dead. You know why I can? Jesus can sympathize with me in every way. He went before me in flesh, but never sinned so I could know He knows. I can boldly approach Him because He invites me to come and ask and pour out my heart and receive Grace. Oh, beloved of the Lord, because I am alive in Christ, He is my living Head, my Defender, Shield, Buckler, Maker, Husband, Friend, Author and Finisher of my Faith, Redeemer, Counselor, my Prince of Peace!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am part of His Body for whom He provides and cares. I am forever bound to the One who never disappoints, is always Good, infinitely deep in Mercy and Love and Grace. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You know what an oxymoron is? It’s a phrase in which the parts are contradictory, ie. “deafening silence”, “new classic”, “living dead”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see God’s love and care for me as an oxymoron. His Love is the devastating Healer of my soul making my heart sick for Him to heal. It is not cruel in any way. No, He is Goodness. He is Compassion. And in Grace, He meets my need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-66769873680660836622010-12-30T12:57:00.000-08:002010-12-30T12:57:37.681-08:00LET'S DO IT! 1 JOHN 2:7-11<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m not sure why this piece is difficult for me to write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The commandment of love, the commandment to love, the contrast of loving and hating for a believer: all these seem somewhat out of reach now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe as I write God’s heart will become clearer to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The command to love is ancient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deuteronomy 6:4,5 states: “Listen, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone! You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul mind and strength.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leviticus 19:18 states: “…love your neighbor as yourself.” These are the commandments of old of which John speaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the children of Israel knew them. John, in 1 John, now encourages the believers, Jew and Gentile alike, to consider the new commandment: “J<span class="apple-style-span">esus replied,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">"The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The L<b><span style="text-transform: uppercase;">ORD</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">our God is the one and only L<b><span style="text-transform: uppercase;">ORD</span></b>. And you must love the L<b><span style="text-transform: uppercase;">ORD</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these."</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"></span>Mark 12: 29-31 <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus cited the exact same commandments that came from the Old Testament to those inquiring of Him in Mark’s gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John, in verses 7-8 of chapter 2, talks about a NEW commandment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are the same commandments! John’s point is that now believers know how to walk in this commandment because Jesus lived it out, right in front of their eyes. He loved the unlovely, difficult sinners, right where they were. He sacrificed His heavenly reign to come and love in a tangible way, in the bodily form, so we would have an example, a perfect example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was total sacrifice: “God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today, all can read the gospels and see how Jesus loved the world in which He lived, step by step, in a variety of settings, with His Hands on and in the teachings that came from His mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All can know it is possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ah, yes, but the flesh is that with which believers must contend. It is what throws us into the darkness that John speaks of in verses 9-11. John speaks of it, not to discourage his readers, but to give them a guideline for themselves, to examine their own hearts and recognize inconsistency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He already, in 1 John 1:9, gave tremendous hope for us. “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When God lays a burden of love of the unlovely on our hearts, we need not run and hide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need not say aghast, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord!” Jesus demonstrated some outrageous love for us to consider. The woman with the issue of blood comes to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ten lepers are another example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Can you tell that smelly, dirty stuff is an issue for me?!) Others might cite the tax collectors, (no one liked these guys) or the Pharisees (the arrogant upper crust religious leaders). All may be considered unlovely and unlovable for different reasons. But, Jesus loved them. He healed them, forgave them, confronted them, spoke to their inconsistencies…but oh, He loved them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Are there some in our lives we need to love like Jesus loved?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there an irritating soul, an irregular person with whom we have to deal? If God brings that to light, be brave, and do it! What marvels shall we see when we step out in faith believing that Jesus did the same so we could know how to do it and be able to do it?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Every time I write like this, it undoes my comfort zone, because I am talking about stuff that is on my heart, yet unexplored at times in the physical realm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do know that when I do step out in faith, and do what God desires of me, peace indescribable is mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God is for us. He wants us to be his Hands and Feet and show His love in tangible ways. He gives us one another so we can hook arms and walk together encouraging one another to take the risk and love the unlovely. Let’s do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come on, you guys, let’s do it for the glory it will bring the Lord, our Maker, Master, Redeemer, Friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-43923314505898597442010-12-26T03:09:00.000-08:002010-12-26T03:09:55.224-08:00FOR ENCOURAGEMENTHere is a webcast by Paul Trip from 10th Presbyterian Church in Philly that Patti Inns recommended about HOPE. It deeply touched me. If you have time, take a listen to it.<br />
The message's title is: Advent: The Promise.<br />
http://www.tenth.org/index.php?id=58<br />
I'll be back on blog after the new year turns.<br />
Blessings to you,<br />
Lisalisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-51685145017819192742010-12-23T10:07:00.000-08:002010-12-23T10:07:35.669-08:00MY CHRISTMAS HEART<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I haven’t been on the blog lately. Holiday comings and goings at a brisk pace with kids visiting and finalizing all the Christmas prep have consumed so much of my day time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I have thought and prayed for you guys much in these last several days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmastime is so special for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Memories flood my recollection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vintage Christmases, 1960’s type, of toys, wagons, dolls and goodies under the tree, bleary-eyes transformed into eyes agape with wonder, my own kids thrilled to this day to give and receive gifts…these are what make it so special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve been contemplating gift giving…small wonder in this Christmas season of giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love giving gifts. The joy of anticipation, seeing delight on the face of the recipient charges me up! I wiggle and giggle and can barely contain myself when I know the gift will be appreciated. Don’t you just love your kids’ faces and peals of laughter, your spouses’ kiss and your friends’ hugs when they love the gift you have given? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I stayed on budget this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, that is a fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a “smallish” Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have cut way back on gift giving for Christmas morning but promise the family a week at the beach come summer time, God willing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our family enjoys such bounty. It struck me, on the way home from my last quest for gifts and finally finishing, that the relative size of what appears under the Christmas tree has changed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is smaller than in years past. Yet in comparison to many, we have copious resource for gift giving. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, I thought about what God the Father gave to Mankind: His only Son, innocent of every fault, to take the punishment for sin. I pondered what Jesus, the Son gave to do the will of the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He made Himself nothing taking on the very nature of a servant….he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross!” Phil 2: 7-8 <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What have I given? What have I done? How have I responded to the gift God Almighty gave to me? Never to repay, but to show gratitude, I show a puny obedience that wavers at best. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But, here is a quote that I just found in a Christmas card…” He became what we are that He might make us what He is.” From The Incarnation of the Word. Athanasius, c. 296-373 AD.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even my giving is made possible by Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Providence alone gives so that I can give. The immeasurable gifts of love, goodness, kindness, mercy are all by His Spirit. His continual gift of the Holy Spirit indwelling me, makes it possible for me to give.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, if you haven’t received a wrapped up gift from me, know that God’s gift is at work in me. I hope to bless you with it. It is all I have to give back to Him and to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Blessed and joyous Christmas!<o:p></o:p></span></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-61053196211786960342010-12-17T13:35:00.000-08:002010-12-17T13:35:45.427-08:00LIVING ROOM BALM<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last night I had the immense pleasure of witnessing the God-ordained order of discipleship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart has become impassioned to see mothers, young and old, walk in the fullness of their ministries within their homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just so happens that the group in my home last night are all wives, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some have great marriages, some mediocre marriages and, I have to admit, some have marriages that are on their way to the pits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are even in the pits! The marriages vary in length from 4 weeks to nearly 40 years! What a fertile ground for discipleship these women offer. The Holy Spirit has brought so much change in their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We were studying the subject of meekness which emerged from a serious look at the attitude and actions of a godly wife in 1 Peter 2 and 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meekness and a quiet spirit, which are of surpassing value to God, are the marks of beauty of that godly wife. The behavior springing forth from her attitude wins over the misunderstanding or unbelieving husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a tall order for a woman to live in this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the meekness God desires to see in a wife is not of human will but none other than part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:23. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Knowing this, there was discussion about the difficulty and suffering some must endure while walking in the Holy Spirit’s power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parts of the discussion were focused on these topics:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Being offended by unfaithfulness is a HUGE issue to deal with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add this to an already poor relationship/walk with the Lord, it could be a long haul till there is healing and forgiveness.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We CAN gently and lovingly point out to our husband how their over-control or even lack of leadership hurts us, but WE cannot make him change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can only change ourselves.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dealing with sin in a Matthew 18 order, still doesn’t change a person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WE fulfill our obligation, but allow the Holy Spirit full reign as HE is the convictor and restorer.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I wonder if we would see more miraculous or supernatural results in our pleading with God if we left the end of a thing, the beginning and the middle too, to God’s Holy Spirit to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile, we keep on obeying and loving God and wait to see God’s Hand--- like Moses said to the Children of Israel as they faced the Red Sea in one direction and the Egyptian army in the other, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>before the Lord parted it…”Do not be afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Egyptians (adversary) you see today you will never see again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Ex 14:13-15.</span></li>
</ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God is clearly possessing the hearts of these dear ladies. They are doing the hard work of believing God’s Word for their marriages and their own attitude and behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, what to my amazement should I witness here in my living room, but a turning of one of the younger in the Lord to another even younger in a discipleship posture to come alongside and encourage and teach from the platform of lessons learned in this walk of faith! I tell you what… I was jumping out of my chair, literally! Life on life mentoring, discipleship and fellowship that is taught in books is happening right here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still feel the wonder of it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The work of the hand and heart of the Almighty reached down from one woman to the other in love and offered the direction for healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And they shall be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.” Isaiah 61:3 I am a witness of that display. It was glorious. More powerful a balm than ever I have seen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-23736227292496799682010-12-11T03:23:00.000-08:002010-12-11T03:23:47.268-08:00GRACE AND MERCY: PSALM 103 (in two parts) Part 2<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But you don’t know me! I have such a sinful heart, selfish, deceitful, horrid!” Do we think our sin is greater than His salvation?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.” Just for kicks I wanted to find out how high the sky was and found that the experts are saying that the more they look, the more immeasurable it gets. </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/kw/size-galaxy">http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/kw/size-galaxy</a></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh thank You, dear One who loves my soul like a Father who pities His children. That pity is translated to mean, “love deeply, have mercy, be compassionate, have tender affection.” (Strong’s) He knows my frame, that I am but dust, like grass and flowers that fade quickly. BUT, in verse 17, we find the MERCY of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting, infinite, for those who 1) fear Him, 2) keep His covenant, 3) remember His commandments to do them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s a tall order! I cannot do that in and of myself! The New Testament brings relief to us in Ephesians 2: <span class="apple-style-span"><b><sup>3</sup></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh<sup>[</sup></span></span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%202&version=NIV#fen-NIV-29233a" title="See footnote a"><sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">a</span></sup></a><span class="apple-style-span"><sup><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">]</span></sup></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4</span></sup></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5</span></sup></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6</span></sup></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">7</span></sup></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">8</span></sup></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">9</span></sup></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">not by works, so that no one can boast.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s the answer. God reaches down into our pit in great love, in great mercy, in great grace, and makes us alive in Christ, even when we were dead in sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even as believers when we cannot find our way out of the pit. Of His own initiative by His pervenient grace, He comes for us, as that tender Father, and scoops us out, cleans us off in His Son’s redemption, pours the oil of gladness on and sooths our prickly, self-worn out souls, and crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercy! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then the exclaiming begins: “the Lord has established His throne in Heaven and His kingdom rules over all!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a tender Sovereign who reigns over all! Whoa! No wonder David starts in with speaking to the angels calling them to bless the Lord! His heart and soul are now full of the good things spoken of in verse 5.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The believing SLS is without excuse. We possess rich blessings at the Hand of our Holy Father. He offers a crown of lovingkindness and tender mercy. He brings Truth to bear on us and Grace to answer our objections. He rules in sovereignty. We are deep in His Heart and Hands. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">BLESS THE LORD OH MY SOUL!</span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-56112580179809617822010-12-10T03:35:00.000-08:002010-12-10T03:35:34.739-08:00GRACE AND MERCY: PSALM 103 (in two parts) Part 1<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, today I might be able to do some Christmas shopping! I am getting into the spirit of gift hunting. Would a million dollars be enough to supply my list? Sometimes I go way overboard, but I have to tell you, I am feeling so full of good things that I want to give very big, very many gifts! My husband should be looking over my shoulder right now... I promise to stay on budget!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All that aside, I do want to get down to the post. From one SLS (you'll see what that means in a minute) to another....perhaps....give a read to Psalm 103.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">David’s soul must have been rather downcast if in the first two verses of this psalm he had to tell his soul to bless the Lord three times!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder what happened or what he did!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it wasn’t anything bad but he was so full of gratitude he just couldn’t help himself…maybe he was “doing a dance" before the Lord! I don’t know, just wondering.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This psalm seems to be a great remedy to the self-loather’s soul (SLS). The SLS is full of self-condemnation, the sense of “screwing it up again”, feeling like they’ll never get it right. SLSs sometimes work on the basis of insecurities born in their dysfunctional or traumatic upbringing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.outofthefog.net/CommonBehaviors/SelfLoathing.html"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://www.outofthefog.net/CommonBehaviors/SelfLoathing.html</span></a> <span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But more often than not, for a believer, it seems that one can become a SLS because their less-than-pure motivations for action are known to themselves. Sometimes our own expectations of ourselves are unreasonable and much too stringent. Legalism bears on many a SLS. We are not gracious with ourselves. We consider ourselves with a hypercritical eye…judging by an extreme standard without forgiveness or grace. And it brings our ministries to a screeching halt when we fall into that pit to wallow. Note the focus on self… it’s critical.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In our house we use a quote from James Dobson from a story he told about his son a long time ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The son got stuck on a tailgate of a truck and hollered, “Somebody help the boy! Somebody help the boy!” So, in a getting stuck in the pit mode myself, I was hollering to the Lord, “Somebody help the girl! Somebody help the girl!” Enter Psalm 103.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Those first 5 verses are written like a cheer! Motivate your heart, soul and mind! Remember God’s benefits to you: forgiveness of ALL your iniquities, healing from ALL your diseases, redemption, compassion and mercy from the Creator of the Universe, satisfaction of the soul with pleasant, rich things so we are renewed and repaired.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do you see all the attributes of God displayed? It is good medicine for the soul to say them to the Lord, calling Him by those names. It is pleasing to Him and it raises our eyes from self to His throne and character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Holy, Benefactor, Forgiver, Healer, Redeemer, Bestower of gifts, Satisfier, Rejeuvenator…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Verse 6 was the crux of matter for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.” I looked up the word <u>oppressed</u> to find this definition in Webster’s 1826 dictionary: burdened with unreasonable impositions, overpowered, overburdened, depressed. The SLS burdens themselves with unreasonable impositions. They are overburdened, depressed with and within themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But look here, it says that the Lord executes righteousness and justice for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord brings the Truth to bear on the SLS and judges them, with remedy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Verse 7 seems to be saying, “Duh! He made known his ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” REMEMBER?!?!? And then, here comes the remedy for the SLS’s soul: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah, it is as if my soul would sink into the soothing spa of His gift to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grace and Mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-71276981765876880472010-12-06T06:07:00.000-08:002010-12-06T06:07:23.666-08:00STEP BACK FROM THE GLASS<div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">Such a wonder is happening in the life of our assembly at this time in history.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">I am not quite sure I have in times past heard of so many small groups discipling one another.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">From the youth on up to the leadership of the assembly, believer on believer investment seems to be yielding a fruit unlike anything I’ve seen in a long time.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">Yesterday, as Jamie Miller was chronicling his family’s last five years of ministry in Latin America, I do believe the message was brought from God Himself, encouraging us to “step back from the glass and stop fogging it up” so we can see the bigger picture of God’s epic purpose for us—to bring Him glory.<span> </span>Circumstance begs us to react, retract and even rebel, but when we see what God is doing in the broad picture of His will, we are satisfied in our souls with His greater Good and Love.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">Our assembly reaped much benefit in the hearing of Millers’ testimony.<span> </span>It ignited in me and those with whom I had the chance to interact with last evening, including my own kids, a fire to live boldly and intentionally for the Lord. Pursue others for God’s glory.<span> </span>Walk along side others who are needy and bring them hope in the Lord Jesus. Put aside risk and do the thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">I’ve been studying Psalm 103 and was struck with verse 5 which states this: “(the Lord) satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Being satisfied in our <i>souls</i> (this is actually what the word <i>mouth</i> seems to mean as I understand some of the references), our crowning ornament which bears the likeness of God, renews us! Praising God, glorifying God, magnifying God, restores the newness and joy of our salvation.<span> </span>Millers' testimony, for God’s glory, has done that for me and apparently, so many others. I don’t know about you, but I’m going to run with it! Come on, come along with me and let’s run together!</span></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-60341552011709486082010-12-02T02:20:00.000-08:002010-12-02T02:20:41.575-08:00Part 3<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Knowing God, the focus of 1 John 2:3-6, is the answer to the dilemma: my relationship to the Lord and desire for fellowship is a choice I continually must make. God doesn’t force me into knowing Him, loving Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the beauty and horror of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants me to CHOOSE to know Him, love Him, obey Him, respond to Him, fellowship with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Placing my heart’s focus on Him deliberately helps me fix my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. As I grow in knowledge of Him, my response, by the Holy Spirit’s presence in me, is to obey. This surely isn’t natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is supernatural. God has solved the problem by making provision through Christ and law of the Holy Spirit of Life. Romans 8:2. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The keeping of the commands and Word that John speaks of in verses 3-6 is in the continual present tense. It is ongoing. It is a moment by moment pursuit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is what characterizes my level of maturity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of my flesh, it creates dependence on Him. Ah, that’s just right. My need is only met in Him. Even my desire must be cultivated by the witness of the Holy Spirit in me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally, I desire to know Him, I desire to depend on Him, I desire to choose Him. The love relationship is cultivated because He loved me first. I desire to love Him back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-77201827042058876872010-12-01T02:39:00.000-08:002010-12-01T02:41:58.721-08:00Part 2<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>There are abundant imperatives in God’s Word on Christian living… put to death the sinful nature..reckon yourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ. (Rom 6) Col.2:23 talks about regulations doing nothing to quench sensual indulgence. But it does go right to the next verses in chapter 3 saying to set minds and hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Then a few verses later, “put to death….we must get rid of all such things as these…..” Even further, ”clothe yourself with compassion, kindness….”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>What do I allow God to do, what do I strive to do? In Romans 7 Paul rants about the struggle to do what he ought but cannot amidst the war in his soul. Flesh against the spirit; spirit against the flesh. My dilemma is that as soon as I have a regulation, I want to break it! That’s my ugly truth!<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>Romans 8:13 “…but if by the spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body you will live, because those who are lead by the spirit of God are sons of God.”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>I cannot do it! It must be by the spirit…how can I do any of the imperatives? BY THE SPIRIT. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>What is pursuit of walking in the spirit? “I cannot do it. I’ve tried a zillion times! I can’t do it. You do it, Lord.” <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><b>There needs to be a rest from this struggle. It can burn a believer out trying to do and do and do in their own strength. God’s answer to my struggle is free of condemnation, free from the law of sin and death in the sending of His Son, Jesus to be a sin offering for me. My salvation is secure and my day to day walk is witnessed and can be governed by the Holy Spirit. It’s by the Spirit I can put to death the misdeeds of my body. His fruit “</b><span class="apple-style-span"><b>is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,</b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b>gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23) <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><b>What then, will motivate my desire to walk in the Spirit</b></i><b>?</b></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-4377068136340419082010-11-30T03:55:00.000-08:002010-11-30T05:27:06.488-08:00TWO MESSAGES IN THREE PARTS<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Part 1: My Defender and Deliverer 1 John 2:1,2<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I love the title of this message. I am a hopeless romantic. Prince Charming has great appeal to me. With all my heart, I believe God put the longing for a prince in my heart. And God meets that need in me with my Faithful Defender, Jesus, interceding for me at the Father’s right hand declaring, against the Accuser, my righteousness in Him. All in Him! Jesus is my Just Deliverer from sin. Once for all, He took the punishment I deserve by death and took me into Himself. Delivered from penalty, I have access to the King of Kings with all the rights of His daughter. Delivered from slavery to sin, I am bound by blood, Jesus’ blood, to walk in newness and freedom by the power of the Holy Spirit. I have a dance to do over this! Oh YES!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Looking over notes from this sermon, I’ve thought through the trying not to sin over and against the loving of righteousness. Does trying not to sin precipitate works/legalism? Is simply loving righteousness and grace in pursuit of God too passive? What is the balance? Is there a balance? Is there a difference between hating sin and trying not to sin?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">God begins and finishes the good work in me, HE is faithful. Phil 1:6. I know that “in MY flesh there dwelleth no good thing.” Rom, 7:18. It is the pathway of least resistance to indulge my flesh. However, because my Deliverer has come and freed me, I have the Paraclyte, One who is an Advocate for me (1John), and One who testifies in my spirit about that which I should do (gospel of John.) God has given the solution to the war on me and in me on both counts. He is a Rescuer and Deliverer making provision for my eternal salvation and my daily walk with Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444969390928004758.post-31785555332574454832010-11-27T01:10:00.000-08:002010-11-27T01:10:26.133-08:00Sorry about for the lack of posting here this week...kinda busy! Blessedly busy with family, friends and food! I don't know if I will get this week's post revised before Sunday. I still have a houseful and little computer time.<br />
Let's keep studying and taking notes.<br />
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I am psyched for you all to come and fellowship here with us on Thursday! Another holiday gathering! I just love it! If you haven't already, drop me a line to find out what you can bring along. I will miss all of you who cannot attend. There will be another time, Lord willing.<br />
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Blessings on your days and weekends.lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181331523582721567noreply@blogger.com0