You Are His

Elaine is offering a gift-giveaway of my book and more...

2012-01-23T11:24:00.000-05:00

When I saw a post on my facebook this morning that Elaine from Peace for the Journey was going to post a give-away of my book You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes, on her blog, I was of course very appreciative as I have been for the support that many of my on-line friends have graciously provided but I have to confess that Elaine has been one of the women on-line whom I view as an incredible writer so I was deeply moved that she shared my book on her blog and when I read her post I have to confess I cried especially when I read:

Indeed, a message easily forgotten by me on days when I’m tempted by the enemy to focus solely on my imperfections. Each chapter in Lisa’s book rings with a clarion call to get back to the basics… back to the beginning when Father God sat with the idea of me on the front side of Genesis and called me very good. The idea of me when he walked his Son to a bloody grave. The idea of me when he walked his Son out from the grave and into the folds of heaven. The idea of me when he sent his Spirit to dwell in the hearts of his people. The idea of me when he tucked my life inside the safety of my mother’s womb. The idea of me some forty-five years later when it’s sometimes easy to forget that I’m still God’s very good idea… warts and all.

Please visit Elaine's blog and enter to win the give-away. She also has another give-away being offered that I know will bless you! Be sure to love on Elaine while you're there and check out her awesome book: Peace for the Journey!

I have been so incredibly touched by the power of God's Hand on my little book. You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes. He led me to write a short, sweet, to the point, conversational style book that would encourage, strengthen and bring hope and restoration to His Daughters. I pray that it has done just that unto His glory.

You got this!

2012-01-17T12:23:00.000-05:00

You got this! Yes you do. Yes, the wording is not necessarily the Queen's English but it's appropriate for making an effective point (smile). Whatever the this is that is standing before you right now that seems larger than life, larger than what you can handle and is attempting to limit you in ways that God has not permitted, you need to remind yourself that you got this! He has placed within you through Christ, all the spiritual, mental and physical power you need to take it on. Did you read that correctly? He has placed within you...that means the strength is not our own it's His. Isn't that reassuring?! Whatever the this is it can't hinder, distract or defeat you from doing whatever God has purposed you to do or from being all that God has purposed you to be...unless you allow it.

Yes, there will be some moments of fear, concerns, even some doubt or questions. There may be nay-sayers who will tell you that "this" is not what God has called you to do or that you should be something other than what you know in your spirit that you should be. At times your own thoughts will rise up and cause you to question if you are hearing God for your life.

Are you enjoying or enduring your life? That's an important question as we are into the beginning weeks of 2012. Yes, you know that you are blessed by the Best but are you living out that blessing to His glory and for the edification of others He places in your life? The Bible tells us that our gifts will make room for us. If we are using our gifts to His glory then it makes room for us. Sadly, we are often too afraid to move out on the gifting. We want validation and acceptance from people. We want to know for certain that we are moving in the right direction. We want signs, wonders, confirmation and then more confirmations before we make up our minds to say, Yes Lord. Nothing wrong with confirmations but there comes a time when we just have to say Yes Lord to what He is leading and stop making excuses for not doing it. Whether it is losing weight, writing a book, starting a business, homeschooling children, getting involved in your child's school, beginning or finishing your education, improving yourself in God to impact your marriage, being a great caregiver, doing volunteer work in your community, starting up a ministry, serving in a particular area of ministry, going on missions trips, opening ourselves to new friendships or having to say goodbye to relationships that are toxic. Time to say, Yes Lord.

Why do we so often need validation from people? Because often times regardless of how spiritually mature one is, we get scared. We don't want to fail God, our loves ones or ourselves. As women we are often defined by who loves us and by the roles that we walk in and whether or not we walk those roles perfectly. The world and even at times, the church world will define you by how well you do something or how good you look rather than just by who you are in Christ. That's why I love 1 Samuel 16:7 in the Amplified. Go check it out and then come on back and finish reading. I'll wait for you...

Wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, caregiver, minister, leader, business woman, homeschooler, PTA mom, soccer mom, student, retired, volunteer, etc. Whatever the role or the hat we so lovingly wear we want to know that we are doing a good job in that area. We want to please God and the people whom we care about and that's awesome but often times we beat up on ourselves when we don't feel we are making the mark or meeting the expectation. However, woman of God, daughter of the King-- you got this! With Abba Father's love, grace and covering, Jesus' love and help and the Holy Spirit's leading, you got this!

I'm not entirely certain where this message is coming from but it's live and in color today because it's coming out of my spirit. I want to share this with you, I ran into the new year with excitement and then a nasty stomach virus hit and set off some of the other internal issues I had from last year that still had not healed. I felt lousy for the last 9 days. I have been busting with excitement over the beautiful group of 28 women I've had the pleasure of teaching my Book and Companion Study Guide to on Wednesday nights. I've had the pleasure of other doors God is opening BUT in my mind I was feeling a bit discouraged. My body has lacked energy etc. and the enemy began to tell me, you'll have another sick year like last year and you'll be laid up for your birthday in February just like you were last year and don't even think about doing the things you say your God has purposed for you and your family so go sit down and stop getting excited! Oh yes he did! BUT, I had to cast down those negative thoughts and remind myself in Whom I believe and that GOD'S plan for me is great! I don't have the time to allow anything or anyone to set limits on me and neither do YOU dear one! In God we are limitless. Our boundaries are established by HIM for our life not by negative thoughts, worries, fears or circumstances.

I pray this encourages the person who needs it--you can do this because in Christ you got this! God has placed something awesome down inside of you that only you are in possession of! You are His workmanship -- His masterpiece! No one else has your DNA. Two thousand people on the earth could have the same gifting as you do and none of them will use the gift exactly the same way as you. Why? Because God made us all uniquely different and uniquely beautiful so it's time to get moving ladies! I love both the New Living Translation and Amplified version of Ephesians 2:10.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10 (AMP) For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

We are 17 days into 2012. What is it that you know you are supposed to be doing differently? What amazing thing has God purposed to do in and through you His amazing Daughter, to touch the world around you for the sake of Christ? And, what feelings of inadequacy is going on inside? What words are being rehearsed in your thoughts? Do those words align with God's plan for you?

Remember this, no person or no situation should define for you or for me who we can be or what we can do if God has purposed it for us. There will be earthly or what I call natural limits but we can overcome them in Christ to do whatever GOD has purposed for us to do and to be the best that we can be without beating ourselves up about it. We may experience some failures but we are NOT a failure! There's a difference! How can anyone who has been handcrafted by God be a failure! As they might say in the Military - "move out!" and as my Grandma used to say, "Go forth with courage and serve the Lord"!

Philippians 4:13 (AMP) I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].

I am not certain who this is to minister to or perhaps it is just to speak back to myself a word of encouragement but if it is also for you then grab it and run into prayer. Talk with Abba Father about what is on your mind and heart. Review the questions I gave you above. He cares. He has called and equipped you in ways you have yet to comprehend or realize. I pray this will be your year! Remember, you got this! He put everything within you that you need. Trust and rely on Him and let us all give Him the glory!!!

Praying for you right now. Thank you for praying for me.

A few blessings for you

2012-01-16T21:41:00.001-05:00

I don't often share on my Blog the other things I'm involved with and I'm not sure why I do that but this year I want to share those things because I believe God will encourage and strengthen people that He so desires to read or listen to those various things because what HE alone permits and graces all of us to do is for His glory and the blessing of His people so if you read or listen to anything below I pray it will bless your socks off in Jesus Name and draw you closer to Him! And don't forget to let me know what awesome things are going on in your life in Christ as well! Remember, you are His! Your life is in His Hand and that's awesome!

I had the pleasure of sharing my heart in the Lord on my precious friend Lisa Buffaloe's radio program: Living Joyfully Free Radio. Listen to our talk on prayer, pursuing God and knowing we are beautiful in His eyes and much more by clicking this LINK. What I love about Lisa is that she is a beautiful quiet storm for Christ online and speaking with her on her radio program felt like I was chatting with an old and dear friend! We will spend loads of time chatting in Heaven I'm sure :)!

I was honored to be asked to write for the Marriage Counter of the Internet Cafe. It's a beautiful place overseen by two beautiful woman of God, Lori and Jenifer who fully understand that Jesus is the Overseer. Love their hearts for HIM! I wrote my first post on the prayer that changed my marriage of over 21 years; long ago in the early season of our marriage, when I turned to God in prayer at a desperate time when I needed to be healed from my past in order to be the wife that I needed to be. GOD led me in how to pray for my husband and how to pray for myself when I turned to Him and cried out. He showed me that I was praying a bit off :) I hope you'll stop in HERE to read and be blessed!

Listen to
internet radio with Well Watered Woman on Blog Talk Radio

Recently the Lord connected my heart with another special sister in Christ, TonyR from The Well Watered Woman who asked me to share my heart in the Lord on her radio program where I shared a message of hope and restoration in Christ. Jesus asks "Do you want to be made whole?" We have a decision to make. I also shared the one thing that I pray tenderly to hear God say to my heart when my day comes to be in His presence literally.

There are so many exciting things going on on-line and off-line for the Kingdom of God but the MOST important thing is staying in right relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I constantly pray over myself to keep the right focus as I never want to become consumed with the "doings" for the Kingdom and neglect just "being" in His precious and powerful presence. We can't effectively serve the LORD if we are not resting at His feet even more. Amen?! Amen!

Much love to all who stop in and may the Lord bless you and shower His favor and grace down on you in ways you can't contain and then, pour it out over all whom you come in contact with for the glory of God!

REPOST FROM 2010: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr. Alveda King

2012-01-16T12:19:00.003-05:00

First, thanks to everyone who left such beautiful and warm comments on my "new blog name and design post" below. You blessed my soul. I've been out of sorts for 8 days with a bad stomach virus so please forgive my lack of blogging or visits. Getting back in the swing slowly. For those who knew about this on my FB thanks for praying for me! Wanted to share a message I wrote about Dr. King in 2010 on this the acknowledgment of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day. I tweaked it a bit and I pray it blesses you.

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Remembering and praying....

Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Remembering the humility, honor and love of Christ and people that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. embraced and lived fully.

This was a man who believed we as a people should treat one another the way we desired to be treated. I am grateful that I was raised with the knowledge of Dr. King who was assassinated two years after my birth. In my upbringing things were NOT defined as black people and white people in my personal life. We were PEOPLE. In school I would hear people call one another ugly names and there was definitely separation and hostilities carried mainly from what they had been taught. I am grateful that I was colorless in my thinking. Dr. King stood for us to all be equal because we are made by the same Hand of GOD. We are to be judged by the content of our character not by the color of our skin. We've come a long way since Dr. King. Yes, sadly racism still exist to some degree and not subject to just one race of people however as Christians we are defined by our connection TO CHRIST not by the color of our skin. We are ALL one who believes in HIM. I have brothers and sisters in Christ of different races and I love it because that represents our LORD.

Dr. King was a man of humility never lifting himself up above others and never allowing anyone else to glory at his feet. We need more leaders like that today that do not esteem themselves over GOD or allow anyone else to. Dr. King's sole mission was to glorify GOD, help all people to live equally and never to glorify himself. His mission, I believe, was completed although he was taken from us too soon by the act of someone who had a hardened heart.

As I think today about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and what he meant to the generations of my family on a personal level as well as to so many others, I can't help but be grateful for the recent opportunity I was blessed with to meet and spend time with his loving and incredible niece, Dr. Alveda King, daughter of Rev. A.D. and Naomi King. Rev. A.D. King is the brother to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Alveda King is a caring and powerful voice for the voiceless as she continues to stand for the lives of the unborn. Those of you who know me well and who have visited my pro-life blog know my testimony and that I too stand for LIFE so you can imagine that it was an honor to meet Dr. Alveda King who has been a long time warrior for the Kingdom of GOD on earth especially with regards to affirming LIFE.

I posted a message and photos from the 2010 meeting with Dr. Alveda King, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's niece, on my pro-life blog HERE so please pop in when you have a chance. In honor of LIFE and the message of peace and affirming life, please stand with me and pray with me that the entire Government and Nation will turn their lives fully toward GOD in their private and public lives for the WORD of the LORD says Psalm 33:11 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance."

Thanks for stopping in and for praying with me. May the peace of God rest on you and all whom you love in Jesus Name! Amen!

New Ministry Blog Name & Design

2012-01-07T09:50:00.001-05:00

This was a huge step for me. Sharing Life with Lisa has changed to You Are His as the Lord has led and I'm excited about it. It is always like God to transition you to the next phase in every area of your life and as such He did the same with my ministry blog. A lot of the struggles that we as women face are diminished the more we see ourselves through God's eyes and realize the truth and that is, we are indeed His! We don't belong to this world. We belong to God and we are precious in His sight!

As always I turned to my special friend Edie from Rich Gifts Graphics and Blog Design. She always does an incredible job and that's because she prays and follows God's leading. Edie is professional, courteous and always willing to work with me as I pray so that together we can hear God on the design. Edie offers graphics (buttons, enhancements to blog designs, etc) as well as book cover designs for both e-book and printed books. She also offers SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Analysis so pop on over to her site for details. She also offers free Scripture Tags and Desktop Wallpapers and a host of tips on her blog. She did not ask me to promote her but I believe in sharing the blessings and gifting of others when they are people who love God and desire to be a blessing to others and that's Edie!

I pray you like the new Ministry Blog Name and design. I love it! I will share a post in a day or so regarding what you can expect to read on You Are His and some other upcoming changes I'm excited about that begins January 26th. I will also share the "phrase" for my life for 2012. I'd love to hear your "word" or "phrase" if God has given one to you. If not, then feel free to share any direction I can pray for you as you walk this year with God! I'm excited for you!!

I pray that all of you have a wonderful new year and remember, you are HIS! I love you and I'm praying for you!

Praise the LORD it's 2012!!!!

2012-01-01T01:00:00.025-05:00

Praise the LORD!!!I shared something on my facebook yesterday that I wanted to share with each of you:

Get ready! Get ready! Get ready!! 2012 is almost upon us and I'm excited about all that our GOD is about to do! Are you prepared? Press in prayer and don't do a lot of talking but rather, even more listening to hear and receive His wisdom and direction for your life as you enter into 2012. I'm EXCITED!!! The LORD is GOOD!!! Link up close to Him and watch and see what He'll do within you and then, through you to touch the world around you!!! Get ready!!!!

Well family in Christ, it's here! It's a new year and that means new opportunities, blessings and even challenges but that's alright because our GOD is with us every step of the way. I have so much to share with you this year on my blog and changes are coming. I am also looking forward to visiting my Blog friends and making new on-line friends but most importantly I'm looking forward to deeper fellowship with GOD and life-changing, Christ-centered opportunities to be used by GOD in greater ways for the time is growing near when we will see that Day so let us make every day count for the Kingdom.

Let me leave you with our God's powerful Word:

Isaiah 43:19(AMP) Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Do you catch the theme word in these two passages of Scripture? New! Our GOD is about to do some new things in our lives are you ready? Is your heart (love-walk) and mind (our thoughts) prepared? Did you know that the hand-print of Almighty God is on your life and prepared to do great and mighty things in and through you? Get ready!

Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

I love you and thank you for being there for me in 2011 with your prayers, love, encouragement and support. I pray that you felt my love and prayers as well. Now, let us go forth with courage and serve our Lord in this new year. Much love!

My 2012 Devotional

2011-12-31T12:30:00.001-05:00

Earlier in the week I asked for people to share on my facebook what Devotional book they would use for 2012. Below are some of the devotionals the ladies listed:

Sparkling Gems From the Greek
My Utmost for His Highest (Oswald Chambers)
Streams in the Desert (the original)
Days of Heaven on Earth (A.B. Simpson)
Guidepost devotion
Inspirational Reader (Max Lucado)
Choosing Joy: A 52-Week Devotional on Discovering True Happiness (Angela Thomas)
Jesus Calling (Sarah Young)

Have you read any of these?

For many years I've used Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening. I also enjoyed Smith Smigglesworth's devotions about the Holy Spirit. In 2010 I used Hearing God and Confident Woman by Joyce Meyer and since 2009 I've used Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and that has walked with me through some rough moments.

As I stood in Barnes and Noble two days ago with my College Baby Girl, I prayed for God to lead me to the devotional He wanted me to use with my Bible this year. He led me to Love Out Loud by Joyce Meyer. I'm excited about this because the page I opened to spoke about how the embracing of God's love effects how we see ourselves beyond being saved (Christian), we need to really know and believe His love for us on a personal level. Well, that's a message not only in my book: You Are Beautiful in God's Eyes but it's also what I had to grow in the grace and knowledge of over the years.

Love is the theme of the devotional--God's love for us, and loving God, ourselves and others. I believe it is a subject that we all would benefit receiving a deeper level of revelation. I'm looking forward to using this during my personal time with God and His Word.

I pray that we all spend even more time in God's Holy Word, in prayer and in obedience our King Jesus whom we just celebrated at Christmas. May our thoughts, words, emotions and behavior be rooted in the love of Christ throughout this coming year unto the glory of our Heavenly Father.

How about you? If you use a devotional book which one have you selected for 2012 and why? Have a blessed and favored year!! You have my love an prayers.

P.S. For more information on the devotional go HERE.

Book Interview with a friend

2011-12-28T11:16:00.004-05:00

If you don't know my precious friend Debbie then you definitely want to get to know her. We are both on and off-line sisters in Christ and I adore her heart. Debbie asked to interview me for my new Book: You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes. I was honored to do so and she asked some great questions. I would love it if you'd visit the interview on her blog, Heart Choices. You can read the interview link HERE.

I also want to be sure no one is confused. If you want to purchase the actual Book please visit my Ministry website: Lisa Shaw Ministries. If you want a Kindle eBook version please visit Amazon.com and for the Nook eBook version please visit BarnesandNoble.com. If you order the actual Book printed from my website and would like something written in the inside flap, please note that at the time of your order or Email me. Please feel free to share this post with your friends and loved ones if you feel moved to do so. Thank you so much!

I pray that all of you who stop in had a wonderful Christmas as did me and my family. The LORD is good and I'm excited about the upcoming year. I can feel it down deep in the belly of my spirit that it's going to be an exciting, life-affirming, uplifting, Jesus focused, Jesus Joy filling, outreach to others, purpose living, healthy, life-changing year and I'm busting at the boot straps over it and giving GOD ALL THE GLORY!!! Join me...PRAISE THE LORD!! Much love and New Year blessings to you!

Merry CHRISTmas from my heart to yours!

2011-12-24T08:40:00.001-05:00

I wanted to take this opportunity to say Merry CHRISTmas to all of my on-line family in Christ. I'm absent this week from on-line but I set this post in advance so that you would know that I'm thinking of you and your family. I also want to thank many of you for a year of prayers, love, support, encouragement and warmth! I truly love and appreciate you more than words can say and I pray for you often.

Family in CHRIST, I pray that as we celebrate this time of year that we remember the true reason that we celebrate--the most precious and indescribable gift, our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. How great is our God and how worthy is He to receive all of our love, praise, worship, thanksgiving and adoration! Amen!

2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV) Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

If you are here visiting and you are alone this season or grieving in some way I pray with all of my heart of compassion toward you, that in the Christ that we celebrate you will find the love, peace, joy, comfort and strength in Him that you absolutely need. Trust Him. Turn to Him. Lean on, cling to and rely on Him. He is the answer to all of our needs and He loves you with an everlasting love. You are not forgotten...

My love, prayers and warm prayer-hugs surround you as we spend time with our King and our families. The Lord bless you and keep you until we connect again. Merry CHRISTmas!

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

They lived and loved the Christ in Christmas!

2011-12-18T04:11:00.001-05:00

I woke up in the middle of the night from a dream. I was unable to fall back to sleep so I prayed and laid there. I finally found my way to my laptop and decided to visit some of my Blog friends who I miss very much. I tried to dry the tears streaming down my face from the dream that I had but once I made it to my friend Sonja's blog I cried more as I read about her childhood Christmas with her parents and family. The dream that I had was about my Grandma and Grandpa and Christmas. For those who have followed my blog for a few years you know my heart for my Grandparents. The two of them were the representation of Christ in my life since my childhood. Grandma went to be with the Lord in 1990 and Grandpa in 2007. I miss them terribly especially this time of year.

They put the CHRIST in CHRISTmas in my life 365 days per year! I can still hear Grandma singing, "What a friend we have in Jesus" as flour covered her hands as she prepared the home-made crust for all the sweet potato and apple pies she would prepare for both family, friends and the church. I would smile and play with my toy china tea set as I inhaled the aromas of the sweet potato pies baking in the oven. It remains my favorite pie to this day.

Grandpa would gather the Christmas tree from the garage and all it's trimmings and I'd help Grandma set up the tree. She had a beautiful Bird that she'd sit on one of the limbs after the tree was finished. She would plug it in and it had the most annoying bird whistle. We could only play it for a few minutes because it would drive me crazy but it made Grandma smile. I sure miss hearing that Bird now and even more, seeing her beautiful smile. I have been told that I smile just like her. I have a bit of the crooked mouth that leans left when I smile just as she had.

My Grandparents would wait until Christmas Eve to put presents under the tree for the Grandchildren. They didn't have a lot of money and splurging on expensive gifts was not going to happen and I'm thankful that I was raised to see that. What they did put under the tree was given with great love for us. But with all the pies baking, food preparation and gifts being wrapped and placed under the tree none of that was the primary focus of Christmas. My Grandparents made certain that it was clear that the season was about the CHRIST in CHRISTmas and His reason for coming for us. As she did, so do I still, set up the Nativity with such great care. She put hers on the mantle of the fire place. I have always had mine elevated under the Tree and now, one on the wall unit as well, but the same care is given to setting it up. Grandma would speak about the purpose of the Nativity and why it was so important to us as Christians. I taught the same to my children and now, this year I had the pleasure of sharing about the Nativity with our Grandchildren. The legacy continues.

You wouldn't find us arriving at our Grandparents house to tear into gifts on Christmas day. First, there were greetings, prayer and acknowledgment of Christ. I'm thankful they set that example. They showed me the Christ in Christmas in how they loved and revered Him and determined to live for Him.

I miss them both very much but I am thankful that right now they are in the presence of Christ in person rejoicing in Who He is and all that He means to us. Christmas here has nothing on being up-close and personal with Christ in Heaven! I'm sure of it. I look forward to the Day.

Thank you for letting me share a bit of my legacy of love and how two very special people in my life shared the CHRIST in CHRISTmas with me. Merry Christmas to all of you and blessed New Year to you and your loved ones!

The Christ in Christmas__Katie's love

2011-12-15T08:09:00.001-05:00

My husband and I were out to breakfast last weekend after church. We have a little place we enjoy. It's one of those places that's in the neighborhood, so the Servers get to know the customers. I am a bit particular about certain things and one is where I sit. I don't like to be seated near the Restrooms or the Kitchen areas. This particular Restaurant is accustom to me (smile) so we usually sit in the same section whenever we visit.

This past weekend we had a very nice Server one whom we usually have but right in the middle of breakfast another Server put her head over the wall that separated our booth area from the table area, and with the biggest, brightest smile she said, "Hi ya'll! So good to see you again." It had been a while since we saw that particular Server. I was quite surprised she had remembered us.

My husband asked her name as we greeted her warmly. Her name was Katie. We introduced ourselves and for the next 10 minutes we had a conversation that reflected the Christ in Christmas. Katie never stopped smiling as she proceeded to tell us that the adoption of their twins from another country, after a 2 year ordeal, had finally happened. She spoke about, in her words, her African Christian Baptist Husband whom she adores and identified herself as a White Catholic. They have a child together and now adopted two more precious ones. She told us of how they made sure over the 2 years to have contact and develop relationships with the children. She was just plum excited about having all of them together under one roof now.

We congratulated her and her family. We spoke of our daughters, son-in-love and grand daughters and our love for our family. Oh her excitement to find out that our son-in-love is also African as is her husband. She told us that the three sisters (her siblings) in the family all married different cultures. Her husband is African, her sister married a Puerto Rican man and her other sister married an Asian man. She said when they all come together at their parents homes her Father jokes that it looks like the united nations around their table. I told her the united nations has nothing on what Heaven will look like or be like. Praise the Lord! All the colors that God created will come together which is why I often say Christians should learn how to get along here because we'll be up close and personal in Heaven--no separation. She agreed!

She showed us photos with beaming smiles. Her love for her husband and her children was more than evident. I told her that as Christians; believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, I shared with her what Christmas truly means to us. She agreed. She was determined to be sure that her children would not be given so much of the toys etc. because she wanted them to understand the true meaning that Christ came and died for our sins. I totally agreed! Oh I loved chatting about Jesus with Katie as did my hubby. I'm sure if her husband had have been present we would have invited them to pull up two chairs and Katie would not have been able to do her job (smile)!

We loved on her further and spoke a word of blessing over her and her family. We never stopped smiling and neither did Katie. It was one of the best breakfast out that I've ever had. Three people who love the Lord and our families came together for 10 minutes and spoke like old friends and even more like family in Christ and that's what we are.

The CHRIST in CHRISTmas affects who we are, how we live and how we interact with one another. You can always know when Jesus loving people are in the room, they will attract one to another and be eager to share their lives in Christ together.

There is something extra special about our Jesus...words can not express...only tears of love, humility and gratitude. He is great. He is our Lord, our Savior and our King!

Luke 1:30-33 (KJV) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Thanks for visiting. Merry CHRISTmas!! And please share how you are seeing Christ in Christmas being lived out in your day to day life.

A Blessing Gift: You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes

2011-12-13T07:00:00.004-05:00

You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes

Are you looking for a blessing gift to give to your mother, grandmother, adult or teen daughter, sister or good friend? Perhaps you are looking for a gift to give to your co-worker, office-mate, room-mate or teacher who you know needs some love and encouragement. May I recommend my first book: You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes. I'm not recommending it just because I wrote it. I am recommending it because of the feedback that I have received from my family, friends, women, young ladies, my pastor and many in our congregation, people who have purchased the Nook or Kindle version on-line and people who have received the Book as a gift. I have even been asked to do the book as a Bible Study beginning January 4th at my church for 9 weeks. I have been working on the Study Guide to accompany the book. My book has now traveled to India and that blesses my socks off. I have been in complete awe over how God has moved with this little 80 page book that one person said is packed with love and power. I believe it's God's love and His power. It is a book of hope and restoration for some, encouragement and reminders for others and I believe God would use it to bless the special women in your life.

To the men who are preparing to make purchases for the special women in their lives please consider adding my book to a beautiful gift bag filled up with goodies. A Christian Mug with her favorite organic teas or fresh coffee beans, some chocolates or a beautiful scented candle and a gift certificate to her favorite store along with my Book :) Oh and don't forget to write her a love note of how much she means to you. You can't go wrong with that precious gift from the heart. Perhaps you have a daughter, a mother, grandmother, sister, god-daughter or auntie. My book would make a wonderful gift addition for them as well.

Testimony that touched my heart: Let me share discreetly and with permission, that a woman purchased the book, read it and mailed it to her ex-husband with a kind note asking him to please read it. To her amazement he did and he called her and apologized for not having viewed her as beautiful in God's eyes. WOW!

We all can use encouragement to see ourselves through God's Word and not the world at any age and in all circumstances of life.

Last but not least, don't forget to buy the book for yourself. If you don't have anyone to purchase it for and you don't think you need it then would you consider purchasing the book and sowing it into the life of a woman who you don't know personally? Perhaps someone on your Twitter, Facebook or Blog whom you know could use a little encouragement. Perhaps a woman at your local church, a parent on the PTA at your child's school or your neighbor whom you see daily.

I wrote the book under God's anointing and leadership. I kept it easy to read so that men and women would enjoy it without it being time consuming (yes, some men are reading it :)) I pray that if you purchase it for yourself or someone whom you care about that it will bless beyond measure as only our GOD can do.

Ephesians 3:20-21(NIV) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Thank you in advance and please know that I pray over each book that is sold and for the hands that will open it and the hearts that will read it. If you desire that I write something in the cover page of the book to bless you or the person you are giving it to please note that in your order at my website.

Information:

For Book details and purchase please go HERE or for the eBook versions click Kindle on Amazon or Nook at Barnes and Noble. You can view a few of the reviews people shared on my website: Book Reviews and at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

Please feel free to share this message with your blog and social media friends if you feel moved to do so. I truly appreciate YOU! Thank you again and Merry CHRISTmas and Blessed New Year to you and your family!

Message to my Blog friends and minding my manners

2011-12-12T10:00:00.001-05:00

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV) “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

I miss my blogging friends! I'd like to say, what a week but the truth is I must say, what a year. Time has flown by. I wish you lived close enough that we could visit in person. I can see us all smiling, laughing, praying, talking, studying the Word together and sharing parts of our lives with each other that can't be shared on a Blog.

I returned to Facebook the end of August to communicate with my College daughter. Facebook also allows me the opportunity to share Christ and quick encouraging messages via my cell phone as does my Twitter. However I can't type a blog message via my telephone so my blog doesn't receive as much of my attention as I'm on the run and not as stationary (seated at the computer) as I used to be.

GOD has been up to some amazing things in my off-line life as I'm sure He has in yours. He has placed His favor on my Book: You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes in ways that continues to keep my jaw dropped open in shock and awe. He is also opening doors that only He could open and I'm thankful. I'll be sharing more on that in a different post. Oh and FYI: my blog name is changing and my design is being worked on even as you read this message. I'm so excited with what God has laid on my heart to share for 2012. Stay tuned. There is so much more I want to share but this message is becoming longer than many of you may want to read :) I'd love to hear what's going on in your life.

I enjoy Dr. John Maxwell. He is one of the leaders I have gleaned from since 1999. Below is a great one minute message on manners. It made me think of each one of my blog friends. Don't get upset it's not what you think. I'm not suggesting you don't have manners :) I'm suggesting that I need to mind my manners by connecting more with those of you precious souls that are NOT on my Facebook or Twitter but mean just as much to me. That is the purpose of this message today to say I miss you. I love you and I'm praying for you. That never changes even in my absence. All of our lives are full and I'm sure I'm not the only one MIA in blogging as of late.

Please take a moment and listen.

What did you think about his message?

I look forward to sharing Christ with each of you on my blog and yours as we are in this beautiful special season of Christmas! My favorite time of the year!!! He's an awesome, amazing King isn't He?! Yes He is! I love JESUS!! So thankful for His love! I love and appreciate all of you.

Let me know how I may pray for you.

The statement that shook me Thanksgiving Eve

2011-11-28T09:38:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It was such a blessing to have my hubby, adult children, grandchildren and Son-in-love around our table. It was our first Thanksgiving with everyone at the table together! My Son-in-love set off the Mother tears in me when he made a beautiful speech to my husband and I about his love and appreciation in God for everything that we've done this year to bless them in relocating them near us. He thanked us for treating him like a son. I thank God for family!

********

Wednesday (Thanksgiving eve) was a bit different for me than in previous years. I spent it at the Specialist office. Still battling a part of the medical condition this year that just doesn't seem to want to heal BUT it will in Jesus Name! No one can make me doubt Him! My Dr. knows that I am a Christian. I believe he is Pakistani. He's a very nice man. Calming in his delivery and open to the organic items introduced into my life this year along with some of the regular foods I eat, and he is open to my very overt faith in Christ. Wouldn't it be something if at the end of all of this he gives his life to Christ?! The annoyance of this condition would have been worth it.

He said something very interesting to me that seemed to roll off of his lips as if it were a part of our conversation, yet it was not. He said, "Don't tell your hurts or ailments to just anyone. Only tell your well-wishers." It caused me to pause and ponder his words especially since I had not said anything to him to give him that impression. As he spoke I thought, I am very transparent in ministry because that is a part of the call of God on my life to share for the sake of helping others to know Him and His redemptive and restorative power but I am very cautious about who I share my hurts with up-close (of any type or proportion) particularly due to the trust issues I had since my childhood. When I shared that with the Dr. he was clear to say that was not what he was talking about. As if a father giving advice to his child; in a calm, low tone he cautioned me to be careful to share solely with my well-wishers. He seemed genuinely concerned for my well-being. After the exam, further conversation and some decisions for my care he said he'd see me at the start of the Spring barring no complications or reasons to visit sooner. I don't expect there to be a reason. He reminded me to share myself with my well-wishers.

I traveled down in the elevator with his words in my head. I immediately called my hubby to give him all the details of the visit including the Dr's words. Hubby agreed. Well, so did I. I just couldn't think who was I sharing any part of my life with that did not wish me well? I couldn't get that thought out of my mind. I prayed in the car ride home. I prayed in the shower that night. I prayed as I rose out of bed at 5 am on Thanksgiving to begin a full day of cooking for 7 of my family members. Even as the Turkey entered it's 3rd hour in the oven and the aroma beckoned me, I found myself standing in the picture window in my dinning room gazing up at a beautiful blue sky and asking God to speak to my heart about what the Dr. had said.

James 1:5 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

It wasn't until Saturday evening (3 days later), that it struck me. I began to pray and search my mind, my emotions, my life to see where the crack in the pavement is located if you know what I mean. I went back to God in prayer and in His word. I found the crack in the pavement. I spent portions of my day yesterday (Sunday) praying and seeking wisdom from God and now today is a new day. I'm settled in my spirit and thankful for the words of wisdom spoken by my Dr. Words I didn't expect to hear from him but words that had to be spoken.

Is God trying to get your attention in an area of your life? Be open to ways God will speak to you. It's not always through the persons or circumstances you would expect. God loves us so much that He will be sure to reach us in whatever way necessary to prevent us from getting our heels caught within the crack in the pavement which would then cause us to trip and possibly be wounded.

Let me leave you with this, true healing begins deep beneath the surface. I don't know who that's for perhaps just for me but if you need it grab it and run into the arms of God. Thanks for visiting. I am praying for you!

Happy Thanksgiving & Judges

2011-11-21T13:52:00.002-05:00

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

As I write this it is mid-morning Saturday and I'm preparing to go off-line until after Thanksgiving. This message will post on Monday to wish each one of you a very blessed Thanksgiving. I have had a year of blessings and challenges as have you, but the blessings always surpass the challenges and I'm thankful! I'm thankful that we belong to an awesome God and that our names are written in the Book of Life because of Jesus! I shared many things I'm thankful for in a few posts HERE but I'm also thankful for each one of you!

I am taking this much needed time off-line to prepare to lovingly cook for seven of my loved ones. I am most excited because this will be the first time both of our daughters, our son-in-law and our two grand-babies will be at the table together breaking bread for Thanksgiving. This Wife, Momma and Grandma heart is tickled beyond words.

I also need this time off-line because last week God led me back to the book of Judges. I have not been able to put it down. My face has been pressed into the pages of that powerful, meaty and convicting book! God has meticulously woven His powerful truths and dare I say, warnings not only on every page, but in every word, sentence and paragraph. I find myself studying out each reference. We see not only His hand of correction but His hand of mercy. Many lessons to learn and to take to heart in this book. My spiritual eye is hungering to absorb not only what is written but also the importance between each line that only our spirit-man can perceive.

I am drawn to pause, ponder and pray as I read. I pray for us; God's people who so often appear like the Israelites and I pray for our nation as I press my heart into the book of Judges for we can see snapshots and strong similarities between that time and this. Oh that we as a people of God would really see the urgency to pray for people, our nation, each other and ourselves. If it's been a while since you pressed your nose into that book, I would encourage you to do so over this Thanksgiving week and then join me in praying.

"Have A Little Faith"

2011-11-19T08:10:00.001-05:00

I was contacted by a Media PR firm to bring Mitch Albom's new movie: Have A Little Faith to my blog friends. Note: I have not been paid or received any benefit through this. I am merely sharing the film with all of you.

I came to know of Mitch Albom through his non-fiction book Tuesday's with Morrie which became a great movie with Jack Lemmon and Hank Azaria. I happened to enjoy the movie very much.

According to Mitch Albom's website: "Albom’s first nonfiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie, Have A Little Faith begins with an unusual request: an 82-year-old rabbi from Albom’s old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy."

For the Trailer please view HERE.

To read an excerpt of the book and to watch a clip from the movie, please click: Mitch Albom.

I'm looking forward to viewing Have A Little Faith on Sunday, November 27th 9/8C on ABC. If you view it, I would love to know what you think so please check back to this post and please leave a comment. I'm sure the media PR firm would appreciate that. I'll be watching it for the first time right along with you. Thank you.

5 Minute Friday: Grow in God

2011-11-18T09:51:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon The Gypsy Mamma's 5 Minute Friday word and I love this. Today's word is Grow. Here we go...

How much did I grow Grandpa? He etched another line just above my head on the basement wall. This much, he said with a smile on his face. I stepped away from the wall and turned around to view the line with excitement. The smile left my face when I realized the truth of my natural growth that year. With tears in my eyes I said, Grandpa, it's not much higher than the last marker! Grandpa smiled and hugged me. He said, let's go celebrate your growth together. Off we went upstairs to make a Ice Cream Soda! By the time my lips gripped the straw I was all smiles and feeling pretty good about the little growth I achieved that year! Delicious!

How much did I grow this year Abba Father? Am I baring fruit that lasts to the glory of my Father? Am I yielding to the leadership of the Holy Spirit? Am I quick to repent when I don't get things right? Do I examine myself in the Word of God and not based on what others say? Do I reflect Christ to a hurting world?

I have a ways to go Abba Father. I have much more growing to do and I will until Your Son calls my name for Heaven. You've grown more this year my Daughter and I'm pleased with you. Focus not on how far you have to go but on how far you've come in Me. I hear the Father speak in to my heart. Let's go celebrate your growth together. I'm off to prayer time with my Abba Father to celebrate with Him His Hand-print on my life that causes me to continue to grow. I need Him!

I'm living thankful for constant growth until the Lord calls my name and until then may I (we) persevere in the faith! You're next give 5 minutes on the word Grow. We're not supposed to think about it, make corrections or changes---just type for 5 minutes whatever comes to your heart and mind. For more info go HERE.

Living thankful the last 6 days for the snowball effect

2011-11-14T10:49:00.000-05:00

The snowball effect is defined on Wikipedia as "a figurative term for a process that starts from an initial state of small significance and builds upon itself, becoming larger (graver, more serious), and perhaps potentially dangerous or disastrous (a vicious circle, a "spiral of decline"), though it might be beneficial instead (a virtuous circle)." Sounds intense doesn't it? I'm more interested in the virtuous not the vicious circle.

I have suddenly found myself in a snowball effect. Although it's not disastrous, it is frustrating. A season of more change and more uncertainty of the who, what, where, when and how. The only thing I'm absolutely clear about is the why. The why is for His glory.

The enemy is attempting to throw several situations down the steep slippery hill aimed toward me. Singularly each one can be taken on but as each one joins with the other the situation(s) become larger and move at a more rapid pace. Anyone else experiencing that? We all have seasons where we experience the snowball effect. The key is knowing how to get out of the way so that you don't end up buried alive under the difficulty, challenge and frustration the enemy has sent your way.

There are two precious and powerful gems we must cling to in Christ: wisdom and perseverance.

Psalm 32:8(AMP) I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

James 1:5(NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:2-4 NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Both wisdom and perseverance brings us through those times when we turn around and look up and see a bigger than life ball of situations heading toward us at a rapid speed. Remember, God has us covered. If you are experiencing a snowball effect in your life I want to encourage you to seek God's wisdom and continue to persevere in the faith knowing that God's promise to you as His child will not fail. Here is a precious promise from our loving, faithful Abba Father that always encourages my heart:

Romans 8:28 (AMP) We are assured and know that God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

I pray this encourages someone today. Whatever you are facing, keep looking forward at the direction God is taking you for what is behind you can't overtake you or I unless we take our eyes off God and even then He is so faithful and merciful that He will rescue us still. Today and every day I'm living thankful that I belong to Him and even for the seasons of snowball effects because I know God will never allow me to be buried alive! I am also thankful for your visit and I pray God's strength walk with you today and every day.

P.S. As I continue to share with Leah and others who are posting what they are living thankful for please visit more posts here visit HERE.

Living Thankful - Day 8

2011-11-08T09:57:00.000-05:00

Continuing the 30 days of Living Thankful with my friend Leah Adams.

Today I am living thankful that even with a medical challenge that is still not fully resolved, I am still grateful that I am in my right mind. I can see, hear, taste, walk, run, talk, clap, sing, lift my hands in worship, stand up and sit down and for all of that and MORE, I am grateful because I know it could be a completely different way. Grandma always said, "Lisa, never take your health or the ability of your limbs for granted". Grandma was in good health and lived a thankful life unto God until three brain anerusyms took her life in her mid-seventies. I wish I could say that I have never taken either for granted (health or the ability of my limbs) but sadly that's not true. There have been times I've taken both for granted without even realizing it I'm sure!

Living thankful for all of what I shared above is very humbling for two reasons: 1) it causes me to look beyond whatever else is troubling me in order to be grateful for all the ways God's hand is on my life and 2) It causes me to have great compassion and prayer for precious people who are struggling in those areas because God loves us ALL. His Hand is with us ALL. Not one person is any better than another just because their circumstances are different. We all have challenges and must learn to live thankful in the midst of it all and a great way to do that is to pray for others who are also in need and reach out as the Lord leads to meet some of those needs.

I'm living thankful for the privilege to pray for the needs of others and to never take for granted that we all NEED GOD!!! Amen!!

Living Thankful - Day 5, 6 and 7

2011-11-07T11:48:00.000-05:00

I was off line and missed sharing 30 days of Living Thankful with my friend Leah Adams.

Day 5...

Saturday morning our oldest daughter and son-in-law dropped our grands off early in the morning on their way to work. My hubby gently moved past me and reached for our daughter and gave her a big hug and greeting. I've seen it many times before but there was something special in that moment for me. I'm thankful to be married to a man who loved my daughter so much he asked and desired to adopt her when she was a young child, and called her his own. He has been a very present, loving and supportive Dad ever since even during difficult times. I'm thankful for the Christ alive in him that shows in how he loves on me, our children, grandchildren, SIL and especially on our GOD! Living thankful for love that exists in family when the head (my hubby) in Christ is living in and for CHRIST who is the absolute HEAD of our family.

Day 6...

Yesterday, as we sat in Service and listened to the pastor preach/teach the message "Giving God First Place" it touched my heart deeply. Am I giving God first place in my life? Does He receive first place in my heart, truly? Does He receive first place in my giving, in my devotional and prayer time, in my responses to people who are unkind or in situations that are troublesome? Do I give God first place in caring for others? Do I give God first place over the things He's given me to enjoy -- even over food and serving the Kingdom?! Do I give God first place over online and my off-line ministry? Do I give God first place over my emotions and thoughts?

I was challenged as we dug in deep to numerous Scriptures and the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart that while I'm no longer living the way I used to long ago--giving God my left-over; I STILL have areas I need to tighten up on!!! I was grateful the Holy Spirit reminded me especially that I have to remain balanced in serving people. People can pull at you and if you are not careful you are suddenly responding MORE to their needs then you are to GOD's calling you to spend more time with Him. When that happens you can find yourself giving to others out of a dry well or a frustrating heart because you feel used up. While I matured in this area years ago, I am thankful the Holy Spirit reminded me as I sat under that Word yesterday at church. I'm living thankful for the encouragement and conviction of the Holy Spirit in my life.

Day 7...

Today, I'm living thankful for trees. I have many around me. Each one stands tall and looks very different. Each ones branches sway with the wind almost like a symphony. They almost seem to be playing a song for the Heavens. As I sit here typing, the wind is swaying the branches of one of the trees across my home-office window as if to say, "Lisa, finish up and come worship the Lord with us". I'm off to do just that.

Abba Father, I thank You for everything...every lesson, every challenge, every bit of encouragement and conviction through Your Holy Spirit that causes me to look even more like Your precious Son, Jesus. I love You in Jesus Name! Amen and Amen!

Thank you for visiting today. For more Living Thankful posts please go HERE. I'm trying to establish a set blog visiting day. Right now it will be Tuesday and Thursday mornings. To all my blogging friends, I'll see you then.

What are you living thankful for? I'd love to rejoice with you in the Lord.

Living Thankful - Day 4... His breath in my nostrils

2011-11-04T09:11:00.000-04:00

As I continue to share 30 days of Living Thankful with my friend Leah Adams, today I wanted to share that I am living thankful that God breathed His breath into my nostrils and gave me life. Yes, He has given me life in Christ (salvation) and for that I am over the top grateful and I also wanted to acknowledge that God decided to place me here on this earth, at this time, and I believe indeed that it's for a specific Kingdom purpose. I believe the same is true for each of you.

Today I am living thankful that GOD Almighty gave me LIFE. To show my utmost heart appreciation I offer it back to Him day after day for I am His!

Psalm 25:1
UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life.

Abba Father, thank You for giving me life and for my eternal life through the precious blood shed of Your Son, my Lord & Savior Jesus. Thank You for making the decision to mold me and shape me more into Your Son every day. Unto You Abba Father do I bring my life and unto You alone! Holy Spirit, thank You for convicting me when I sin that I would quickly repent and get back in step with You so that I will honor my King Jesus and glorify my Heavenly Father. Thank You that the Three of You are with me. It humbles my heart and touches my soul. I confess my absolute need for You. I love You Father, Son and Holy Spirit and it is in Your Name Jesus that I pray this prayer of gratitude. Amen and Amen.

Click: Living Thankful to read my previous posts. Friends, what are you living thankful for today? I would love to rejoice in the Lord with you. Much love and prayers for you!

Living Thankful - Day 3...confirmation from Heaven

2011-11-03T09:47:00.001-04:00

I'm enjoying linking with my friend Leah for 30 days of Living Thankful.

Today I am thankful for a confirmation from Heaven. The older I become in years and in my relationship with God I find that He doesn't use confirmation in my life as much as when I was younger in Him and needed it regularly just to make sure that I was even on the right road. Do you know what I mean? As He matures me over the years in our times of fellowship, prayer and in His Word often that is the sole confirmation received and that's enough. However, I'm also thrilled and thankful when He decides to send a special confirmation from Heaven.

Yesterday evening the enemy attempted to use the weakness of someone who is not living a genuinely submitted life to God to surface on my email. satan (small s intentional) has a goal to distract me from the purposes of God for my life especially in this season. It won't work. After an incredible time at Bible Study last night, a quick dinner out with a friend became disrupted when I checked my email via my cell phone and saw that person. As my hubby reminded me when I arrived home last night, satan is angry because God is doing some incredible things (especially via my Book), in and through my life to touch others for His Kingdom purposes!

Remember, joy always comes in the morning...

This morning after my time with God in prayer I went to His word and He led me to a Scripture that confirmed for me to keep going, keep pressing forward and do not permit the attack of the enemy to create distraction in my life. The Scripture is:

Acts 18:9-10 And one night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, Have no fear, but speak and do not keep silent; For I am with you, and no man shall assault you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.

I'm unable to supply you with full details so that you would understand how this passage of Scripture relates in context to what happened however, I can tell you that God refreshed my soul through this Word; this confirmation from Heaven.

God is good!
God is faithful!
God is our rear guard!
God is our strong tower!
God is our provider and our shield!
I'm so thankful...

Thank You Abba Father for being all of that and more in my life. Your breath gives me life and Your Hand gives me strength. You cause me to lie die in green pastures. You bring refreshment to my soul. Your heart fills me with love and Your presence covers my life. Your love humbles me and I am thankful. I love You. I pray in the precious and everlasting Name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Amen and Amen!

I'm living thankful.What about you? Don't you appreciate when a word comes to your heart from Heaven unexpected and right on time? A word that quickens you and brings you the encouragement from the Throne of God that you need to continue forward through the distractions? How sweet is that? Thank you for visiting with me today. Your encouragement means so much. Please know that I am PRAYING for you and your family. I'm thankful for you!

Hosted as S.I.S. on Sisters of Honor

2011-11-02T23:15:00.000-04:00

Friends,

I was absolutely blown away when asked by a dear sister in Christ, Aretha from Sisters of Honor to be their S.I.S. for the month of November. Aretha asked me specific questions about my heart in God, my family, our ministry and the book. If you have a moment and would like to read my heart please pop in HERE. Would love it if you'd leave a message over there so I know you were there and please leave a sister-sister in Christ greeting for Aretha also. She's a sweet soul.

Thanks ladies!

Living Thankful - Day 2 ....family

2011-11-02T13:16:00.000-04:00

If you missed it yesterday and would love to know what Living Thankful is all about please read my post HERE.

Today I wanted to share that I am Living Thankful for my family. I did absolutely nothing to have this precious family. We have walked through challenges and even MORE blessings, together. I am truly a blessed wife, mother, grandma and mother-in-love oh and lest I forget to say Fur-Mamma to two Maltese brothers. (smile). I pray never to take my relationship with each of them for granted.

Abba Father, thank You for gracing my life with a loving, supportive husband who loves you and loves us and for two daughters whom I love, a son-in-love and two precious grand-girls that bring much laughter to my soul. I pray each one of them would be saturated in Your presence and draw ever so close to You each and every day. I thank You for Your love, grace, mercy, compassion, provision, peace, wisdom and protection that You so generously shower down upon them. Thank You for blessing us to be a blessing in the lives of others who need a touch from You. I pray also Abba for every person that has pain within their family right now. I pray they would be able to see and experience Your Divine Hand at work in the situation and may Your peace rest with them. I love You Abba and I thank You in Jesus precious Name. I love You Jesus!! Amen and Amen!

What are you living thankful for daily? I'd love rejoice and give thanks to God with you for all that He's doing in your life. Much love...I'll be blog visiting on Thursday and Friday. So looking forward to popping in on my friends!

Living Thankful - Day 1

2011-11-01T08:54:00.000-04:00

Because living thankful is a part of my life in Christ it moved me to tears literally, when I received an email this morning from Leah inviting us to join in with her on her 3 0 day series of Living Thankful and how fitting as it's November.

I had started to share my thankful heart for my Salvation and indeed I am thankful for all that Jesus has done for me, but since Leah shared that in her post so I decided to share how thankful I am for the day, the hour and the moment I stopped knowing God solely as my God and began to know Him as my Abba Father. That was a day that healing of childhood wounds began in my life. Until that time I had always prayed, Dear God, God or Almighty God but that day when I cried out to Him and healing began I could say, Precious Abba Father and My Heavenly Father. I cry just writing it now because I know the change that took place. I could begin to see Lisa as His Daughter and not the wounded child and adult I had been and when I was able to see myself as His Daughter I was then able to fully embrace that He not only loved me but that in Him I was safe!

I wish I could say it was instantaneous healing but it was a long journey--day by day and moment by moment with God. I shared a bit of that in a video: Knowing God as Father when you are wounded.

Abba Father, thank You for being my God and my Father. Thank You for adopting me into Your family through Your precious Son Jesus. Thank You for sealing my heart to Yours with Your precious Holy Spirit. May every person come to know the deep and abiding love You have for your children. I love You. Thank You for loving me in Jesus Name. Amen.

If you'd like to participate in the Living Thankful 30 days please visit Leah. Thank you for stopping in today. I look forward to visiting with you as well. Much love!

You, my family on-line...

2011-10-24T19:17:00.003-04:00

I was in Publix earlier today with my Grand children. Here's a photo of them earlier in the summer from Wal-Mart. They LOVE the fish and they love shopping with Grandma!

Anyway, at Publix a woman offered me her business card. She told me she had a blog for her business. We talked for a few minutes. I indentified myself as a Christian and she did the same. I gave her my Ministry card. We talked further and landed on a discussion about blogging.

I began to share about all my family in Christ online. She was stunned! She's been blogging for business for a few years and did not feel the same way. She couldn't imagine that relationships could be formed online....that people were praying for each other and agreeing to meet in person after connecting online. She couldn't believe that we share as we do online.

I heard myself, with a smile on my face, rolling off the names of many of those that touch my life here on this little blog of mine: Sonja, Debbie, Kathleen, Judy, Bernadine, Wanda, BethE, BethH, Jill, Cindy, Elaine, Jennifer, Jenifer, Jennifer, Cathy, Karen, KarenH, Dina, Rosel, Dina, Cindy, Dawn, Noreen, Mary, Edie, Maxine, Tammy, Jennifer, Mimi, Jessica, Susan, Andrea, Andrea, Mari, Susan Michele and a host of others that bless my heart. Forgive me if I left you out. I then spoke of the new blogging friends I'm connecting with even now like Donna, Rhonda and Cami. Nothing like sisters connecting on and off-line, in Christ!

She didn't want me to share her information online as I wanted to connect a few beautiful Christian women (such as you all are) with her but she'd prefer not. She has my information and I pray she pops in and if so, please stay around...you are welcome here.

One of the things I thought about as we closed our conversation and parted was how God connects His people. Have you ever had divine appointments? I pray for them often. I love it when we meet someone in an unusual place or in unusual circumstances. At times it's for ministry, business or someone other need and at times it's for friendship or just to pray for another persons needs.

Those divine appointments, I believe, are not always in person as is evident by this world we call Blogging and let me not leave out the sweet women I've connected with in social media connections and there are TOO many to list (smile). I have had the opportunity to engage with, love on and pray over so many precious women on-line and their families. I have had the opportunity to meet many of them in person and I treasure those moments. A few of them I have the privilege to phone-chat on occasion and I'm so grateful.

When I called each of you my family on-line she was very surprised. She said, "they must be special to you because you haven't stopped smiling and you have tears in your eyes talking about them."

She was right.

So to each of you, those whose names I mentioned and MANY more whom I care about, thank you for making this world of blogging a joy, a blessing and a place that warms my heart in a way where I can call you my friend and even more, my family on-line in Christ!

Proverbs 12:26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

I love you and I'm asking God to meet all of you who I have not had the pleasure of meeting in person YET. I thank God for our connection.

Cheering you on!

2011-10-22T13:32:00.000-04:00

"When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance." Joel Osteen

Growing up it was not the norm to hear words of encouragement. What I did see and learn was a strong work ethic but it was not the norm to hear:

I'm proud of you!
You can do it!
Don't quit!
Reach for the stars!
You're special!
If anyone can do it Lucy you can! As Ethel would tell Lucy.

I would hear those types of things on such television programs as:

Father Knows Best
Mary Tyler Moore
Rhoda
My Three Sons
Leave it to Beaver
The Mickey Mouse Club
I love Lucy
Julia (One of the first sitcoms that starred a black woman in a non-stereotypical role and I loved Diahann Carroll. Taught me that I could do anything if I pressed forward).

Whenever I was with my Grandparents I knew I was abundantly loved and they showed it in their care and in their words but I wasn't always with them. Children especially need to hear encouragement. I poured it out on my own, still do and now my Grandgirls. Look at these cuties. I just love them to pieces and they know it!

We all need a little cheering on some times. Loved ones, friends and others we come in contact with need at times to hear a word or two that gives them that encouragement to keep going because the enemy will always try to tell us that we're not worthy, or that we are not able to do something that God is leading us to do. He will always tell you that someone else is doing it better than you ever could. He will attack your thoughts and cause you to doubt yourself and at times to even doubt God that's why it's so important to know God intimately for ourselves and to cheer each other on!

This morning I read an email from a blogging sister that touched me and gave me the chance to cheer her on in what God is leading her to do. I LOVE cheering people on!! Their excitement excites me! We all want to run a good race and fight a good fight of faith as Paul did right? I want to know that before I cross the finish line that I have taken family, friends and others whom He's allowed in my sphere of influence; right along with me across that finish line!

Cheer someone on in your life. Look for opportunities not only to love on those you know but even on those you don't know well. A word spoken out of a pure heart of care and a desire to help can propel someone forward in ways they would have never imagined.

Let's give life with our words...

Proverbs 15:23 A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment--how good it is!

Proverbs 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

Proverbs 17:22 A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 27:9 Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a friend's counsel that comes from the heart.

Cheering and encouraging each other on reminds me of loving-kindness. Our God cheers us on and shows us loving-kindness in ways that blows my mind. He's the example for us in how to treat each other.

"Let us remember the loving-kindness of the Lord and rehearse His deeds of grace. Let us open the volume of recollection, which is so richly illuminated with memories of His mercy, and we will soon be happy." Alistair Begg

I'm praying for everyone who reads this.

May you go forth with courage and serve the Lord in the way that He has purposed. Do it. Run forward. Fight through it. Get it done. Step up, step out and step in to all that He has for you. Don't fear and if you do as we all often do; press through the fear by asking God to help you and if you don't have anyone around you to help you to press through, reach out to me and I will cheer you on to the finish line like a loved one in the stands screaming the loudest to cheer you on as you run that field...that journey in Christ!

Let's get moving for Jesus!!! Please take a moment and go back to the top of this message and read Joel Osteen's quote again. Love you all!

public insult can bring public blessing for the glory of God

2011-10-21T19:24:00.000-04:00

Before I share below I had to share the two Joys of my heart. Aren't they just precious! They run Grandma around like crazy and I adore them!

Ok, I wanted to share a bit of a sensitive subject. Even prayed about sharing it and so I hope it will help someone--encourage and challenge all of us to be a living witness of Christ and at times that's NOT easy...

Walk with me please...

The other day I shared this on my Facebook page:

I almost allowed a public insult of another Christian to throw me off BUT I quickly remembered when it was happening that hurting people will hurt other people. It is so important to stay SATURATED under the Word of God in order to battle the right way (Ephesians 6:10-13). You'll be tempted to battle a person who is unfairly attacking you BUT handling it God's way will REAP FAVOR on your life verses handling it in the flesh! Remember who the REAL battle is with---the enemy! Victory comes through ABIDING in CHRIST. Someone may need this today!

Not long after sharing that post above a big blessing came my way. A blessing that is within the same environment of the person who attempted to publicly insult me. The same people who heard her public insult are witnessing God's blessing. That is so humbling I can barely even write this to you. It caused me to pray for her even more because her words aimed at me is clear that she is really struggling within herself. As Joyce Meyer has often said, "Hurting people hurt other people". That's so true. God's public blessing is also causing me to pray over myself to remain humble because what if I had responded differently?! Oh my the flesh wanted to fight back for sure ya'll! I give God all the glory and credit for it was not 'lisa' that was able to respond appropriately but it was His Spirit at work. Amen!

Let me say, without Him I would NOT respond the way that I should. Believe me! I remember how Lisa was when I felt under verbal attack from someone. If you've read my book then you already know as I shared about that. It takes a constant surrendering to the Lord and asking Him for help for me to not allow the stinging some times unkind words of other Christians to hurt me especially in the area in which God uses my life.

In any event, this entire situation caused me to think of Joseph. I don't dare put myself in the shoes of Joseph but to some degree his testimony, if you will, spoke to me in this situation. Joseph faced public insult first with his brothers throwing him in a pit and then selling him into slavery (Genesis 37) and then he faced public insult being jailed and accused of rape by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39). He faced so much but kept a right attitude, a right heart and therefore a right response to his situation. We know the outcome for Joseph:

Genesis 41:41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”

And because of Joseph's right attitude, heart and response look at how he treated his brothers in the end:

Genesis 45:3-7 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

And this always brings me to tears when I read it:

Genesis 45:14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

Oh the humility in Joseph. What a lesson he has left behind for all of us to follow. A hard lesson. I don't know about you but it's hard to do as Jesus instructed and "turn the other cheek" (Luke 6:29).

Ladies, it's so easy for us to lash back when we're lashed at BELIEVE me I understand that but when we choose to handle public insult in a manner that pleases the Father He may just turn around and bless you (us) in a public way and it's NOT for us to boast or show off and say, "Nah nah nah nah nah" but rather so that we will all be reminded of His Sovereignty, Righteousness and Mercy. It's a reminder that we must humble ourselves....

If you are enduring a public insult whether it be at work, church or perhaps in your extended family or even circle of friends, please pray and respond the way the Holy Spirit leads you. Fight that flesh and don't respond in a defensive way. I know it's not easy. Been there and failed at it many times but the times I've "passed the test" if you will, like earlier this week, God steps in and shows Himself to be our mighty Defender and the One who blesses indeed!

I hope in sharing my personal experience that it will bless you. Let's pray for each other because we will all struggle to respond with the right heart and attitude when we are being treated unfairly especially if it's publicly (in front of others).

When a friend steps in...

2011-10-19T10:48:00.000-04:00

I'm a bit late on posting this but have to share my heart on this...If you've been with me long enough then you remember the photo to the left. It's just over 2 years old when my dear Debbie from Heart Choices and I met in person. It was a pleasure for me to drive 2 hours that day to meet her, her sister and family and another blogging sister in Christ.

I want to dedicate this message today to Debbie. Over a week ago Debbie traveled to Florida and sadly we were not able to meet this time but Debbie took the time to call me and chat. I have to admit that it was a day when I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. The day before (Oct. 10th) my two dogs and I were attacked by two stray dogs on my lawn. They snuck up on us and the fight was on. I'm happy to report, the three of us won!! I was scared for my dogs which are so much smaller than one of the bigger dogs but God was with us and I stood firm and handled the attack!

Here's my precious boys Goodness and Merci. Named from Psalm 23 but Merci is spelled this way to show appreciation (thankfulness) toward GOD who is merciful!

I had a few other things go on last week Monday that attempted to spoil the day and then by Tuesday morning I was a bit down and had to stir myself up in the Spirit. You know, like David did! Then it happened...the phone call came in. Debbie's soft reassuring voice on the other end of the phone. We were distant in location but one in our hearts. Thank God for phones!! I felt like I was sitting with a friend at my kitchen table.

Debbie listened, encouraged and then prayed over me. I'm used to being the one to do that and that day I needed to surrender and just allow God to love on me through someone... and not just anyone but He chose someone who I could feel comfortable being vulnerable with. Now isn't that just like our God?! Amen! Debbie is someone I could just be real with...speak my heart not just from the annoyances of the previous day but a few other areas the enemy has been attacking and Debbie obeyed God and as such He used her to bless me migtily.

A friend stepped in. Her name is Debbie. I'm thankful!! Do you have a friend whom God can use to step in when you're heart is heavy? It doesn't have to be a big tragedy in order for us to need a little encouragement. Amen?! Amen! Are you available for God to use to be a friend to step in? At times people can get so caught up with their own needs or their day-to-day lives that they miss opportunities around them to just be a blessing. At times people can also take others for granted because you don't realize how God is using that person to bless you. I know there have been times in my life when I was taken for granted and as such it makes me very sensitive to love on people and be kind to them and not allow their kindness toward me to go unnoticed.

It's so important to be there for others for when it's your time and need God will be sure to align someone to be there for you. It's the principle of sowing and reaping. If you're feeling a bit down and need encouragement may I be there for you? I'd love to pray for you so leave a comment and I'll pray for you.

Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at all times..."

Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

I love you Debbie. Thank you for being there for me a week ago when I needed the encouragement and the beautiful prayer. Thank you for being a woman who loves the Lord, her husband, her school children and her friends! You are one of a kind girl and I love ya!

I want to also share two photo treats that popped up on my Facebook page this morning and just brought a warm smile to my face. It's my sweet sister Dena from Dream Doodlers holding my book. That warmed my heart. Dena is another special sister just like Debbie. She is full of the JOY of JESUS! She is the one who drew that beautiful greeting card of the praying girl and named it after me "Lisa Ann". You can see it HERE.

I have a few who I know for sure stand with me on and off line and I'm so thankful to each of you. You know who you are! Love you bunches! I'll be blog visiting Thursday and Friday so I'm excited to pop in on you all!

Where was I last Sat? With Amazing Women!

2011-10-18T01:00:00.022-04:00

Girlfriends,

I wanted to share with my girlfriends online what I was doing this past Saturday. I had the pleasure to go with my closes friend Johnine to a ministry event. Remember, when I mentioned in earlier posts about the lunch that changed things that caused me to write the book? Well, Johnine is the friend I was having lunch with. More on that in a different post. She's the real deal friend! Here we are together.

We attended an AmazingWomen.tv event with Angela Courte who is an amazing woman! I just loved her sweet heart for the Lord. Angela sang her heart out in leading worship with some beautiful ladies who also love the Lord, and her fingers go across that keyboard like running water over rocks...smooth and calming! You may know Angela from WACX SuperChannel 55 where she sings and plays the piano. She's also a big Bling girl! Click on the link to see her items if you'd like. What I appreciate most about Angela is her heart for the LORD in worship and her desire to see women be all that God has purposed them to be. We share that same heart for women. Here's Angela and I together.

I also had the opportunity to hear the beautiful Vanessa Echols of Channel 9 News share her heart. She is also the founder of Compassionate Hands and Hearts Breast Cancer Outreach which helps local patients and their families. She's another amazing woman! I missed a chance to take a photo with her and more importantly to give her a hug but when we connected online we both agreed that in God's timing He will open a door for our paths to cross again!

I also had the pleasure of fellow-shipping with a bunch of other amazing women from all different backgrounds and as one who has had my own ministry like that when I lived in VA; I know how wonderful it is to see women of different colors, ages, backgrounds and stages of life come together for one common purpose -- WORSHIP JESUS and uplift one another in the LORD!

We had an amazingly good time in worship, fellowship, hearing an encouraging word from Angela from Romans 8:28 and an amazing time of prayer. It blessed my heart that she followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and opened it up for people to be prayed over as you girlfriends know I believe in the power of PRAYER!! I had the pleasure and privilege to pray over a woman at the "altar". Wherever you are if you invite God it becomes His House and His Altar even at a Hotel!

The ladies enjoyed a contintental breakfast at the Hilton and afterward they had vendors so ladies could shop. Four amazing hours and I look forward to returning in November. I'd love to share my little leopard outfit with you...You can't see the shoes..oh boy they are cute! :)

I decided to get a little Leopard sassy...

I am a leopard girl all the way since the late 90's :) Ok, now back to what's important (smile)...

Angela is now kicking off Amazinglife for teens and 20's to be ministered to along with the Amazing Women. I found myself nodding my head in full agreement as she shared the vision God has given to her with that age bracket. Later, my friend Johnine and I were discussing this because Johnine knows my heart to reach every woman of every age with the message in my book: You Are Beautiful in God's Eyes but she also knows that I want to reach the 16 to 30 group as well as they are really just getting started in their lives if you know what I mean and they NEED that encouragement because they are facing the discouragement that the world brings!

Please pause and say a prayer for her and the ministry work God has placed in her hands to reach and touch lives for His glory. We all need prayer don't we? What a blessing and privilege that we can pause and pray for one another. I'm praying for you right now!

Thanks for stopping in and letting me share my good time in God with the amazing women I met on Saturday! Ok, how many times have I said amazing in this message? (BIG SMILE).

YOU are AMAZING women too!!! Because you are Daughters of the Most High God! Love ya!

Just hold on! Don't quit! God has not forgotten you!

2011-10-17T14:28:00.000-04:00

Ladies, first I wanted to smile at you today so I shared another one of the photos I like from earlier in the summer. I hope you know that I'm sending warmth and love to each of you. It's a productively busy time right now in my life off-line personally and in ministry. I'm excited and humbled--in awe of our Great God and I wanted to give to you what I know I need at times: Encouragement!

I wanted to share two Scriptures with you today that are familiar to many of us but someone needs this reminder today. If it's you then grab hold of it.

Proverbs 18:16 "A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men."

Zechariah 4:10 "Who dares despise the day of small things?"

God has a season of time for all of us to do what He's purposed us to do. Our aim must be to love Him and live for Him with our whole heart. At times, as we love and live for Him we'll feel like we're in a holding place watching others walking, sailing and running by in their own journey (purpose). That's ok. Don't focus on what you see someone else doing. Each person has a different season and purpose and we all have to be willing to pay the cost and walk the tough roads. We all have a different road to walk but with the same destination in mind--honoring and glorifying our Heavenly Father through the power of Jesus Christ!

Don't despise where you are at in this time of your life. I know at times we can all become frustrated with ourselves, with others and with the world around us. We can feel like time is moving too quickly or not fast enough. The key is patience and learning to wait on God and as you wait, have a good attitude. Oh how we all need that encouragement! Wait with praise and thanksgiving not with complaint and whining.

If you feel like you're hidden please remember that in God's timing He will open the door to you and your gifts will make room for you. He will reveal you when it's time so be patient. I'm in that wait right along with you in some ways. But until that time, love Him and live for Him with all your heart! Allow His word to dig deep within your heart and prune and shape you. Focus on Him and not on the "doings" of life and when you feel frustrated remember, you are right where you need to be. God has not forgotten or forsaken you. He is with you. His eye is upon you. He is preparing you for the next phase of your life. His plan and purpose is being revealed little by little...moment by moment in ways you can and can not see so stay in the journey.

Don't quit.

Don't covet.

Don't compare yourself to others.

Don't focus on negative thoughts.

Don't look at where you've come from (your past) but rather look at where God is taking you (your future).

Don't despise your journey right now. Enjoy it. Learn from it.

Glean, grow and go forward in God.

Don't forget to grab the hand of another woman and help her to be all that God has created her to be as well. The greatest student is one who also teaches. A humbled teacher is one who remains a student. Allow your life to teach and influence those whom God puts around you.

You don't have to do something big and public. You just have to be the best YOU in Christ Jesus! That's big enough ladies!!

I felt strongly in my heart that this message needed to be shared. If not for you then perhaps to speak back to myself. I pray it blesses someone and brings confirmation to an area of your life.

And remember...you are bright, brilliant and beautiful in God's eyes! Go forth and shine brightly as you and I are the salt and light of the world because of Jesus! Let Him shine through you!

I love you. I'm saying a prayer for you right now as I close out this message. Thanks for visiting.

Quick Video: Answering some Book questions & sharing my heart with you

2011-10-13T08:05:00.001-04:00

Excited about the feedback from people on and off line and...would love to answer a few questions and share my heart with you...

Thanks for visiting! I'd love to hear from you! Much love to all of you! Praying God's peace and favor rest with you and all whom you love!

P.S. If you're on Facebook, I have created a FB "page" for my book to share thoughts, prayers and encouragement with women and young ladies of all ages HERE. If you visit the link please click on "like this" so that you'll be connected to the page with me. It's important for us to sharpen each other in our Christian journey and remember, you are beautiful in God's eyes!

Found myself yet again in this chapter of Matthew

2011-10-09T05:33:00.001-04:00

Matthew 24: The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’[a] spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.

22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.

26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

29 “Immediately after the distress of those days

“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[c] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

********
His Word should make us behave differently, love genuinely, tell others His truth and pray with urgency...Amen!

Much love and peace to you!

a lesson learned...

2011-10-08T05:00:00.000-04:00

The greatest lesson I've learned is that I'm still learning lessons and will until I'm at my real Home...

As I sat on my back patio last week Wednesday praying for my sweet Bible Study group I was going to see in about 2 hours, I thought about the informative online workshop I had just listened to featuring Darcy of Graphically Designing. She covered Blogging specifically identity and branding. It was hosted through DIY Ministry: Resources for Christian Ministry.

I thought to myself how after 7 years of being online in the blogging community I really didn't know that much about branding, identity and more. I asked myself, "Where have I been?" I felt like my blogs and website is from the year of the flood...antiquated and "old school" if you will. I'm an old school girl in many ways and there is nothing wrong with that however I realized that in order for me to meet the needs of the audience God has intended for me to reach I have to bring my blog and website into this century (smile).

As I sat on the patio four words came to my heart:

Trust

Investment

Flexibility

Change

Whew! I said it.

Trusting that I'm hearing God on the details. Being willing to make the investment necessary to turn my blogs and website to locations that can reach and influence others for the kingdom of God. As Darcy pointed out, if your blog/website is your livelihood or calling then do it right. I have to also be willing to be flexible and engage the changes that are necessary. At almost 46 those are not easy tasks. Perhaps for some but we all know how it is when we've been comfortable with something and God comes along and shakes it up to bring change! Amen!!

Some may be saying, Lisa are you kidding? What's the big deal just leave everything the way it is or change it...go for it!". My response to that is please don't miss the greater lesson here beyond blogs and websites. The greater lesson comes in the form of questions.

1. What is God asking of us in the realm of trusting Him on a greater level in our lives?
2. Are we willing to invest the prayer, time, study and even resources?
3. Are we flexible (teachable) enough to engage the change that is necessary in our lives to move in to what God has for us to do next?

The workshop was less about blogs and websites for me and was more about hearing God in the greater lesson He is teaching me. It's so important for us to remain teachable so that we won't miss the greater lessons that come, at times, from the ordinary every day things we do in life like an online workshop about blogs and websites!

With that said, I am taking the plunge and will be making the transformation needed as God leads with my blogs and website over the coming months but also in other areas off line with myself and our ministry. I'm so excited but in all transparency, nervous too! Would you pray for me as I do?

How about you? What are you doing in your day to day life that God is using to give you a greater lesson? We don't know what acts of obedience small or large, can open us up to something greater that God wants to do in and through our lives to reach and influence others for His kingdom purpose. Now that's a lesson learned!

Blessings, peace and much love!

Renewed Strength

2011-10-07T01:00:00.002-04:00

This is where my heart and mind is...

Isaiah 40:28-31 AMP

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

I pray the blessings of the Lord over you as you meditate on His Word with me, today.

Excited to share with you...

2011-10-06T09:51:00.003-04:00

Precious Bernadine read my book and shared a review on her blog: Trusting Him with Today. She shared:

I am beautiful! Three simple words, yet for many women they are the most difficult words to say. Why? Why do we find it so hard to look in the mirror and see beauty staring back at us? ...for more go HERE.

Please pop in at Bernadine's and first leave her a word of encouragement as she is one of the most sweetest ladies and please read what she shared about You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes. Tremendously blessed my heart!

I am totally blown away by the feedback from those online and off line who have purchased the book. I give God all the glory! It means so much to hear from people as that encourages me but also it helps to share with others who are considering obtaining the book. Closing comments with the hopes you can pop in and visit with her and share a word of encouragement with her. Much love and appreciation!

P.S. For more reviews please visit these three locations: Book Review, Amazon and Barnes and Noble. If you've read it I would love your feedback as well. Thanks!!

Marriage Series Part 2: What if your husband said this to you?

2011-10-04T04:15:00.002-04:00

Proverbs 12:4 (The Living Bible) "A worthy wife is her husband's joy and crown; the other kind corrodes his strength and tears down everything he does."

If you read my previous post: Marriage Series: "a worthy wife" Part 1 I focused on the first half of Proverbs 12:4. I'd like to look at the second half. The words that come after the semi-colon--"the other kind corrodes his strength and tears down everything he does." As I thought about that on Sunday I thought about the other types of things that a wife can say and or do that can corrode our husband's strength and tear him down. Then I thought about a word that packs a lot of weight...a big punch, a word that when lived out can build up and edify our spouses. The word is gentleness. Gentleness goes a long way. How often does gentleness appear in your marriage...in the words and actions displayed toward your spouse?

Does your spouse hear moans and groans and heavy sighs coming from you when things are not the way you want them to be? Are your words seasoned with salt--truth spoken with grace or can they be hard and choppy words spoken from a place of frustration or familiarity?

Men perhaps would not say this to their wives but what if your husband said to you directly: Please be gentle with me? What would your response be? Ask your husband when the moment is right if he feels that you are a gentle wife toward him with your words, expressions, demeanor, actions and so on. Listen attentively to what he says. Discuss it lovingly. You may learn something new about his feelings and needs or you may receive a word of encouragement that you're on the right path (smile).

A few ways that I show gentleness toward my husband is every morning after he gets up and needs a moment to wake up on the side of the bed (smile), I get up and let his head rest on me for a few moments and then I say something uplifting over him to begin his day. When he leaves for work I send him with a spoken word of blessing or prayer, a smile, a hug and a kiss. When he arrives home even if I've had a long or difficult day myself, I extend affection and gentleness toward him. Then I offer him a bottle of cold water because he loves that and I ask him how his day was. Let me add that he is just as attentive to me but this post is for the wives (smiles). I also had to learn to express myself, when something is challenging, in a lower loving tone (smile).

Ladies, even though our men are strong they still need a little coddling--gentle handling and care:

A gentle quiet moment
Praying the Word of God over him
A warm hug and gentle smile
A verbal blessing as he leaves for the day
Offering words from the heart that edify and build him up as a man.
Words and actions that speak and show your appreciation toward him
Knowing what to say, when and how to say it and yes, even a glass of bottled water and a loving greeting when he arrives home are all ways to show gentleness toward your husband.

And...all of those blessings above are awesome for a husband to do for his wife as well. Amen.

Now, I know it's hard to believe that the smile in that photo could ever form into lips that were packed with attitude (smile). I wasn't always gentle when I was annoyed. Let me just be totally transparent and say that I'm a black woman (could you tell :)) born and bread in New York so I could "bring it something fierce" if you know what I mean! I was also a wounded woman when we became married. Back in the beginning years when I felt unappreciated or provoked in some way my hubby would be on the receiving end of the hand on the hip, back arched, foot stuck out to the right...you know attitude all the way! Not often, thankfully, because I genuinely preferred peace in my marriage and adored my hubby (still do), but when the lack of gentleness surfaced it wasn't pretty and I'm NOT proud of it. Oh thank GOD for emotional and spiritual healing, a transformed mind which brings TRANSFORMED BEHAVIOR! You see, in the beginning he was not saved. He was not hostile toward God he just had absolutely no awareness of Him and I was saved but a very struggling, wounded Christian. What I call carnal. I shared a transparent part of our marriage in my new Book. When he first read it during editing he said, "Boy you really told on me" and I said, "I told on me too". We laughed. Transparency helps people to see God's amazing touch and helps them to have the hope and faith in Him to do the same in their marriage!

Gentleness toward our spouse can absolutely change a marriage. It can build up our man and strengthen him. Isn't that what we want? I want my husband strong in God not torn down by my tongue, actions or even my in-actions or my mismanaged emotions. There is much I could add to this message but I pray that the Lord will minister to each heart that reads this (wives and husbands) and that each one will ask the question, Am I being gentle with my spouse? It's a precious gift to give your spouse and your marriage.

Pray and ask the Lord to help you to be a gentle spouse. Meditate on these and other Scriptures:

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Galatians 5:23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [ that can bring a charge].

Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

1 Peter 3:4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

The greatest example of Gentleness for us to follow is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

If this message has spoken to you, please let me know. If I can pray for your marriage please leave a comment. Please no emails. Thank you for visiting and please know we are praying for you and your marriage with love and compassion!

MARRIAGE Series: "a worthy wife..." Part 1

2011-10-03T12:02:00.005-04:00

Greetings!

If you read my Anniversary post below then you know that we've had the privilege by God's grace to share 21 years together as husband and wife. I had mentioned below that I would share some Marriage messages in honor of our years together. I pray that all that we've learned either because we lived it or because we saw it in the lives and situations of others, will encourage you!

*****
Yesterday at worship service my husband searched through a few Scriptures as he often does to dig deeper in something that is being said from the pulpit. He gently reached over and laid his hand on my thigh and pointed his finger toward a verse in the Bible. I couldn't see it because I have suddenly discovered that regular Bible print is no longer good for me. I now have a GIANT print Bible ladies! Can you believe it? Anyway, I looked at his face and saw the biggest smile so I had to be sure to see whatever it was he was attempting to show me. I leaned in and almost stuck my face in his Bible and read the verse in the version of the Bible he enjoys:

Proverbs 12:4 (The Living Bible) "A worthy wife is her husband's joy and crown; the other kind corrodes his strength and tears down everything he does."

He smiled at me and I smiled at him as he took his pointer finger and ran it under the words, "a worthy wife is her husband's joy and crown." He then patted my thigh...Ahh, he still knows how to make me blush ladies! It saddens me that the world and even some Christians feel the need to use inappropriate worldly words and instruments in a marriage needlessly when we have the most romantic, appropriate and beautiful gift to display love toward each other: The Word of God. When we saturate ourselves with the Word of God (Holy Bible) we learn not only how to live the life Christ died that we would have but we also learn how to love on our spouses appropriately and fully. Amen?! Amen!

Let's look back at that passage again but this time in the Amplifed version:

Proverbs 12:4 "A virtuous and worthy wife [earnest and strong in character] is a crowning joy to her husband, but she who makes him ashamed is as rottenness in his bones."

Let's look closer at the word virtuous. We know we can go to the Proverbs 31 woman but let's look at the dictionary meaning of virtuous: "conforming to moral and ethical principles; morally excellent; upright: Lead a virtuous life."

Now let's look at the word conform in Bible text:

Romans 12:2 (NIV): "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Now let's put this all together in our minds:

Ladies, as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ we have been made righteous through Him and when we conform to the standards God puts in His Word we will by His grace, live a virtuous, morally upright life. Not a perfect life but a righteous one through Christ. When we determine ourselves that we will NOT live conformed to the world's way of thinking, saying, feeling and doing, by washing our minds in the Word of God and being renewed and transformed daily and often, it is then that we will live as virtuous women and when we do that we are the joy and crowns of our husbands.

It blessed my heart that my husband after 21 years of marriage views me as the wife depicted in Proverbs 12:4 but I know that it's not because of Lisa or anything wonderful that I'm doing. It's purely the grace...absolute grace of God for without Him I would not be the woman or wife that I am. I've had my struggles as I shared briefly in my book: You Are Beautiful in God's Eyes. I entered into our marriage carrying enough baggage to fill a garbage truck! My emotions were rung out and leading me all the way especially the emotion of FEAR because my heart was extremely wounded. My mind was not even close to renewed or transformed. I was believing every lie Satan had told me directly or through others. I was saved but I was struggling until a few short years later when my life changed! Praise God!

I desire to continue to be a good wife to my hubby as he desires to continue to be a good husband to me. It takes work Ladies and Gentlemen, every day to have our marriages be what God has ordained. It has loads of good times but we all also face some challenging moments especially with our mouths and emotions! Can I hear an Amen?! It's worth the work if we truly want it to be a marriage that is whole in Jesus Name!

In the next message, I want to share with you one way that we can be a worthy wife to our husbands. It begins with the letter "G". Can you guess?

It is never too late to begin to be transformed in the Word of God and to turn your marriage; with God's help, into what He has destined it to be. There is much to consider but I would ask one question of you not for my knowledge but rather for during your prayer-time with God.

Are you living in a deep, abiding and active relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Not perfect but abiding? When we are then we'll desire to please GOD and we'll see change and transformation in our lives that makes us better women, wives, mothers and grandmothers.

Abba Father, we pray to be the wife to our husbands...the help-meet that you created us to be. Help us to walk one with You as we walk one with our husbands. Please bless the covenants of marriages that we've entered into by saturating them with Your Divine Presence. I pray Abba Father for marriages that are in trouble. I ask for Your Hand to be seen and felt in every heart involved. I pray deep surrender by both man and woman in the marriage...deep surrender to You through Christ. May Your healing touch pour down on them and may their hearts run toward Yours where every need will be met. I love You. We love You and we thank You for establishing the covenant of Marriage between a man and a woman. May we live it fully to Your glory and for the sake of all that Christ has done for us. We pray in His precious Name with a heart of gratitude! Amen and Amen!

Thank you for visiting and if you would like prayer for your marriage please leave a comment: Lisa pray for us and I don't need the details because our God knows. I will go to the Throne of Grace and Mercy and pray with a heart of love and compassion for you. Please, no emails. I don't have the opportunity to read a long message. Thank you for understanding. We are praying for you and your marriage this week! Thank you for taking a moment to pray for ours. Much love!

21 years ago today in 25 minutes we said it...

2011-09-29T11:35:00.001-04:00

21 years ago today at 12 noon I had the joy and pleasure of walking down the isle to the handsome man in the photo above, my hubby Peter and we said, "I do". I placed my hand into his and my life has never been the same. Together we've raised who is now our 25 year old daughter who is now married and has our two grandchildren. He's also helped me to raise our 18 year old daughter who is now in college. When we arrive in Heaven we have a baby to wrap our arms around too. I can't wait for that day...

I am so thankful to God for the blessing to be married to my hubby. We've seen quite a journey together of blessings and challenges and it's not over yet. I have my hand in the hand of a man whose hand is in the hand of Jesus! That's a mouth full! I pray never to take God or my hubby for granted!!

This is a man who sees more in me than I see in Lisa. I've called him my greatest cheerleader and my partner in ministry. We still flirt and he stills makes my heart sing, my cheeks blush and my eyes fill with tears of happiness. There's not another that could fill his shoes.

In honor of my marriage I'll be sharing some marriage messages for the next coming weeks. I hope you'll join me.

Please say a prayer for our health and that we will continue to live a life that honors the Lord in our relationship, the care of our family and the influence towards others for the Kingdom of God. Our heart is to please God fully until the day He calls us home.

Thank you dearest family in Christ and much love to all of you. Today, Peter and I are saying a prayer for you and your families!!

For Scriptures that minister to your marriage click here.

A sister who has captured my heart of prayer...

2011-09-28T08:32:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I asked for us to rally around Jennifer. Today, Andrea has also captured my heart of prayer. I just left her blog "Heart Springs" where she shared her heart with us all and I prayed for Andrea with tears pouring down...her message speaks to God's grace! I don't want to touch her words with my own because I could never say it the way she has so let me share a part of what she shared that captured me...

"I fight for faith, reach for grace, grasp for knowledge of One Who can smother the brutal echoes, Who can with one word crumble walls and cut vines, Who has strength to bear life and lift from mire, Who has hope to restore loss, Who has grace to soothe pain. One,...

Who waits for my stillness."

Please visit her, read her heart and her situation and please join me in praying for her and so many others that are hurting right now and need a touch from God. Thank you for taking the time to care and to share.

One of the best gifts we can give each other is care and prayer!!

Love you all. Praying for you now!!!

Let's rally around our sister and show sisterly affection

2011-09-27T12:18:00.000-04:00

There are times when God will tap your heart toward someone and draw you into major prayer for them. You may not know their situation or need and you don't have to know but God will tap your heart and draw your heart as one with His toward them so that you can pray. That happened to me today. I prayed as the Holy Spirit led for a very special sister in Christ, Jennifer. Some of you may remember that Jennifer shared her powerful and tender testimony on my Post Abortive Healing Ministry blog. I love stories of redemption, hope and restoration in Christ. I have my own by His grace.

Today, the word rally came into my spirit as I visited Jennifer's blog. It's not that I read any specific problem or need that she has but what I read was a woman who is in that season of wait...wait on God and as one who knows firsthand that can be a season where you MOST need encouragement and prayer! It's good to pray for each other when there are struggles and problems in our lives but it's also good to pray for someone just that they would keep the faith, hear God, walk in His wisdom and keep a glad heart as they wait on Him. Amen?! Amen! I know I can use those prayers myself. So today I'm asking you to join me in rallying around Jennifer, our sister in Christ, as we pray for her. Please pray as the Holy Spirit leads you. Then, leave her a word of encouragement on her blog, "The Spirit of Truth". I'm sure she would appreciate the love!

She has not asked me to do this but I felt very led of the Spirit of God to do it. Thank you in advance for your expression of love and care.

This Scripture leaped in my heart as I wrote this message to you...

Romans 12:10 (AMP) Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another.

If there is some way that I can pray for you today please let me know. Much love!

Fun: Your Writing Style

2011-09-27T09:18:00.001-04:00

I'm a bit late on posting this but my friend Wanda from The Watered Soul posted this on her blog a while back and I took the test and the results showed that I had the writing style of two individuals:

I write like
Dan Brown

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

I write like
Ernest Hemingway

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

Hmmm...interesting...Dan Brown is an American author of thriller fiction. That's not my cup of tea. I'm a non-fiction girl. Earnest Hemingway of course we all know his story but let me note that he won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Don't think I'll be getting that prize (smile) but that's ok! It's your turn...what is your writing style? Be sure to return and tell me.

Through the fire again!

2011-09-26T10:26:00.000-04:00

Praise the Lord!

I can NEVER make it through this song without doing three things:

1. Praising the Lord and giving thanks to Him
2. Crying big bucket tears
3. Singing my "throat" out if you know what I mean (smile)

There are times when you hear something or read something and it penetrates you deeply. The reason is because you understand it...you have a connection to it. It means something to you. Well, that's how I feel when I hear this song. I'm connected to it...it's real to my soul because I've been at the valley of decision and have experienced the adversary (Satan) trying to tempt me to give in---to quit but that's not an option for me or for you! Amen?! Amen! It is then we must remind ourselves that we've got to hold on to the Hand of the LORD! Hold on to His promises! Hold on to His strength, peace and joy! Hold on because He indeed will show up and take us through the fire again!

You see the reality is the "fire" will come! It may look like a broken marriage, a child who runs away, an adult child living in sin, illness or disease plaguing the body, financial struggle, job or home loss, breakdown in friendships, mistreatment at church or work, betrayal and death of a loved one. It's something different for everyone but the "fire" is real and it hurts deeply!

We will have times and seasons where problems will press against us attempting to become one with our soul but we have to stand against it through our faith in Jesus Christ! We can't fold. We can't blame God or pull away from Him as some do. We can't doubt His love or begin to distrust His plan for our lives! There will be times when we'll feel like the storms will overtake us, the roar of the sea will grab us and take us under. There will be times when we'll face situations that burn to the core like fire or seem to be horrendous enough to take us completely out, but we have to be persuaded that God is Who He said He is! We have to know in Whom we believe!

The trials, tribulations and tragedies are the very things that should increase our trust in God not cause us to waiver.

Daniel's three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were walking with that type of persuaded faith. When King Nebuchadnezzar threatened that if they didn't bow down and worship the image of god he had established, that they would be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace, but I LOVE their response....

Daniel 3:16-18(NIV) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” And if you want to know the rest of this awesome true story click here.

Hold on to the Lord in whatever you may be facing! He'll take you through the fire again. Hasn't He done it before? Praise the Lord!

2 Corithians 4:8-10 (NLT) We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

Isaiah 43:2-3(AMP) "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."

I pray this message encourages all who need it. I know I need it. Much love and prayers!

2 minutes and 50 seconds

2011-09-25T15:56:00.002-04:00

Do you have 2 minutes and 50 seconds to watch a video that will overflow your heart with God's love? For some it may even change their lives. If so, please click here.May His love pour out over you in Jesus Name!

What are you most afraid of?

2011-09-22T09:57:00.001-04:00

Cindy from She Sparkles, a woman I admire, shared a post titled: "Facing our Fears". She begins asking the question, What are you most afraid of? She shared the powerful story of her friend Jessica Kirkland. I highly recommend you reading it.

When I read Cindy's opening question I didn't have to think about it for one moment. I knew the answer. A few months ago I was teaching the Bible Study: The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson at our Wednesday night Bible Study. I miss that group so much. We laughed, learned, prayed, cried and shared some of our deepest heart-thoughts about what God has placed within us (Dream) to fulfill for the time we are here. What I love about the Dream Giver is that the focus is not on what we want to do but rather on the dream that God has placed within us to fulfill a specific need He wants addressed on earth.

Stay with me...

At one of the bible study session I shared with them that a place where I was ministering, I was asked the question: What is your biggest fear? I told them that I was surprised to find that an answer came forth without my thinking about it.

My greatest concern (fear) is that I will wake up at 80 years old in a rocking chair on the porch with my husband drinking a glass of cold iced tea (none of this is a bad thing mind you); but as we rock together I would look back over my life in discussion with him and find myself saying, "Wow, if I had done...." "If I had stepped out in faith and listened to God I could have reached, influenced and blessed....". If I had not allowed fear or the expectations of people to stop me I could have done...." In other words, getting to the end and looking back and seeing what GOD had for me to do and I didn't do it. I didn't grab hold, step up or step out because of FEAR!

...Fear of failure
...Fear of not being as good as...(inadequate)
...Fear of success

Has anyone been there? For you it may be something else for me the battle has always been since the pain of my childhood...FEAR!

You see that's what getting "You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes" done THIS YEAR at this time in my life was all about. GETTING BEYOND THE FEAR! Obeying GOD and stepping out in an area that is NOT comfortable for me. Overcoming the fear that people would not desire to purchase or read the book! Oh the enemy has sown MANY seeds of fear as of late attempting to resurrect past fear based thoughts as I shared above but I had to stand firm on what I know and believe in God. You must do the same.

So I didn't know it at the time over lunch with my closes girlfriend Johnine in May of this year what GOD was about to do...to birth, to help me to push through the FEAR!

I don't want to wake up at 80 and find myself looking back at what GOD had for me to do in His name and for His glory and find that I didn't get it done. Now, I know some ascribed to the belief that what God has for you to do you will do it at some point in your life but I believe that we can miss some of the opportunities/purposes God has for us if we don't cooperate with Him-- if we allow a YOKE around our necks of FEAR or even pride, disobedience, impatience, negative thoughts, unbelief, doubt and a lousy love-walk to get in the way. Amen?! Amen!

So when I saw Cindy's post it resonated with me big time and I had to share with whomever stops in to visit. My questions to you are:

What are you most afraid of?
Has that stopped you from doing something that you know God has purposed you to do?
Do you think you're too old or too young to do it now? Not true.
What are you prepared to do to align your mind with God's word and get beyond the fear?
How may I pray with you and support you to press in to God and move beyond the fear?

Our Sovereign, Holy, faithful, loving, merciful, gracious, compassionate, righteous and just God has a plan for every one of our lives. Don't allow anything to get in your way...to stronghold you from being and doing all that God Himself has purposed for you. I will pray for you. Please pray for me. Much love to you all as we set out over the green pastures with our God. He's Amazing! He's GOD!!

Romans 8:15(NIV) For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

2 Timothy 1:7(KJV)For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) "...“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”"

Joshua 1:9(NIV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Galatians 5:1(NIV) 1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Much love and thank you for visiting. May the presence and peace of God be with each one of you in Jesus Name! Amen!

(Two images above were taken from google source)

Pause and Pray: Denise and Angela's Mom

2011-09-20T08:05:00.001-04:00

DENISE: Many of us have been praying for precious Denise (Shortybear's Place) but if you're not aware of her situation you can look her up on facebook, I believe that's where the info is more than on her blog site. I checked her facebook just now and her niece, Kelli gave this update:

"Update: Necie has been moved to Siskin for rehab due to the strokes. She is determined to walk & continues to make progress! :) I have not heard what docs are planning for further treatment..." (Again this info is from her niece Kellli on Denise's Facebook page)

ANGELA'S MOM: I just found out yesterday after visiting Angela's blog that her Mom had a stroke very recently. Please visit her update HERE.

Please agree with me in prayer for these two precious women and for their families. What better privilege do we have then to stand in prayer for each other. Amen?! Amen!

Abba Father, we lift Denise and Angela's Mom before Your Throne of Grace and Mercy. You are Jehovah Rapha our Healer and we pray for Your divine healing touch on both of these, your precious children. Please pour Your strength, comfort, peace and love down upon them and their families. You know each need physically, spiritually, emotionally and financially and we thank You for your provision in every area.

Please give wisdom and direction to the hands and minds of all the medical personnel working with them that decisions will be made in line with Your Word, will and way for them.

I pray that each of them will lean on, cling to and rely on You fully...trusting in Your divine plan for them. I ask that Your will be done Abba Father and may You receive all the glory.

Thank You Abba Father for hearing our prayers. You are a compassionate and loving Father God and we adore You. Thank You for being mindful of Your children and caring about our every need. We love You and we pray in the precious and mighty Name of Jesus! Amen and Amen! Thank You Jesus that we can pray in Your precious Name! We love You!!

Standing in prayer and on the Word of God for them both...

Psalm 27:13-14(KJV) I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Ephesians 3:20 (KJV) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think , according to the power that worketh in us.

Psalm 103:1-5 (KJV) 1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the
eagle's.

Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Praying the Lord's Hand rest with each one of you who visit and your families. I love you and I'm whispering a prayer for you now in Jesus Name!!

Book Info: "You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes"

2011-09-20T05:00:00.001-04:00

Thank you for visiting with me today and prayerfully considering the purchase of my first book: "You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes". This easy read book is written for the person on the go therefore, it will not take months to read. It's written for women ages 14 to 114 and beyond! We are never too young and certainly never too old to know what God sees when He looks at us and to dare to believe Him! Believing God is life changing!

I'm praying for you and I appreciate the privilege to share something with you by God's grace that He just may use to change your life! He's an awesome GOD!

For Information and Orders:

Book description, information and to purchase a copy: lisashawcares.com

Kindle eBook version: amazon.com

Nook eBook version: barnesandnoble.com

Coming soon...a link to book excerpts and book reviews.

There are four ways you could help us to share the Book with others:

1. Pray in agreement with us for every person GOD intends to obtain and read this book!

2. If you Blog or share on social media (Twitter, Facebook) would you please consider sharing this link with your readers?

3. If you purchase the book would you please consider writing a short review or a short comment for our "Book Review" page on our website? If so, please send email: lisashawcares.com

4. Would you consider writing a review for Amazon and Barnes and Noble? You can go directly to the book links above to do that. We appreciate you!

Thank you doesn't begin to extend my appreciation first to GOD and then to all of you. Please know that my husband Peter and I are praying for you and your loved ones! I love you!!

Jesus, You are the center of my joy!

2011-09-19T08:41:00.001-04:00

I woke up this morning with the song in the video below in my mind, heart and spirit. I couldn't shake it and didn't want to. I just wanted some time with the Lord to sing this song to Him. Have you ever just wanted to wrap your arms around Jesus with your worship, your praise, your praise and your thanksgiving? I do. Daily and often. I confess that I can't do anything apart from Him and I am absolutely nothing without Him!!

John 15:5 (NIV) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

I asked my husband about the song this morning. It's one of his favorite songs. We are both ipod people but he dug out his CD's to find the song for me. I then found it on YouTube to share with all of you.

Jesus, is in fact the center of my joy. He's the center of my life. Everything that is good and perfect comes from Him. He is the heart of my contentment. He is my hope, my love, my joy, my salvation, my peace and my life.

Without Him I would not know how to love! I mean that!!
Without Him I would not have laughter! He restored what was torn from me in my youth!!
Without Him I would be LOST! He kept His hand on me when my hand was slipping from His!!

Thank You Jesus!!!

He is the complete and whole center of my joy. Someone needs to this today. Someone needs to be reminded that of His love for you. When we allow Him to be the absolute center of our lives we will walk with the abundance that He's provided for us.

Close your eyes and listen to this beautiful worship song. Open your heart to Jesus and pour your love out to Him. I guarantee you that the love He will pour back into you will overflow and pour out of every part of your being. His love and presence in our lives is so amazing. He is Amazing!! He's my Amazing Grace...

Psalm 16:11 (AMP) You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Pray with me and make it personal, between you and Jesus...

Jesus, I'm nothing without You. I love You. I thank You for being the center of my joy. Thank You for never letting go of me; for loving me even when I'm at my worse! Thank You for being the lifter of my head...the comfort for my heart when I'm hurting. Thank You for being my Healer and the Lover of my soul. Thank You for restoring laughter in my heart when it was burned out in my childhood. Thank You for Your shed Blood for my sins. Thank You for interceding on my behalf to the Father. Thank You for being You! Thank You for being my Lord and my Savior. I love You so very much and I thank You for loving me. I pray to lift Your Holy Name to all who need to know You. I pray to bring honor and glory to our Heavenly Father. I pray to obey the leadership of the Holy Spirit and to walk in Your teachings Lord. I pray to bless Your Name. It's in Your precious Name I pray with a heart of gratitude...Amen and Amen!

Thank you friends for visiting with me today. Be blessed in the Joy of Jesus! Praying for all of you right now!

PRAYER REQUEST FOR OUR SISTER IN CHRIST:
Many of us have been praying a long time for Denise (ShortyBear) but I wanted to mention it here asking that if you're not already praying please pray for her health. Her Facebook is where I was updated recently. I hesitate to say anything beyond that because I do not have any updated details but please pray as the Holy Spirit leads for her complete healing and restoration. Please also pray for her husband Eddie. You can also view her Blog. Thank you and God bless you!

Appreciation and Giveaway Winner

2011-09-17T11:41:00.002-04:00

I have been joyously overwhelmed and humbled by the prayers, kind words, encouragement, and support of ALL of you, and the support of those who have been purchasing the book. I can only say, thank you from my heart to yours. My continued prayer is for God to be glorified and each person who reads it to be absolutely blessed in their Christian journey.

Several people that I know off-line and on-line have asked for me to share more about You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes and my journey in writing it and I definitely would love to do that unto the glory of God. For more information on the book you can view HERE. Over the coming weeks I'll be sharing what I call...

...the lunch that sparked the prayer and the process
...His purpose and the people
...the "little ones" that made the difference
...pressing through the attacks and more...

For anyone interested I pray you'll tune in and join with me as I share.

By the way, thank you to all who prayed me through the Ladies Single Seminar I had the joy to minister at for 4 hours last week Saturday at Grace Bible Church. What an awesome group of over 50 women. We prayed, praised God, laughed and entered into the Word deep on some very real and often sensitive concerns that single (never been married, widowed and divorced), women face. I have been asked to return to do a Part 2. Humbling always over the years to minister God's Word to His people and to see the light bulb moment in someone's face who hears the Lord and receives wisdom, revelation, encouragement and even correction in their lives. I know how awesome it is for me to receive those things from God. Everything God does is for our help and never for our harm! Aren't you glad about that? I sure am. So once again, thank you for your prayers for me and the ladies. It was an awesome time in the Lord.

Now, thanks again for the support and comments on my book post below!! The persons name that was drawn from the bowl is: Elaine from Peace for the Journey. Elaine please email your mailing address and I will get the book out to you. Congratulations! I pray it will encourage your heart in the Lord!

I am truly blessed to have you, my online family in Christ to pray for me as I pray for all of you. I love you!!

Lisa's Book: "You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes" & Giveaway

2011-09-13T11:07:00.002-04:00

Praise the Lord Family in Christ,

I'm in absolute awe of the workings of the Godhead in my life and in yours. As a sinner saved by grace I'm constantly humbled by any way the Lord uses my life. I'm sure you feel the same. I'm excited to share with you my first book: "You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes". My husband references it as my first book because he is praying me through to the next one as the Lord leads. There is so much I want to say to each of you about the process, tears, fears and prayers...the reasons for the book and more and I will over the next few weeks of sharing. Now, it may not mean much to many but to those of you who have loved me and prayed for me you will understand what I share and the process of YEARS that it took to get to this day...this moment. I'm not a writer. The call of God on my life reflects through my mouth (ministering His Word), not my finger tips on the keyboard but in obedience to HIM I wrote this from my heart to yours to prayerfully encourage His daughters of all ages and stages of life and I was humbled to do so.

I thank GOD first for even permitting me to share my heart with you in this book. I thank my husband for his constant prayer, support and editing. I thank my closes friend Johnine for the question she asked me a few months ago at lunch that caused me to write this book and for her cheering me along and then sitting through the grueling process of editing (smile). I thank my dear friend Jill (online) for the photo on the cover would never have been in my photo gallery to use if not for a project she hosted earlier in the year on her site that prompted my baby girl to take the photo. Last but not least, I want to thank every one of you precious ladies who have prayed for me, stood by me, offered words of encouragement and love through Emails that I couldn't always respond to, text messages that made me cry and voice mail messages that warmed my heart. Thank you! This book is also for you my online friends! I gave a shout out of dedication to you in the book!! Thank you so much for standing with me.

Much more for me to share about the process and the purpose but will over the next few weeks. The Lord led me to share some of my own testimony and painful journey in the book. We all have our stories and thank God they don't have to end badly. Thank God, that through Christ, we have new beginnings and new opportunities daily to love and live in and through Christ, and reach others for the glory of our Heavenly Father.

If you would like to read more about the book and prayerfully to purchase a copy of the book please click:

"You Are Beautiful In God's Eyes"

If you'd like a Kindle eBook version please click: Amazon.com

Please visit Barnes&Noble.com for a Nook eBook version.

I would absolutely be humbled by your purchase and by your prayers. Please pray for me. When you are determined to obey God and step out as He leads, attacks will come but He gives us the covering and strength we need to stand! Amen?! Amen! I'm praying for each of you also.

Now, I'd love to offer a GIVEAWAY of the book...hope you'll enter to win. The Giveaway will run only until Friday September 16th.

Guidelines to enter to win:

1. Must live in the U.S. and must check back to see if you are the winner.
2. Must indicate in your comment that you'd like to be entered to win.

If you'd like to have your name entered TWICE then in addition to the above, please:

1. Do a blog post with a link to my post, inviting your readers to visit here and enter to win. Please post on your twitter/facebook. This also assists me with sharing about the book with more people and I APPRECIATE that so much! Please be sure to return and post a comment letting me know.

Thank you so much!! This is a very exciting, busy and VERY prayerful season of my life. I love all of you and I'm praying for each one of you on a CONSISTENT basis for the time is growing short and one day the Lord will take us home. While we're here let's love and live for Christ sake and touch others for His Kingdom purposes.

Much love and gratitude to Him and to each of you!!

Jesus searches after each sheep of His flock...

2011-09-08T14:44:00.000-04:00

Hey Family in Christ,

As I've been praying and preparing to minister this Saturday at a Singles Conference I have been thinking about just how much the Godhead loves us. This morning something came across my mind and the quote below sums it up perfectly...

(photo google image from The Passion of the Christ)

"The whole Christ seeks after each sinner, and when the Lord finds it, he gives himself to that one soul as if he had but that one soul to bless. How my heart admires the concentration of all the Godhead and humanity of Christ in his search after each sheep of his flock." C. H. Spurgeon

Now, pause and think about that... how humbling isn't it?! The LOVE that the Godhead has for us is more than our minds can even comprehend. So thankful that He searches for us and finds us!

all I can say is WOW!!!!!!! This blew me out of my seat and into worship!!!

2011-08-27T11:50:00.000-04:00

Someone sent this to me because they know that I love this song...I am always blessed to hear Michael W. Smith sing it but this young man took my heart. What a worshiper he is already! I know God smiled to hear Him sing his heart out for Him. Enjoy worshiping the Lord with this young man and let's pray for him because you know his love for God and his willingness to sing so openly and unafraid to the world, is a threat to the devil! Praise the LORD!!!

Revelation 19:6-7 (NIV) "Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready."

Hallelujah to GOD! Can't wait for the day we are in His presence together worshiping Him up-close and personal! Oh what a day that will be!!! Much love family in Christ!!

Adriana sends her love and appreciation to ALL OF YOU!!!

2011-08-26T10:15:00.001-04:00

I'm still in awe of every word and prayer many of you shared in the message below to our daughter. She was so blown away...I believe she will share these words of wisdom with her sweet roommate Hannah as well. Adriana typed a response to each one of you and you can find it at the end of the comments on "What would you say to her?". Go HERE.

Many of you have been such a blessing in my life over the years and to know that you stand with us in prayer for our baby girl means MORE than I can say. Thank you. Know that I love you and I'm PRAYING DILIGENTLY for you even if I can't get to visit the way I'd like to. Life is being lived off-line and I miss my on-line friends terribly. I do pop in as I can. After September 10th things may slow down a bit so that I can get around to your blogs more.

If you think of me, please pray with me as I'm preparing to teach a 4 hour seminar on September 10th at Grace Bible Church in Pine Hills, Florida from 9am to 1pm. It's a Single Ladies Seminar being hosted by their Singles Ministry. If you're single and live in the area, let me know! Yes, I know I'm married (21 years the end of September...Praise the Lord!) but I've been a single woman and single Mother so I believe God has put something in me to share with them on different levels. I want to honor Him and bless them so please pray for the time I need to finish as my house is full of the blessed noise of little ones and big ones (BIG SMILE). Thank you in advance.

Thought I'd share two photos with you from the day we took Adriana to college.

Trying to get to my baby girl to hug her WITHOUT crying...

The smile that happened after the hug and holding back the tears...the tears came pouring later (smile).

There's so much I'd love to share with all of you privately but with the nature of the world wide web, it's not wise to do but let me say that GOD is great and greatly to be praised! I'll share that with the WORLD!!! Adriana and her roommate Hannah look, sound and are different but you'd only know it by looking at them because when you hear them speak, when you see their love for the Lord, and the sparkling smiles on their faces, you'd immediately know they are sisters...sisters in Christ....two young ladies with the same Father...Abba Father. They are so much alike in their walk with God, their love for God and their desire to please Him. Even their studies are similar. Her family is awesome! They are from Canada. I love them so much from the moment we met. My husband and I are looking forward to cultivating a relationship with the parents as our daughters do the same.

Everything is "decent and in order" as only our God could do. Enough said. I love you all and thanks again for praying. Now, how may I, we pray for you and yours? Leave your prayer requests under the comments. I am not on Email as much, just not enough time between caring for the Grandbabies while their parents work, plus church involvement, teaching bible study weekly, finished my book and starting a new one, and preparing for ministry (speaking) engagements, etc. In all of that my time with GOD is first and essential and then my time with my hubby is priority and of course RESTING and taking care of 'lisa' so please forgive me but I have to operate in balance or I'll be right back in the "sick" mode again. Can't have that! You can find me on Twitter. I enjoy tweeting because I can do that any time from any where via my telephone. I love tweeting about the Lord and encouraging others in the faith. See you THERE friends!

I know that ALL of you have full plates as well so know that I'm praying for you too! Love you all! Keep loving and living for JESUS!!!

To Tell the Truth

2011-08-24T05:00:00.013-04:00

"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." Ephesians 4:25

When I was in college, I pastored a little church 130 miles away. One night as I was driving back home, I realized one of my headlights was out. I was hoping I wouldn't get stopped when a highway patrolman pulled me over.

He said, "Son, did you know one of your headlights is out?" I replied, "One of my headlights is out?" He said, "Son, you'd better get that fixed." I said, "Yes, sir."

When I got back in the car, the Holy Spirit said, "Adrian, you lied." I said, "No, I didn't lie. I told the truth." He said, "You lied."

If there is any area in your heart that is not based on truth, you've made the devil a home.

I want you to play a game of catch today, but this will only involve one person - you! When temptation urges you to lie, catch yourself and tell the truth.

*****************
For many years I have been tremendously blessed by the meaty teachings of Pastor Adrian Rogers. I know he is resting and rejoicing in the presence of God now and what a service he left behind of speaking God's truths!!

I pray the brief message above ministered to your heart in a life-changing way. When we seek God's Truth we'll find it and then it's our responsibility to receive it into our hearts even when our flesh wants to reject it. Once we receive His truth in our minds and hearts then we must live it. Living God's truth is where we find victory. If the message above "To Tell the Truth" resonates with your heart, without delay, go to God in prayer. He loves you and His Truth will set you free. Amen.

Much love and prayers for you and yours,

A thank you to each one of you

2011-08-18T12:15:00.000-04:00

Thank you so very much to everyone who left Adriana life affirming, Christ-centered, edifying messages in the post below. I know without a doubt she is going to be blessed by every word, as I was. As we prepare to take her to Christian College my Momma Bear heart is comforted in knowing GOD is with her, our love and prayers as her parents are with her and your prayers and word will be with her.

Thank you for taking the time to care and to sow into her life from the wealth of wisdom tools you've lived. As I read, I prayed for each one of you and your loved ones. I prayed specifically as my heart is to bless each one of you, your spouses, children and grandchildren; in the very special way you have blessed me and my family.

From my heart to yours...thank you. I love you. My prayer for you...

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP) The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

What would you tell her? and...Winner of Giveaway

2011-08-15T11:33:00.003-04:00

This has been one of the most challenging and incredibly BLESSED years that I have experienced. I'm sure many of you can say the same about your personal lives. With all the challenges, the blessings (because of JESUS), far outweigh and I'm so grateful. He is so loving and faithful.

This week two incredible blessings are happening in my life and I wanted to share this with you. One, I uploaded five documents of my first book to the book printer yesterday evening and that is huge for me. More on the book later in the week but today I wanted to share the second and more important blessing that is happening this week. This week our Baby Girl is off to Christian College.

This Momma Bear has so many mixed feelings about this. I'm already PRAYING, crying and rejoicing in the same breath. Where did 18 years go? I remember cuddling her soft skin, praying over her for years, quieting her loud cries, laughing with her, crying with her along the way, and cheering her on in her accomplishments in school. Now, I'm kissing her cheek and praying over her as she walks into the world. There is so much I'll miss about the day to day of living life with her but those tender moments are stored in my heart forever. We've held on to each other extra tightly lately...hugs in the kitchen...moments of tears and big smiles. I can't even talk about it any further for crying...

What I know for sure is that she walks into this world with the prayers of her Mommy and Daddy but also with the covering of GOD. She knows Him intimately for herself and has since she was a child even better than I did when I was her age. We are so very proud of her and we are excited for her future. We raise them to rise and fly on their own but with our parents heart of love never more than a prayer and a call away.

I need YOUR help...

I thought of the power of words and I thought of each one of you. I'd like to ask if you would do me a huge favor? Would you please leave a comment for Adriana. What would you tell her at this moment if you could speak to her about Christ, college, becoming a woman and holding on to the teachings of Christ and her parents. About making decisions that honor God. I value your words of wisdom as well and I'm so thankful for the venue of Blogging because God has permitted us to connect across the miles and form relationships we'd never be able to do off-line.

We've taught her and have sowed years into her but I believe in the community of the faith...the power of Believers in Christ coming together to speak life into each other, especially into our younger people in the faith.

Would you take a moment and leave a comment? I want to surprise her so I'm going to send the LINK to this blog post to her College email address the end of the week. Please leave a comment or prayer on this blog post. Please do NOT send an email or twitter message as I'm only sending the link to this post to her so that she's not overwhelmed with many places to read. Thanks!

Let me say in advance how much I love and appreciate you all and the time you take to leave words of life for Adriana but even more I appreciate and need your prayers of agreement to link with ours for her life. If you have a child in College that you'd like for me to pray for, please leave a comment. I pray for all children but this post I'm saturating College students with prayer in honor of our daughter.

By the way, I'm not so sure how I'll feel about this empty nest stuff but it comes with the plan of parenting...her wings are strong and she is about to soar out of the nest with the hand of the LORD firmly with her as He is with yours!

Please see below for the winner of the Giveaway. Much love everyone and thank you again!

The winner of the Giveaway is Jessica from Jewels for the Journey. Jessica, please email me with your physical address so that I can mail it to you early next week. Congratulations! Love and blessings!

LOAM: Jenifer shares Give your unlikeness away

2011-08-06T01:00:00.015-04:00

Please help me to welcome Jenifer from Diving Deeper Ministries a beautiful woman whom I call my "Baby Girl" and who calls me "Momma Lisa". I absolutely adore her and she is sharing her heart with us today.

On the outside she was always very well put together, but peer into the depths of her being and you’d see a heart broken into a million pieces. She struggled all her life with low self-esteem and poor self-image. In elementary school she was labeled a “slow learner” and had to attend “special” classes while her friends enjoyed reading classic literature and writing creative stories in the “normal” English class.

She was the oldest daughter to a pastor and his wife. She followed the rules, dotting her I’s and crossing her T’s. Tradition marked her and the expectations of what she should be labeled her yet again. Her upbringing was laced with beautiful highs, like the day she got her first horse, and dark lows, like the night she took a handful of pills and prayed to never wake up.

She was always searching. Searching to be accepted. Searching to be loved. Searching to be heard. Searching for the real her. Her searching led her from one unhealthy relationship to the next. She married and had her first child, but she was still searching for more. Her searching dead ended in a court room hearing words come from her mouth she never thought she’d utter, “Guilty.”

Darkness consumed her for two years until she had a life transforming encounter, a Damascus road experience, with the One she’d been searching for all her life. Driven face to the ground her heart screamed as tears poured from her eyes,

“But God, I’m a mess. I’m a complete and utter failure. I’m stupid. I’m used up. I’m alone. And I hate myself. And believe me when I tell You, ‘You want nothing to do with me!’ I’m sure there are others far less complicated than me. Others who are better suited and much more deserving than me to be called Your child.”

She knew she was an unlikely pick. There were no credentials to her name. No great accolades or endorsements to cause heads to turn her way. She was just a messed up, shame filled, broken down girl.

Who was “she?”

She was me!

The day my God chose me and turned my unlikeliness into something extraordinary in His book I was messed up, shame filled, and broken down. But today I stand, the girl who once was labeled a slow learner, running fast after the One who rescued me, because God had a plan for my unlikeliness.

What He had planned for me and what I’m absolutely certain He has planned for you, He WILL make our life’s reality if we give to Him our unlikeliness. What He began in you before the foundation of the world, He WILL complete.

I ask you today, do you feel like an unlikely candidate that God can use? Are there circumstances in your life you feel hinder God from giving you an extraordinary testimony? Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts.

My friend, if you’re anything like me, you have a long list of “circumstances” written on the paper that sits before you. And you’re probably scanning that list from top to bottom, bottom to top confirming in your mind what you already thought to be true…“Yep, with all this in my past, there’s no way God can use me for anything extraordinary.”

I want you to understand something: those “circumstances” we’ve just written down, they don’t hinder God from working in us and through us. We hinder God from doing extraordinary things in our lives because of our disobedience and refusal to hand over to Him all our unlikeliness.

Whatever our past life experiences or present circumstances, God desires to take them all and fashion them into something absolutely beautiful for Him. He desires to transform us into extraordinary men and women who have a passion to know Him more and make Him known in our day. Why? Because it’s His will and His good pleasure to do such a thing. Give your unlikeliness to God today, stand back, and watch Him turn it into extraordinary greatness.

The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; your love O LORD, endures forever- do not abandon the works of your hands.” Psalm 138:8, NIV

When the church hurts...

2011-08-02T10:53:00.002-04:00

Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to visit with me today. I would like to share my heart with you on a subject that is tender for me this moment...

Having been brought up in the church with my Grandparents, I have a deep affection for corporate worship; the assembling together of the body of Christ whether that be in a church building, home, barn house, warehouse or wherever the Lord leads that assembly to gather.

I also understand fully that the church is NOT location. We are the church. We, the people, who are believers in Jesus Christ, are the church. Jesus is the head and we are the body. Hence, the body of Christ.

We, the body of Christ, are flawed, imperfect and often our areas of weakness can be used by Satan to hurt and hinder one another. The Bible tells us that Satan is a deceiver, an accuser of Christians, a liar, a thief and a destroyer. While I don't believe we should give Satan an over-use of our time and attention, I do believe that to ignore his existence and his tactics will be detrimental. I'm not new to the rodeo (tactics of satan) which is why I stay in PRAYER...close to the LORD and I keep my mind saturated in the WORD but I'm as human as you are and at times I get hurt just as you do.

Recently, I experienced the hurt that can come from the church especially when the area of weakness in a person or persons is pride and the need to control others. When you're on the receiving end of that the hurt as I was, it can feel like you are being bullied. It's a hurt that can leave you feeling let down especially when it involves persons you didn't expect.

Later, after prayer and conversation with my husband who is the love of my life and spiritual covering; we agreed it best that I call for a meeting. The meeting was yesterday. When all was said and done, I believe the Holy Spirit required of me to forgive the participants, lay the pain at the altar and allow the God of all Truth to prevail! He is my Defender and yours!

I'm thankful.

I wanted to share a very brief part of what I've been experiencing this year from the church because I believe that like Jesus said to his parents when they came looking for him--"wouldn't you know I'd be about my Father's business" (Luke 2:49). I believe that this IS a distraction of Satan to keep me from moving forward in this next HUGE phase of our ministry and personal lives in GOD. Satan won't win! He is defeated by the BLOOD OF THE LAMB!

In my almost 46 years of being alive I, like many of you have heard about and seen many glorious and wonderful things happen in the church world:

Answers to prayer
People giving their lives to Christ
Baptisms
The Lord's Supper
Weddings and Birth Announcements
Celebration of Life services
Holy Convocation, Revivals, Conferences and Retreats
Prayer Meetings and Bible Studies
Sermons that changed lives for God's glory!
Relationships that helped people to grow stronger spiritually
Reaching out to the community, missions and missionary service
Awesome times of fellowship and more.

I have also seen many hurtful things happen within the church world:

Pride
Strife (arguments)
Gossip, lies and slander
Divisions between people
People no longer speaking to each other but standing with arms uplifted in worship
Leaders and lay persons that fall into sin
Unkind words spoken that pierce the heart
Unfair and disrespectful treatment that causes people to leave the church
People in positions of authority 'lording' over, controlling and attempting to manipulate others
Unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, offense and sadly, more.

I am thankful that I personally have not experienced ALL of these but I have been on the receiving end of a few as I'm sure you have. It can be very painful especially when your heart is to please GOD and Satan is determined to use the weaknesses of others, and your own weaknesses to hurt each other. If he can CREATE division between us then he can defeat us and that makes us ineffective for taking care of the Father's business.

I am reminded of a few Scriptures that minister to my heart regarding all of what I've shared above:

Isaiah 54:16-17 (NIV) “See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail,and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV) I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Mark 10:41-45 (NIV) When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

I'm about to teach what will be a 16 week Bible Study on Wednesday nights. Please pray in agreement with me to bind Satan and his distractions from all of us. Please pray that our hearts be one in Him and that we have an awesome time in the Word of God together for His glory. Thank you for praying with me.

We've all experienced the hurts of church. If you have or are currently experiencing it and would like for me to pray for you as you continue to endeavor to love and serve with your whole heart, please leave a comment below or send your prayer need directly to me at Need Prayer? Please do not send an email. I apologize but time does not permit me to read them right now.

Please pray with me...

Abba Father, may we all keep our focus on the main thing...glorifying you. Help us Holy Spirit to walk in love and to be of one mind in your son, Christ Jesus. We bind Satan's deceptive tactics against the church (body of Christ)! We will keep our eyes focused on the things of God...that which is eternal not temporary; that which helps not hinders. We will do that Abba Father with your help. We need you. We love you. We desire to honor and glorify you and we pray in the precious Name of your son, our Jesus. Thank you Jesus. Amen and Amen.

P.S. Please don't forget to enter the Giveaway below. You have a few more days.

Mini-Blog Summer Break & Prayers Appreciated

2011-06-23T08:56:00.000-04:00

Praise the Lord friends!

Forgive what will probably appear like ramblings but in fact when you're chatting with friends you can ramble a bit right? And I count you all as friends in the Lord and I'm thankful...so here goes...

First, I pray that ALL of you and your loved ones are doing well in the LORD!

Secondly, I just wanted to FYI you that I'm going to take a mini-blog summer break from now through July 14th. I have to finish writing my book and self-publish. Hubby, who is handling all of that has me on a deadline and boy is he serious (smile). You can see by the photo that we have been VERY SERIOUS lately! (BIG SMILE). Truthfully, I'm so thankful for his love, assurance and cheering spirit!

Along with hubby, my dear friend Johnine wants those books done and ready for sale at her Ladies Only Singles Seminar which I'll be ministering at upcoming ---SO I'm taking three weeks to pull back from Blogging, Text messages and Email responses to focus.

I need YOUR PRAYERS PLEASE....pretty please with sugar on top as we said as children. Ok, I digressed for a moment but truly I need prayers for uninterrupted time to work, good health, rest, flowing in the Holy Spirit in every area and please pray against all distractions of the enemy that we know hit when our plates are FULL for the LORD!

O, may I share with you that I'm also excited that my friend Edie is working on a make-over to our ministry website at Lisa Shaw Ministries. I'm excited about whatever GOD is giving her even now. I know I'm looking to brighten it up with some purples and periwinkle. Sounds good? You gotta love Edie! (smile)

Also, during this time I'm preparing the lesson plan for the next Bible Study class I'm teaching at church beginning August 3rd and I'm working on finalizing 4 FREE Downloads offered on our ministry website. One is completed if you'd like to use that to encourage your heart in the Lord: Can God use me? Will He?

In addition to all of this I'm working this summer on a Dreams (purpose) Seminar that I could really use your prayers for as well. I have been sharing bits and pieces only via Video on the home page of our ministry website.

GOD is doing some amazing things. I'm just determined to keep up with Him. Prayer, time in His Word, Rest for my physical and spiritual self and service to my family first and then to others. That makes for a more balanced life. Amen?! Amen! At times we all get a little out of whack so my prayer for you is that as I take time away for the next three weeks that you too will hear GOD in any time off/time away or break that He may be speaking to your heart in various areas of your life as well.

I APPRECIATE YOU ALL -- your prayers and love. You ALWAYS have mine! See you some time in July. I'll miss you and I'll be PRAYING FOR YOU! Thank you for ANY TIME you take to lift me to the Lord in what He's placed in my hands to handle! Let me know ALL THAT HE's doing in and through you so that I can rejoice with you and pray for you!!!

Much love, blessings and favor upon your life in Jesus Name! Amen!

LOAM: Michele shares "My Journey"

2011-06-18T01:00:00.030-04:00

Please help me welcome a kind women to LOAM named Michele from Straight From The Heart

After years of experiencing extreme emotional highs and lows, I hit a breaking point. At age 40 I found myself lying on the couch for hours, my mind disconnecting with reality, unable to cry, and emotionally empty, accept for a feeling of indescribable terror, I felt I was dying, and I had no strength to cry out to the Lord. Now, before I go any further I want you to know that I had surrendered my life to Christ years before this, but I was not walking with Him, I was “Luke warm,” and had been seeking the pursuit of happiness, not God. Next, I found myself with a bottle of pills ready to overdose, I was confused, I wanted to kill the pain, not myself, but it was at that moment God intervened. I felt His presence come upon me and my heart spontaneously cried “Lord,” and at that very moment He brought me literally to my knees in a pool of tears. I did not take the pills.

A few days later I was diagnosed with a mood disorder characterized by extreme highs and lows, and I began medical treatment immediately. My diagnosis was helpful in that I now understood the reason for my extreme highs and lows. What I didn’t know at the time was that this illness would be the very thing the Lord would use to lead me back to the foot of the cross, but it would be a difficult journey, one with suffering and mental anguish, but He also would fill me with His Joy and peace at the most unexpected times…

For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25 NIV

As time passed I began seeing my life through a different pair of eyes, and the Lord was changing my heart. I began seeking Him for the first time in my life with the help of His Holy Spirit leading me. Over the last 4 years my illness has greatly improved, however, the Lord has not healed me, but I no longer ask Him to, I pray for His will…

… yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42 NIV

The Lord continues to use my illness, teaching me to be still when I’m anxious, and in weakness not to wallow in feel self-pity, because that stifles my growth. His Holy Spirit is teaching me to embrace suffering, because the Lord can use it for His Glory. The Lord has used this illness to save my life, my eternal life and show me that He is greater than Any Illness. His Holy Spirit is my guide, showing me how to seek the Lord daily, and see my need to live what I believe, to the fullest. See Galatians 2:20

…"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

Many years before my breakdown, I prayed “Lord, please do Whatever it takes to save my life, my eternal life.” I prayed that prayer because I was aware that I was not seeking or serving Him, and I knew only believing in Him and fearing him was not the call, I felt a void. I thank God for answering my “Whatever it takes prayer,” and allowing me to become broken and ill.

So where am I on my journey at this time? I’m in the VALLEY, and I need to be here, because I believe my Savior is in the process of answering Another Prayer, my prayer to “Die to self” and “live for Him.” I write poems about this, and there came a point where I felt Him speak clearly to my heart “Are you sure you want Me to answer this prayer?” I responded “Yes, Lord.”

…O LORD, give heed to my cry; Give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips. Psalm 17:1 NASB

The Lord has been revealing the ugly sin in my life that I must sincerely repent and turn from, they are things He hates, such as pride, judgment, wrong motives and the list goes on. But He’s given me encouragement when I least expect it, and the strength to “Press On”.

Dear friends, my hope is that by sharing my story with you, that you will be encouraged, and know that He’s so faithful to answer the “Do Anything It Takes Prayers,” that will be for our best, and for His glory.

“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered--how fleeting my life is. Psalm 39:4 NLT

Says it all!

2011-06-14T11:03:00.000-04:00

"How shall I depend on Him for raising my body from the dust; and saving my soul at last; if I distrust Him for a crust of bread, towards my preservation." Joseph Hall

That will make you pause. All I need to say to this is, AMEN!

Video: Part 2 GOD has a dream for you: Don't Live in Fear of "Man"

2011-06-04T16:49:00.004-04:00

Praise the LORD!

LisaShaw_Part2StopLivinginFearofMan_GodHasADream4U from LisaShaw on Vimeo.

For speaking engagements please contact Lisa HERE.

This is part 2 of the series: God Has A Dream For You. For part 1 please visit our Ministry website home page: Lisa Shaw Ministries

In part 2 we address people pleasing, approval addiction, fear of being unqualified or unworthy and all the naysayers. Become an Acts 5:29 person and obey God. When you're asked what or who qualifies you in what you're doing for the Lord remember Acts 4:8-22.

Remember, God has a plan and you are a part of it! Much love!

Grateful—for We Are Blessed!

2011-05-30T16:46:00.000-04:00

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6

Sometimes we complain when we shouldn’t.

I remember one time driving across the country with a gentleman. At the time, all of our children were in private schools and Joyce and I were “dying of malnutrition.” I began complaining a little bit to the man about the great cost of sending a son to college.

He looked at me and said, “I’d give anything in the world if my son would go to college.”

I thought, “Oh, what an ungrateful spirit I have!”

Do you ever complain about dirty dishes? There are lots of folks in Third World countries that would like to have some dirty dishes. We are to be thankful in all things.

Rejoice in God’s blessings in your life. Nip that temptation in the bud to complain and grumble about your life today

****************

Well ladies and gentlemen, that's a mouth full above and a hearty piece of meat for us to chew on! I remember when the Holy Spirit showed me my complaining spirit years ago. It wasn't that I complained about dirty dishes BUT I found myself complaining about the situations and circumstances that were hurtful in my life that I couldn't do one thing about. Are you with me?

The Holy Spirit showed me that I was NOT truly trusting GOD but rather giving Him the problem and taking it back from Him (through complaining) as if to suggest I could handle it better than GOD! Silly me!! Silly us!!

I also in that revelation discovered that I was INCREASING the STRESS in my own life and that I was blaming the devil for stealing my JOY AND PEACE when in fact; through complaining I was GIVING away my JOY and PEACE.

I love revelation in God and even more when we obey Him! When I'm tempted to complain about something I take my eye off of it and put my eye (focus) back on the ONLY Person who can handle it -- GOD! Be encouraged as you do the same and let's pray for each other to avoid the temptation to complain! I want my words to worship rather than whine!

Much love,

LOAM: Karen shares "Bringing my heart into it"

2011-05-28T01:00:00.016-04:00

Please help me to welcome to LOAM a special person to my heart, Karen from Surviving Motherhood.

I used to joke that I was on a "need to know" basis with God. As in, He only revealed to me the things I need to know. (Of course, I thought I needed to know a whole lot more than He showed me, but that's another story for another post.) While I still think He reveals only what I need to know, I have come to realize His choice for revelation is also based on what I can understand. And apparently, I'm a bit of a slow learner. Because we seem to be on a yearly track of God revealing new concepts to me.

Near the end of 2009 I noticed God had been showing me over and over again that I could TRUST Him. Yes. For an entire year I was having trust issues, and God kept showing Himself faithful. Over and over again. (I told you, I'm a little slow. *wink*)

When I took time to pause at the beginning of 2010 – to reflect on the year gone by and wonder about the year ahead of me – I sensed God calling me to obedience. It was as if He were saying, Karen, I have proven you can TRUST Me. Now I want you to respond. I want you to OBEY. So OBEY became my theme for 2010.

And, honestly, it wasn't hard to do. After all, I knew I could TRUST God. So being obedient to the things He called me to – or kept me from – was quite logical.

Then came 2011.

I sat writing in my journal and - to my surprise – I saw a new theme appear. This time it was SURRENDER.

At first I was a bit confused. I thought, God, we went over OBEY for a whole year. Why SURRENDER now? Isn't it the same thing? Am I THAT slow???

Friends, God is so good, and so gracious. And, oh, so patient with me! As He and I spent time going over the reasons for OBEY one year and SURRENDER the next, I began to see the difference. During my year of OBEY, God was leading me in my actions. To do, or not to do. But He made me understand SURRENDER is more about my heart than it is about my actions. Yes, my actions are involved, but it goes deeper.

I chose to OBEY because I knew I could TRUST. And that was good. It was what I understood. But it was often a mechanical thing. Without a lot of heart.

Now God is calling me to SURRENDER – to go beyond actions and bring my heart into it. Really, I think we're bringing TRUST back into the picture. It seems to me SURRENDER is moving from "obeying because I trust" to "obeying because I trust". It is a full laying down of my fears and concerns, and trusting that God is completely able to work all things for good in my life.

As I am beginning to walk this path of SURRENDER, sometimes I find myself wanting to object - or question God's plan. But He gently reminds me of everything we've covered over the past two-plus years and I am able to lay it down.

All to Jesus, I surrender. I surrender all!

Yes, LORD. May it be so!

************
Please help me to thank Karen for indeed bringing her heart into it for us to glean and grow as well as we continuously surrender all to Jesus. Thanks Karen! I will be away from my computer Thursday night through Sunday night. Karen's message is set up in my Que to auto post. I will post any comments when I return for Karen. Thanks ladies!

Much love,
Lisa

Video: GOD has a dream for you

2011-05-23T22:13:00.000-04:00

Praise the Lord Ladies!

(Please excuse the times of shaking in the video. My baby girl's hand was shaking :) I now have a new tripod to hold my video-camera. Thanks!)

I shared a few nuggets in the video that I wanted to expand on here:

**I read the Dream Giver twice the end of 2009. I'm currently teaching the study at Bible Study on Wednesday nights at my church and my group of men and women are loving it as much as I am. I highly recommend you get the Book. GOD has an awesome and divine dream for each one of us! What I appreciate so much is not only does He have the dream for us but He doesn't look at age or what stage we are at in our lives. We can put our trust in Him and get busy doing what He's purposed to be done!! Hallelujah to GOD!! The Dream Giver is also the Dream Enabler! He equips us to do whatever it is He called us to do!

**I'll be sharing some of the changes I made in my life this year in the care of myself in upcoming posts but for now; I'd like to encourage you to pop over to Jill's health blog: Breaking Free - Truths for Healthy Living and join us in the June cleansing if you feel the Lord's leading...pray about it and ask Him what you should do. I also recommend her book which can be purchased through her site! I've read it and enjoyed many of the recipes.

Ok, until next time, I love you all and I'm praying God's favor over your lives. May our hearts and homes be bowed in worship before Him now and always! He's an awesome GOD!!! He's worthy to receive EVERY ounce of our love, worship, praise and thanksgiving. May we touch others for His glory!!!

Jennifer shares her heart and her story

2011-05-23T08:41:00.001-04:00

This beautiful sister in Christ has absolutely poured her heart out over at my pro-life/post abortive healing ministry through Christ: His Love Covers Our Sins. Please visit and read Jennifer's heart and see the redemption and restoration that only comes through Christ. I closed comments so you can pop over and read.

When we share our stories we help others to see Christ in their own situations. Thank you Jennifer for pouring out by His Grace and Mercy!

Much love to all,

LOAM: Kela shares on "My Husband, my Friend"

2011-05-21T01:00:00.006-04:00

Please help me to welcome to LOAM, a beautiful sister in Christ, Kela from Pursuing What Is Excellent

My husband and I have teenage daughters. Our oldest daughter will be 17 years old in about a month. The things that we’ve learned while rearing her are valuable lessons.

Those lessons also brought back fond memories of my husband’s and my beginning years.

As our daughter goes through the friendship phase of her courtship journey, there are things that I wish I’d known when I was her age.

There are, however, things I’ve learned along the way.

My husband and I met the end of our Junior year of high school. Despite being forbidden to even be interested in me, we began and maintained a friendship.

This friendship grew and blossomed for two years.

We both knew that there was instant attraction but falling in love was in the distance. We both had obstacles to overcome in order to be together. Friendship was the best option.

We were able to be real, and both free to walk away if we wanted or needed to.
Well, we didn’t walk away. We stayed.

I wanted to be a pleasing wife to my husband. A wife that he was glad to come home to every day. The element that was missing was knowing how to be a God-honoring wife.

It wasn’t until 4 years into our marriage that I realized that Jesus was not Lord of my life. I didn’t have Him in my life at all.

I thought that I did. I even told my husband that I did. With that knowledge, I gave my life to God and THAT is what empowered me to a God-honoring wife.

It took some years for me to start to really get it right, but I learned how NOT to withhold from my husband, how to truly submit to him, how to have a quiet and gentle spirit.

With the new friendship that is taking place in our daughter’s life, my husband has told me that he wants us to truly work on our friendship on a deeper level.

It makes my heart sing to know that my man still wants to rescue his beauty, to capture my heart all over again.

18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts satisfy you always.
May you always be captivated by her love.
Proverbs 5:18-19 (New Living Translation)

Last Words: I implore you to be friendly to your husband. Grin through your gritted teeth if you have to and say, “I really DO like you.” Your rewards for a right heart attitude come from God. He is your rewarder.

*********
Please help me to thank Kela for the beautiful sharing of her heart. Leave a comment directed toward her. One of the greatest gifts we can give to each other in the body of Christ are words that heal, edify and affirm each other in the faith. Amen? Amen!

I pray a special blessing over each one of you in your lives this day and may you walk in the richness that is JESUS. Much love!

Lisa

You, I, We are Beautiful in GOD's eyes!

2011-05-14T00:41:00.004-04:00

I actually did this and the photos about a month ago but finally sharing below...

Do you know you're BEAUTIFUL?! Yes you are!!! Oh yes you are!!

My precious sister Jill (whom GOD has used to incredibly bless my life and health!!); and her Beautiful daughter Lexi and the rest of her beautiful children, are doing a "I am Beautiful" project. Jill asked me to share a photo for her blog and I did but first I had my daughter do a few shots to see which one I would send to Jill. After viewing them it caused me to remember the times of my life when you would have NEVER seen me with a sign saying I'm beautiful! It also made me think of all the precious wounded women over the years I've ministered to who didn't view themselves through God's eyes. When we don't we have so MUCH trouble acknowledging ourselves as beautiful.

The world has defined beauty in ways that GOD has not. When GOD looks at us He doesn't see a specific color, size, age or hair style as beautiful. He looks at us; sees His Son in us and sees us as beautiful! He looks at us and sees who He has created and who calls Him Abba and He sees beautiful daughters (and sons)!

Coming out of a difficult childhood, being abused, then thrown into a lifestyle of people pleasing and bad decisions in my teens and early twenties I chased false love, felt insecure, inadequate, worthless, shamed, guilty and unloved. Thank GOD for deliverance and healing in and through Christ! Once I surrendered my heart fully to the LORD and was healed from past pains, sins done to me and sins I committed; it was then I could begin to see myself through HIS EYES and in doing so that is when I saw HIS BEAUTY and realized; I'm Beautiful in Christ! His Hand is on me (and you) and we have been Hand crafted by Him so how can we possibly be anything other than BEAUTIFUL?!

It's not about the parts of our bodies we don't like. It's not about what size we are, what color or age we are. It's not about the color of our hair or if we have hair or not; or the size of certain body parts. It's not about disliking the parts that gravity has visited! It's not about nip and tuck and sucking it all in but rather -- it's ALL ABOUT being HIS! It's all about being made in His image and realizing that our identity is in Christ and not in what the newsstand magazines or ridiculous commercials say about what defines beauty! Look in the Word to find out what true beauty is and then you'll NEVER COMPARE yourself to another magazine, commercial or Victoria secret model again!! Amen?! Amen!!!

When you KNOW Whose you are (GOD's) then you'll begin to know who you are (His Beautiful creation) and it is then you'll not be ashamed to hold up a cardboard that says: "I am beautiful". But if you're not there yet, don't feel bad. Most things are a process. I went through a process to as I shared above and I still remember the relief I felt when I realized I didn't have to be anything or anyone other than who God says...aww, beautiful!

So here's my Beautiful photos to encourage you to join Jill's project. I even got my baby girl in on it and she never likes to be in front of the camera BUT she knows she's a beautiful creation of GOD's!

Here's a few of the links for Jill's Beautiful Project. If you visit her let her know I sent you over.

I Am Beautiful Project

Beautiful and Loved

NYC, Flowers and I am Beautiful

Now, go ahead all of you BEAUTIFUL LADIES and get a sign and take a picture and join the project! Much love to all you beautiful daughters of GOD! SMILE, You're a beautiful creation of GOD!

Sharing the Message of: 4 Wisdom Tools for Life

2011-05-11T14:30:00.001-04:00

Hi beautiful ladies of the LORD! I wanted to share the message the LORD gave me to share this past Saturday at the Mother/Daughter Tea.

The focus of the message below is on Naomi and Ruth's relationship and the 4 Wisdom Tools for Life. I'd like to encourage you to re-read Ruth's 4 chapters and then pop on over to Matthew 1 to the Genealogy and there we see that Ruth was a part of the line of Christ who was born to the Virgin Mary. Isn't that awesome!!!

I pray you are blessed in the message as the ladies were last Saturday. Now, ladies, I have NEVER worn or own a periwinkle anything let alone a periwinkle suit but I have to say that GOD is busting me out of my dark colors and into some bright lights! (BIG SMILE). What do you all think? Now, I still love my blacks, orange, red and browns too! (BIG SMILE).

Oh and before the message let me share a photo of my baby girl who will be 18 next month and off to Christian College soon and also a photo of me and one of my dear friends; First Lady Jan.

Ok...on to the message...be BLESSED! Much love and thanks for visiting!

4WisdomTools4Life from LisaShaw on Vimeo.

Quick Video Greeting from Lisa to her Blog Friends!

2011-05-10T16:53:00.001-04:00

Just over 3 minutes greeting to all of you...

and...a quick reason for what's occupying my time in a GREAT way!

Family in Christ,

My prayer is that each one of you would have a powerful, peaceful, productive last half of this year and may NEW doors of opportunity open to you that are GOD ordained! I pray you blossom exactly where GOD has you planted. May your words, thoughts and behavior reflect the precious children of GOD that you are! May you get excited about JESUS and about your life! May you find yourself even more in love with GOD as you linger at His feet in prayer! May your dreams become a reality that GOD has purposed for you!

I want ALL God's best for each of you and your loved ones and I'm PRAYING and DECLARING it over you in JESUS MIGHTY NAME!!! Amen and Amen!

Much love and thank you for your prayer covering over me as well last week!

It's our choice!

2011-05-01T05:14:00.000-04:00

"There is a joy which is not given to the ungodly, but to those who love Thee for Thine own sake, whose joy Thou Thyself art. And this is the happy life, to rejoice to Thee, of Thee, for Thee; this it is, and there is no other." Augustine of Hippo

Nehemiah 8:10 "...the JOY of the LORD is my STRENGTH"
(capitalization mine).

The dictionary defines JOY as: 1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation: She felt the joy of seeing her son's success. 2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated: Her prose style is a pure joy.

That says it all about how the LORD makes my heart feel. I don't stand on temporary moments of happiness. I stand on the JOY of the LORD! I won't allow the struggles of life to depress my heart when I have One who elates my heart and fills me with great pleasure!When the enemy or cares of life attempt to bring me down, I immediately remind myself that the Joy of the Lord indeed is my strength!

One thing I've learned for certain over the years of my life in Christ and that is happiness is often a feeling that can be easily dictated by the 'goings on' of the day but JOY is a choice. I can CHOOSE to live in THE JOY OF THE LORD irregardless of what the days events may bring.

Once I visited a church, the greeter at the entrance was smiling, extended his hand and welcomed me to the House of God. I felt the warmth of JESUS in that greeter. I felt his joy for Jesus and it made me feel welcomed.

From the main entrance I then went to the door of the Sanctuary where another greeter stood. This woman did not smile, did not welcome me, did not extend her hand and stood holding the Bulletins. I greeted her and asked for a Bulletin. She never responded to my greeting. She held out the Bulletin.

As I sat in the Sanctuary waiting for their service to begin I said a prayer for that woman. I thought of how she could have impacted me negatively if I were NOT SAVED and visiting with interest or if I had been a weaker Christian or a new convert. Our BEHAVIOR affects not just ourselves but ALL whom we come in contact with.

Perhaps something stole her joy that morning. Perhaps she was sick in the body, had a headache or had problems at home or in her finances. I don't know but I prayed for her because truth be told, nothing really steals our joy unless we are open to giving it away! We all have something going on but we can CHOOSE how we respond to it. We can choose not to smile, to have an attitude, to be disconnected from others and to allow discouragement to beat us down OR we can choose LIFE! We can choose JOY!

The next time we are faced with the option to react to the problems in our life or to choose JOY in the midst of it; may we make the decision that will MOST reflect that we are followers of and believers in the LORD Jesus Christ. May we CHOOSE HIS JOY for it is in His joy that we find strength!

Much love and peace to you and yours!

Jesus Jesus Jesus--Something Happens with that Glorious Name!

2011-04-28T06:12:00.001-04:00

Take a moment and press play below, close your eyes and listen with your heart and mind fixed on Jesus in worship but first let's bless His Holy Name together...

Every care is drowned out when we focus on the Name of Jesus!
Every need is provided when we focus on the Name of Jesus!
Fear, doubt and worry flees when we speak the Name of Jesus!
Healing begins to manifest when we speak the Name of Jesus!
Strength washes over us when we stand on the Name of Jesus!
Joy fills us up and overflows when we stand on the Name of Jesus!
Satan HAS to flee when we declare the Name of Jesus!
Everything bows on heaven and on earth when we declare the Name of Jesus!
Souls are saved when we lift up the Name of Jesus!
Marriages are saved when we lift up the Name of Jesus!
Deliverance comes to those in bondage when we lift up the Name of Jesus!
Prodigal sons and daughters return not just home but to the LORD when we lift up the Name of Jesus!
Condemnation is banished when we focus on the Name of Jesus!

Focus--speak--stand--declare--lift up the Almighty, Precious, Powerful Name of JESUS and then...

WATCH WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!

There's something special about that Name -- the Name above every name!

The Name of Jesus!!!!

The Only One Who Conquered Death

2011-04-25T07:17:00.000-04:00

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55

Harry Houdini was an escape artist. They tried all kinds of ways to keep Harry Houdini locked up. They would bury him in a coffin, but he would get out. They would sew him up in canvas bags and throw him in the river, but he would come out. His biographer said he could escape from anything, except your memory.

Yet there came a day when Harry Houdini died and he did not escape. No trickery there. Harry Houdini did not escape the iron-clad clutches of death. But I want to tell you there was another who died. His name was Jesus, and He made the great escape. Jesus came out of the grave and He arose. Praise God, Jesus is alive!

Who in your circle of friends doesn’t know Jesus? Pray for them right now, that they would hear the Good News, repent and believe upon Jesus as Lord and Savior.

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I just love what he shared above!! Thank GOD the LORD JESUS conquered the grave and all of us who believe in Him shall never perish but have everlasting life!! Glory to GOD!

All of us know someone in our lives that does not know the LORD intimately. I have one in my immediate family and several in our extended families. It is NOT for lack of them being told and/or shown about Christ.

Take a moment and think about the names of those individuals you know who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Now, see them in your minds eye.

Then, lift them by name to the Throne of GOD right now.

Pray for their hearts to be softened. Pray for them to humble themselves before the LORD and realize they (like us) are sinners in need of salvation. Pray for them to respond favorably to the drawing of the Holy Spirit. Pray that TODAY, this day would be the day they find themselves responding YES to the love and sacrifice of our powerful Lord and Savior.

Ask GOD to do a work in and through them. Ask GOD for the wisdom, words and walk to show Christ to them in genuine, practical and powerful ways.

Finally, stand back and see how GOD works!!

PRAISE HIM for what's coming in the lives of those you've prayed for!

I'm praying along with you!

Much love and peace to you and your family!

Holy week sharing: "Blessed Is He Who Comes"

2011-04-21T11:29:00.000-04:00

Matthew 21:9 (NKJV) "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"

Praise God! The world of humanity that had been separated from God and unable to approach Him except indirectly through the Jewish sacrifices and ceremonies was now invited to draw near and be reconciled directly to Him through this Baby Who had invaded time and space to be born!...

Real meaning to your life is found in the glorious dawn of God's story, which breaks into full revelation in the Person of Jesus Christ. What an astounding truth! What a life-changing message!

Because He emptied Himself of all but love, you can be filled.
Because His body was broken, your life can be whole.
Because His blood was shed, your sin can be forgiven.
Because He submitted to injustice, you can forgive.
Because He finished His Father's work, your life has worth.
Because He was forsaken, you will never be alone.
Because He was buried, you can be raised.
Because He lives, you don't have to be afraid.
Because He reached down to you, you don't have to work your way up to Him.
Because His promises are always true, you can have hope!
By Anne Graham Lotz

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Friends, I could barely type Anne's words above without crying. Just think about what the LORD has done for us! Sadly, so often our words, thoughts and actions---the way we treat ourselves, each other and even the way we often treat GOD doesn't reflect that we TRULY REALIZE what JESUS has done for us!

A Christian woman who turned to me for prayer for her finances said to me, "I spend time in the morning and at night with God, the rest of the day is mine kind of like tithing. I give Him my 10% and the rest is mine to use." Her words stung and as I ministered to Truth to her on every level of what she was addressing, I had to also keep in mind that ALL at some point have lived with this mind-set. Perhaps differently from her thought process however in some way giving GOD what we think is His time and then walk UNAWARE of Him until we need Him again! At some point many have thought that the money is THERE'S when in fact it all comes from GOD and should be used as He says not just as we want to use it.

Life changing, heart-warming, soul-saving, jaw-dropping, spirit-lifting is how I feel when I think of all that JESUS has done for me and for you! Don't allow this Holy week to pass by without settling down in prayer and examining your own personal walk with GOD. Are you truly living a life of worship? Are you truly living in a manner that is pleasing to GOD? Wherever changes are needed, ask the LORD to help you. Surrender your life to Him. You'll never be the same again!

Which one of the "Because...." sentences above in Anne's writing most stands out to your heart? Pray and thank the LORD for how He's touched your life.

Much love this Holy week!

Holy week sharing: "Love Urged Him On"

2011-04-20T02:28:00.000-04:00

Matthew 21:7 (NRSV) They brought the donkey and the colt, and put their clothes on them, and he sat on them.

"The Saviour, what a noble flame was kindled in His breast,
When hasting to Jerusalem, He march'd before the rest.
Good-will to men and zeal for God His every thought engross;
He longs to be baptized with blood, He pants to reach the cross!
With all His sufferings full in view, and woes to us unknown,
Forth to the task His spirit flew; 'twas love that urged Him on.
Lord, we return Thee what we can: Our hearts shall sound abroad
Salvation to the dying Man, and to the rising God!
And while Thy bleeding glories here engage our wondering eyes,
We learn our lighter cross to bear, and hasten to the skies."
William Cowper

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The title of this writing alone grabbed me. I rested my eyes on "Love Urged Him On" for quite some time before reading the Scripture and Cowper's sharing. Just think about it for a moment; God's love for us is why He sent Jesus. Jesus' love for us is why He voluntarily came and went to the cross for us! I can hardly take it in daily how much HE loves us. It makes me love Him even more and desire to please Him. The Bible says that He who knew NO sin became sin for us! Now that's love---unconditional and pure!!!

Do you know that His love for YOU (and for me) is what urged Him on to the cross? Let us NEVER take for granted; or become too familiar with the sufferings of our LORD. Fun things and life stuff is alright to deal with but our attention, time and focus should point toward Heaven with reverence and awe. I don't want to give the LORD any left overs in my life. He has first place!

I'm thankful that His love for me urged Him on...I'm humbled and in awe...

Holy week sharing: "For us"

2011-04-18T09:58:00.000-04:00

John 3:16 (KJV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

"Thus dear did God hold the world. How dear? That He gave His only begotten Son for every one in the world who will trust in Him. And how did He give? He gave Him, in His birth as man, in order to be for ever one with us. He gave Him, in His death on the cross as Surety, in order to take our sin and curse upon Himself. He gave Him on the throne of heaven, in order to arrange for our welfare, as our Representative and Intercessor over all the powers of heaven. He gave Him in the outpouring of the Spirit, in order to dwell in us, to be entirely and altogether our own....Yes; that is the love of God, that He gave His Son to us, for us, in us.

Nothing less than His Son Himself. This is the love of God; not that He gives us something, but that He gives us some one---a living person---not one or another blessing, but Him in whom is all life and blessing--Jesus Himself."

Andrew Murray

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This says it all for me! I pray it blesses you as it has me. Blessed Holy week to all of you.

Lisa's Photo Gallery 2011

2011-04-16T00:57:00.001-04:00

God has used these ladies to immensely bless my life since last year. I'd like to share them with you...

Jan, whom I affectionately call Lady Jan, is counted as a special friend. As she said, we connected from the beginning and our hearts became one. She is a special and loving woman, kind of like a Mother-Sister figure in my life. She is also the wife of my Pastor.

Belinda and her husband Al are both very dear friends of ours. Belinda has a loving heart and embraced me from the first day we met. She has a heart of gold! Recently we enjoyed 5 hours of lunch at my home. She was my first guest over after a few months of being ill so it was a joy to visit with another sister in Christ over Split Pea Soup and Organic Tea!

Johnine has become a very special part of my life -- a sister-friend that gets me! (big smile). You ever just mesh with someone so well that you realize it's not anything you could have done but rather it's GOD that created that bond of sister-friendship?! I feel like I've known Johnine for YEARS! She's precious to me!

Bambi, is just all around sweet! I love her energy and her zeal for God! She's always at the front of the lobby with her arms open and a smile on her face ready to greet you into the House of GOD!

I could write volumes on how these women have been used by GOD to bless my life. I'm so thankful...SO many changes have taken place in my life in just a very short period of time. Those changes have been birthed through challenges and blessings and I'm so thankful to GOD for it all! I'm also very thankful to GOD for all of YOU that stopped in to visit with me. May the favor of GOD rest upon you and your relationships in Jesus Name and unto the glory of our Father in Heaven!

Would love to hear about the women that GOD uses in your real life (off-line), to bless and affirm you in the faith as He uses you to do the same for them! Many sisters in Christ bless me online but we also have to have off-line relationships so I'd love to hear about yours! Do share Ladies!

For photos from 2008 to 2010 please view the link: Photo

For this I'm grateful...

2011-04-14T08:21:00.000-04:00

"An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself." A.W. Tozer

And for that I am deeply grateful. For more please visit my Restoration Blog and read Gratitude.

Blessings to you!

Are you worried?

2011-04-11T01:28:00.001-04:00

What Happens When You Worry

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

What happens when you worry? You bring tomorrow’s difficulty into today.

God didn’t give you grace for tomorrow’s difficulties. He only gives you grace for today.

When you reach into tomorrow’s troubles, you overload today’s circuit. Worry doesn’t take the sorrow out of tomorrow, it takes the strength out of today. When you meet tomorrow, you’re out of breath because you’re already overloaded from today. Worry, therefore, does not make you ready for the future, it really makes you unready.

Yesterday is just a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today has all the cash you can handle. Spend it wisely.

Worry will eat your lunch! It’ll eat your breakfast and dinner, too! Confess your worries as sin (because they are). Put your concerns at the throne of Almighty God, trusting Him to provide.

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Coming up the way that I did, with the experiences I had, worry was my best friend right up there with FEAR! I had to over the YEARS of my life (and still work at it by faith), learn to cast my cares seriously on the LORD. I then had to learn how to cast the cares and then stop taking them back as if GOD needed my help! While I've walked in that blessing of truly casting my care, I still have times when worry and fear creep up. Recently, I fought that a few times during the season of medical challenge in my home BUT each time it would creep up I'd speak the Word of God. I'd pray and I'd cast down any thoughts that were contrary to God's Word (2Corinthians 10:4-5) and then I'd cast the care (give it over) to GOD and move forward.

I invite you to do the same. Are you worried (or in fear)? Time to cast that care. Often we can come across very spiritual as if we never worry or have fear and that ALL WE NEED TO DO IS THIS OR THAT...truth is we ALL deal with worry and fear. It's what we do with it that matters most!

Love you all and praying for anyone who is experiencing worry and fear right now. Cast your care by faith on the LORD and leave it with Him. He can do what you (we) are not able to do. Trust Him.