1. To nourish; feed.
2. To educate; train.
3. To help grow or develop; cultivate: nurture a student’s talent.

“And they prayed and said, You, Lord, Who know all hearts (their thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, purposes, and endeavors), indicate to us which one of these two You have chosen,……  To take the place in this ministry and receive the position of an apostle,…”

My heart is infused with the Hope of Jesus to be His Messenger. 

Sure there will be days when I mess up and fall short. 

God knows our hearts and my prayer is that no matter what I might fail at in my human strength my heart is for HIM and the Salvation Message.  No matter how small or large a messenger He nutures, no difference how big or wide the territory HE plans for me…I will go.  I will share what Jesus has done for me with anyone with ears and with all the enthusiasm He fuels me with!

Praying HE fuels you too!

~Lisa~

 Lamentations 3: 22 (NLT)

I am an avid dog-lover.

Having 2 Great Danes I am a HUGE “dog fan”–both my Fur Kids Elijah and Mercy will attest!

So when I hear the word CHAIN I cringe!

My neighbors have a sweet doggie mix breed they keep on a chain and every time I see the poor fellow I moan a silent “awwwwww”…my heart breaks for him.  Moving to a limit before being jerked back to his tree where his chain is anchored. 

CHAINS: something that binds or restrains.  According to the American Psychological Association (APA): chains, http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chain

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “CHAIN”?

For me, besides my neighbor’s dog, I think of the apostle Paul and how he continued to preach the Gospel message while in chains: a real live jail bird for Jesus!

I then ponder what are the CHAINS in my life that keep me from being an ambassador for God?…

Psychologically:  FEAR, rejection, addictions, anxiety and a potpourri of emotional injuries.

Physically:  WEAKNESS, laziness, lack of vim and vigor to share the Good News.

I was redirected to the thoughts about CHAINS when I sent out a prayer request to a friend, asking her to pray for me during an upcoming speaking engagement. 

She obliged saying “I will pray Ephesians 6:19 for you”.  Her email beckoned me to the verse: Paul penned; “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,”

(I couldn’t stop there…)

As I read on Ephesians 6:20  “for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

Now Paul was literally in CHAINS in prison but that did not hold back his passion for the Lord or for sharing the salvation message.   He was FEARLESS and spiritually chain-free.  Paul was in this manner bound to a Roman soldier (Acts 28:20; Eph. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:16). The chains held his body but nothing could hold his heart!

Can you imagine being “bound” to another person?  (Not a great day to forget personal hygiene)

Heck, as Americans freedom rings in the most practical sense but CHAINS are present.  Whether it be literal or self imposed shackles and fetters haunt life. Busting out of them is the admonition.

The Bible confirms…EVERYONE has the same opportunity….. ”Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.”  Ephesians 6:19 (NLT)

Best-selling author and popular Bible teacher Beth Moore shares a Bible study called Breaking Free: “Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life.  Moore teaches readers to remove obstacles that hinder freedom by identifying spiritual strongholds in their lives and overcoming them through the truth of God’s Word—truth that will set us free.”

My neighbor’s dog will never have the option or resources to break from his chains.

We have a genuine freedom sometimes forgotten….

Belief in God’s Word. 

Trusting His promises.

Living in His truth. 

Boldly sharing the Message of Jesus Christ.

That is true freedom from any chains holding spiritual prisoners.

SEEK out and speak OUT or remain chained.  If your spirit is free, you are free!

Your thoughts are welcomed….

Blessings,

Lisa
Jesus is the REASON for the SEASON!
“TRUST steadily in God, HOPE unswervingly, LOVE extravagantly.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 (The Message)

Romans 8:12-14–The Message

“So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life.

God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!”

“Do-it-yourself”–The key mantra of today’s culture…from Lowes to Home Depot to self made millionaires–if you question one I would wager they have a “did-it-themself” story to share. 

I have been reading the daily devotional from the CGI (Ephesians 4 website)  and it has been focused on living our lives according to Romans 8:14.  I like The Message, paraphrase version the best as it cuts to the deepest core of what the passage means.

The bigger question I ponder is HOW to really live the Romans 8:14 direction?

It is a simple instruction.  God has places for us to go!

I admit following directions is not one of my forte’s…whether it be a direction from a superior or baking directions for a new dessert–directions and I don’t often mix.

Recently I have been pondering what is GOOD in my life for what is EXCELLENT–but perhaps I have forgotten one vital element….what does God deem excellent?

What does my Father say?

Being “Lisa Focused” will gain short term success in most cases but being GOD focused yields eternal reward.

The devotion recently by Os Hillman really hit the proverbial “nail-on-the head” stating:”The greatest sign that you and I are maturing in our walk with God is when we can discern the difference between “good things” and “God-things.”

I don’t love the word MATURE it makes me shiver…not because it indicates old age or gray hair but because it involves obedience.  Another word that frightens me is discernment–yikes–that word alone does not seem to indicate any FUN and when given the choice to do something requiring discernment or FUN–guess what I opt for?

In reading and rereading Romans 8:14 I glean a few key directions–not just one.

From my viewpoint here are 4 elements which I find in my life that need a facelift…..

1– Patience–A virtue not listed on my spiritual curriculum vitae….asking the Lord for direction and discernment and then awaiting His reply.  Waiting on HIM quietly and thoughtfully until He answers.  No rush, no hurry, no worry just wait.

2–Dependence– As a young entrepreneur at age 11 delivering newspapers to a single Mom and successful RN corporate America taught me independence: to depend on me, being self directed and seeking stuff and accomplishment of the world…position, power and fiduciary benefit.  Dependence is totally trusting GOD for all things.  Being a TRUE child of God.  Like an infant depends on his or her parents for each need in their little life. 

Our lives are tiny without God.

3– Listening– I admit I am one of those people who are developing a response to someone without really hearing them. I enjoy the banter instead of savoring the conversation.  I do the same thing with God.  The best part of conversation is actually listening and hearing what is being shared…not my attempt to fix the situation at hand with a bright remark or counterpoint.  My goal is to listen better without thinking of what I might retort–really hearing someone else.  True listening does not require a reply just a confirmation of what was conveyed by the speaker to the listener.

4– Obedience– …..OUCH..that word…hurts!

In my selfishness there is never room for obedience.  Guess it is time to make room.  Obedience is not just following a set of rules but requires a heart change and desire to follow what the Holy Spirit is pouring into my life and then following through.

Romans 8:14…God’s Divine Direction. Spirit driven. Places to GO.

What might the directions involve?  Really being a child of God? 

The roadmap: recipe card: email: daily devotional: books: all point to:

Seeking HIM through prayer, His Word, and other Christians who have spiritual gifts and wisdom I lack.

OK, so I am not perfect and don’t ever plan to be.  But I do plan to seek God with my whole heart and desire in what I do–or at least try my best in my human condition to do so.  Not an easy task for a fun-seeker…

Or maybe it can be the easiest of tasks for someone like me?

Being a child is easy once the role is truly accepted by our heart.

The Father does know best.  And I am OK with being a HIS child.

You know honestly the days I seek the Lord FIRST and spend time in prayer and His Word always go better then the days I seek myself first and then try to clean up the messes. How often do I start my day–create my own chaos to find myself saying “Dear God BLESS this MESS”??  Too many to count. Like driving in reverse…eventually I might reach a destination but talk about going the hard way!  I’d much prefer to take my Father’s Hand and say; “ OK, lead on….I will go with You.”

So I ask YOU, how do you move when the Holy Spirit tells YOU to move?

What does it look like?

How do you HEAR GOD?

How do you know it is GOD and not you?

In reflecting my days I do enjoy life and find JOY in the impossibilities of this world when I spend time with God first. Hmmmm, when I have HIS JOY I feel happy and fun filled.

Perhaps a little DIVINE DIRECTION is not such a difficult thing?

In fact it is a FUN place to go!

Your comments are welcome….

Blessings,

Lisa

Romans 8:14(NLT)

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

James 1:27 (New Living Translation)

“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

Sure, it is easy and selfish to ignore the sad and down hearted in life.

It is so easy to LOOK the other way and move on toward our own agendas.

The world will many times corrupt us easily & quickly.

I have a sweet and dear friend who lost her husband tragically two years ago.  Her life has been a challenge and many times naturally she feels lonely and lost.  I remember her husband’s wake and meeting her at the funeral home, just holding her hands, giving her hugs and reminding her:  I am here for YOU…were the simple words that fell from my mouth during such a difficult time.  FEW words are best for me when I am attempting to be strong for someone else.

She is capable and a fighter and a believer…but her home church has let her down.  She has shared many a tearful story of her disappointment in her Church family grieving my heart along with hers.  I invited her to our Church which she attends every now and again.

How do we live out LOUD?  What does PURE and Genuine Religion really LOOK like?

How can we minister to our friends to see and experience the REAL Body of Christ at work?

For me I think it is simple–we need to be available.

We need to listen and share a compassionate heart…James states it simply “TO CARE FOR.”

Many days my friend and co-worker, just needed an EAR to listen

and a HEART to hear hers.  Passing the Kleenex was easy for me.

In passing those tissues her wounds began to heal, day by day she felt cared for.

This Labor Day my friend invited my husband and I to the beach.  She had reserved a condo and did not want to go alone.  So we joined her.  It was a beautiful weekend. The weather was picture perfect, the ocean was outstanding, the Majesty of God shone bright in the sun and HIS loving Arms embraced us with the cooling winds caressing our hot bodies as we donned sunburn and new tans.

My husband and I had an impromptu moment to minister to my friend. 

To be available and care for a widow. 

To talk, laugh, listen to her stories and to pray with her. 

We enjoyed our weekend of laughter and tears and really saw the Hand of God at Work, through us infusing God’s Love to my widowed friend. 

We accepted the invitation as a weekend away for REST and RELAXATION, but we were able to work, from our strengths, allow the Lord to use us as HIS vessels and minister from open hearts.

Hubby and I are far from perfect and usually MISS the opportunities the Lord graciously provides, but this weekend was different….we let ourselves be available.  A rewarding and enriching experience for us and a chance for my friend to see and feel the body of Christ in action. Reaching out to her, lifting her up where her Church family “dropped the ball.”

Did we realize we were somewhat practicing PURE Religion…honestly?…not really.

But in reading the Book of James today I am reminded we did something right.

Taking a tiny step into the footprint of Jesus….ministering to a widow, a friend and sister in Christ.  Exciting when we accept the Lord’s assignments, the work is easy, refreshing and rewarding!

We will forever be grateful to my buddy for her generous gift of a “weekend away” at the beach.  We are thankful to know her and be here for her during her trials and recovery over her loss. 

Dave did what he was good at: sharing communication tips, listening patiently and leading our prayer times with fervor and I did what I am gifted in: humor, teaching, speaking and reminding my friend of God’s unending love, GRACE, and His great plans for her.  Together our gifts blessed her.  Isn’t that what the BODY of Christ is all about?  Using our combined spiritual gifts and passions to minister and mostly….

WE took the opportunity to CARE.

Share a moment with someone you know who is a widow….it is a wonderful opportunity to share PURE Religion…..the LOVE of Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Lisa

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Baby Blues–Hormonal HELP for Moms!

why do I feel sad after having a baby? 

HELP! Is this normal?

After childbirth some women experience feelings of sadness due to hormonal changes post pregnancy.  Two key hormones: ESTROGEN and PROGESTERONE increase greatly during pregnancy and guess what?  After delivery these hormones drop drastically during the first 24 hours after childbirth.  Feelings of sadness after pregnancy is called postpartum depression or peripartum depression. 

Changes in hormones effect our mood and some researchers think the fast change in hormone levels may lead to depression, just as smaller changes in hormones affect a woman’s moods before she gets her menstrual period. (PMS)

Another hormone to consider that also drops after giving birth is the thyroid hormone.  This little gland located in the neck regulates metabolism. Decreased thyroid levels can also cause symptoms of depression.

Other factors causing the BABY BLUES:

• LACK OF SLEEP! 
• Broken sleep patterns make us irritable.
• Loss of blood after delivery causes tiredness.
• Feeling overwhelmed with a new, or another, baby
• Worry about being “a good mother”.
• STRESS from changes in our usual routines.
• Feeling less attractive 
• Loss of control.

WHAT can I do?

* Follow up with your OB/GYN and openly discuss these feelings–YOU are not abnormal or alone in this season of life.  They can help you with expert advice and medication as needed

* Talk to a friend or family.  Conversing about these concerns is very therapeutic and you will gain insight from other Moms, sisters, co-workers and family.

*Ask for HELP–having a new baby or another child can be challenging. Seek help with feeding the baby and caring for the baby especially during the first few weeks of SLEEP deprived nights.

*GET rest whenever you can.  Sleep is important to our well being.  Lack of rest hinders our bodies to heal and refresh.

*Remember this is a temporary time of adjustments.  Babies don’t always keep to a schedule, surrender to this fact and be open to the realization that this will change.

*Take a BREAK, change your scenery, go for a walk, get fresh air. 

*Pray and ask for prayers.  God loves you and is there for you now and forever.  He is our Mighty Physician. 

1 Peter 5:7 (Amplified Bible)

“Casting the whole of your care

[all your anxieties, all your worries,

all your concerns, once and for all]

on Him, for He cares for you affectionately

and cares about you watchfully.”

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