Lisa Notes

You might be an introvert if...

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:45:00 +0000

You cry easily at commercials
You have friends who talk more than you do
You prefer e-mails to phone calls
You think small talk is shallow
You keep your stories short so you won’t waste people’s time
You prefer to study alone rather than with a group
You get personal on social media
You can’t scrapbook with a group
You’ve been told you’re too sensitive
You blush easily
You leave a party with less energy than you arrived with
You become speechless over a piece of art or a poem or a song
You’re never labeled a “people person” despite having strong friendships
You have fewer hobbies but you stick with them
You hate scary movies
You can be too tired to talk

Introverts may enjoy parties and business meetings up to a point, but after a while wish they were home in their pajamas.

They prefer to devote their social energies to close friends, colleagues, and family.

They listen more than they talk, think before they speak, and often express themselves better in writing than in conversation. They dislike conflict. Many have a horror of small talk, but enjoy deep discussions.
~ SUSAN CAIN, Quiet

What I learned in Quiet:

Nobody is all introvert or all extrovert. One-third to one-half of us are introverted (but it’s hard to tell because introverts can fake extroversion as needed).

American culture encourages extroversion whereas many eastern cultures respect introversion. (The tipping point for extroversion in America was around 1900; prior to that our culture emphasized the importance of virtuous qualities over having a “good personality.”)

Introversion is not about shyness.
It’s not about levels of self-confidence.
It’s not about IQ.
It’s not about whether you like people or not.
It’s not about the ability to carry on a conversation.

Though these qualities—either negative or positive—are often attached to popular definitions of introversion/extroversion, there is no scientific evidence correlating them to either introverts or extroverts.

Probably the most common—and damaging—misunderstanding about personality type is that introverts are antisocial and extroverts are pro-social.

But...neither formulation is correct; introverts and extroverts are differently social.

...Your degree of extroversion seems to influence how many friends you have, in other words, but not how good a friend you are.

What is introversion about?

It is about how much stimulation you need to function well.

For introverts, less is more because they’re more sensitive to stimulation than extroverts. Introverts tend to process the world more deeply, thinking and feeling more thoroughly about what they notice.

In infancy, introverts are high-reactive babies, typically very sensitive to their environments. Low-reactive babies are often extroverts; it takes more stimulation before their nervous systems are overloaded.

The upside for introverts is they are more empathetic and cooperative. Kind and conscientious.

They have thinner boundaries, able to empathize and focus on personal problems of others instead of considering them too heavy for conversation.

They have greater powers of alertness, seeing extra nuances in everyday experiences.

The downside is they may react to stress with more depression and anxiety (and yes, sometimes shyness) than an extrovert.

They can feel more guilt because of their heightened sensitivity to all experiences—positive or negative.

They are also more easily disturbed by cruelty and irresponsibility.

It can be hard for extroverts to understand how badly introverts need to recharge at the end of a busy day.

We all empathize with a sleep-deprived mate who comes home from work too tired to talk, but it’s harder to grasp that social overstimulation can be just as exhausting.

It’s also hard for introverts to understand just how hurtful their silence can be.

Summary

Introverts are geared to inspect. They think more and act slower.
Extroverts are geared to respond. They think less and act faster.

Should either try to change? No, except when it’s temporarily appropriate to do so. Otherwise, stay true to yourself.

If you’re an introvert, learn to use it to your advantage. If you’re an extrovert, strengthen those skills. Walk alongside your opposite to complement each other, not compete. Each has much to offer the other.

Who should read this book?
Teachers, managers, artists, engineers, students, mothers, fathers, church staff, loud people, quiet people, spouses, singles, women, men (have I left anybody out?).

I highly recommend this book. Granted, I am an introvert so I appreciate the confirmation of worth in introversion, not just in spite of it.

But whatever your temperament, we all have much to gain by better understanding and valuing each other. God uses all types.

Learn your type and let Him use you.

* * *

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
(And out of curiosity, are you married to the same or the opposite?

My thanks to Edelweiss for the review copy of this book.

One reason to be in a small group

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:08:00 +0000

Ed asked us to pick out songs last night for our small group’s time of singing. Jenna made a great list, including one of her favorite songs, “Holy Spirit Rain Down.” [Listen here by Broken—you will be moved.]

So we sang.

Holy Spirit rain down rain down
Oh comforter and friend how we need Your touch again
Holy Spirit rain down rain down
Let Your power fall let Your voice be heard
Come and change our hearts as we stand on Your word
Holy Spirit rain down

And I thought, “But how?”

How is the Spirit a comforter and friend—to the man in our group in back pain? To the single mom packing up to move again? To any of us who with any number of problems?

So I asked.

It’s part of the beauty of a small group. Even when you know what the right answer is supposed to be, you can still ask for a more thorough explanation.

And you get answers.

One at a time, each from their own perspective. John read a few verses from Radical, quoting Jesus in Mark and Luke—when we ask for help, we get the Spirit himself. Kim told how people in the flesh can show up to help someone in pain. Ed told how the pain from losing his mother helped him empathize with a young man who was fresh in his own similar pain.

My question was answered: one way the Spirit’s presence helps is He shows up through His people. He uses our hands and mouths and hearts to minister to others in their pain.

No eye has seen no ear has heard
No mind can know what God has in store
So open up heaven open it wide
Over Your church and over our lives
Holy Spirit rain down rain down

The Spirit rains down. In many ways. In many places.
Including in my small group.

Holy Spirit, rain down.

* * *

When things change too fast

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:11:00 +0000

Sometimes life changes too quickly.

So you let things sit while you catch up.

I’ve let the box sit in our bedroom for a long time. 1½ years. Jeff never complained, even though it had to be in his way.

I hadn’t planned on going through it this week. But it happened. It held records of hospital visits and oxygen levels and medication lists. Papers from hospice on how to prepare for death. Newspaper clippings and notebooks and even steno pads from the 1950s of my mom’s shorthand notes.

And my mom’s jewelry box.

I gingerly handled the pieces that had been on her fingers, around her neck, on her wrist. All when she was breathing, caring, loving down here. Jewelry that wasn’t worth much in money, but was worth much in memories.

After Daddy died on Valentine’s Day, we took turns staying 24/7 with Mama. Her Alzheimer’s was already too progressed for her to stay alone.

But she hated it. Hated it with a passion. My sweet, non-confrontational mother would tell us we were treating her like a baby. That she wanted us all to go home and leave her alone. That she didn’t need us there.

She didn’t want this change.

So we’d hide out in the living room for awhile. Or disappear into a back bedroom. Or take a walk outside. Give Mama her space. Let her feel independent. But not leave her alone.

Because things had changed. She had changed. We had to change, too.

I have to change still.

I can’t keep my mama’s jewelry and doctor reports and high school notes in a box front and center by my dresser anymore.

So I make a small pile of jewelry to keep, to wear, to remember my mama who loved me and whom I still love. I put it all in a pink cloth jewelry case that Mama had used.

I place the remaining pieces back in her jewelry box and set it in a bag by the front door. I will pass it back to my sisters and they can decide what happens to it next.

Life changes.
I’m still catching up.
But God never changes.
I’m forever holding on.

* * *

My blogging friend Sandy—whose husband has Early Onset Alzheimer’s—wrote this post “Ugh”. If you’re currently loving someone with Alzheimer’s, do what Sandy is doing: distinguish between the person and the disease.

And hold on to God.

My journey through Alzheimer’s with my mom
Alzheimer’s resources

Everything Moves But You
Christa Wells

When I was a child, I held to my mother tightly
Then I grew taller and left to follow my dreams
I went after my dreams, and some of them brought me delight
But they didn’t bring me everything I hoped they might

I fell into love like a skydiver in the clouds
It wasn’t enough, no, we couldn’t sustain it ourselves

CHORUS:
All the things I pursue
Well they stay for a season
Then everything moves
Everything moves, oh
My towers fall
But you aren’t leaving me
‘Cause everything moves but you

I trained my body to run and not be weary
I worked and I read how to raise a better family
Then I bought a good house on the safe side of town because I could
And as long as my life stays like this I’m feeling good

Until my bones become brittle against my will
My heart is home, oh, to make the earth stand still

CHORUS

You…I never outgrow you

You are a tree always in bloom
You are a hall of endless rooms
A living fountain springing up
I’m satisfied but never done
I’m never done
With you

CHORUS

* * *

An adventure...but...

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:25:00 +0000

I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (The Message)

What could we do to make an impression? What kind of adventure could we have? What action could we take to make a difference?

I have an idea!

For the lesson on Mary, the mother of Jesus, we’d go on a field trip with the teen girls.

We’d each bring a baby gift, then deliver them in person to the women’s homeless shelter. We’d talk to the women, watch them open their gifts, ooh and ahh over their babies. We’d bring them some love from Jesus.

I liked the plan.

But...

Why is there always a but in my adventures?

But the women’s shelter was slow to return our calls.
But on Sunday morning the women would be gone, attending chapel services of their own.
But the staff wouldn’t be available at that time to even give us a quick tour of the facilities.

And then God threw in a but of his own…

But go anyway!
Don’t worry about seeing them opened; just give My gifts.

So we loaded the girls on the van, weighted down with diapers and baby rattles and onesies.

On the ride over, each girl held a gift. One by one, each prayed for the baby and mother who would be receiving that gift.

Lord,

Help the mother who gets this gift see her child as a gift from heaven.
May this baby bring much joy to his parents, and learn to love Jesus.
Pour special blessings and extra love on the baby who receives this gift.
Help this baby to grow up knowing Jesus loves her.
May this baby receive enough food to eat and enough clothes for warmth this winter.
Help the mom of this baby learn You can help her have a better life, starting now.
Please protect this baby to grow into a great man or woman for You.

One by one, though unseen by us, these gifts will be opened.

And one by one, if the Lord so chooses, so will the blessings.

We arrived at the shelter, handed over our gifts to the workers in the lobby, and were thanked generously before heading back to the church building.

It wasn’t quite the grand adventure I had envisioned.

But...perhaps the adventure wasn’t meant for us.

Perhaps the real adventure is meant for her—the mother with no pacifier, no baby socks, no diapers—no hope?—for her baby, then suddenly is showered with just what she needs.

And now, maybe her adventure can really begin….

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

* * *

2012: My year to...

First loss—accidental. Second loss—choice.

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:51:00 +0000

I cried about it.
Once I realized what I had done.

Hours earlier, I highlighted all the e-mail in one folder. I hit “delete.” I exited out and ate lunch.

But when I opened it back up that afternoon, nothing was in my “To do” folder. Or my “Write back” folder. Or even my “Sent” folder.

Gone.
Everything was gone.
I had inadvertently even emptied the “Trash.” Permanently.

(* Lesson: If you have a folder labeled “All mail,”
believe it: it may truly mean ALL mail. Duh.)

So I cried.

And I tweeted. I received sympathetic replies. I received needed prayers. I received wonderful advice (“cry, but not too long”).

When I lose things on accident (even by my own hand), how proportional is my grief to its worth?

I had to ask myself. Exactly why was I taking this so hard?

Well, because now I’d have friends wondering why I wasn’t responding to their e-mails. I’d not know who to report to for book reviews. Addresses, embedded details to projects, prayer requests—all would now slip through the cracks.

Don’t those things matter? Aren’t they worth crying about?

Yes.
And no.

Were my tears more about my idols toppling over than about how others were going to be affected?

My idol of efficiency was broken. My idol of organization, even of responsibility, had cracked. My reputation of being a “together” person might be tarnished (don’t laugh).

I had to face it:
I needed to repent.

I read Psalm 4, this week’s text for the Run to Him study. David was crying out in distress, too. (I’m guessing it wasn’t over lost e-mail.) He knew God would listen.

And then I read verse 7. Wham!

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
Psalm 4:7

My joy shouldn’t come from being efficient. Or from being organized. Or even from being responsible (although those are good things, and I can rightly get and give joy from those things, just like abounding grain and wine).

But my fullest joy can only be found in one place. A place not dependent on the memory of my hard drive or even in my faulty soft one.

My joy comes from God.
He places it in my heart. Not in a scheduling system. Certainly not in a computer.

So I wanted to offer a sacrifice of praise. What could I lay on the altar as an act of submission—of celebration!—honoring God’s control, not mine?

I knew.
E-mail folders.

I opened up my other e-mail account—the really bloated one. I knew immediately which folder needed to go. It was a superfluous one—one that served only my ego. I highlighted all. Then I hit delete.

But this time I didn’t cry.
It felt good. I felt joy.
In choosing to lose, I gained.

* * *

Later that night, I discovered that Christi, the daughter of one of my best friends, Kathy, had barely made it into the bathtub with her husband before a tornado ripped off their roof near Birmingham, Alabama.

They lost their home, but their faith was intact. Christi’s reply: Job 1:21.

And I had been crying over lost e-mail that very day? Really? I repented again. I’m still deleting folders.

What’s on your nightstand?—Jan ‘12

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:19:00 +0000

Well...I still haven’t finished the last three books on my Fall 2011 reading list. But so many great books keep jumping ahead in my stack. What can I do but read them?

Here’s what’s on my nightstand (or in my Kindle) for this month.

Just started

Doing Life Differently: The Art of Living with Imagination
by Luci Swindoll
I love the message. I love Luci Swindoll. But the book hasn’t captured me yet. Too rambling for my taste. Jenna and I started it as a read-aloud together, but she dropped out and I’m already heavily skimming (the final stage before I stop altogether).

The Shelter of God’s Promises
by Sheila Walsh
This is our new read-aloud. We’re both benefiting from Sheila’s thoughts on the promises of God, mixed in with her stories and infectious personality.

The Resignation of Eve: What If Adam’s Rib Is No Longer Willing to Be the Church’s Backbone?
by Jim Henderson
So far, he’s caught my attention. Henderson interviewed women at varying degrees of contentment with the involvement allowed at their church. I’ll keep reading to see where he goes with it next.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
by J. K. Rowling
This is it. The last book. I want to read quickly so I can see what happens, but I also want to go slowly so it won’t end.

Still reading

Red like Blood: Confrontations with Grace
by Joe Coffey and Bob Bevington
Stories from Coffeey and Bevington on where they’ve seen and been given grace. It strengthens my intentionality to be more open to my own confrontations with grace.

Finished from December’s nightstand

Practicing Affirmation: God-Centered Praise of Those Who Are Not God
by Sam Crabtree
Such a refreshing and encouraging book! I highly recommend it. Crabtree does an excellent job laying out why AND how to affirm others to the glory of God. (And he sticks so tightly to his topic; I love that in a book.)

Why It’s Hard to Love Jesus: Moving from Empty Routine to Passionate Reality
by Joseph M. Stowell
I’ll give you one of the reasons: because we underestimate how much we’ve been forgiven. Stowell contrasts Simon the Pharisee with the sinful woman in Luke 7. I’ll do a review soon.

Unfriend Yourself: Three Days to Detox, Discern, and Decide about Social Media
by Kyle Tennant
I disagree with some of what Tennant says, but I do agree that we need to be intentional about our use of social media. I picked this book up as a free Kindle download at just the right time to help me with rethinking my blogging schedule.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)
by J. K. Rowling
The bad thing about books in a series is you compare them to each other. So, I didn’t like this one as much as Book 5. However, the good thing is that it doesn’t really matter; I must keep reading now to see how it all ends.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking
by Susan Cain
Loved this one. If you’re not an introvert, odds are you live with one. This book confirms some things you probably already know, but it reframes (and explains) some things you probably don’t. I’ve sent out a few tweets from it already, and as soon as I can figure out how to sum it up, I’ll write a review.

Preparing for Jesus: Meditations on the Coming of Christ, Advent, Christmas and the Kingdom
by Walter Wangerin Jr.
Excellent little devotional. I read it during Advent. Wangerin has a way with words to prepare your heart for Jesus. The meditations begin on December 1 and go through Epiphany, January 6. I’ll pick it up again Dec. 1, 2012.

Divided We United: Practical Christian Unity
by Ed Cyzewski
Ed writes succinctly on why and how we can live out our unity that God has already given us. For a limited time you can download this eBook for free at Ed’s site. While you’re there, read his Women in Ministry series. He’s doing his part to actively pursue unity. (He’s graciously asked for my voice on February 24; I’m still chasing down my thoughts....)

* * *

What’s the last good book you have read?

The final word on unity—Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:17:00 +0000

If someone is good enough for God’s dwelling Spirit, then who am I say I’m too good, too right, or too “just” to have fellowship?

How could I ever think I have higher standards than God?
~ Ed Cyzewski, Divided We Unite

I’ve been on both sides of the divide.
• I didn’t disfellowship a brother whom others had labeled a heretic.
• And I tried to convert a sister who probably was already saved.

Jesus values unity. Enough that he prayed for it in his final hours before heading to the cross (John 17:23).

But what does unity mean?
It does NOT mean total agreement in theology.
It does NOT mean being more loyal to your church than you are to your God.
It does NOT mean proving you have the right answers instead of the right Savior.

Ed Cyzewski points that out in his new eBook, Divided We Unite. He also points out that unity DOES mean sharing a common center—Jesus Christ.

Yes. Please.

Christian unity does not come from our heads. Unity isn’t a list of bullet points. Unity comes from the life of God’s Spirit within us.

Our fights and divisions can’t undo the presence of God among his people.

If you and I are both in Christ, we already are united. Even if we don’t see it. Or act like it.

But He wants us to. It’s an important part of our witness to the world—of His divinity and of His love.

Living in unity does not rest on whether we can see enough of our own beliefs in one another but whether we can see enough of God's Spirit among the members of our Christian family.

Chapter 8 in Ed’s book is “The Most Important Chapter.” You’re reminded first of The Big Idea:

Christians are more united and divided than we often think. We cannot undo the unity that comes through God's Spirit, but we can let our divisions interfere with the work God's Spirit wants to do among us.

And then you’re given several Next Step Ideas.
Challenges like:

Pray for enemies and challenging people
Find the best representatives for your opponents
Share a meal with those from different perspectives
Learn to play with ideas
Research one church father
Minister with different Christians
Learn stories
Practice waiting
Keep serious disagreements private
When you are upset, ask yourself: “Why?”

What if we each chose at least one idea to follow through on this week? Would the world see more unity among believers? Would the Father’s name be honored more from seeing more of our love?

Just a few months ago I seized an opportunity to apologize to the Christian sister I had previously condemned to hell (at least in my mind) when we were younger because of our different denominations. She smiled. All had been forgiven long ago.

She knew we were already united, even way back then. It just took me longer to see it.

Now that I do, I’m humbled—and strengthened—by our unity.

Unity is an intentional and sometimes costly practice that demands all of the cross carrying and dying to ourselves that we can handle. We don’t create unity on our own. That’s God’s work.

However, we can remove the obstacles we set up and give grace to those in God’s family who hold to different beliefs. Our divisions are real, but God’s unifying Spirit shows us that the divides between us are not as wide as we imagine.

* * *

Which of the 10 suggestions might you try this week?

I highly recommend Ed’s eBook.
For a limited time it’s free on his website.
And only $0.99 at Amazon.

Five little babies…in the beginning

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

It’s about the babies this week.
Some good stuff. Some hard stuff. All God stuff.

Each child has a story already. Pray for each as you see fit.

1. Family baby

My niece Amanda and her husband Andrew made it Facebook official this week, so I can spread the news too that she’s pregnant! There are more arms than babies in our extended family, so we’re all eager for Alexander to get a cousin this August. And for us aunts to get another great-niece or nephew.

2. Michael Shust

The music of Aaron Shust (“To God Alone”, “Breathe in Me”) has blessed me for several years. With the birth of his third child last Friday—a sweet little boy surprising them with Down Syndrome—I’ve got a hunch his upcoming songs will be filled with even richer lyrics.

From Michael’s 5-yr-old brother, reporting to his class:

“My name is Daniel, I have a brand new brother. His name is Michael Aaron Shust. He is 5 years old (he meant days) and weighs 5 pounds. He has Down Syndrome which means he will smile a lot, laugh a lot, share his toys very easily and give lots of hugs. It also means his heart is very sick and will need surgery to fix it. He is my brother and I love him and I can't wait for him to come home.”

3. Lillie

My little baby friend Lillie and her beautiful mom Amber—spared last Sunday in a car wreck. Thank God.

4. Aselya’s son

Whisked away to heaven so soon on Wednesday.
Read more here.

5. Homeless babies

I don’t know these babies, but I know they exist. And that they’re important. We’re taking our teen girls’ class to our local homeless shelter this Sunday to drop off baby gifts (one baby is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit right now). The gifts will be distributed as needed.

* * *

Have any little ones impacted your world this week?

Where to go when you can’t get there

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:32:00 +0000

Oh, the bitter irony.

For there are times you cannot go.
You’re not even allowed to go.

Would you lift up my friend Aselya in prayer today?

A few years back, we and friends at church chose to help Aselya, an orphaned 16-year-old living at The Light House in Kazakhstan, a Christian home for 16-22 year olds without parental care and too old for state-supported care.

When I found out her birthday was November 13, the bond was instant. My Kali’s birthday. And death day.

We communicated through the years with the help of Christian brothers and sisters in Almaty, who graciously translated e-mails and letters and delivered packages.

Last spring Aselya married.
This March her first child was due.

Instead, he came yesterday.
And he died yesterday.

Aselya remains in the hospital but is not allowed visits from those outside her physical family. Her church family wants to go and comfort her, but they can’t.

Her husband buried their son today without her. (Kazakh tradition prohibited Aselya from attending.) He’s a new Christian; please pray for him, too.

Also per Kazakh tradition, they could not name this baby themselves.

My heart breaks. I can’t go to a hospital 6,000 miles away. And I wouldn’t be allowed in if I could get there.

But I can still go somewhere.

I will go to the Father.

Meet me there?

Requests:
1. The Lord will comfort Aselya and her husband.
2. The Lord will protect their faith in Him.
3. The Lord will strengthen their friends for support now and later.
4. The Lord will give me words as I write a letter to Aselya today.
5. The Lord will be praised for creating eternal life for this sweet baby boy.

* * *

Thank you, friends.

Just go

Just go

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

You never know what things God might bring to a day.
But you can know he wants one of those things to be you.

When we arrived at Kim’s house for our Sunday night small group study, the adults were huddled in the corner. They were listening in to Gerry’s phone conversation with our friend Amber. Minutes before—while driving to the study—her car had been hit by a truck. Her car with her beautiful baby Lillie inside.

Although injuries appeared minimal, they were being transported to the hospital by ambulance.

Cell phones started buzzing.
Texts were typed and sent.
Prayers ascended to the Father.

But what else?

Thankfully, I’m married to a goer. When in doubt, Jeff doesn’t sit and think about it—he goes.

It’s a habit I want to learn better.

Just go.
It’s what family does.
It goes.

It doesn’t just send a text.
It doesn’t just leave a message on a FB wall.
It doesn’t just send an e-mail.

It goes. In person. In body and soul.

So we went. To the emergency room. And before long, most of our Sunday night small group were also huddled there in the waiting room, taking turns visiting with Amber in her room (or in the hall—it was an overcrowded ER).

And awaiting our turn to get to hold Lillie, who had already been given the all-clear by the ER doctors and released. When my turn came, Lillie connected thumb to mouth, closed her little eyes, and shut out all the chaos.

I watched this baby I love sleep deep in my arms.
I listened to her tiny baby breaths.
And I thanked God for this outcome, and not another.

I was glad I had come.
The going had bred joy.

It was a holy moment.

Because when we go, God meets us there.
He’s family. It’s what He does.
It’s what I want to do, too.

Just go.

* * *

UPDATE:
Would you please pray for another sweet family
who did lose their baby this week? Thank you.

Sometimes it’s hard to know—when to stay home or when to go?

When have you been glad you showed up?

(Oh, and Amber got to go home that night with Lillie and her husband Adam. Bruised and sore, but very grateful.)

2012: My year to...

Why I quit blogging

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

(for a week)

A week ago Sunday night, I was complaining.

I was frustrated from looking around me and seeing piles of stuff. I was discouraged by too many projects to do in a competing amount of time.

I went to Jeff for help.
But I didn’t like his suggestion.

“Why not cut out blogging for a week?”

Blogging?
My spiritual outlet? My source of encouragement?
Are you serious???

He was serious.
And I was desperate enough to listen.

So I did it. I shut down writing for a week (except for this commitment and an archive re-post).

Was I happy about it?
No.

Even though I got more done around the house. And knocked out two projects. And got in bed earlier a few nights.

I missed you—your writings and encouragement and insights.
I missed me—I felt cut off from myself when I wasn’t writing.
And I missed my time of reflecting on God, with God, through words.

Why I’m starting back

So was it worth it?

Frankly, I’m not sure. I’m still processing the lessons.

I do know blogging can eat up as much time as I let it. Both in the writing and the reading.

And that’s not good.

So I’ll keep a better check on it. As is, I don’t have a set time for writing; I just grab snatches of time here and there. Maybe a more orderly schedule would help me weigh the worth versus the costs.

What I do know is this: God will provide all I need. He’s promised (Philippians 4:19).

If he wants me to have time for blogging (I hope he does; just being honest), he’ll provide it. I will seek his wisdom as I re-prioritize my schedule.

I’ll look for his answers. And reach for more faith to implement them.

Hopefully, without complaining.

* * *

Do you have a writing schedule for your blog? Have you intentionally taken a blogging break? What did you learn?

Can different be delightful?

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

“No. No. No.”

Amy is certain. She does not want to do it. Others are doing it. Laughing all the while. Having fun and feeling comfortable.

But not Amy.

It is different. Too different for her. She has never done it and it is scary. It is loud; it is unpredictable; it is so...not Amy.

So she stands back and watches. One after one, she sees her friends try it and enjoy.

“No. No. No.”

I ask her once more, thinking this time she will try it. But she stands her ground of refusal. I understand. I stop asking.

Then it happens. The idea of sitting on a balloon to pop it becomes less scary than not trying it.

So Amy says, “I want to.”

We quickly pull a pink balloon out of our plastic bag and hand it to Amy, a 40-something developmentally-disabled woman at Rainbow Omega. She takes it, lays it on the metal chair, and…

Pop!

She has tried different, and different is delightful.

She walks away, but I continue to see her standing there, at the moment of change, the moment she ventured out to different and popped it into delight.

I want to be like Amy.

     Lord, when it’s my turn to sit on the balloon, don’t give up asking me. Even when I say, “No. No. No.”
     Because in time, maybe I’ll work up courage to step away from my “no’s” and plop down on a noisy, unpredictable adventure of “different.”
     Even if it is challenging.
     Even if it is scary.
     Even if it is so...not me.
Delight my heart to say, “I want to venture out—with You.”

* * *

REVISED FROM THE ARCHIVES

2012: My year to…

Talk to God with His words

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:02:00 +0000

Use Spirit-inspired words for Spirit-filled prayers.Whose words?
We know God’s words are powerful. When He speaks, things happen (Psalm 33:9).

So what happens when we speak His words? Are things more likely to change if we pray His exact words?

Well, they’re not meant to be a magical “Abracadabra!” It’s only God’s power behind the words that make them work anyway.

But when we reflect His words back to Him through our prayer conversations, we are ensuring we’re in agreement with His will.

Jesus said if we abide in Him, and His words abide in us, we can ask whatever we wish, and it will be done for us (John 15:7).

Whose words? His words.

I’m not suggesting we forgo original prayers. God forbid. We need to talk things out using our own words with our heavenly Father just like we do in earthly relationships.

But we can effectively supplement those times by occasionally praying scripture.

How?
Try these four steps...

Read the rest at Do Not Depart

Lord,
Your word that goes out from Your mouth does not return to You empty. May it accomplish that which You purpose, and succeed in the thing for which You sent it.
~ Isaiah 55:11

* * *

Do you do pray with scripture? Have a favorite verse? A useful prayer book?

Be vulnerable

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Courageous love enables us to be vulnerable.
~ JOSEPH STOWELL

Maybe you wouldn’t have felt vulnerable.
But I did.

If this is my year to VENTURE, I must say yes more often.
To Him.
So I said it, “Sure, I’ll be a speaker.”

Our church was planning a workshop for teachers of adult classes. They needed volunteers for break-out sessions to share how they prepare lessons. I would be one.

It’s not that I mind such ventures. I enjoy the preparation. I benefit from increased praying. I even love the mental challenge of honing a lesson down to 30 minutes.

But the public speaking part?
That’s where God was calling me to be vulnerable.

I’m not particularly scared of it, but I know I’m not particularly good at it. And I don’t like publicly demonstrating something I can’t do well. (It’s one reason I gave up bowling.)

Yet if I truly believe that God can work through anybody—that He can speak a message through anybody—I need to believe He can do that through me, too.

So I did it. I made myself vulnerable. I gave my talk, cotton mouth and all. I exposed a weakness and felt humbled by my inadequacy in it.

But you know what? It was okay.
It’s okay to be vulnerable for a cause.
It’s okay to expose your weaknesses to those who love you.
Even if it hurts a little.

Love requires vulnerability. It requires doing when the doing is needed, not waiting until you’re fully capable.

If you get an opportunity to show love, take it. Even if you feel weak and inadequate and unskilled, choose love.

If exposing your weakness can reveal His strength (2 Corinthians 12:9-10), strip naked. Show Jesus.
You’ll get grace back.

I did.
My friends showed up for my lesson.
They listened; they participated; they were nice afterwards.

I was protected.

Be vulnerable. Take courage. For Love’s sake.

* * *

2012: My year to VENTURE

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:43:00 +0000

Congratulations to Stephani!

She won the Tony Dungy devotional book give-away, The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge!

“Just as I Am”—it’s the only way you can come

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 07:48:00 +0000

One beauty of the Christian faith is you don’t have to clean yourself up to come. Actually, you CAN’T clean yourself up before you come.

Either you allow Christ to clean you up, or you stay messy.

Just as you are. That’s how you’re to come.

This hymn is old.
This chorus is new.
This message is timeless.

Just as I Am
sung by Shaun Groves

Just as I am without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that thou bidst me come to Thee
Oh Lamb of God I come I come

Just as I am though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt
Fightings and fears within without
O Lamb of God I come I come

CHORUS:
O I come to the Son
Who can heal with His wounds
O I come to the Thief
Who has robbed every tomb
O I come to the Victor
My Life and my Love
O Lamb of God I come

Just as I am poor wretched blind
Sight riches healing of the mind
Yea all I need in Thee to find
O Lamb of God I come I come

CHORUS

Just as I am Thou will receive
Will welcome pardon cleanse relieve
Because Thy promise I believe
O Lamb of God I come I come

CHORUS

Hallelujah! God is with us!

CHORUS

* * *

A winter’s day in a new year

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Outside my window...28° and sunny

I am thinking...how inadequate I feel for a lesson I’m presenting tomorrow

I am thankful...He promises strength when I am weak (2 Corinthians 12:10)

I am wondering...how unbelievers handle weakness

In the kitchen...I’ll soon be making taco soup and a pound cake

I am wearing...grey sweats and a 22-year-old pink “Ski Sugar” sweatshirt (I bought it when I was pregnant with Morgan on a ski trip; yes, I still love it)

I am realizing...I should drop in for a visit soon with a nearby church

I am going...to Ruby Tuesday’s today with my niece Danielle visiting home from New York!

I am reading...not as much as I want this week (but started a new book nonetheless, The Resignation of Eve)

I am studying...Jesus and his relationship to women in the Bible and to women today

I am creating...Jenna’s report card for last semester

I am hoping...that the neurologist can give Jenna a new medicine next week that will eliminate her headaches

I am looking forward to...getting new progressive lenses so I can see better again

I am learning...the world won’t stop if I still have my Christmas tree up (yes, I do)

Around the house...I am missing Jeff who is off hunting ducks again (but I’m thankful he can text me from the duck blind)

I am pondering...a return trip to El Salvador this coming summer

A favorite quote of the week...“Grace—that is what the full life is full of.” Ann Voskamp

One of my favorite things...lunch with the family girls at Casa Blanca

Upcoming plans...soups at my sister’s tonight before all our college kids leave again; teachers’ workshop with my church on Saturday; 1st day of new class with the teen girls on Sunday

A favorite picture...happy with both my girls at Christmas (and if you look closely, my new Scrabble “L” necklace, a gift from Jenna)

* * *

What are you doing today?

the simple woman's daybook
...where every day is a blank page

Past Daybooks

My one word for 2012. Really, God?

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:22:00 +0000

One word for 2012.

I’m a little scared of it.

I should have seen it coming.
2010 was “Breathe.”
2011 was “Depend and Delight.”

I think God’s been working me up to it, even though I’ve yet to master the other themes.

This year?
“Venture.”

Isn’t that what should come after a year of learning to depend more on him, delighting in his ways?

Trusting more and worrying less should lead to a willingness to take more chances. Live more courageously. Step out more in faith.

So here goes. I can’t plan it out. I can’t even study it out.

I just have to live it out.

Where will he take me? Maybe more “out there.” Maybe not. I can’t go ahead of him and scope out the places I’ll end up.

I’ll just have to follow his lead.

It’s a new season.
Ready or not.
I’m venturing out.

     But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
     And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
     He said, “Come.”
     So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
Matthew 14:27-29

* * *

Have you chosen “one word” for 2012?

Apologies to all those who left sweet comments before 9 a.m. this morning, which have since disappeared.

I want this habit

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Why do some persons “find” God in a way that others do not?

…The differences lie not with God but with us.

…I venture to suggest that the one vital quality which they had in common was spiritual receptivity. Something in them was open to heaven, something which urged them Godward.

Without attempting anything like a profound analysis, I shall say simply that they had spiritual awareness and that they went on to cultivate it until it became the biggest thing in their lives.

They differed from the average person in that when they felt the inward longing they did something about it.

They acquired the lifelong habit of spiritual response.
~A. W. TOZER, The Pursuit of God

Spiritual receptivity.
Openness to heaven.

I want this.

In very little things.
In very much things.
Faithfully.

Habitually….

* * *

What habit are you working on—either making or breaking?

Book give-away—A one-year devotional

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Update, 1/7/12

Congratulations to Stephani!
You won the free book!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

I have a free copy to give away of Tony Dungy’s The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge.

~~If you’re interested, leave a comment below.~~
~~I’ll draw a winner Saturday.~~
Contest now closed.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
     No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.
PHILIPPIANS 3:13

     “Press on, move ahead. Forget what is behind—whether it’s good or bad, whether anything made any sense at all, yesterday is done and gone. That was one of the things I always tried to impress upon my teams. No matter what happened on Sunday—even if it was a devastating, last-second loss—by Monday night they had to let it go. Focusing on last week’s game would not help them prepare for the next one. …”

     Uncommon Key: Release your past by giving it to Him, and press on to reach the heavenly prize of being in His presence forever.

It’s a one-a-day devotional, one page each. It’s scripture. It’s stories from football coach Tony Dungy.

I started reading this last month. I’ve since decided to continue with it for 365 days. The devotionals are dated, but you can start in at any point.

I’ve also committed to the One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge. Regardless of when you start, you can jump in with the community also reading on that day.

If you miss a day, you’re encouraged to not sweat it. Just pick up on the current day so you can stay with the group and benefit from the encouragement of being on the same page.

Twitter #uncommonchallenge
Facebook Uncommon Challenge

I haven’t read Tony Dungy’s Uncommon, but I did read his Quiet Strength after his Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl. I was inspired by his faith and his character then. I’m glad to find it anew now on the pages of this devotional.

The book is organized into seven themes, one for each day of the week.

Core
Family
Friends
Potential
Mission
Influence
Faith

You don’t have to be a football fan (although I am) to enjoy the stories. Tony has a way of connecting his real life with his uncommon faith in a natural way that all can appreciate.

* * *

Thanks to Tyndale for the review copy
and for the copy to give away.

Arghh...Just noticed previous comments left prior to 3:30 p.m. on 1/3/12 disappeared.

Thankfully I kept ALL the comments in a separate file. So consider yourself still entered in the drawing even if you don’t see your comment below.

Give Him the old

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

I find, by experience, that, let me make resolutions, and do what I will, with never so many inventions, it is all nothing, and to no purpose at all, without the motions of the Spirit of God.
~ Jonathan Edwards

Kay and I decided in 2011 to start something new in 2012. Jenna and her friends are spurring us on. A new class. For teen girls.

Yesterday we looked at the classroom we’ll have. Um, think of your kitchen junk drawer, but room-sized.

The old needs to pass away so the new can come.

We pulled previous décor off the walls. We threw things in the trash. We made piles of bigger things to dispose of. (Anybody want some musty, mushy couches?)

A little bit of old was gone.

But what about the new? If new means different, can different mean recycled?

We needed a white board. We found an unused one in another classroom. Lamps? A room down the hall had one just waiting for us. Pictures? Jenna has several already that we can choose from.

Sometimes new comes straight from old.
The used-up converted to useful.
A regeneration of the exhausted.

What are you trashing from 2011? We all have some old that needs to pass away: bad habits, unwanted pounds, cluttered corners.

But what pieces can be redeemed? God is the master Redeemer. He can breathe new life into areas that you thought were dead.

Maybe a dream needs dusting off or a plan needs revamping or a relationship needs restoring. Now is the right time to hand it over to God.

He can do something with it.

Give him the old. He can make it new.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17

* * *

Did you make any New Year Resolutions? Renew any old ones?

DECEMBER 2011 Posts

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:59:00 +0000

5 things about pleasure (12/31)
5 things I learned about fear and worry (12/30)
Is your life a warm-up act? (12/28)
My 11 favorite books of 2011 (12/27)
‘Twas the Day after Christmas (12/26)
Artist in action—“The Birth of the King” (12/24)
What will you unwrap on Christmas? (12/23)
What I read in Fall 2011 (12/22)
Why your man might hate church (12/21)
He sees you when you’re sleeping (12/20)
“All In”—Book review (12/19)
What’s better than better? (12/18)
The Christmas Story (12/17)
Stack the stones—12 spiritual markers (12/16)
He comes, and I must sing (12/15)
Are you prepared? (12/14)
A give-away “The Faith of Leap” (and a review) (12/13)
Arrogance strikes again (12/12)
Go away or go deep? (12/11)
“Christmas Offering” (12/10)
“Unveiling the Kings of Israel”—Book review (12/9)
5 reasons to not give up (12/9)
Believe better, worry less (12/8)
Is it okay to be needy? (12/7)
A day in December (12/6)
Fear is bossy (12/5)
“Speak O Lord” (12/3)
Friday’s Fave Five # 122 (12/2)
Every year needs a story (12/1)

5 things about pleasure

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 07:09:00 +0000

The true dimensions of a soul are seen in its delights.
~ John Piper

...And do not be grieved,
for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10

While I spent 2011 learning to depend more on God, I also was learning to delight more in Him.

Why?

Because if Christians—the very ones who’ve been granted abundant life already—can’t live in true joy, why would anyone want to become one?

That doesn’t mean we won’t have sorrows and pains. But underneath it all, we’ve been gifted to live life with a depth of pleasure unknown to those without the Spirit.

Here are five things I learned about delight:

1. Delight in Jesus
God’s first and highest pleasure is in his Son, so mine should be, too. I looked hard at scriptures that show where God finds delight, and decided I should find delight in the same places. God was most pleased with Jesus, so my delight should center there as well.

By my deepest pleasure being in him, I always have my greatest delight with me, regardless of what is going on around me.

2. He wants me to enjoy
When I take pleasure in what God gives me, it brings him pleasure, too. I honor the giver when I enjoy the gift.

Don’t we want our kids to enjoy the presents we give them? Of course; we take after our Father. So enjoy what he gives you.

3. Make pleasure work for you
God’s gifts are protection, refreshing you to keep you strong. Enjoy them responsibly within his boundaries. Let them lead you to God, not away from him.

We’re too weak to live without pleasures. God knows this; ask him for the right pleasures that will keep you satisfied in him. To borrow from Lewis’s Screwtape, God created pleasure, not Satan. Satan has to twist it before it’s useful to him.

4. Find pleasure in others
Don’t wait for others to be perfect before you enjoy being with them. Let your family know they’re a source of your joy—even with their faults.

And strive to become a source of joy to them—even with your faults.

5. Go for the best
Because we’re surrounded by multiple opportunities for pleasures, be picky to delight yourself in the best, godly ones.

Don’t fill up on junk pleasures with little value or godliness. Cultivate a strong appetite to enjoy what God designed you to enjoy.

Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

* * *

Related:

Books I used to study delight in 2011:

The Pleasures of God by John Piper
Pure Pleasure by Gary Thomas
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Spiritual Depression by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

5 things I learned about fear and worry

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

For God gave us a spirit not of fear
but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7

I know I worry too much. So I prayed and studied extra hard in 2011. And asked for transformation.

I named it my “Year of Depend and Delight”, a year to intentionally experience more dependence on God.

Did it work?

I’m still prone to worry, but I worry less.
I’m still sensitive to fear, but I’m learning to step out more anyway.

So while I’m still on the journey with Him, I’m making progress in the right direction.

Here are five lessons that I learned this year about Depending on God (tomorrow, five lessons on Delighting):

1. It’s what you fear
Fear isn’t wrong. It’s what you fear that matters.

Not fearing God is the root of all sin. Sinful fear originates with too high a view of man and too small a view of God. Fearing man more than fearing God is an insult to Him and distracts you from your real purpose: glorifying God.

2. Trade worry for faith
The most valuable thing you can ever lose is your belief in God. Fight to keep faith—seeking God above all—and let everything else fall second.

Develop satisfaction in God above satisfaction in anything else, including your physical safety, your lifestyle, even your family.

3. To be brave, know God
It’s okay to doubt yourself; just don’t doubt God. You don’t need more power; you need to believe more in the power you already have—the Spirit in you.

The right response to worries and fear? Think less about who you are in the flesh; remember more who God is in your spirit.

4. Humility is a grace magnet
The more you depend on God, the more you see his grace in your past. And the more you see his grace in your past, the more you’ll trust his grace for your future.

Kill pride; birth humility. Open yourself to grace.

5. Pray more
Strong Christians pray a lot. Not because they’re extra self-disciplined (though they may be gifted with that), but because they’re poor in spirit, knowing that nothing is more valuable than living in awe of the King.

Pray for more faith in God’s promises; pray for more purpose in God’s kingdom; pray for more love for God Himself. Each will lead to less fear and worry, and more hope and love.

In the end, I discovered it’s about love. Isn’t it always? Who would I risk the most for, go out on a limb for, give my life in exchange for? The ones I love the most.

May we each depend more and more on the Lord.
And may we grow more and more to love Him the most.

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Romans 8:15

* * *

Books I used to study dependence in 2011:

Future Grace by John Piper
A Praying Life by Paul Miller
The Fear Factor by Wayne Mack and Joshua Mack
Humility by Andrew Murray
Humility by C. J. Mahaney
Anxious for Nothing by John MacArthur

How have you learned to worry less and depend more?

Is your life a warm-up act?

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa notes...) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Sometimes the warm-up bands are hot.

When we saw Shane and Shane this October, their opening act was a band called Freely. Its lead singer Sam was as good as any singer I’ve heard.

The opening act for Toby Mac in December was Jamie Grace. She was so good that Jenna asked for her CD for a Christmas gift instead of Toby Mac’s CD. (I’m glad she did; we’re all enjoying it.)

But is my life now just a warm-up act for heaven?

Are the things I do now just getting me in the habit for what I’ll be doing later? Prepping me for the real show yet to come?

I think not.

My eternal life has already begun.
My worship of God matters. Now.

While I know heaven will be even grander, my worship of Jesus now isn’t merely to warm me up for later. It’s the real deal here, too.

The habits I establish now—praising, talking to God, being awestruck at his holiness—aren’t simply shadows of things to come. They are solid.

I want worship of God engrained in me.
Not as a supporting act before the real concert begins.
But as the headliner now.

* * *