From the time I joined marching band, memorial day has had a certain significance in my life. I didn't appreciate what it stood for until I was older. When I was younger, it was just a parade to march in and play patriotic songs for the ceremony. But now, I'm deeply grateful for those who served in the past and currently serve in our military. While freedom looks differently today than it did even twenty years ago, while you may have various opinions on our government, men and women laid down their lives for our country and for your protection. I am so thankful for their sacrifice and I continue to be thankful for the men and women who are currently serving. And a very special thank you to my brothers, Dan & Joe, and my cousin, Dave. Take time to thank those who serve.
Saturday, May 25
Thursday, May 23
Be Content
It used to be that if I didn't have a few hundred dollars extra in the bank, I felt like I didn't have much. Then God started taking me on an incredible journey of faith. And one day, after not having any spare cash, someone bought me a soda. Not only did they buy it for me, but they told me they were bringing it to me whether I liked it or not, so I should just pick which kind I wanted. I was blown away.
The thing is, a year ago, a soda wasn't a big deal. (Especially because I worked at a place that gave me a free drink per shift.) I was never like, "Hmmm...I wonder if I can afford a soda." I wouldn't say I was rich, by any means. I had more than enough money to live and have some fun. But I look at what I was making a year ago, and what I might make in a good month now and am like, "Where did I put all that extra money????" If I had that much now, I'd think I WAS RICH. But, I'll tell ya what, not having much money has made me start to realize what is important and what's not. And I feel blessed to have a special drink or a good meal. And I've seen God's provision and faithfulness OVER and OVER again.
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)-> "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
The thing is, a year ago, a soda wasn't a big deal. (Especially because I worked at a place that gave me a free drink per shift.) I was never like, "Hmmm...I wonder if I can afford a soda." I wouldn't say I was rich, by any means. I had more than enough money to live and have some fun. But I look at what I was making a year ago, and what I might make in a good month now and am like, "Where did I put all that extra money????" If I had that much now, I'd think I WAS RICH. But, I'll tell ya what, not having much money has made me start to realize what is important and what's not. And I feel blessed to have a special drink or a good meal. And I've seen God's provision and faithfulness OVER and OVER again.
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)-> "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Sunday, May 19
Remembering Martha Waite
"Every now and then you get the privilege of meeting someone who makes your life a better place. I am so honored and blessed to have known Martha. It was only for a few months, but who she was inspired me to love more deeply and care about others more deeply. She truly represented putting others above herself. She was one of the sweetest people I have ever met. I will miss her smiling face and her caring ways. Thank you, Jesus, for allowing us to connect. While my heart is sad, it is feeling so blessed to have known such an amazing woman."
That was my Facebook status the day I found out Martha had passed away. My house-mate and I were introduced to Martha through a friend of ours. We met her while she was in a very weak state of her life (physically). But I was just amazed at how she was just so sweet to us and the people around her. In a time where her body was so drained all the time, she kept giving of herself. From what I saw and knew of her, she was more concerned with how others were doing and caring about them, than her own personal troubles. She inspired me to love deeply. Not the cheesy, worthless love in some movies and such, but LOVE-putting others above yourself, really caring about people, loving when things aren't easy, loving when life is hard, being humble, always being full of hope.
While I wouldn't say that I knew Martha WELL, I think I got to know her a lot faster than I normally do with people because I spent a lot of time in her home. And while my heart still has an ache that she is gone, I am honestly so glad that we connected. It's not often you meet people that truly love. And her example of loving, even her weakest state....well...I pray that I remember that and continue to live out my life DEEPLY LOVING OTHERS, just like Jesus.
While I wouldn't say that I knew Martha WELL, I think I got to know her a lot faster than I normally do with people because I spent a lot of time in her home. And while my heart still has an ache that she is gone, I am honestly so glad that we connected. It's not often you meet people that truly love. And her example of loving, even her weakest state....well...I pray that I remember that and continue to live out my life DEEPLY LOVING OTHERS, just like Jesus.
Saturday, May 4
Move
"You can't hear God when you're rooted in what you own and where you're at. (He can't speak to you about moving if you're not willing to move.)" -Dad
My Dad is a very wise man. I'm blessed to have him as a father and a spiritual input into my life. We had been talking about how we both know know people who have been just packing their whole lives up and moving hours away just because they feel like God called them to do it. Anyway, what he said really got me thinking. I wonder how many of us just stay put because we're so settled in what we have and where we live.
My house-mate and I have also been talking about Abraham and Sarah: what God called them to do and their faith. I don't think they did everything right, by any means, but they took some huge risks.
Hebrews 11:8-12 (NIV) By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him ofa the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
What is God asking you to do? Maybe it's time to do something outrageous. :)
My Dad is a very wise man. I'm blessed to have him as a father and a spiritual input into my life. We had been talking about how we both know know people who have been just packing their whole lives up and moving hours away just because they feel like God called them to do it. Anyway, what he said really got me thinking. I wonder how many of us just stay put because we're so settled in what we have and where we live.
My house-mate and I have also been talking about Abraham and Sarah: what God called them to do and their faith. I don't think they did everything right, by any means, but they took some huge risks.
Hebrews 11:8-12 (NIV) By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him ofa the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
What is God asking you to do? Maybe it's time to do something outrageous. :)
Sunday, April 28
Perspective
I've had a few conversations with people in the past week about HOW we look at our lives. Our lives can seem really grim to us, but to others looking at our lives, things don't really look that bad. Many times we only need one or two things to change for us to have a completely different outlook. We just get so caught up focusing on the things that are wrong/not going the way we want, that we lose sight of the bigger picture. And, most of the time, I think the bigger picture is that the majority of things are okay.
I don't want this to be a long post. It's just something I've been thinking about and talking with others about. Maybe, sometimes, we just need a fresh perspective. Maybe we need some input from some trusted friends or family. Maybe we just need to see God's heart for us and our situations.
Thoughts?
I don't want this to be a long post. It's just something I've been thinking about and talking with others about. Maybe, sometimes, we just need a fresh perspective. Maybe we need some input from some trusted friends or family. Maybe we just need to see God's heart for us and our situations.
Thoughts?
Wednesday, April 17
Faith involves trust
Walking by faith involves a GREAT MEASURE of trust in the Lord. And I think COMPLETELY walking by faith would involve COMPLETELY trusting Him. I think it has always been encouraging to hear stories of great faith. They inspire me to want to step out and trust God and see what happens. I don't think I'll always get it right, but I think His grace can cover where I err. And I think He sees the heart.
I've been typing up some old sermon notes in my spare time (to get rid of a box full of notebooks taking up space, but that's another story). I went to school with a guy named Dean Gootee. My junior year he did a sermon about trusting the Lord. One thing I found profound when I was typing up these notes was when he said, "When we forget what He's done, we don't trust Him." He also said, "Thank Him for what He’s done in the past because when we remember His character, we trust Him." And I think that's it. When we forget God's faithfulness in our lives, we stop trusting Him. When we look at our circumstances instead of WHO HE IS, we stop trusting. But God's faithfulness is not dependent upon our circumstances. He DOES NOT CHANGE with each issue and problem.
My challenge to you: 1) remind yourself of how God has been faithful in your own life 2) share your stories with others to encourage them 3) listen to others' stories\ask them to share how they have seen God's faithfulness in their lives
I've been typing up some old sermon notes in my spare time (to get rid of a box full of notebooks taking up space, but that's another story). I went to school with a guy named Dean Gootee. My junior year he did a sermon about trusting the Lord. One thing I found profound when I was typing up these notes was when he said, "When we forget what He's done, we don't trust Him." He also said, "Thank Him for what He’s done in the past because when we remember His character, we trust Him." And I think that's it. When we forget God's faithfulness in our lives, we stop trusting Him. When we look at our circumstances instead of WHO HE IS, we stop trusting. But God's faithfulness is not dependent upon our circumstances. He DOES NOT CHANGE with each issue and problem.
My challenge to you: 1) remind yourself of how God has been faithful in your own life 2) share your stories with others to encourage them 3) listen to others' stories\ask them to share how they have seen God's faithfulness in their lives
Friday, April 12
Living in Lancaster County
Continuing on with my story since moving.
People told me that it took a lot of faith for me to move, but God built my faith even more after I moved. I had created a buffer (as much as I could) to hold me over until I got another job. Then I started feeling like God was telling me to hold off on job applications. Crazy. Then I started feeling to give money away from the buffer I had created. So my buffer ran out much sooner than I'd expected. And God just started providing for me. He used the time in the fall\early winter to teach me, draw me even closer to Him, build my faith even more, and to spend time praying for people. He really taught me about receiving. I've always been a giver. It was really hard for me to receive anything from people, and in turn, receive anything from the Lord. It was a crazy four months, but INCREDIBLE! In the midst of that, He provided EVERYTHING I needed and more. I could tell you story after story of how He provided from the smallest things to my rent, bills, gas money, and financial commitments.
At the end of December, I headed back home from spending a week and a half with my family for Christmas. As I was driving, a ball joint blew on my car. Thanks be to Jesus that I was only going like 15 mph getting off an exit and was just able to pull over without hassle. My AAA ran out the next day, but I was able to get my car towed to a shop near my house that night. When I heard back from the garage, they estimated it would be like $830 to fix my car. I told them since the car was only worth $850, I wouldn't be fixing it, and ended up junking my car.
God has taught me a lot about just trusting Him. PERIOD. My mind tends to wander to how things will get paid, etc, but He has continually taken care of me. He is FAITHFUL.
p.s. I didn't want to make a huge blog, but if you want to hear cool stories, get a hold of me. :)
People told me that it took a lot of faith for me to move, but God built my faith even more after I moved. I had created a buffer (as much as I could) to hold me over until I got another job. Then I started feeling like God was telling me to hold off on job applications. Crazy. Then I started feeling to give money away from the buffer I had created. So my buffer ran out much sooner than I'd expected. And God just started providing for me. He used the time in the fall\early winter to teach me, draw me even closer to Him, build my faith even more, and to spend time praying for people. He really taught me about receiving. I've always been a giver. It was really hard for me to receive anything from people, and in turn, receive anything from the Lord. It was a crazy four months, but INCREDIBLE! In the midst of that, He provided EVERYTHING I needed and more. I could tell you story after story of how He provided from the smallest things to my rent, bills, gas money, and financial commitments.
At the end of December, I headed back home from spending a week and a half with my family for Christmas. As I was driving, a ball joint blew on my car. Thanks be to Jesus that I was only going like 15 mph getting off an exit and was just able to pull over without hassle. My AAA ran out the next day, but I was able to get my car towed to a shop near my house that night. When I heard back from the garage, they estimated it would be like $830 to fix my car. I told them since the car was only worth $850, I wouldn't be fixing it, and ended up junking my car.
God has taught me a lot about just trusting Him. PERIOD. My mind tends to wander to how things will get paid, etc, but He has continually taken care of me. He is FAITHFUL.
p.s. I didn't want to make a huge blog, but if you want to hear cool stories, get a hold of me. :)
Tuesday, April 9
Moving to Lancaster County
Almost a year ago, my life changed quite a bit. I haven't blogged for about a year now, but I thought it would be fun to share my story for anyone who doesn't know it and try to start blogging again. I kind of miss blogging and a friend of mine suggested for me to start writing again. :0)
Tuesday, May 22, 2012-> Felt like God asked me to empty out my savings account and give it away. It wasn't a ton of money, but enough to help out in an emergency, etc. To sum it up, I felt God confirmed what I was feeling in a few various ways and I went ahead with it.
Thursday, May 24, 2012-> I wrote in my journal that a friend of mine had jokingly mentioned that I should move to Lancaster County and I had been rolling the idea around in my head. I realized that I didn't have much to lose my moving. (Sure, some friends and family, but I was single and had been feeling my time at my current job was coming to an end.) In the midst of writing in my journal, I got a STRONG impression that I was to call my friend (Jen Henson). She basically told me she was looking for a housemate. I felt like God was telling me "go" and "just go for it." I felt a total peace about it. (My logical side started rolling through all the details of moving in my head, but I felt like God was telling me to just trust Him.) I then wondered what Jen's parents would think about the idea of me living at their house.
Saturday, May 26,2012-> Emptied out my savings account, except for $50 to keep it open. Biggest check I've ever written.
Wednesday, May 30,2012-> Talked with Jen about how her parents felt about me moving down and she told me her parents had basically looked at each other and said "I think Lisa should move in with Jen." "Yeah, me too" and that was that.
About a week later, I made the commitment to move and told Jen I was coming for sure.
Throughout the summer, things happened that started to challenge my faith and my trust in the Lord. My car had some issues and I began to question if I really BELIEVED that God was good and if I really trusted Him. But I learned, really learned, that He is GOOD. He was building my trust in Him. And He is FAITHFUL.
To sum it up, I had decided to wait until the fall to move so I could build up a buffer. With the car issues over the summer, it was hard for me to save much of a buffer. But by the time I moved to Lancaster County, God had given me back more than I had given out of my savings. And that was ON TOP of my paychecks! Did I mention He is FAITHFUL? :0)
To be continued....
Tuesday, May 22, 2012-> Felt like God asked me to empty out my savings account and give it away. It wasn't a ton of money, but enough to help out in an emergency, etc. To sum it up, I felt God confirmed what I was feeling in a few various ways and I went ahead with it.
Thursday, May 24, 2012-> I wrote in my journal that a friend of mine had jokingly mentioned that I should move to Lancaster County and I had been rolling the idea around in my head. I realized that I didn't have much to lose my moving. (Sure, some friends and family, but I was single and had been feeling my time at my current job was coming to an end.) In the midst of writing in my journal, I got a STRONG impression that I was to call my friend (Jen Henson). She basically told me she was looking for a housemate. I felt like God was telling me "go" and "just go for it." I felt a total peace about it. (My logical side started rolling through all the details of moving in my head, but I felt like God was telling me to just trust Him.) I then wondered what Jen's parents would think about the idea of me living at their house.
Saturday, May 26,2012-> Emptied out my savings account, except for $50 to keep it open. Biggest check I've ever written.
Wednesday, May 30,2012-> Talked with Jen about how her parents felt about me moving down and she told me her parents had basically looked at each other and said "I think Lisa should move in with Jen." "Yeah, me too" and that was that.
About a week later, I made the commitment to move and told Jen I was coming for sure.
Throughout the summer, things happened that started to challenge my faith and my trust in the Lord. My car had some issues and I began to question if I really BELIEVED that God was good and if I really trusted Him. But I learned, really learned, that He is GOOD. He was building my trust in Him. And He is FAITHFUL.
To sum it up, I had decided to wait until the fall to move so I could build up a buffer. With the car issues over the summer, it was hard for me to save much of a buffer. But by the time I moved to Lancaster County, God had given me back more than I had given out of my savings. And that was ON TOP of my paychecks! Did I mention He is FAITHFUL? :0)
To be continued....
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)