notes from lisa...

Building Bigger Barns Today, our society is shaken to its roots. It seems as if everybody is overwhelmed with talk of the recession and possible depression. The economy is the constant headline, each new day. Even the church is caught up in the fear of financial crisis. Conversations everywhere turn to where to place your money to keep it "safe", how to save your home and belongings from foreclosure and repossession. Barns. Yes, barns. Jesus spoke to us of these things, in the parable about "the barns". Jesus said, "a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth". It seems as if our lives--or the value of our lives are totally determined by the "things", in this day. I'm not exactly sure of all of the factors that brought us to this condition--and in fact, I believe the factors are many, and vary from person to person. What is important, though, is that we begin to refocus on what is truly impo

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (21st Century KJV) I am a "fan" of Dr. Phil (McGraw, that is). Occasionally, I get to watch his program; and see the celebrity psychologist, as he counsels. The thing that I like about him, and his brand of psychology is that, most of the time, it's just good old common sense. Now, there are times, that I don't agree with him--but there is one phrase he often uses, that I think we ALL could ask ourselves, in times of conflict. Many times, he will have people on that are at each other's throats, for one reason or another--and they will bicker back and forth (as they, undoubtedly, have been before they arrived on his stage, too!). After they go on for awhile, he will ask them a pointed question. "How's that working for you?", he will say. It seems obvious--and it is; if their way was working, they wouldn't be sitting in front of the doctor, wou

Thursday, July 9, 2009 Lately, I've noticed that a lot of accusations are being hurled, all over the place! At friends, loved ones, at me, at President Obama, the previous administration, the media, fallen minister's, minister's who haven't fallen, but because they aren't poor, you name it--accusations abound! What I don't see much of, is forgiveness or mercy. That's a problem. You see, accusations, don't bring solutions. Forgiveness and mercy--they solve and heal a multitude of errors. There is so much finger pointing. A lot of it comes from those of us who SHOULD know better--the Body of Christ. We should have learned better, in Sunday School--Card Class (as tots), in fact; hearing about the Pharisee's, accusing Jesus, that NO good can come of it. Yet, we get caught up in it, day after day, and we justify it, by saying that "God demands holiness and righteousness!!!" He sure does! Yes, HE does--but who are WE! It reminds me of th