notes from lisa...

"It's not my responsibility, you do it!" "No, I'm not going to do it, you should do it!" Sound familiar??? Think I'm talking about some teenagers--maybe your own, fighting over the dishes, or cleaning up the family room? Well, no, I'm not. I'm actually referring to the bigger mess we find our society in--the shoving match between the church and government, in America. It's what happens when apathy upstages compassion. "The Footprints of satan " by Max Lucado "Once He was approached by a leper, who knelt before Him begging His help. 'If only You will,' said the man, 'You can cleanse me.' In warm indignation Jesus stretched out His hand, and touched him. (Mark 1:40-41, NEB) I was a victim in an emergency room late one night last week. Victims of satan filled the halls. A child? Puffy, swollen eyes. Beaten by her father. A woman? Bruised cheeks, bloody nose. 'My boyfriend got drunk and hit me,' she said, we...

We live in an evil day . The times are treacherous. Our streets are dangerous. Not just where wars are happening, but outside of our homes-- no matter where you live , danger lurks. There are guns, illegal and legal drugs (used in illegal ways), unimaginable violence, serial killers--and most of them aren't bred in the inner city (for those who think safety is in the suburbs or the gated community). We are in the last of the last days, and true to the Word of God, mens hearts have "waxed worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived". Think, only of this past week's news report in the nation. The nation's capital, your city, our nation at war in Iraq and Afghanistan--when you think of these things, you must acknowledge that our world is full of evil and wickedness, but short on love . The Scripture in Nehemiah, has been on my mind, much of this week--not so much (in regard) to save the world, but for those of us who profess Christ. We who are called by Hi...

"RETHINK CHURCH". I had to put that in quotes, because I borrowed that statement from the United Methodist Church commercial, I just viewed. I think they have a point. It is time to "rethink church"! Church, as we know it, is not accomplishing the goals that Christ would have it. It isn't working like the New Testament model. Souls aren't being won--like they once were. people aren't being healed or raised from the dead in our churches. Of course, some would argue, that it isn't for this day--but tell me, what was the cut off date? We are in the same dispensation--Grace, right? So, what changed??? I would surmise, that our problem is relational, in nature--with God, and even more so, with others. Of course, if we have problems with others--our relationship with God becomes fractured, too, soooo.... What can we do about this? The Scriptures give us very clear directions about how we should relate to one another. How to have good and prosperous relati...

And the Lord said unto him, "Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter, but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness . Ye fools! Did not He that made that which is without, make that which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and behold, all things are clean unto you. "But woe unto you, Pharisees! For ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God. These ought ye to have done, and not left the other undone. Woe unto you, Pharisees! For ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues and greetings in the markets. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! For ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them." Then answered one of the lawyers and said unto Him, "Master, thus saying, thou reproachest us also." And He said, "Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! For ye laden men with burdens gri...

Recently, I was sharing with a friend. He sent me a note that asked the question, "Why would people leave churches that teach the Truth, only to go to churches that don't 'have the fulness of the Gospel' or to Islam, etc." Those who responded, thought the idea was absolutely ridiculous--and frankly, I do, too. The difference between myself and those who responded was, I understand HOW it happens. Not only do I understand HOW it happens, but I don't blame those who leave--at least, not entirely. I admit, there are people who leave churches for silly, immature reasons. Sure, some people will never grasp the importance of learning that "staying and praying" through most difficulties builds spiritual character. True, some folks are going to run from church to church every time things don't go their way--it happens. These are not the people I am referring to, though. In fact, those who leave aren't the focus, here. Why are the doors of our churche...

One of the most frequently quoted passages of Scripture is, you guessed it! 1 Corinthians 13th Chapter--we hear it at weddings, people write in books--Christian and non-Christian, it sounds lovely, doesn't it? It really does--Charity--or in our everyday, English language, Love. That's the subject of the chapter. There's a problem though. As beautiful as it sounds, many of us seem to miss the real crux of the message. For instance, those first two verses are a slap in the face for many--if honest. Listen to this translation from the Amplified Bible: "If I can speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a NOISY GONG or a CLANGING CYMBAL. And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so ...

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him . For ALL that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world . And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof : but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John 2:15-17 (KJV) The Amplified Bible states it this way:"Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-- the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things]--these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires...