notes from lisa...

Most of us are familiar with the evils of the system of Apartheid that existed in South Africa for many years. Even today, many experience the aftershocks of that wicked and damnable system. Under Apartheid, only European whites were completely free, in South Africa. Indians, no matter what their education and accomplishments could not travel freely without "papers" and were still subject to harrassment. Blacks suffered far more--being even darker. They were forced to live in crowded townships, only allowed to leave to work for the European whites (who couldn't survive without their labors). When they began to demand their rights as citizens, they were beaten, jailed and brutally murdered--sound familiar? These evils aren't limited to people of color either--remember Adolph Hitler? He was so fixated on creating the "perfect" race of blond-haired, blue-eyed people with no "imperfections". They should all have a particular nose and jaw line, and ...

It has been oft said that, "the most segregated time of the week is Sunday morning". What an awful indictment, for those of us who call ourselves Christians--for Christ, prayed for us to be one even as He and the Father are One (Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are John 17:11 ). In 2009, a year in which we have made some great strides, we still have some very great hurdles ahead of us. Some may think there is nothing wrong with the fact that most african-americans and caucasians still worship, separately. They attribute the separation to differences in styles of worship, preaching and church management. Well, how can we ever be one, if we cannot find commonality in worship and come together under the banner of Christian love. If we cannot accomplish this, it's as if we give credence to those racist groups who came before us who forced us to worship separately. If we worship together, we remove so much...

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 important and place the "barn...

I read this profoundly true phrase in a historical novel, by Christian author, Tommy Tenney. It was the story of Hadassah (Hebrew name)--or Queen Esther of Persia, as most of us regard her.When I read the phrase, it struck me. I thought, how true! We want the glory of our destiny, but no part of the process --often treacherous, that will get us there. Faith, however, requires some sacrifice, some trial, some work (James 2:20).I began to think back over my own life and my desire to get the prize, but always trying to avoid the battle wounds--only to find myself back at the starting point, again and again. It was only after I made a decisive choice to submit my will to God, in the process of being molded, did I find the peace that I so desperately sought. When I stopped "kicking against the pricks", I found joy, in spite of difficult circumstances. Not only Hadassah recognized that where danger lurks, destiny beckons. The Word of God is full of hosts of characters that learned ...

Oh, that Fire, that Tongue, that Tongue... In this day, we are pretty consumed with our bodies; we are very health and beauty-concious. We want very much to prolong our lives from the physical perspective and to look our best while we're at it. It isn't a bad thing at all, to have these pursuits, since the Bible declares that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit--and we should give them great care. There must be a prioritizing of things, however; our physical bodies are not first on God's list, but at the top of His list: that our "soul should prosper". The Scripture in Psalm 34, provides the formula for living a long and peaceful life. What must we do? First: KEEP THY TONGUE FROM EVIL! That is striking! It is striking because, on the surface, it doesn't seem like such a big thing--in terms of prolonging life! Also, because often it seems as if this is the very thing we neglect to give care to, the most! We allow our tongues to say whatever they wil...

Note: This is repeated from last year. I will be taking time from  Notes from Lisa...  to focus on other writing and ministry. I solicit your prayers and hope you haven't read all of these--and even if you have, that they will bless you, anew!:) Thanks for your support and prayers!!! The next time you have the urge to write someone off, because, they have fallen short; Or, perhaps yourself (or someone else wants to dismiss you, as worthless), I suggest you read Matthew 1:1-17. It is a listing of the lineage of Jesus Christ. It is chock-full of folks that many of us would quickly label "Failure!" Ruth, who was King David's grandmother was a Moabitess--she was raised by, and among pagans--idol worshipper's--and enemies of Israel; but God chose Ruth and changed her identity. The KING, David, was a murderer and adulterer--but God chose him, and gave him the label: "man after God's own heart". Understand, though, God didn't dismiss his sin--or our...

As I was reading in John, 1st chapter today. I got to verse 13, "Which were born not of blood , nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God". At first glance, it could seem contradictory to say "born not of blood"; after all, it is the precious blood of Jesus, that has made redemption possible. The answer is in the Book of Hebrews, this "blood" is the blood of "bulls and goats". You see, in Jesus' day, the Israelites still relied on offerings of animals to cover their sins. The Law, was all that they knew--(in fact, when Jesus came [in humanity] they didn't recognize Him as the long-awaited Messiah. They thought He was simply the carpenter's son from Nazareth--just another ordinary son of Mary and Joseph. Even though they couldn't explain the miracle of His authoritative teaching in the synagogue, they dismissed Him, as just the carpenter's son. In their dismissal--and rejection, they missed their great...