Saturday, December 3, 2011

Preparing for Christmas - Version 2.0

I find myself giggling with excitement over the statement I posted last year when I suggested getting the book I was currently taking you through,
"You may use it every year."
I had been using it every year since I purchased it and here we are again, preparing for Christmas and going through the book. Please get it for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

Don't know what I'm talking about?

Here. Follow this link and let's walk together: Preparing for Christmas - Why the Nativity?

Friday, December 2, 2011

Preparing for Christmas - Version 2.0

As I said yesterday, this is not a new story and I'm inviting you to take this journey with me again this year.

Ready,
Set,
GO!

(click link below)
Preparing for Christmas - Why the Nativity?

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Christmas 2011 - Why the Nativity?

It's a new year, but the story remains the same. Let's revisit this. Shall we?
Follow this link. The journey waits:
Preparing for Christmas


Friday, September 30, 2011

[face...palm]

Warning:  This is definitely not going to be one of my most creative pieces.

I saw my last post was written in May. I refuse to read it just yet because I shudder to think what I may have written because I was still in the throws of being very ill. One thing is for sure, it must have been something I was passionate about in order to get me online and actually remember my email and password.

Yikes.

So here I am again. Finally.  However, this time my mind is actually "awake" and I know where the letters are on the keyboard.  Oh yeah, and I can see the screen without feeling like the room is spinning.

Good start.

Anyway. The reason I'm here is because last night as my husband and I where watching TV, there it was again. In plain view. For all the world to see. A christian.  And of course, regardless of this man's sincere beliefs, he was made out to be slightly above crazy and paranoid.

[face...palm]

We've all done it haven't we? Not the crazy part. I was born that way. (Thank you Lady GaGa)

The [face...palm] thingy.

You know it. You see or hear something that simply makes you say "Ay, yay, yay!" (well, maybe if you're hispanic...or been around hispanics...or watched hispanic television...or a movie with a hispanic actor...or an actor playing a hispanic saying "ay, yay, yay!") 

[face...palm]

Sorry for that stream of consciousness...but that's exactly what I meant. Something so completely off it makes no sense, yet it does, and yet...it doesn't. And we shake our head and our palm meets our face.

Get to the point Lisa.

(You do realize this is my blog and I can ramble on as long as I'd like. Yes? Good.) 

It's kinda like this:
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ" - Ghandi
I decided last night that I no longer want to call myself a christian. Why? Well, the world is seeing Christians in a different light and I am not who they see. I want them to see who I follow. I want them to see who I love. I want them to know Him for Him...not me for my shortcomings.  I want them to see Jesus.

Yes, Jesus. The radical of his time. The revolutionary. The brown skinned Jewish man who lived in ancient Palestine who gave out free health care. The man who rebuked the religious powerful of his time and ate with those who were considered "sinners". You know...those tax collectors and government officials.

He had a gang of twelve men. He had real friendships. He had enemies. His mother loved him. His brothers hated him. He was fearless and He spoke the truth...in love. Always. Every time. He was tempted. He was victorious. He was followed by many. He was alone when necessary.  He was pursued. He was persecuted. He taught the greatest message of Hope ever spoken by anyone before him or since him. He was tortured and murdered for that very same message.  He died. Yet...He lives.

Many people can snark at that comment "He lives".  And still so many talk about loved ones who "live" because of us...our memories, our conversations, our thoughts, our actions.

[face...palm]

Get it?

He lives. And I'm not just a fan, I'm a Jesus follower.


Blessings for your day,

Monday, May 2, 2011

Speechless

Hello long time ago friends.

I haven't been writing because of some unfortunate health issues over the past few months.  What makes today different?  I'm am gripped in sadness at what I see on the news today and wanted to journal the fewest of thoughts I can muster together to have on my blog...forever.

First I will say this, I will never forget the emotions that laid a hold of me on 9/11.  Second, I never stopped praying for those whose eyes are covered by a veil of hatred -- no matter if it presented itself as religion or justice.

I never rejoiced in Saddam's death.

Nor do I rejoice in the news I received this morning.

Terrorism did not die with Osama. I'm grateful that justice has been served but I do not celebrate in the death...of anyone.

So here are my Nine Little Words for today:
Eternal separation from Almighty God should never be celebrated.
Remember that:

 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, New International Version, ©2011)

So I ask you to be different from the rest of the world who celebrated when our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters died as a result of the attack on our country -- whether civilian or military.  Honor their memories by understanding that for their families, their lives will never be "normal".  The death of Osama may bring a sense of justice but it doesn't change the past.

Pray for us and the rest of the world.

1 First, I tell you to pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to him.2 Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God. (1 Timothy 2:1-2, New Century Version)

Pray for grace, mercy, and peace.  That all peoples of the world may learn and know the love of one, true, holy and just God.

Blessings for your day.