Lisa notes

Running Low at the Grocery Store – Grace & Truth Link-Up

By LisaNotes March 13, 2020 Grace & Truth Link-Up 8 Comments

Out of Toilet Paper

I legit needed to buy toilet paper. Not to hoard. Not to stockpile. But because we were almost out anyway.

But when I got to Walmart, the shelves were almost bare. There were still a few rolls left. But there were far less packages than there was empty space.

Ditto for the wipes I wanted to replace in my car. None on the shelves. On and on.

We’re all experiencing new things in this time of Coronovirus.

If we’re lucky, we’ll only be affected by self-quarantines and slightly inconvenienced by mundane things as fewer selections than we’re used to at the grocery store.

May we use these as wake-up calls to realign our priorities and perspectives in this season of uncertainty and fear and disruptions. God is still with us; we are still here for each other. That has not changed. That will not change.

We may run low on supplies, but may we remain full of hope. God’s faithfulness and our love for each other, by his grace, will never run out.

Our Featured Post

Last week Laurie linked a post with us at Grace & Truth about her own perspective shift at the grocery store. I think you’ll relate, too, like I did.

As she reminds us, let us each remind each other when we’re short on patience, for whatever the reason:

“Most people do not irritate us on purpose. . . . Gratitude, humility, and the ability to see life from others’ points of view lead to inner peace.”

Read Laurie’s post, “How I Achieved Inner Peace In the Checkout Line” at her blog, Meditations in Motion. You’ll be glad you did.

Thanks for sharing, Laurie! Here’s a button for your blog.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

We pray that Grace & Truth will point you to Jesus. Add your post to encourage others in the Christian blogging community.

1. Follow your hosts on their blogs and/or social media channels, if you’d like.

2. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.)

3. Visit and comment on 1 or 2 other links. Be an encourager. Please don’t link and run.

4. All links are randomly sorted. Link early or late. The playing field is even.

To Be Featured:

5. Post the button or link back to one of our hosts. It encourages new participants. (Not mandatory to participate, but required to be featured.)

6. Every host will feature and promote one blog every week.

Now Let’s Link Up!

Have you experienced shortages where you are? Please share thoughts and concerns in the comments.

When You Help the Helpers

By LisaNotes March 12, 2020 Community, Guest posts 5 Comments

It was Missions Fair Sunday at our church. I wanted to sign up for something but I didn’t feel qualified for anything.

My husband was excited about a relatively new ministry called PAR (Prepare and Respond). It is a faith-based disaster response group that formed in our north Alabama region after devastating tornadoes ripped through here in 2011.

But I couldn’t use a chainsaw.

How could I be of any help to this group?

Despite misgivings that day, I signed my name anyway for the PAR group. When another set of tornadoes hit close to home not long afterward, I received an email from PAR to help.

What had I gotten myself into?

Read the rest here about “Helping the Helpers”

When we expand our idea of how we can work in a ministry, God may surprise us with opportunities we didn’t see coming.

Will you join me at Do Not Depart for the rest of the story? “Not Gifted for That Ministry? Help the Helpers”

Why You Should Write Back. Now.

By LisaNotes March 10, 2020 Community, Encouragement 34 Comments

Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24

Hit Send

It felt risky. I wasn’t sure I should say it. I wondered if it would change things, make things weird.

I wordsmithed it cautiously, copied it to Gmail, and hit send.

Then waited.
For something.
Anything.
Anytime now.
Please?

You, too? Waiting to hear back from someone about something you sent?

No Response?

Let’s get this out of the way: I’m not always good about responding either. I definitely could be better.

But this I know. Eventually. . .

We all should write back.

(Or text or message or call or visit . . . .)

Because we all know what it feels like when someone doesn’t get back to us.

It hurts.

When you make yourself vulnerable but are left hanging, you question if you said too much.
When you throw out a tiny bait but get no bite at all, you wonder who cares.
When you ask a question but get no answer, you feel insulted.

At the very least, you feel unheard. Did they even get my message? Maybe my email bounced? Was my voicemail deleted?

Now What?

What can we do when someone doesn’t respond to us? Not much. We can’t make someone pay attention. Try again if it’s important. Or forgive and move on.

But we can control how we respond to others.

Be the one to reach back.

You might not heal the hurt or dispense wisdom or fix any problems with your reply. But when you affirm that you’re listening, at least you stay connected.

So if you can:

When someone sends you a note, acknowledge its receipt.
When someone asks a question, give an answer (“I don’t know” is acceptable; so is, “I’ll respond later.”)
When someone says, “I need help,” say that you care (if you do), even if you don’t know what to do next.

Any acknowledgement, however short, is better than none at all.

So say something.
Hey, I hear you. I care. You matter.

Write back.

Who do you need to respond to today? It’s not too late. It can be short, but let it be something. Please share your thoughts in the comments.

revised from the archives

Be a Better Daily Helper – Grace & Truth Link-Up

By LisaNotes March 6, 2020 Grace & Truth Link-Up No Comments

When Helping Doesn’t Come Naturally

Some people are natural helpers. It seems giving comes easily to them. They know what to do; they have time to do it; they have resources to give away.

But for the rest of us, we need tips.

I know I do. Karen gives some great suggestions in today’s featured post about how to add more service into our everyday lives.

It still may not come easy to serve. But it may come quicker and more frequent when we recognize these opportunities.

They’re usually not as hard as we imagine. And once we do them, we are as blessed as the person we are serving.

Our Featured Post

I encourage you, too, to read Karen’s post today: “4 Practical Ways to Incorporate Service Into Your Daily Life.” She writes at Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge.

Join her to look at these four practical ways to incorporate service into your daily life. She gives very practical suggestions under each category.

Serve others through your time
Serve others through your hospitality
Serve others through a good attitude
Serve others through your spiritual gifts

Thanks for sharing, Karen! Here’s a button for your blog.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

We pray that each week Grace & Truth will point you to Jesus. Add your own post below to encourage others and to strengthen friendships in the Christian blogging community.

1. You are welcome to follow your hosts on their blogs and/or social media channels.

2. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.)

3. Visit and comment on 1 or 2 other links. Be an encourager. Please don’t link and run.

4. All links are randomly sorted. Link early or late. The playing field is even.

To Be Featured:

5. Post the button or link back to one of our hosts to encourage new participants. (Not mandatory to participate, but required to be featured.)

6. Every week each host will feature one blog and promote it via her social media.

Now Let’s Link Up!

5 Links, Books, and Things I Love – March 2020

By LisaNotes March 4, 2020 Life updates, Links I like 18 Comments

Every month I share my list of favorite 5’s.

5 interesting things online
5 articles about words, books, or podcasts
5 pictures of things I love
5 things on the blog

What are you enjoying this month?

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

5 Things Around the Web

An Open Letter to the Older Women in the Church

“I didn’t know how to respond. I wasn’t too busy for you. I was scared because I didn’t think I could do what you were asking of me.”

An Illustration of How Relationships Change Over Time

An artist illustrates the dynamics of various relationships by drawing lines.

If You Think the U.S. Is More Polarized Than Ever

We sometimes think we’re more polarized in the U.S. than ever before. But not so. Not even close.

Confessions of a Recovering Evangelist

“If I gave you 30 minutes to tell these Christians what not to do to have a spiritual conversation with you, what would you tell them?”

When Schools Close

I saw this on Facebook. It reminded me of how it used to be when I was growing up (but more like 1970, not 1990).

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

5 Things with Words and Books

Free Audiobook—The Ragamuffin Gospel

Christian Audio offers a free audiobook each month. This month’s selection is one of my favorites, the late Brennan Manning’s The Ragamuffin Gospel.

When Your Books Talk to Each Other

I love when this happens. It’s one of the perks of reading more than one book at a time.

You’re Not Listening. Here’s Why.

From Kate Murphy, the author of this wonderful book, You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters, see why we have an unconscious tendency to tune people out.

Should a Book’s Title Match Its Content? + 3 Books I Recommend

And speaking of You’re Not Listening, it’s one of my favorite 3 books I read this month.

Book Dreams

Wouldn’t this delivery be lovely? For us readers, anyway.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

5 Things I Love

4 Corners Slumber Party

We had our annual Christmas slumber party a few weeks ago. It used to actually be in December. Then we shifted it to January. Now we are lucky to squeeze it in by February. I love these lifetime friends. We made big plans for upcoming trips in 2020.

~ * ~

Our Little Outdoors Girl

Our oldest granddaughter has spent a few afternoons in the woods with her dad. She was curious about this squirrel he got.

~ * ~

Sick One

It’s been a rough winter. Our baby granddaughter had a rough go with sickness and was waiting her turn here at the doctor’s office. I still find her adorable, even when she’s sick.

~ * ~

But Recovered

But by the next visit, she had fully recovered and returned to her happy little self. 4 months old now!

~ * ~

My Baby’s Babies

I love that I get to watch my baby girl in action once a week. She’s an awesome teacher and loves her students so much. They were reciting their memory verse together here.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

5 Things on the Blog

Your Cheat Sheet: Summary for Enneagram Types {Enneagram Series #28}

Get your cheat sheet of a summary for Enneagram types. It includes triads, groups, core traits, etc., for each Enneagram number.

Improve Your Relationships with Other Numbers on the Enneagram {Enneagram Series #26}

See how to improve your relationships with other numbers on the Enneagram. Approach each personality type in a way that suits them best.

Who Has Your Enneagram Number? Numbers of Famous People and People in the Bible {Enneagram Series #6}

What are the Enneagram numbers of famous people and people in the Bible? Here are guesses. See who has your Enneagram number to help find your own.

If You Don’t Know What to Say

If you don’t know what to say, try using a blessing from scripture. Philippians 1:9-11 is a prayer for love, wisdom, and hope.

20 Ways to Practice the Enneagram for Spiritual Growth {Series Index}

How can you practice the Enneagram for spiritual growth? Discover 20 ways to use the Enneagram in this series. Don’t just learn about it; use it.

* * *

What was a highlight from your February? What are you looking forward to in March? Please share in the comments.

previous Links and Books

On the Blog – February 2020

By LisaNotes February 29, 2020 Archives 1 Comment

Here are brief summaries and links to blog posts from February 2020.

Don’t Make Me and Week 4 in Summary {Enneagram Series #29} (2/29)
See summaries of all the Enneagram posts in week 4 of the series, Enneagram for Spiritual Growth.
Your Cheat Sheet: Summary for Enneagram Types {Enneagram Series #28} (2/28)
Get your cheat sheet of a summary for Enneagram types. It includes triads, groups, core traits, etc., for each Enneagram number.
Notice His Presence – Grace & Truth Link-Up (2/28)
God is with us in ALL our moments. He’s never too busy to notice us. Are we too busy to notice him? Link up this week for Grace & Truth.
A Wake-Up Call for Each Number on the Enneagram {Enneagram Series #27} (2/27)
When you’re spiraling downward, you need a wake-up call. See one for each Enneagram number. Also see the unique gift your type can give the world.
Improve Your Relationships with Other Numbers on the Enneagram {Enneagram Series #26} (2/26)
See how to improve your relationships with other numbers on the Enneagram. Approach each personality type in a way that suits them best.
Which Enneagram Types Go Best Together? {Enneagram Series #25} (2/25)
Which Enneagram types go best together? Those at their healthiest number. Here are the best/worst traits to watch for in each number.
Should a Book’s Title Match Its Content? + 3 Books I Recommend – February 2020 (2/24)
Should a book’s title match its content? Yes, please. Plus 3 books I recommend in February 2020.
Shine a Light on 9 Ways We Lose Our Way {Enneagram Series #24} (2/24)
See the 9 ways (Passions) each Enneagram type can lose their way. And learn Bible verses to shine a light on them.
The Most Important Thing About You {Enneagram Series #23} (2/23)
What is the most important thing about you? The Enneagram teaches us many important things about ourselves. But the best? We are loved by God.
Each Type on Their Day Off and Week 3 in Summary {Enneagram Series #22} (2/22)
See what each Enneagram type does on their day off. Here also is the week 3 summary of the series, Enneagram for Spiritual Growth, featuring intelligence centers, harmony triads, harmonic groups, etc.
Grace at 6:11 a.m. – Grace & Truth Link-Up (2/21)
When we fall, we don’t have to stay down. His mercies are new every morning. Join us for the Grace and Truth Link-Up.
3 Survival Strategies – Subtypes of the Enneagram {Enneagram Series #21} (2/21)
What’s your go-to survival strategy? Being alone, meeting up with a crowd of friends, or spending one-on-one time with someone special? Learn the subtype for your Enneagram number.
What’s Your Coping Style? Choose Your Response {Enneagram Series #20} (2/20)
What’s your coping style? Do you respond logically, positively, or emotionally when troubles come? Know your Enneagram style to choose appropriately.
Is Your Social Style Annoying? 9 Ways We Manipulate Each Other {Enneagram Series #19} (2/19)
Look at the three social styles (stances) on the Enneagram. See how we manipulate each other and how we can stop doing it.
What’s Your Connection Style? 9 Prayer Practices for Each Enneagram Number {Enneagram Series #18} (2/18)
Find your connection style using the Harmony Triads of the Enneagram. Discover a unique prayer practice according to your Enneagram number.
Are You a Thinker, Feeler, or Doer? Enneagram Triads & 3 Practices {Enneagram Series #17} (2/17)
Are you more of a thinker, feeler, or doer? See which Enneagram triad you belong to and the spiritual discipline to practice it.
You See Differently {Enneagram Series #16} (2/16)
You see differently than I do. We can’t change that. “You can’t change how you see—you can only change what you do with how you see,” says Suzanne Stabile.
On Your Mind Before Bed and Week 2 in Summary {Enneagram Series #15} (2/15)
See what’s on your mind before bed by Enneagram type. Here also is the week 2 summary of the series, Enneagram for Spiritual Growth, featuring wings and lines of disintegration and integration.
Stingy or Generous? – Grace & Truth Linkup (2/14)
Are you a stingy or generous giver? Visit our featured post to find out. Link up your Christian living blog posts here at Grace & Truth.
Podcasts, Music, and Other Resources on the Enneagram {Enneagram Series #14} (2/14)
If you want to learn more about the Enneagram in places other than books, you have a multitude of resources available to you. Here are my favorite podcasts, Instagrammers, music, etc.
If You Don’t Know What to Say (2/13)
If you don’t know what to say, try using a blessing from scripture. Philippians 1:9-11 is a prayer for love, wisdom, and hope.
My Favorite 6 Books on the Enneagram {Enneagram Series #13} (2/13)
Here are six of my favorite books on the Enneagram. Although the Enneagram began as an oral tradition, you can now find lots of written material.
Be a Healthy Number – Lines, Arrows, and Letting Go on the Enneagram {Enneagram Series #12} (2/12)
Don’t freeze at your core number on the Enneagram. Move around the circle to become a healthier number, using lines and arrows on the symbol.
What Is MY Enneagram Wing? Extra Names for Subtypes {Enneagram Series #11} (2/11)
Identifying your Enneagram wing number is as important as discovering your core number. See subtype names. Find a healthy practice to develop.
3 People to Love on Valentine’s Day (2/10)
Who are you going to love on Valentine’s Day? Try these three people. One from your past, one in your present, and one in your future.
What Are Enneagram Wings? Your Invitation to Abundance {Enneagram Series #10} (2/10)
Knowing your main Enneagram number is good. But don’t stop there. Learn your Enneagram wing. It explains a lot. See your invitations to abundance.
A Hidden Gift in Each Enneagram Number {Enneagram Series #9} (2/9)
Every Enneagram number has a hidden gift associated with it. Find yours. Use yours.
Your First Impression of the Enneagram and Week 1 in Summary {Enneagram Series #8} (2/8)
What was your first impression of the Enneagram? See the first week’s summary here of the Enneagram series, Enneagram for Spiritual Growth.
Where Did the Enneagram Come From? What Does the Symbol Mean? {Enneagram Series #7} (2/7)
Where did the Enneagram come from anyway? What are its origins? What does the symbol mean? It’s not as crazy as it looks.
Who Has Your Enneagram Number? Numbers of Famous People and People in the Bible {Enneagram Series #6} (2/6)
What are the Enneagram numbers of famous people and people in the Bible? Here are guesses. See who has your Enneagram number to help find your own.
5 Enneagram Tests to Determine Your Type {Enneagram Series #5} (2/5)
Take an Enneagram test to help determine your type.They may at least rule out what your number is not. Here are links to five tests.
3 Ways to Find YOUR Enneagram Number + 9 Healing Attitudes to Accept It {Enneagram Series #4} (2/4)
What’s your Enneagram type? Here are three ways to find your enneagram number. And one way NOT to.
9 Enneagram Types with 9 Fears and Desires {Enneagram Series #3} (2/3)
Discover the nine Enneagram types with their core fears and desires. New series on how to practice the Enneagram for spiritual growth.
You Are God’s Masterpiece {Enneagram Series #2} (2/2)
The Enneagram can help you discover you are God’s masterpiece. But don’t overvalue the tool; worship the One it leads you to.
5 Links, Books, and Things I Love – February 2020 (2/1)
Links and pictures of articles, books, and things I love – February 2020
20 Ways to Practice the Enneagram for Spiritual Growth {Series Index} (2/1)
How can you practice the Enneagram for spiritual growth? Discover 20 ways to use the Enneagram in this series. Don’t just learn about it; use it.