Lisa notes

Can You Be an Angel?

By LisaNotes December 12, 2019 Encouragement, Guest posts 4 Comments

Sigh. I’ve already been complaining this Christmas.

  • I can’t think of a good gift to buy my mother-in-law.
  • There are too many activities to go to.
  • I accidentally bought glitter Christmas cards (what was I thinking?).

It’s easy to be a bearer of bad tidings when people ask: “Are you ready for Christmas?”

Christmas turns into a time of being too busy, striving for too much perfection, and spending too much money.

Where is Jesus?

He is here. But maybe the better questions are:

Where are His messengers? And what messages are they sending about Christmas?

Read the rest here: Be An Angel—Share Good News, Not Gloom

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I’m writing today at Do Not Depart about angels (“messengers”). What message are you delivering this Christmas?

Will you join me there?

9 Reasons to Keep Hope Alive No Matter What – Lessons from 2019

By LisaNotes December 9, 2019 Encouragement, Hope 31 Comments

When Hope Doesn’t Come Naturally

I hate being disappointed.

So it can feel scary to get my hopes up or keep hope alive. For example, I’m afraid who I want to win the 2020 election will lose, and I’ll be crushed. So I lower my expectations. I give up too easily on hope.

But who can live happily without hope?

So this year I determined to practice hope when it doesn’t come naturally. I chose Hope as my One Word for 2019.

And God taught me the following lessons. Because ultimately, God is hope personified. With him, hope is possible.

Hope is here to bless us now, not only in the future.

Hope works. Even for scaredy-cats like me.

9 Reasons to Keep Hope Alive

9 Reasons to Keep Hope Alive

Here are 9 reasons you can keep hoping, too, even when it doesn’t come naturally.

1. Keep hoping because . . . God can show up in anybody you meet.

Cowboy has a book in him. But will he have time to get it out? My own story is enriched by his. You see a different side of God in each life.

book inside you

Finish Your Book

2. Keep hoping because . . . you have a safety net.

No guard rails? I was too scared to walk to this lighthouse. Take more risks when there’s a safety net. Christ is your safety net.

You have a safety net-2

Take More Risks – You Have a Safety Net

3. Keep hoping because . . . somebody needs to hear what you know.

Live too far away from your grandchildren? I’m a rookie. But these tips help bridge the distance between our hearts, wherever they are.

How to be a long-distance grandparent

When You Can’t Be There in Person

4. Keep hoping because . . . God brings dead things back to life.

When a favorite author quits writing, mourn the silence. But keep listening for God’s voice in new places.

Rachel Held Evans-Ask the Questions-Lisanotes

When We Lose Another Voice

5. Keep hoping because . . . you only have to show up.

I don’t feel qualified to teach them. Should I not show up? But God promises this: If you’ll just show up, he’ll do the rest.

Just show up

When You Don’t Want to Show Up

6. Keep hoping because . . . God is in the books.

Let books stretch you. Expose you to new views. Find the beauty and goodness of God in words.

3 Reasons You Don't Read Nonfiction_rect

3 Reasons to Read More Nonfiction Books

7. Keep hoping because . . . differences don’t have to separate us.

I’d never tried Vietnamese food. Then again, I’d never had a Vietnamese friend. God was ready to change that. Welcome the outsider. God weaves himself between us all.

Welcome the Outsider_fb

Welcome the Outsider

8. Keep hoping because . . . you’re still needed.

Here’s to the caregivers. We need the healers. Keep doing what you do with your hands. And with your hearts.

Here's to the healers-2

Here’s to the Healers

9. Keep hoping because . . . love is the whole point.

She can’t say my name. But no matter. Her love is direct. Cut to the chase. Give and receive love.

Love is the point-2

Get to the Point

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How’s your hope level?

Did you choose One Word for 2019? For 2020?

Please share in the comments.

Book Review of “Irrevocable”

By LisaNotes December 7, 2019 Book reviews 5 Comments

I read an earlier book by Max King, The Spirit of Prophecy, in the early 1990s (originally published in 1971). I was fascinated with King’s exegesis of scripture in ways I had not previously considered. He made me think. I expected no less in this new book, Irrevocable, likely King’s last book (he is almost 90 years old).

Irrevocable

In Irrevocable, King goes into great depth on just three chapters of the Bible, Romans 9-11. Within these chapters, he parses and analyzes, compares and contrasts every aspect possible. I found it hard to keep up. Maybe my brain is more tired now.

From what I did grasp, King says this difficult section by the apostle Paul is good news, not bad news, for all mankind, not just the Roman readers.

King goes to great lengths to prove that God’s gift of salvation is inclusive, not exclusive. He explains that both Jews and Gentiles are invited into the Kingdom. God wants all to be united, healed, whole.

If you can stay engaged with King’s scholarly writings (I struggled to stay interested, alas), you’ll learn not only about Paul’s New Testament theology, but also about God’s dealings with Israel in the Old Testament and how it relates to the New Testament.

I wish my dad were still here to read Irrevocable. Before he died, my dad had begun compiling his own book on Romans. I’m sure he would have enjoyed King’s scholarly approach, including tons of quotes from other authors and myriads of biblical references.

If you enjoy heavily academic books and like to be challenged in your thinking, Irrevocable might be for you.

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My thanks to SpeakEasy
for the review copy of this book

Who Do You Need to Forgive This Christmas?

By LisaNotes December 5, 2019 Encouragement 8 Comments
Who-Do-You-Need-to-Forgive-This-Christmas

Who Do You Need to Forgive?

Our longest-standing grudges are usually from our earliest days. That’s just the way time works.

And Christmas is often when we revisit those people, those hurts, that past.

Who do you need to forgive this Christmas?

There are lots of gifts we can give each other. But none is as powerful as forgiveness.

As you think about baby Jesus coming down to forgive you, think about you coming over to forgive someone else.

A Modern Example of Forgiveness

The story of Anthony Ray Hinton is a true one. He was wrongly accused of murdering a man at a Mrs. Winner’s restaurant and one at a Captain D’s in 1985.

He was sentenced to death row in Alabama.

The problem? He was innocent. He murdered no one.

It took almost 30 years for Mr. Hinton to be released.

And then what?

He did the unthinkable.

He forgave.

If Mr. Hinton can forgive, can’t we?

Listen to him, and then think about it.

Anthony Ray Hinton Says . . .

“I forgive the State of Alabama for being a bully. You have to stand up to bullies. I forgive because not to forgive would only hurt me.

I forgive because that’s how my mother raised me.

I forgive because I have a God who forgives. . . .

We have to find ways to recover after bad things happen. We have to make every ending be a happy ending.

Every single one of us wants to matter. We want our lives and our stories and the choices we made or didn’t make to matter.

Death row taught me that it all matters.

How we live matters.

Do we choose love or do we choose hate? Do we help or do we harm?

Because there’s no way to know the exact second your life changes forever. You can only begin to know that moment by looking in the rearview mirror.

And trust me when I tell you that you never, ever see it coming.”

I first learned about Anthony Ray Hinton from Bryan Stevenson’s fantastic book Just Mercy (to be released as a film January 10 about Walter McMillian; see the trailer here).

I read about Mr. Hinton in the newspaper on April 3, 2015, the day he was released.

Then I read Mr. Hinton’s full story in his own book, The Sun Does Shine. Phenomenally told; it was one of my favorite books of 2018. He is also featured in the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, a powerful place. I may never meet Mr. Hinton, but his life (and Bryan Stevenson’s) has profoundly affected mine.

Who do you need to forgive this Christmas? Whose forgiveness do you need to accept? Please share in the comments.

5 Links, Books, and Things I Love – December 2019

By LisaNotes December 2, 2019 Life updates, Links I like 27 Comments

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

5 Things I Love December 2019

  • 5 interesting things online
  • 5 articles about words, books, or podcasts
  • 5 pictures of things I love
  • 5 blog posts from the month

What are you enjoying this month?

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5 Things Around the Web

1. Charting How the Time Parents Spend with Kids Changes as They Grow Up

In the beginning, it’s all about physical care. But that changes as our kids grow up. Interesting graphics on how time spent with children changes as they age.

2. When There Are No More Volunteers: How the Church Can Love God by Loving Others

It’s bad for everyone when there are less volunteers.

3. Holiday Gift Guide from the Hatmakers 

This is the Hatmakers third year to feature 16 companies that not only make great products, but give back in significant ways to our communities, to people in need, and to the world. Listen as a podcast episode or read the transcript (and see photos).

4. How to Find Anything on Google — Extra Search Tips

Here are several advanced search engine hacks to find relevant search results without as much noise from advertisers, propaganda, etc.

5. Four Tips for Keeping It Together in Contentious Situations

Four practical tips to help us better handle moments of frustration that can breed pride, anger, grudge-holding, and other vices.

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5 Things with Words and Books

1. 8 Signs You’re a Library Power User

Yes, I do have my library card number memorized. I know the hours/days they’re open. See if you meet any of these power user criteria, too.

2. The Way You Read Books Says A Lot About Your Intelligence, Here’s Why

I’ve not heard the phrase “Fractal Reading” but it’s something I often do. You, too?

3. If You’re a Christian, You Need to Read These Eleven Books

This is a great list of social justice books by Anita Ojeda. She had lots of wonderful Self-Care Sunday posts on reaching out and learning more about other cultures. “Social justice begins with me.”

4. 5 Books on the 2019-2010 Literature for Justice Selected Reading List

To go with Anita’s list above, here are five books suggested by the National Book Foundation. Their goal is to advance understanding of mass incarceration in the United States. This list centers on first-person narratives from formerly incarcerated authors, partners of those behind bars, and leaders of prison reform.

5.  6 Books I Recommend

Here are short book reviews of 6 favorite books I finished reading in November, including Washington Black and The Complete Enneagram.

6 Books I Recommend - November 2019

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5 Pictures of Things I Love

Jenna took some beautiful pictures of Morgan and her babies. She’s juggling being a mom of two quite well, even though it has its moments, as all moms can attest.

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I’ve loved getting my snuggles in with the newest grandbaby myself.

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We got to spend Thanksgiving Day with some of our friends from around town. I count this Vietnam vet as one of my friends for the past several years. I learned even more about him last week.

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R.I.P. Kandie. Our most lovable golden retriever Kandie died on my birthday last Monday. Even though she moved in with Jenna and Trey the past two years (and she loved every second being an inside pet with them!), she lived with us her first seven years. It’s a sad, sad thing to lose a pet. Her remains are now included in our pet cemetery in the backyard along with pet gerbils, ducks, and a fish.

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Dubs Burgers are a local favorite. Jenna and Trey took us there to celebrate our birthdays. You don’t have to twist our arms for that.

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5 Favorites from the Blog

Here are brief summaries and links to blog posts from November 2019. I participated in Nonfiction November, so many are about reading.

1. Keep Empty Spaces

God is in the unfulfilled spaces as much as he is in the things he created around them. Keep some empty spaces around you as breathing room for you and God.

2. 3 Reasons You Don’t Read Nonfiction and Why You Should Anyway

Maybe you don’t read nonfiction books. But maybe you could try a few? Lots of book recommendations here from a variety of genres.

3. Is God Good? 3 Ways to Find God’s Goodness

How has God been good to you? 3 ways to find the goodness of God.

4. 3 Spiritual Books on the Enneagram

Want to learn more about the Enneagram and spiritual growth? Here are three books I highly recommend. I’m looking forward to sharing a 28-day series on the Enneagram here in February 2020.

5. Match This Nonfiction Book with This Fiction Book

Here are two pairs of nonfiction and fiction books that go well together, including the novels The Nickel Boys and The Poisonwood Bible.

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What was a highlight from your November? What do you have planned for December? Please share in the comments.

previous Links and Books

On the Blog – November 2019

By LisaNotes November 30, 2019 Archives 4 Comments

Here are brief summaries and links to blog posts from November 2019.

On the Blog 2019-11