Lisa notes

3 Things to Do with Your Stuff

By LisaNotes March 13, 2019 Guest posts 6 Comments

Is your garage too full to park a car there? Is there no empty room in your closet? Are there no blank spaces on your calendar?

For most of us, we’re full to overflowing. With stuff. With busyness.

What would Jesus have us do with our stuff?

If you’re riding the Marie Kondo wave, you’ve likely pared down your wardrobe lately or donated a few underused toys.

But how can we avoid the clutter to start with?

As we walk 40 days with the Storyteller during Lent, our first three readings this week reveal our cluttered hearts.

Read more for 3 things to do with our stuff:

Why Do You Have So Much Stuff?

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We’re looking at the stories of Jesus as we spend #40DaysWithTheStoryteller at Do Not Depart. Today’s readings focus on parables in Luke 12.

Will you join me there?

When God’s Plan Isn’t Our Plan

By LisaNotes March 11, 2019 Guest posts 3 Comments

The plan was to work in Beauregard, Alabama, beginning last Thursday. Devastating tornadoes wiped out a community there four days earlier. Our group was prepared to volunteer all weekend, cutting trees, clearing yards, and praying with the hurting.

But instead we ended up in Columbus, Georgia.

What do we do when God changes the plan?

Even though Paul had been forewarned he would stand before Caesar (Acts 27:24), he also knew he was to open the eyes of unbelievers to see the light of Jesus (Acts 26:16-18).

So when he found himself shackled in Rome, he might have wondered: Is this really the plan?

We often ask ourselves that.

And we ask God as well.

Read the rest here:

When the Opposite Happens

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Do you find it easy or hard to release your own plans when God surprises you with a different plan?

Please join me at Do Not Depart to read the rest of the story.

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

By LisaNotes March 6, 2019 Life updates, Links I like 19 Comments

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

5 interesting things online
5 word-related articles
5 pictures of things I love (and yes, at least one will be my granddaughter)
5 favorite blog posts this month

Do you have a favorite thing about March?

1 Second Everyday

[If you can’t see the 1 Second Everyday video, click here]

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5 Things Around the Web

1. How Has Your Hope in God Changed You?
by Matt McCullough

Does hope distinguish a believer from a non-believer? Here are three ways it might.

2. A World Built for Men – Deadly for Women?
by Caroline Criado-Perez

I often discover the world is designed for people taller than me. But is it also dangerous, not just inconvenient?

3. The Benefits of Living Near Grandma
by Jonathan Lambert

I wish I lived closer to my grandbaby. But we do what we can.

4. Why 5:30 Is the Ultimate Dining Time
by Khushbu Shah

What time do you eat supper? 6:00 is our norm. But my mom always had a full supper cooked and on the table at 5:00 or 5:30 growing up. I didn’t know to appreciate having someone else prepare all my meals.

5. Wash Your Hands?

Wouldn’t this be helpful?

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5 Things with Books and Words

1. Do Grammar Mistakes Annoy You?
by Jenn Granneman

You might be an introvert. Your temperament might fuel a dislike of typos and grammar errors.

2. How to Read 80ish Books a Year (and Actually Remember Them)
by Clay Skipper

Plus how to take better notes and why you should quit bad books (I’m getting better at this!).

3. To All the Books I’ll Never Read
by Cass Watson

It’s sad to think about. But there are so many books on my to-read list that I’ll never get to read before I die.

4. Why America Needs to Start Saying Y’all
by Greg Garrison

The linguist says so, y’all. (I already know how wonderfully useful “y’all” is.)

5. 7 Books of Hope I Recommend

Here are 6 non-fiction books and 2 novel I recommend from my readings last month. They each brought me hope along the way.

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5 Pictures of Things I Love

1. Outpouring of Love to Alabama

Tornadoes hit our state hard again last Sunday. At last count, 23 people have already died. This time it was south of where I live, but closer to where my oldest daughter lives.

People from all around have been helping in person and sending supplies and donations. We truly are a nation of givers. I’m so grateful. We hope to travel to Lee County tomorrow to work with our disaster response group, PAR. So many are ready to put boots on the ground to help.

My son-in-law’s extended family took a lot of damage, but no loss of life (story below).

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2. Watching Jeff in Action

I love seeing my sweet husband getting to do things he loves. And he loves welcoming people to church as they drive up, helping struggling young moms carry their kids into the building, and guiding visitors who aren’t sure where to go.

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3. Nothing Sweeter than New Life

We’re adding new nieces and nephews to our family every few months it seems. This is my latest great-nephew at one-day-old. He’s so beautiful!

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4. Bad Taste in Your Mouth

Our grandbaby is finally willing to put food with texture into her mouth (although she still doesn’t want to swallow it). But she doesn’t always like what she tastes. She was fine with the chip, but not with the green beans.

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5. I Like My New Role

Yep, I won’t be the one to force her to eat green beans when she makes that face. That’s the mother’s job. Whew.

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5 Things on the Blog

1. 4 Places to Look for Hope

It matters where you look for hope. It determines what you see. Here are four places to look.

2. Opt for Hope – The Promises of God

See these promises of God. And opt for hope. God’s promises come from his character. And his character is Love.

Here’s a printable.

3. 4 Ways to Express Your Hope

When you feel too cynical or things seem hopeless, that’s the best time to practice your hope. Here are 4 ways.

4. Hold Hope for One at a Time

When we can’t hold hope for all, can we at least hold hope for one?

5. Hope Is a Verb. Practice It. {28 Day Series}

This is the index for 28 days of articles on hope. Don’t just try to keep your hopes up. Practice hope as a spiritual discipline.

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

previous Links and Books

Let the Conference Come to You {Enjoy God’s Word Online Conference}

By LisaNotes March 4, 2019 Bible 5 Comments

UPDATE:

Learn about my topic and other topics I’m looking forward to hearing!

It’s here again.

If you want to benefit from a women’s conference but don’t have the time, energy, money, etc., to go to one, this one comes to you.

Details of the Conference

The goal of the conference is to encourage you, equip you, and help you enjoy your time in the Word.

WHAT: The Enjoy God’s Word Women’s Bible Conference
WHERE: Online
WHEN: April 23-25, 2019
WHO: 25 Women Bible Teachers
WHY: To make an investment in your spiritual life to receive the encouragement and training you need to ENJOY the Word of God for a lifetime

The hosts are Katie Orr, Stacey Thacker, Angie Elkins, and Erin Warren.

I participated in this conference last year. It was done so well and was super easy to connect to. I learned a lot from the speakers and appreciated having the digital conference notebook to follow along with. I also enjoyed the camaraderie of community via Facebook and especially had fun with the Facebook Live chats after each session.

You can watch each session during its scheduled time slot, April 25-25, and/or save them to watch anytime, anywhere. Once you buy your ticket, the sessions are yours to keep forever. (I’m doing a session on “How to Create a Spiritual Growth Notebook.”)

Bonus Price and Freebies

Tickets go on sale today. The conference is not free (that’s the only downside), but the earlier you buy your ticket, the cheaper it is. Now is the best price of $42.

As a bonus, if you buy your ticket Monday or Tuesday (March 4-5), you’ll also receive a coupon for $10 OFF any Dayspring product (it will be emailed to you) + you’ll receive a free art print of Psalm 119:24.

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Have you ever participated in an online conference? What did you think? Please share in the comments.

On the Blog – February 2019

By LisaNotes February 28, 2019 Archives 1 Comment

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

4 Places to Look for Hope (2/28)
It matters where you look for hope. It determines what you see. Here are four places to look.
7 Books of Hope I Recommend – February 2019 (2/27)
Here are books I recommend from what I finished reading this month.
Get Your Hopes Up for Good Gifts Ahead (2/26)
We can’t imagine the gifts God has planned for us or what time they will arrive. But we can know they will be good. Get your hopes up.
Opt for Hope – The Promises of God (2/25)
See these promises of God. And opt for hope. God’s promises come from his character. And his character is Love.
Another Way to Practice Hope – Recite Scripture to Yourself (2/24)
One way I practice hope is by reciting scripture to myself about the Lord’s goodness. And what more beautiful passage than Lamentations 3 to recover any lagging hope?
Are You Like an Iris? There’s Hope (2/23)
Resilient. Adaptable. Faithful. Do you have these traits? Like the iris, be a a symbol of hope.
Raise Your Hallelujah (2/22)
When hopelessness tries to assert itself, raise your hallelujah higher than your doubts. It is one way you can practice having hope.
4 Ways to Express Your Hope (2/21)
When you feel too cynical or things seem hopeless, that’s the best time to practice your hope. Here are 4 ways.
God Is a Safe Place (2/20)
He’s a solid rock under your feet. In God is a safe place to be. Psalm 62:5
How Does the Bible Actually Work? (2/19)
The Bible works not by giving us an answer key, but by showing us what God is like. Review of Peter Enns’ book, How the Bible Actually Works.
Presidents’ Day Hope (2/18)
In honor of Presidents’ Day, here are three quotes from Presidents on remaining hopeful.
Never Give Up Hope? (2/17)
“I will never give up hope or stop praising you” (Psalm 71:14). David makes a bold claim. I’m not there yet.
Another Symbol of Hope – Complete and Unending (2/16)
The Native American Indians used an 8-pointed star as a symbol of hope. Complete and unending.
Battling Between Fear and Hope? Stand on the Rock (2/15)
When darkness tries to roll over your bones, don’t be shaken. Fear doesn’t stand a chance when you stand in Jesus’s love.
Hold Hope for One at a Time (2/14)
When we can’t hold hope for all, can we at least hold hope for one?
Even Death Is About Hope (2/13)
“Connecting with the certainty of death is a critical step toward connecting with the certainty of hope.” Even death can be about hope.
Hope, Not Just FROM Bad, but FOR Good (2/12)
Hope isn’t just a desire to escape FROM something bad. It’s also FOR something good to look forward to.
Hope Leads to Action (2/11)
The more you hope, the more you’re likely to take action and succeed. Keep hoping. Keep moving.
May the God of Hope Fill You {Scripture Image} (2/10)
The God of hope fills you with joy, with peace. Let hope overflow by his power, Romans 15:13.
Doves as Symbols of Hope to Start Again (2/9)
When the dove brought back an olive leaf, he also brought back hope.
Choose from Hope, Not Fear (2/8)
We can’t always choose our circumstances. But we can choose to respond from hope, not fear.
Hope in Politics – Is It a Choice? 5 Ways to Practice Hope (2/7)
Politics can feel hopeless. But here are 5 ways to practice hope, even in politics. Make the choice.
Hope for Far More {Scripture Image} (2/6)
When you’re afraid to hope, remember this truth about God’s power. It’s far more than you can imagine. Download Ephesians 3:20 graphic.
When Hope Feels Dangerous (2/5)
Our hope for the future isn’t defined by our past. Here’s why we should continue to practice hope, even when it feels dangerous.
5 Links, Books, and Things I Love – February 2019, Hope Edition (2/4)
Links and pictures of articles, books, and things I love – February 2019
We Have an Anchor – Hebrews 6 (2/3)
The Bible is full of scriptures on hope. Download this image for Hebrews 6:19 of hope as an anchor.
The Anchor – A Symbol of Hope (2/2)
Anchors are often used as symbols for hope. Why? And what anchors a Christian to hope?
Hope Is a Verb. Practice It. {28 Day Series} (2/1)
Don’t just try to keep your hopes up. Practice hope as a spiritual discipline. Join me for Practicing Hope, a #Write28Days series.

4 Places to Look for Hope

By LisaNotes February 28, 2019 Hope, Practicing Hope 7 Comments

On my final post for this Practicing Hope series, I want to summarize 4 places to look for hope. In such few words, it capsulizes everything I’ve been trying to say.

It matters where you look for hope. It determines what you see.

These four directions are from the book, Mere Hope, by Jason Duesing. You can read more from his book here.

Where should you look for hope?

1. Look down

Look down to find the foundation of hope. Find the good news of the gospel as its base.

2. Look in

Look in to find the fountain of hope, Jesus Christ. He is the living hope that resides inside us.

3. Look out

Look out and see the flourishing of hope. Share it locally; share it globally.

4. Look up

Look up to focus on the truth of hope. Be reminded of our future.

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