tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47571953888265210122012-01-18T17:01:24.636-05:00<center>Serving Coffee &amp; Conversation - Keeping the Cookies on the Bottom Shelf</center>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.comBlogger2671100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-41386500132058175092012-01-17T09:29:00.001-05:002012-01-17T09:31:52.538-05:00

Happy new year, my faithful reader.  You have no doubt noticed my lack of attention to Tipitee's Cafe in recent months, though I thank you for kindly checking in from time to time.  I started this blog in August 2007 - nearly four and a half years ago - as an outlet for what I was learning, what I found humorous and what stirred my passions.  It has been every bit of that as well as a place for

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-83867481204366084222011-11-08T18:26:00.083-05:002011-11-08T19:34:25.465-05:00

I've had my fill of funerals lately. Ready or not, impending or immediate, death is not a kind caller. It always asks too much, takes too much, leaves too much sorrow and takes too long to recover. Death has no desire to bargain or befriend - he is an unruly rapist of our equilibrium. In the past month I lost an uncle to cancer and a young friend to a sudden heart attack. One was ready, one was

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-74499704656592157552011-08-25T18:19:00.004-04:002011-08-25T18:46:35.524-04:00

From March 2006 Once upon a time in a wallet far, far away lived a crisp, clean $10 bill. He was a happy $10 bill, for he possessed beautiful shades of white and green. He had never known the grime-y hands of the street paupers or the greasy hands of the fast-food clerk. He had never been used for ill-gotten gain or back-alley bribes. Never once had he ventured farther than the Master’s warm and

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-28064640080565718032011-08-15T09:00:00.002-04:002011-08-16T09:15:01.856-04:00

I love a good remake of an old classic, and I especially love this one. Thanks for dining at the Cafe' today! Tipitee Tweet

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-29801082640646643832011-06-28T20:30:00.001-04:002011-06-29T09:00:32.186-04:00

I recently watched a video by Marc Driscoll on pursuing your "Calling not Your Potential".  It was such a relief.  Have you ever experienced the pressure of living up to your potential?  It can be daunting; and honestly, I don't have the time nor desire to fulfill every potential people tell me I have.  What if I'm never wildly successful in ministry? What if only a handful of people ever care to

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-14668769483455334642011-05-30T08:19:00.002-04:002011-05-31T10:17:48.572-04:00

Forgive the Croatian subtitles, but this was the best audio quality I could find.  Thanks for dining at the Cafe' today! Tipitee Tweet

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-57911716769512234662011-05-16T09:00:00.002-04:002011-05-16T09:00:04.770-04:00

I love how this song communicates complete surrender to God for Him to use whatever hurts we encounter for His glory without abandoning the vulnerability of still being in the very middle of the pain.  Every conflict is a call to die, but die well.  Don't waste the hurt, because mostly assuredly God won't.  Thanks for dining at the Cafe' today! Tipitee Tweet

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-23734633517182667092011-05-09T09:02:00.000-04:002011-05-09T09:02:00.499-04:00

So glad Sara's back after her divorce in '07. Love this song! The standing O at the end made me get all teary-eyed.  Thanks for dining at the Cafe' today! Tipitee Tweet

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-24658774943843319912011-05-03T17:45:00.001-04:002011-05-03T17:59:24.308-04:00

For the first time EVER, we have a guest blogger today at the Cafe, my brother David.  David is just before me in the birth order and a gifted writer.  His work as Eexcutive Director of Human Resources at a hospital in Kansas as well as his final work on his MBA leaves little time for a personal blog, so I gladly relinquish the keyboard to him and this piece he wrote recently.  David and his wife

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-5604142695268964862011-05-02T09:00:00.001-04:002011-05-02T09:00:02.936-04:00

The recent GMA Dove Awards, featured a tribute to Sandi Patty and awarded her her 40th Dove award.  That's quite a career!  Her music was the background to many important moments of my life, so I wanted to share this with you.  Thanks for dining at the Cafe' today! Tipitee Tweet

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-88342303161476811022011-04-28T18:38:00.007-04:002011-04-29T12:45:23.367-04:00

I've been considering my life lately.  The mid-life crisis I worked very hard to avoid at 40 has blind-sided me at 41 and it has me pensive and philosophical nearly to a fault.  It can be downright depressing to number your days, but alas that is exactly what we are commanded to do so that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  I wish I had numbered them before now, to be honest with you.  Many things

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-37209428672133113562011-04-25T09:00:00.010-04:002011-04-26T11:35:37.291-04:00

Unbelievable moment on network tv. I could not stop crying - so beautiful to see the sweet aroma of worship offered up outside the sacred realm. Thanks for dining at the Cafe' today! Tipitee Tweet

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-12085462434595897622011-04-21T19:09:00.001-04:002011-04-21T22:47:01.682-04:00

Do you like what I'm wearing?  It's the latest from Eve Eden's collection of spring wear for the modern woman.  Made entirely of freshly cut fig-leaves, these designs are the most enviable couture.  Everyone's wearing them.  Sitting in our LIFESource class on prayer the first night, I listened as our instructor systematically brought us through the Garden of Eden.  What a privileged place of

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-43909135747242972252011-04-21T08:30:00.010-04:002011-04-21T08:30:02.814-04:00

Today's passage might seem like a list of niceties on the surface, but it too has valuable teaching for us. You'll notice that the city of Laodicea is mentioned repeatedly. This is because Colosse and Laodicea and Hierapolis are a tri-city area that has something to teach us. All three cities had vibrant economies since they were situated on a major trade route between Rome and Israel and

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-27666269913092127312011-04-20T08:30:00.003-04:002011-06-02T15:28:28.018-04:00

These four verses would be easily overlooked or lumped into another section, but I think we would cheat ourselves of an important part of the message to Colosse – because Christ is supreme, keep the Main Thing the main thing. He is all and He is enough in every way, but we still have a tendency to either forget or forego how great He really is. How do we continue in the faith and in the

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-4069518321683439632011-04-19T08:30:00.007-04:002011-04-19T08:30:00.458-04:00

Out of context, this passage could really rustle some feathers. Folks tend to bristle at the idea of submission and authority - especially in our culture. Our egos get in the way of properly appropriating this text into our lives. But when we recognize the context of this message - again, the supremacy & sufficiency of Christ - the order of authority becomes liberating and the stewardship of

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-36738396970699485642011-04-18T08:30:00.009-04:002011-04-18T08:30:00.669-04:00

After instructions to not worry about a bunch of rules, it's kind of ironic for Paul to follow that with a list of do's and don'ts. ha! But let's remember the theme of this book is the surpremacy of Christ in all things and the sufficiency of Christ in us. This is why He calls us to remember that we used to be dead, but we are raise with Christ. He has made us alive! What is our response to this

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-92215549515520038262011-04-17T08:30:00.003-04:002011-04-17T08:30:00.519-04:00

THEREFORE Therefore is probably one of the most important and overlooked words in scripture unless you’ve learned that “when you see the word therefore you need to see what it’s there for”. Therefore means, in light of all that was just said, now move forward in this manner. This is an important therefore and one that I don’t know that I’ve ever noticed before. What did we just read? The

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-88290564468425227762011-04-16T08:30:00.007-04:002011-04-16T08:30:02.377-04:00

Such a rich passage! I hope you are all digging deeper into these verses and allowing them to shape your thoughts and emtions. They are so powerful! How are you doing with reading/studying these verses every day? I love today's passage because this is where Paul begins to clarify why it's so important to acknowledge the supremacy of Christ. It's not enough to know all that He is and all He

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-60827708116669514392011-04-15T08:30:00.004-04:002011-04-15T08:30:00.621-04:00

If you’ve ever seen the movie A Christmas Story you understand the idea of the decoder ring. Back in the 50s (I think), kids would listen to a radio program, send in for a decoder ring and get secret messages that only they would be able to decipher because only they had “the code”. Don’t you feel like Israel was somewhat like that? Down through the ages, the things they experienced, their

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-82548143579498399502011-04-14T08:30:00.009-04:002011-04-14T08:30:04.188-04:00

When I was in Israel a few years ago, I made a startling discovery. There among the ruins and landmarks of my faith were other faiths all heralding the same places and people. Muslims and Jews and Christians share in common the patriarchs and the beginnings of our beliefs. Christianity is thoroughly Jewish, and of the 5 major prophets of Islam, only one (Mohammed) is not found in our scriptures.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-13664390409775065532011-04-13T08:30:00.003-04:002011-04-13T08:30:01.462-04:00

Oh I can tell just from these first few verses that we are in for a treat studying this book together. Such richness from the scriptures! Verse 9 - Paul starts with an important prayer for the people of Colosse - "We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives". I...n our western way of thinking, we tend to turn

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-8444342445118073882011-04-12T12:13:00.024-04:002011-04-12T12:13:00.417-04:00

So... long time to write, huh?!  I haven't been writing much lately at the Cafe, but rather I've been studying and am really enjoying that.  I've spent the past few weeks going through some of Paul's letters on a deeper level with my mom and some friends mainly through Facebook.  Now that we are mostly through the book of Colossians, I thought I'd republish the notes here one day at a time for

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-22846852419151251382011-04-11T11:00:00.002-04:002011-04-11T11:00:06.337-04:00

Hands down - favorite song right now!  Alabama brings back such great memories from college and makes me miss my roomie Amy.  :)  Thanks for dining at the Cafe' today! Tipitee Tweet

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-914923760589569252011-04-05T12:10:00.000-04:002011-04-05T12:10:00.336-04:00

(This post has twice as many hits as the second most popular post on my blog and mainly from overseas searches.  Just so no one feels that I condone koran burning, I've republished with additional thoughts.)  Acts 19 There is a lot in the news today about book burning as political statement due to a pastor in Florida who had intended to burn copies of the Koran. It's interesting that we find

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-16087595767787150562011-03-27T13:00:00.011-04:002011-03-27T13:00:05.539-04:00

Last time we spoke by way of blogosphere, I was in a funk and working through all its dynamics and asked for your patience while doing so.  This is probably a good time to let you know that the funk is over although I'm still working through the dust it managed to kick up and trying to come up with a comprehensive bridge from here to where I wanna be.  There are a lot of variables to that plan -

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-37180636317768680832011-03-14T10:00:00.001-04:002011-03-14T10:00:04.217-04:00

Thanks for dining at the Cafe' today! Tipitee Tweet

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-69462911886474543842011-03-04T14:18:00.000-05:002011-03-04T14:18:20.412-05:00

The Kimyal People receive copies of the New Testament in their own native tongue for the first time ever. I think none of these Bible will be dusty or unread, none will be neglected for tv or people or chores, not one will be reserved for church only if even then. God's Word is exalted in these people, and it is so beautiful and so convicting. Thanks for dining at the Cafe' today! Tipitee

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-19042725707457726442011-03-01T20:21:00.000-05:002011-03-01T20:21:05.433-05:00

I had a friend ask me this past weekend if I was dealing with depression.  I answered "yes" based solely on the fact that for the past two weeks I have a tearful breakdown at least once a day.  She asked me what I was doing about it - taking a walk on the beach? being intentional about something I enjoy?  I told her I'm working through it.  Another friend suggested I "take something" for it.  I'm

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-78221824715765603762011-01-28T10:27:00.003-05:002011-01-30T14:31:08.587-05:00

There are days when words seem like such a paper-made gift, not nearly strong enough for the weight of desperate times. Sometimes life falls apart, and those who witness the devastation are left with just words - cliches, platitudes, and sometimes careless words. Try as we might to help or to fix what is going terribly wrong, we look down at our toolbox and find we are woefully equipped with

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-17192192203524421272011-01-10T09:00:00.002-05:002011-01-10T09:00:15.593-05:00

Love this song!! Thanks to my br for the iTunes card! Thanks for dining at the Cafe' today! Tipitee Tweet

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-49796906652991530032011-01-07T17:47:00.000-05:002011-01-07T17:47:03.463-05:00

I have in my car this little placard that sits on my dashboard.  It's backward, so if you look at it or try to read it, it makes no sense. However, if you're seated in the car looking out the windshield, its reflection reads perfectly.  It has a verse on it to help me meditate on the goodness of God.  The verse right now is 1Timothy 6:17 - "Command those who are rich in this present world not to

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-50187054070242188722011-01-04T17:52:00.000-05:002011-01-04T17:52:19.688-05:00

The holiday season is over and everyone is back at work or school today.  Most folks are broke and partied out and the general bi-polar emotions of the average American feel centrifugal force in the shift from the joys of the season to the depression of January.  I don't mean that cynically.  It's been long stated that a high percentage of people struggle with depression in January - either from

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-17437828616598686262010-12-14T17:43:00.000-05:002010-12-14T17:43:38.953-05:00

(reprinted from 12/05) Aunt May – what can be said about Aunt May except, well, she was a little crazy. Not “crazy” in a psychotic way – more like “crazy” in a cartoon character way, a very endearing and comical way. You never knew what she was going to say & you certain couldn’t predict what she would do. She entered every room like a fireman looking for the fire & usually exited muttering

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-18222614260361080752010-12-13T09:00:00.001-05:002010-12-13T09:00:08.107-05:00

Really, really great harmony. Thanks for dining at the Cafe' today! Tipitee Tweet

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-67437283928639298662010-12-09T12:00:00.001-05:002010-12-09T12:16:19.604-05:00

Who knows where our erroneous thought patterns begin?  It would be nice to go back and trace the trail of misguided beliefs to the source, so we could help others avoid creating our same history of pitfalls.  I've had several words I've lived by that eventually crumbled under the weight of time and truth and while I've rarely been able to pinpoint their inception, I've found that their cure is

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-82550064230113879382010-12-05T11:56:00.001-05:002010-12-19T09:47:20.453-05:00

If you've been around church life any amount of time at all, you realize that there is a lot of attention given to numbers and big crowds.  I've spent much of my life counting heads and looking at trends and statistics of church attendance as a part of my job.  It's a biblical part of ministry since scripture is full of instances in which they reported the number of people in the crowd. 

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-74592794779815297652010-10-25T12:07:00.002-04:002010-10-25T14:08:19.134-04:00

I'm feeling this song lately. Thanks for dining at the Cafe' today! Tipitee Tweet

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-243103181697301542010-10-18T09:00:00.004-04:002010-10-18T09:00:11.838-04:00

Masterful marriage of old and new - beautifully done. Thanks for dining at the Cafe' today! Tipitee Tweet

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-33982840586028430202010-10-11T10:11:00.003-04:002010-10-12T08:41:21.531-04:00

I have a love affair with fabric – all colors, all prints, all textures. I was a quilt maker for many years and took great pride in the unique combination of colors and prints to perfectly suit the quilt to its new environment or purpose... pastels for baby quilts with lots of gingham and polka dots for girls; bolder solids and stripes for boys. I delighted in all my creations planning carefully

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-36340140073365789572010-10-01T09:00:00.008-04:002010-10-26T16:51:01.097-04:00

Genesis 1:1 - 6:8 My home group is currently doing a course on "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" by Pete Scazzero.  It has some deeply emotional components to trudge through, and it's becoming clearer and clearer that emotional health cannot be divorced from spirituality.  Our lesson this week brought up the subject of anger and how it can stunt our spiritual growth when not processed properly.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-75783025581180989112010-09-30T11:26:00.001-04:002010-10-10T11:38:40.124-04:00

Thanks for journeying through Acts with us this past month.  I pray that you've taken away a sense of urgency about the Gospel, a sense of calling about your life and a sense of peace in impossible situations.  Scripture speaks to those things at every turn.  I encourage you to lean in to it & read it for all It's worth. 

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-4181317708366611952010-09-29T11:08:00.001-04:002010-10-10T11:09:32.006-04:00

Click to see comments from our other readers.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-70729000339834232932010-09-28T10:55:00.032-04:002010-10-10T11:23:31.166-04:00

Acts 28 This chapter where Paul preaches to the Jews in Rome reminds me of Showcase Showdown on the Price is Right, and it makes me feel bad for them.  They're like the contestant who had a great prize package presented to them full of trips and a "a new car", but they forego that one for the mysterious second prize package... something muchless desirable with tools, and a year's supply of

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-19829979520581505232010-09-27T10:03:00.010-04:002010-10-10T10:55:27.311-04:00

Acts 27 There are no guarantees outside of the revealed will of God.  Paul had received a vision that everyone would survive this harrowing sea voyage.  The only stipulation?  They had to stay together.  So when a few men lowered the lifeboat pretending to drop anchor cut themselves loose to escape the ship, Paul warned them that unless they stayed with the ship they could not be saved.  I wish

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-58094232433955198902010-09-26T09:47:00.014-04:002010-10-10T09:59:20.500-04:00

Acts 26 In Paul's appeal to Agrippa and Festus, he appealed to Agrippa's knowledge of the Jewish religion and of their prophesies.  Logically, why would any of the events of the resurrection and spreading of the Gospel surprise anyone who was familiar with Moses and the prophets.  They were eyewitnesses of all that they had hoped would come to pass!  And still he was speaking to a resistant

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-24066279700455397612010-09-25T09:39:00.007-04:002010-10-10T09:47:13.684-04:00

Acts 25 What great confidence comes to Paul not only from a clear conscience that he'd done nothing wrong, but also from knowing his ultimate calling - preach in Rome.  How else can you explain such patience under adversity?  The same was true for David and Joseph and Jesus.  Knowing what the mission that God has called you to will sustain you in difficult days.  Finding out your mission is

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-91006006540102518222010-09-24T09:57:00.017-04:002010-10-03T12:54:18.173-04:00

Acts 24 How do I react when confront with the mandates of righteousness, self control and the judgment to come?  Do I "humbly receive the Word of God planted in me", or am I more like Felix who was "afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."?  When would be a convenient time for correction?  Do we just mark a date on the calendar when

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-57614285167022975202010-09-23T12:00:00.001-04:002010-09-23T13:21:18.441-04:00

Acts 23 Verse 11 - You have to love a Lord Who stands near you in the night.  He could have sent a messenger, a verse, a sign or left Paul wondering.  Instead He stood near. 

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-3939446840613160012010-09-22T09:39:00.002-04:002010-09-22T10:40:18.173-04:00

Funerals, weddings and births – the ministry hat trick. After being in ministry for nearly 16 years, I've come to believe that most of ministry is just showing up – being there in the critical life moments. People just appreciate that when the chips are down, regardless of what time it is, what else might be going on, you were there. That doesn't mean I handle those situations well. I cry at all

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-11995827876139835842010-09-22T08:14:00.031-04:002010-09-22T10:56:32.752-04:00

Acts 22 We tend to get really attached to our religious systems.  We don't like for it to change or for it to get messy.  As a general rule, folks don't like new or different when it comes to church.  It's hard to 'grow younger' because the elements of doing so disrupt our nice neat faith.  That's why it takes a great vision to overcome the peripheral elements.  It takes are greater dependence

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-60156589179965609152010-09-21T16:45:00.010-04:002010-09-21T17:04:31.349-04:00

Acts 21 I don't know that I've every really had such a clear picture of the steely resolve of Paul to spread the Gospel.  I knew he faced every possible deterrent and every kind of persecution, but today's chapter made me realize he knew what he was getting into.  He knew he would be violently opposed and could not be dissuaded from his plans.  Anything he had to endure would be worth spreading

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-73550518580154851502010-09-20T10:39:00.001-04:002010-09-20T10:43:41.890-04:00

I love watching a full moon rise over the ocean.  Yes, the sunrise is nice and it's beautiful; but there's just something about the brilliance of a full moon illuminating the shore and the water that is unique.  Perhaps it's because you don't expect the night to be so bright or beautiful.  Spiritually speaking, you don't expect night-seasons to be bright or beautiful either.  When you're

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-34024637838715866232010-09-20T08:21:00.012-04:002010-09-20T11:41:28.644-04:00

Acts 20 As deeply as Paul was hated by outsiders, he was loved by his co-laborers.  As passionately as he held to his purpose to preach Jesus Christ, he also let go of his life to accomplish it.  Ya ever think we get too passionately about all the wrong things?

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-43159563720966373562010-09-19T11:13:00.019-04:002011-04-05T10:37:43.506-04:00

Acts 19 There is a lot in the news today about book burning as political statement due to a pastor in Florida who had intended to burn copies of the Koran.  It's interesting that we find it in today's passage as well.  The sorcerers were turning to Christ and burning their scrolls.  At a time in history when you couldn't just take a scroll to Kinko's for pennies per reproduction, this was an

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-82419266426038357652010-09-18T10:48:00.009-04:002010-09-20T11:05:30.099-04:00

Acts 18 This chapter grieves my heart - it's the first recorded "Worship War".  Worship Wars may be raging over different "new methods", but the methods of the warfare are the same.  Gallio complains about the new way of worship.  The leader gets beat up in the end and Gallio doesn't care.  The root of worship wars is not new music or new instruments or even new postures - it is a condition of

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-61354255100905916372010-09-17T09:00:00.001-04:002010-09-17T09:00:03.503-04:00

Acts 17 I love Paul's evangelism model he displays here with his encounter at the Areopagus.  He's no street preacher with a bullhorn shouting at Hell-bound sinners.  He values what they value.  He respects them as people, as thinkers and as spiritual people who simply had not gathered all the facts.  He realized their own belief system left room for a Savior and He exalted that Savior into

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-75001086840468618902010-09-16T09:41:00.000-04:002010-09-16T09:41:16.740-04:00

Acts 16 Well, if you've ever thought that being a believer meant you had to let people walk all over you, you've never read Acts 16.  Paul and Silas demanded that the magistrates of Philippi come and personally escort them from prison to acknowledge that they were wrongfully accused, beaten and detained.  Scripture is clear that believers ought to settle their disputes among themselves without

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-69825812554160114812010-09-15T10:25:00.000-04:002010-09-15T10:25:06.205-04:00

Acts 15 Prepare the way of the Lord!  Clear a path that makes Him accessible.  This was the message of John the Baptist at the beginning of Jesus' life and here again it is the message of the apostles after Jesus' ascension.  Verse 19 James said, "It is my judgment, therefore that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God."  So how are you doing?  Have you made it

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-72761215039393075952010-09-14T15:51:00.000-04:002010-09-14T15:51:54.585-04:00

Acts 14 Amazing tenacity of the first apostles!  WOW! Here we have Paul & Barnabas repeatedly returning to the cities where they are "wanted", where their lives are in jeopardy, where Paul had been stoned!  But they continue with the mission realizing that their own faith is strong but the faith of the new believers is in greater jeopardy.  They go back to encourage them without regard for

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-83078961252823401342010-09-13T12:58:00.001-04:002010-09-13T16:10:21.720-04:00

Acts 13 I hope you were able to catch the subtle shift in the character of Saul - it is here that he is referred to as Paul.  After a year with Barnabas at Antioch Saul (which means desired) is better identified as Paul (which means small).  In his training with the brothers there, Saul has been humbled by the Lord.  AWTozer said that "Before God can use a man greatly, He must first wound him

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-40186512075168170222010-09-12T11:29:00.000-04:002010-09-13T12:58:34.570-04:00

Acts 12 We just have no idea what it was like to serve God under such adverse conditions.  Thrown in prison, sentenced to die, freed by an angel and leery of staying with those who had been praying for you for fear of being recaptured.  Even the simplest act of praying for Peter as a group was dangerous.  We just have no idea. 

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-20153782375556365452010-09-11T09:52:00.024-04:002010-09-13T11:29:46.719-04:00

Acts 11 I love Barnabas.  I wanna be like Barnabas.  Barnabas saw potential in Saul.  It was he who defended Saul among the believers at Jerusalem back in chapter 9.  However, once Barnabas left Saul, the believers there sent him home to Tarsus.  They were uncomfortable with the fact that he was such a bold preacher and that he debated with the Grecian Jews.  They had threatened to kill him!

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-32575366277899503122010-09-10T09:13:00.004-04:002010-09-12T09:50:39.900-04:00

Acts 10 I have a very dear evangelist friend who has now passed away.  His favorite phrase was, "I'm glad salvation's free."  He'd grown up in poverty; and if redemption had to be bought, he could never have afforded it.  He delighted to know that God's grace was available to all without price.  I would add after today's chapter, that it is available to all without price or prejudice.  Like

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-8870463990309575342010-09-09T12:53:00.002-04:002010-09-12T09:13:47.778-04:00

Acts 9 There you go - four simple steps to church growth in verse 31: Then the churches a throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria (1) had peace and (2) were edified.  And (3) walking in the fear of the Lord and (4) in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, (=) they were multiplied.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-20375149700089229412010-09-08T12:24:00.001-04:002010-09-08T17:12:16.157-04:00

Acts 8 When I read the story of Simon the Sorcerer, I think he just didn't get it.  We don't enter into a relationship with God to monopolize the Power of God, to use it for our own glory.  We enter into the glory of His grace for a relationship with the Most High God.  Seek His face before you seek His hand or His power.  This song, Phenomenon, by Rita Springer came to mind when I read today.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-53184070916979040562010-09-08T12:00:00.003-04:002010-09-08T12:00:02.386-04:00

I love a good thunderstorm. I mean that pitch black sky, howling winds, and inescapable rain kind of thunderstorm too! The world turns an eerie gray and the skies rumble like a 5 year old's tummy in Sunday School. It’s strangely comforting to me. Growing up in Kansas, I'm no stranger to the rain or the threat of bad weather. You don't live in “Tornado Alley” without a few storm stories and more

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-26117439198399269772010-09-07T15:01:00.002-04:002010-09-08T10:52:42.669-04:00

Acts 7 Circumcision - cutting away of the flesh.  The first Testament circumcision was a physical symbol of the covenant between God and God's people.  In the second Testament, Paul would not allow the Gentiles to be placed under that same law to believe in the Messiah Jesus.  Rather, he encouraged believers to circumcise their hearts.  Cut away anything that is of the "flesh" and not of the

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-40812676907425780672010-09-06T12:00:00.002-04:002010-09-07T14:59:12.287-04:00

Acts 6 I confess to struggling with being vs. doing.  I think it's rooted in the desire to truly be a servant leader.  I just don't want to ask someone to do anything I'm not willing to do myself.  Acts 6 helps.  It's ok not to be the one at the center of serving.  If I'm to be the leader God intends me to be, I must be about the Word and Prayer and let others be in the trenches.  (Kinda like

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-84648342419425824922010-09-06T09:00:00.002-04:002010-09-06T09:00:04.309-04:00

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-23941356099892079612010-09-05T11:20:00.001-04:002010-09-05T11:22:11.186-04:00

Acts 5 It's amazing to me how eagerly believers will jump on bandwagons of desparaging other ministries.  You really only need to look through http://www.christianbook.com/ to see that every ministry and every ministry movement has both its critics and its people making money on tearing them down.  Wouldn't believers do well to take on the wisdom of Gamaliel in this chapter that recognized, "...

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-77916575810593352632010-09-04T10:55:00.003-04:002010-09-05T11:03:23.885-04:00

Acts 4 In the days after Christ's resurrection, He deliberately restored Peter who denied even knowing Jesus after a brazen commitment to never do so.  I didn't realize that through the work of the Holy Spirit in Peter, Christ offered the same redemption to the very high priests who conspired His death.  Who can say that God is not merciful or does not offer every opportunity to know Him and

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-44725654758712667122010-09-03T16:14:00.000-04:002010-09-03T16:14:52.546-04:00

Acts 3 Everywhere in this chapter I just see what a blessing it is to repent, what a gift we receive when we turn from iniquity. Correction has always held a negative connotation, but it's so clearly here a blessed gift to me.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-68487895359302579882010-09-02T17:00:00.002-04:002010-09-02T17:00:02.118-04:00

Acts 2 Let me ask you a question...  in the early days of the Church that we're reading about in Acts, thousands of people were being saved, people were coming together in community, there were signs and wonders and tongues and the Holy Spirit.  Why is it that the people were overcome with terror and dread in verse 43?  Wouldn't it seem that with all these people being saved that they would

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-82944054161601600342010-09-01T17:00:00.001-04:002010-09-02T11:18:15.124-04:00

So this month, I've challenged the LIFELeaders at Central to read Acts with me (one chapter a day on the weekdays); and thought I would add the observations to Tipitee's Cafe.  Read along with us and please leave a comment about what you've read!  :)  Acts 1 What was interesting to me was the fact that the resurrected Christ was among them for 40 days and when they got to have a conversation

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-31236632171466253112010-08-27T15:23:00.064-04:002010-09-02T15:44:15.977-04:00

Deuteronomy 21:10 - 25:19 I am related to Daniel Boone.  I'm sure this many years hence, that a lot of people can say that if they investigate their genealogy.  We are related because one of my great great great (I always forget how many greats there should be in this introduction) Great-Grandpa Wilcoxson married his sister; and if memory serves me correctly this is the also the GGGGGrandpa and

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-55257369656072118902010-08-23T16:12:00.001-04:002010-10-11T13:30:20.938-04:00

If the Christian life had a formula, you'd find it in Micah 6:8 - "do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God"; and if there were ever an embodiment of how to live the Micah 6:8 life, it was Jesus.  Jesus life and ministry was centered around mercy and justice.  Confronting a religious system that neglected the poor, turning over the tables in the Temple because they made worship prohibitive

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-66426552103475366042010-08-20T19:41:00.001-04:002010-09-02T15:50:57.924-04:00

Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9 I'm firmly convinced not everyone is gifted for hospital visitation.  I've taken folks with me to visit people in the hospital and inevitably I forget to give them the lesson on what to say and what not to say much too late.  Before you realize what's happening, they're laying out their story of some distant acquaintance who had the same issue who DIED or suffered

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-18036222208819671592010-08-16T13:44:00.002-04:002010-08-16T13:56:44.236-04:00

Anyone who has gasped a first breath of air has dealt with disappointment. Can you imagine the disappointment a newborn baby must feel entering the world? They were at once plucked from a peaceful, calm, quiet and dark environment to a world of lights, cameras and noise. Though the child is deeply loved, he's probably more than a little disappointed that life could not remain the solace that

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-3542502164919283202010-08-13T17:59:00.001-04:002010-09-02T15:56:18.590-04:00

Deuteronomy 11:25-16:17 In his book, the Forgotten God, Francis Chan asserts that the Holy Spirit is the most dishonored member of the triune.  Often neglected, not believed in, not tapped into, not relied upon - the Holy Spirit seems to be tagged with the bad reputation of a few holy rollers with lots of enthusiasm, and little spiritual depth.  It's a shame too, because the work of the Holy in

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-43003770463791012752010-08-06T09:00:00.082-04:002010-08-06T11:48:46.469-04:00

Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25 I've eaten my share of government cheese.  It happened when I was a kid when it was time for the winter layoffs in the construction industry and Dad would be out of work until the world thawed out again.  Those were seasons when money was just not there which meant selling something (which we did), stealing something (which we didn't ), asking for help (which had to be

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-54335718663713964652010-08-02T09:23:00.002-04:002010-08-05T19:06:09.003-04:00

Love her voice... and she's 16. :P

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-24158718826156038982010-07-30T09:00:00.182-04:002010-07-30T09:00:05.177-04:00

Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11 Old habits are hard to break.  (I know... it's just that kind of rich wisdom that keeps you dining here at Tipitee's Cafe' isn't it.)  And if old habits are hard to break, old mindsets seem nearly impossible... "seem" being the operative word.  Old patterns of thought never change suddenly.  They erode away over time against a steady stream of Truth.  Like a river through

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-91024765059763713662010-07-27T18:41:00.001-04:002010-07-29T09:46:06.212-04:00

Repeatedly throughout Scripture God commands us to not be afraid, have no fear, fear not, don't be anxious about anything.  He must know we're prone to anxious thoughts.  And who wouldn't be?  The world is a frightening place - full of disease, war, crime.  The economic uncertainty alone could leave the bravest of souls huddled in a corner.  What could it hurt though?  So you're afraid - it's not

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-12072738888376782712010-07-23T09:00:00.128-04:002010-07-26T12:54:36.095-04:00

Deuteronomy 1-3 Self-confidence is a high-wire act, in my opinion.  Lean a little in one direction and you're full of yourself talking about how great you are.  Lean slightly in the opposite direction and you're verbally scourging yourself talking about how, "it's not me, I'm a wretch, but God loves me".  Please tell me I'm not the only one who teeters over a watching world without a net.  I'm

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-61524366118649986832010-07-16T09:00:00.100-04:002010-07-19T17:44:59.764-04:00

Numbers 33:1 - 36:13 Tom LeaRio Grande1954 oil on canvas I'm beginning to believe the best and think positively is nearly as difficult as defying gravity - there's always a pull in the opposite direction.  In order to stay "up" you need a plan, one needs more determination than bouyancy.  There is always someone to bring you down.  Someone knows some one that went through the same thing and thus

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-13247558077399197902010-07-12T09:00:00.001-04:002010-07-12T09:00:07.383-04:00

Might be the most encouraging secular song I've heard lately.  Don't love me less because it's Sugar Ray from their album "Music for Cougars".  :)

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-58733081953915586912010-07-09T09:00:00.121-04:002010-07-09T09:00:06.580-04:00

Numbers 30:2 - 32:42 I'll be honest.  I've never really understood why the tribes of Reuben, Gad and 1/2 of Manasseh chose to live east of the Jordan instead of in the Promised Land.  Um hello... it's been promised to you!  Not by just anyone, this was promised by your Creator just for you and never to be parcelled out to anyone else. Picture this:  God comes to you and says, "I've got something

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-28834427011382814632010-07-02T09:00:00.130-04:002010-07-04T14:20:16.496-04:00

Numbers 25:10-30:1 The parable of the talents continues to unfold in so many arenas of life.  What was once in my mind purely about money is proving itself to be about anything with which I have been blessed.  We use the parable of the talents to challenge our congregation toward growth - planning and working toward doubling in every qualitative and quantitative way in the next year.  We use the

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-48411264398330235662010-06-29T18:18:00.004-04:002010-06-29T18:28:32.884-04:00

[You Can Read Part 1 Here.] When I was a kid, my brother and I used to quote "Little Willy" poems.  They were morose and morbid and meant to be funny.  Maybe you've heard this one... Little Willy in a bow and a sashFell in the fire and got burned to as ash.In the winter though the room grew chillyNo one liked to poke up Willy.  or this one... Willy with a thirst for goreNailed the baby to

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-14993212216272190082010-06-28T08:00:00.001-04:002010-06-28T08:00:08.873-04:00

Lyrically rich worship.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-39098791785176245772010-06-25T09:00:00.154-04:002010-07-08T19:16:27.189-04:00

Numbers 22:2-25:9 "I don't want to." "I don't feel like it." "I'm not going to, unless I my heart is in it." Any of that sound familiar?  I know I've said such things, and even though they sound like a child's temper tantrum, some adults are known to live with these lines in their arsenal of excuses.  We have a way of really only doing what we want to do or what we feel like doing.  We can, at

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-28782063185328787062010-06-24T12:24:00.002-04:002010-06-24T18:25:43.096-04:00

In the southeast part of Kansas where the land begins to bunch up into hills and the sky swallows the earth, my family would find ourselves on the three-day weekends of the summertime.  Just for a day, we'd pile into my sister's Skyhawk or my other sister's Pinto and drive through the countryside looking for landmarks like "the left turn by the old barn" and "the fork that leads to the cemetary

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-91792855376559790282010-06-18T08:30:00.169-04:002010-07-08T19:16:42.667-04:00

Numbers 19:1 - 22:1 The Industrial Revolution really did Christianity a disservice.  Families, which once were the sole formative force in the development of a child, were remodeled by this cultural shift of fathers leaving the home to make money rather than mentor or apprentice their children in the family trade.  Donald Miller does a masterful job of outlining the lost sense of the Fatherhood

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-79552056069920475612010-06-14T09:07:00.001-04:002010-06-16T17:37:20.354-04:00

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-81266317148836611512010-06-11T08:00:00.049-04:002010-07-08T19:16:56.408-04:00

Numbers 16-18 Somewhere in my parent's basement is a picture of me one Christmas morning with a tragic 80s hairstyle I will never repeat, a cheesy smile on my face and a Rubik's Cube in my hands.  It was at the top of my list that year which really didn't matter; because that particular year, I got EVERYTHING on my list.  My oldest sister was working a great job and living at home with little to

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-81071671788637608052010-06-08T10:23:00.002-04:002010-06-24T15:49:03.978-04:00

"Those who write poetry do so because they are crazy or to keep from becoming so.” I don't remember who said that, but in my estimation, it's true. I know this because I come from a family of poets and myself wrote poetry at one point in my life. None of us are crazy, but we've worked hard to not to become so. :) All kidding aside, there is something cathartic about piecing thoughts together in

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-82193148498613817482010-06-07T09:12:00.002-04:002010-06-07T09:12:12.674-04:00

This day will require copious amounts of Martina McBride.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-72948775314303317022010-06-04T00:00:00.038-04:002010-07-08T19:17:09.935-04:00

Numbers 13-15 As my brother and sister-in-love prepare for the birth of their next daughter, the name game is heating up.  I think we've had two definite final decisions and I'm pretty sure the last final decision will be overturned on appeal.  There's real angst over this!  No one wants to give a child the same name as 12 other kids in their class nor give them a name so unique they can never

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757195388826521012.post-29479188136340328772010-06-02T18:19:00.003-04:002010-06-02T18:32:38.193-04:00

Part 1 Part 2 It's a set up.  We have been set up to fail.  I've been keeping the Sabbath for about six months now, and honestly?  I have YET to keep ONE of them holy.  There!  I said it!  Call me naive, but I thought that keeping the Sabbath would make me FEEL holy.  It certainly sounds holy, doesn't it?  I thought I could take one day a week, set it aside as a day of rest and as a result, I

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685461626133197715noreply@blogger.com0