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February 23, 2007

Be Still

My mom has this framed print above a doorway that says "Be still and hear the whisper of God."  I just love it.  Such a simple statement and yet so hard for most of us to do. I am trying really hard to realign my priorities, take more time for myself, and to be still and listen.


This morning I am reading How does God get our attention? 


The next time you find yourself wishing that God would pull you aside and whisper a lullaby in your ear. The next time you are looking for something clever, something different, something unique that lets you alone know for sure. The next time you need an audible, clear signal that all is right with the world and God is in control.


Then stop and take your own pulse. Pause and listen to whatever sounds your eardrums can detect. Feel the solid ground beneath your feet and consider the infinite worlds and possibilities beyond. Remember that God's single word gave life to it all.


And because, in that moment, you have the capability and the wherewithal to say "thanks," then you will know it is true: God is still speaking.

And even now, as I try to find that space to just be quiet and be thankful, the dog wants out. This is my biggest conflict. Work is necessary. Spending time with the children is necessary. Keeping a clean and orderly home is necessary. All of these things gobble up many hours of the day. I also find it important to be of service to others so I try to get to the nursing home a couple of times a week and I say yes when asked to help out with school functions. There go more hours. Having our animals brings joy into our lives. Someone has to care for them. Sleep is important. The only place left to get more hours is that silent time I try to take. If I'm sitting there doing nothing physically, then I can easily jump up and fold some laundry and that's what I do.

I know I'm not the only one in this predicament but it's really sad. The state of this world today is beyond insane. When the headline news of the week is who gets custody of a dead body. When our young men and women dying in a war has become so routine it's buried under Brittini's rehab. These are the times we need God yet also the times when we are hard pressed to find the time. So I guess it's a good thing our God speaks to us in the small things. We just need to take that minute or two to marvel at the little things we take for granted and count our blessings.

February 25, 2007

The Ultimate Gift

There's a new movie opening March 9th that I want to see. It's along the same line of thinking from my earlier entry about getting back the same energy you put out. The movie, like the book, is based on the message: "The only way you can truly get more out of life for yourself is to give part of yourself away.” The pre-screenings have already resulted in over $5 million in donations to charity. I have read this morning that the books’ author, Jim Stovall, has done a lot of distance learning projects with schools to spread the message. Show Of Hands is a teen organization that connects teens with charities. The idea was inspired by The Ultimate Gift.

This is the official site of the movie "The Ultimate Gift" and the grass-roots movement its starting to help charities and give to others. Support the charitable cause of your choice through the unique “Weekend Of Giving” promotion for “The Ultimate Gift”. You can find more details about how your opening weekend ticket can help a charity by visiting www.TheUltimateGift.com.

As Pat mentioned in my comments, my 40th birthday is coming up and I've been thinking about asking my friends to forego my Amazon wishlist in leiu of gifts to my favorite charities. Reading about this movie is strengthening my resolve to do that. More details as the dreaded FOUR-OH gets closer.

Abigail Breslin from Little Miss Sunshine playes Emily in the movie.


November 4, 2007

What would Jesus do?

This story again reminds me of why I steer away from organized religion. I cannot imagine digging up the grave of a loved one and moving their remains over something as trivial as taking communion. I realize that communion is a very important ritual in some churches and that is why I lean more towards the anabaptist religions. Low on the ceremonies and rituals and high on the faith. I don't think setting a time and place for communion with my Father makes me any more of a Christian than having a quiet communion on my own time.

About Religion

This page contains an archive of all entries posted to JustLisa in the Religion category. They are listed from oldest to newest.

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