Our Church

Above is a pic of my youngest daughter and me.

Go HERE to watch the progress of our front yard being landscaped.

My Husband, My brother in Christ

I especially enjoy writing about Biblical Womanhood as well as the application of Biblical theology from the perspective of a woman longing to communicate my love for who God is as revealed in His Word of knowable and applicable truth and NOT who I imagine He is from some sentimental, me-centered perspective that is based on relative, roller-coaster ride of self-sustained religion 'truth'. In other words, I like to encourage others to press on in His truth and His love for His glory.

But then, everything I have written has likely been said a whole lot better by someone else. I definitely have no insight that is deeper than what God has already revealed. Therefore, if you find anything of value here than give God the glory!

Click: What is it? and 5 solas / 5Points

"Lisa at Deo Volente is another blogger that I'd love to meet with and share some coffee. She's been through some rough circumstances in her life, and she's come through them clearly showing the grace of God, and honouring Him through those circumstances. Her various posts are sometimes funny, often really make you think, and always theologically sound."-Jen at JoythruChrist

Lisa is passionate about her reformed faith and her posts reflect how her faith is practically applied to situations in her life. Very difficult ones, from time to time...Ukrainiac

"Lisa's site has become one of my new favorites to read and to participate. I think she brings a nice touch to the application of theology to everday life as a woman and as a mother. It's sort of like Secret— strong enough for a man, but made for a woman." -Young Wilderness Voice

"Praise the Lord! I have finally found the sold-out, brainy Christian women bloggers, and from what I can tell so far, most of them are Reformed to boot! I knew they had to be out there somewhere. It was just a matter of time. I was directed to Lisa’s blog this morning ...which led to Carla’s blog ... and these are leading me to many others." -Katy at Logoscentric

"4Given's blog. The reformed mother of 6. She rips." by The Armchair Theologian

"This girl got it!" by no fluff required

"I find your blog very encouraging, and uplifting. You are an inspiration to me, and the Lord is using you to encourage me." by Lynn

The above links have some excellent resources and information. However, I do not endorse everything on these sites and prayerfully request that if you click on these links, you will do so keeping this in mind.

My blog is worth $379,370.88.
How much is your blog worth?

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Along with my husband, my dad is one of my heroes.

My father re-married when I was 13. She had 4 children of her own... and it was quite an adjustment. But this woman loves the Lord, made it through our tough, rebellious teen years, and takes really good care of my dad. When they retired, they sold everything, bought an RV and travel around to visit their grandkids and to help at various missions locations. They have become full-time missionaries.
My children LOVE it when they show up. Carol is a great cook... my dad, somehow, is always surrounded by children.
He takes my older ones fishing, helps them with their computers... the little ones just crawl all over him.
My dad was military, almost 25 years. And then he stepped up to raise a bunch of kids on his own when my mother left and never came back. It was a tough life, I am sure not what he expected... but he never gave up.

I just got an e-mail from my dad and his wife that was so sweet, I had to share it. I share it because it displays Christ in our home for His glory...

Dear Lisa,
It was so encouraging to see you playing the guitar as part of your therapy!
You have a beautiful voice as well as your children.
Lisa, I am praying that you will have the strength and energy to complete the work God has for you. That you will REST in Him. ...We are told by Jesus to ask the Father in Jesus name "that your joy may be full.John16:20-24
When I am in your home, I see you are filled with His joy thru each day as you show Jesus to your children. That is a wonderful gift that He gives you that fills us with joy too.

Love,
Your Dad and Carol

I share this because having multiple Sclerosis was not in my plan... my mother leaving my dad was not in His.
But God allowed those things for our good. He provided my dad what He needed to keep going (including his wife, Carol) And He will provide the grace I need to keep going... with a heart of joy only HE can provide.

The wife of a pastor in Alabama wrote these words when she was in the midst of testing to determine if she had MS: (Pro. 16:9; 19:21; Isa. 55:8,9; 2 Cor. 12:9,10; Ps. 119:67,71)

If I have MS, I can be confident that God has brought this for my good and that He will give me the grace to deal with it at that time.
Not only will He have brought it for my good, it will have come directly from His special, perfect, infinite love for me.
I can be glad and rejoice that whatever the outcome, God will use it to increase my ministry for Him (Ro. 8:28,29). This means that even if my ability to “take care of” my family (physically) is diminished, He will give me the means to minister to them in a new, special, and better way.

… in light of her sinfulness (Jas. 1:13-15; 4:1; Eph. 4:22; Isa. 53:6) she wrote:

...My desire for a healthy/pain-free life is sinful – by fearing the loss of such a thing, perhaps I am doubting God’s sovereignty to prevent it if He desires, or perhaps I am questioning His goodness? I most certainly need to repent.

… in light of God’s purposes (Gal. 5:16-18; 1 Pet. 5:10,11; Ro. 8:28,29; Jas. 1:2-4) she wrote:

God has used this situation to reveal lusts in my own heart. By doing so, He intends to use it to “perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle” me. My response should be to praise and exalt Him...

… in light of your responsibilities to God (Titus 2:12; 1 Jn. 2:15-17)

...I need to deny myself (my desires and lusts) and follow Christ. My concern for this situation provides a great opportunity for me to study the Bible as It applies here. My lusts/desires are “worldly” and stand in opposition to “sober, righteous, and godly” living. (Titus 2:12)

… in light of eternity (2 Cor. 4:16-18; Titus 2:12,13; 2 Ti. 4:6-8)

I should not lose heart. I am being renewed inwardly day by day even as my outward body is decaying. I should expect that God will likely use some form of sickness/disease to eventually take me Home.
Even if I have a life-long disease (MS), it is still but a temporary, light affliction … compared to the eternal weight of the glory that awaits me in Heaven.
My hope in Christ is a sweet reminder of my Savior’s love for me.
Why should I strive to hang on to the refuse what this world offers when I have an incorruptible inheritance reserved in Heaven for me (1 Pet. 1:3-9).

AMEN!

Posted by Lisa on May 18, 2006

Comments

I agree, that is an email of the sweetest kind. Your father is wonderful! I say "wonderful" rather than "amazing" because I kind of had what Ive come to term a "spiritual gut check" the other day, when you posted that you teach the children to reserve words like "amazing" do describe God. That was a great point, and I'm going to do likewise with my children-(which is going to be an adjustment, because we are known to casually throw the words "amazing" and "awesome" around quite a bit in our house). :-)

Posted by: little_gal | May 18, 2006 11:13 AM

I meant "to" describe God, not "do" describe God, although these words DO describe God....uh-oh, I'll stop now, before I type myself into a airhead moment.

Posted by: little_gal | May 18, 2006 11:16 AM

Thank you ONCE AGAIN, for the great chuckle, little gal.

I think I type myself OFTEN into airhead moments... sounds like a funny post title coming on.

Posted by: 4ever4given | May 18, 2006 01:15 PM

Glad you can glean inspiration from me, even if it is at my expense.
(Just kidding).

Posted by: little_gal | May 18, 2006 02:58 PM

Glad you can glean inspiration from me, even if it is at my expense.
(Just kidding).

Posted by: little_gal | May 18, 2006 03:00 PM

Now this double-posting was NOT intentional-believe me, I have NOTHING to say that would merit being said twice.
:-)

Posted by: little_gal | May 18, 2006 03:04 PM

Well... except when you want to give me another opportunity to giggle ... at your expense. Though I really prefer to giggle at my expense.

I just wish I could give you a *HUG*...

Posted by: 4ever4given | May 18, 2006 03:24 PM

Each time I have been admitted to the hospital within the last couple of years I always tell my doctor, "Well, let me check, but I don't think THAT is on my schedule." Of course we have a good chuckle about it and then I go on to be admitted. Each time has been a challenge, but also a special time in it's own way. This past year I spent Christmas in the hospital - definitely not on my calendar! It sure put a whole new perspective on things, though, and helped our family to step back and see what was really important.

I love the nanny nanny boo boo comment, Lisa. Never quite thought of challenges in that way...

Sheshe

Posted by: sheshe | May 18, 2006 09:34 PM

It helps, Sheshe. Always love to find ways to "not waste an affliction" by having a heart of peace and joy... even if it means laughing at myself as I trip over air while walking into church with a cane.

Words of advice:
1. Never wear high heels when your feet are numb and you're walking with a cane... even if they are the only shoes that match the dress. (It is just NOT classy.)
2. Okay... so my mind just went blank.... ummmmm.... nope, still blank. I guess that is it for now.

:-)

Posted by: 4ever4given | May 18, 2006 10:11 PM

Ministry Opportunities

"I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest," declares the Lord GOD. "I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick..." Ezekiel 34:15-16

Psalm 127

"My Husband, My Hero of Faith"

Just a pilgrim on a journey...

"I will lift mine eyes unto the hills; from whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth..." Psalm 121

Below is a video testimony about how God saved our marriage after an 18 month separation, 5 years into our marriage. We had 2 children when we separated. We now have 6 children and have been married for... well, OH so much longer!!!... by the grace of our faithful Heavenly Father.