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?

« Biblically Distinguishing "Types of Christ" | Main | A Disease not properly diagnosed... »

Why? Because...

Words can crush. Words can encourage. Words matter.

Someone I have come to respect has been attacked with mocking, worldly words and attitudes from those proclaiming to be Christians.
"When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23)

Here is my response:

...At the top of my blog I have clearly posted: "I embrace Biblical Theology a.k.a. Calvinism, Doctrines of Grace, the 5 solas. And I love to share the Gospel." I did not realize the e-mails i would get just from that. I was actually quite ignorant at how inflamed people get over Biblical Theology. This has truly been an eye-popping experience- refining to say the least. I have e-mailed Carla "in tears" asking her how she does it. And then one day it hit me. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. Carla, you have been encouraging and inspiring. Being a Christian that stands for the truth is not for the faint-hearted. And I have found at times that the blogosphere brings out the absolute worst in "proclaiming Christians." Sometimes it brings out the worst in me. Sarcasm and a biting tongue come very natural to me. But this refining tool called the blogosphere has not only caused me to look in that mirror and see sin issues that need to be dealt with, but it has helped me see in written word the progression (and sometimes the regression) of my sanctification process... and has taught me how to articulate and defend what I believe and why for the glory of God. (I think I have typed that a million times) I have witnessed even more so the depravity of man and the need for Christ through blogging. I have had countless opportunities to practice godliness and self-control, gentleness and mercy. Have I always heeded to those opportunities? no. And it is a shameful thing for me not to recognize it until after I have pushed "publish." I am embarrassed for those people. Their attitudes. Their mocking words. Embarrassed because I have, at times, had an attitude and have written mocking words. But the Lord has ways, it's called "Divine chastisement" towards His children, of stripping us bare-naked of those things so that we can progress and grow and talk and type and live as HIS servants for HIS glory. I have a long way to go. I am but a "lightweight" when it comes to theology. But I am teachable and I pray the Lord, for vengeance is His, takes hold of these people that proclaim His name and act like vicious filthy dogs, that if they truly are His children, they will repent and apologize to Carla. Wishful thinking? maybe. But God has a way, that is always perfect, of working all things out for good.

Now where's the chocolate and potato chips?

Oh... and go buy this REALLY cool t-shirt that Carla designed and remember... NEVER BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST!!!

Posted by Lisa on June 20, 2006

Comments

I totally agree with you. It is soooooo wrong to pretend like something you are not just to fit in and be popular. I would rather be a complete geek then not be a Christian. There is this one guy that was in my class that also goes to my church and happens to the music ministers son. Well anyway he totally acts like a great devoted Christian in church but then come monday he curses and starts to be a complete Jerk face. He is like sitting on a fence he is with Jesus and also with the world. but i think he should choose one.

Posted by: Emily | June 20, 2006 10:03 PM

Lisa...

I ate all the chips. I'll get more tomorrow.

:o)

Posted by: Carla | June 20, 2006 10:28 PM

Praying for you Carla.

Hi Emily. I know it is frustrating. Perhaps you can pose a question to your friend. Like, Why are you such a different person on Sundays then you are the rest of the week? But before you do that, Emily, pray. Pray for a heart of gentleness, pray that the Lord wil strip you of any self-righteous attitude so you can go before this guy with a broken heart not only for him, but for the Lord. Because what this guy is doing in his actions is harming the reputation of Christ. And that should make us not only righteously angry, but it should make us weep.

In that righteous anger we are not to sin. So what can we do? Remember that the Lord ultimately takes care of these things and we should trust him.
But in writing that, we must remember our responsibilities.
What are those responsibilites?
Pray for that person. And if you have the opportunity and it is appropriate, say something as above with the right heart. If you never have the opportunity to say anything... pray, pray, pray with a broken heart for this guy.

Posted by: 4ever4given | June 21, 2006 07:03 AM

Lisa,

God takes a very dim view on tearing down the brethren, falsely. We're certainly not to bear false witness. But Christ elaborates further.

"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell."

Obviously, we'll disagree with folks, even other Christians. But we need to strive towards peace with one another. This is not always easy for me.

Posted by: Mike Young | June 21, 2006 09:24 AM

Lisa. Good post. Here is something encouraging to look up. http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/about/

On that site, look on the right side a bit lower and there is a short sermon video by CJ Mahaney, called Sovereign Grace, I think. He speaks about humility. My prayer is when I blog or comment that more and more I can emulate humility because I know what a wretch I am without His grace and mercy on me. Anyways, you can certainly see it in CJ in the short video.

I am seeing more and more contention on blogs except for a few who are always gracious, always lift up Christ, the sense of humor is not biting or personal, and who uphold truth boldly. I want to emulate that in my life too.

Posted by: candyinsierras | June 21, 2006 10:16 AM

Oops. When you go to the site Lisa, click on About Us....go to far right column, scroll down to the two sermon videos at the very bottom right.

Posted by: candyinsierras | June 21, 2006 10:40 AM

Thank you Candy.

You wrote about blogs that are: "gracious, always lift up Christ, the sense of humor is not biting or personal, and who uphold truth boldly"

That is my goal. I will admit that I fail that goal at times... but I diligently press on to reach it. Perhaps you can also point me to those blogs if I do not know about them already so that I can "be inspired"... there are certain blogs I have found I must avoid, or at least avoid commenting on. One of those is Frank Turk's blog. For some reason I lose my senses there and it is best that I not type or at least pray more fervently before I even consider hitting that "publish" button. THere are some people that make comments on Steve Camp's blog that I allow to crawl under my skin. It is my fault. I place blame on no one but myself. I tend to get protective of the people I respect and forget that what I need to be more diligently protective of is boldly speaking the truth IN LOVE.

Posted by: 4ever4given | June 21, 2006 10:54 AM

Calvangelism = Bad

Evangellyfish = Bad

Bible = revelation

People = reprobate

(I seem to say too much often so I'm experimenting on just posting just bullet thoughts)

Posted by: The_Armchair_Theoloigan | June 21, 2006 06:50 PM

Somehow Frank Turk's link disappeared off my blog links. The green thingy where it use to be is still there, but his link disappeared. Maybe he has become a techy and is messing with me for giving him a hard time.

I like Calvangelist.

And I am still praying for you Carla. You have been on my mind all day, my friend.

Posted by: 4ever4given | June 21, 2006 08:33 PM

Here are some sites that are very edifying I think. I am sure you already know them. I think we daily visit some of the same places. I won't mention women bloggers that you probably already visit, but I really appreciate the heart and ministry of...

Rebecca Writes: http://everydaymusings.blogspot.com/

Reformation Theology: http://www.reformationtheology.com/

Together for the Gospel. http://blog.togetherforthegospel.org/

I visit many more, but Rebecca is awesome in my opinion for diversity in her blog from hymns, to art, to literature, to theology, and always is gracious and intent on bringing glory to God. She is my best example of what I would like to emulate.

Posted by: candyinsierras | June 22, 2006 12:24 AM

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.