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?

« Are You Deluded? | Main | Should There Ever Be Less Ferver... »

The Holyish Bible

Holyish%20Bible.jpg I remember when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and my "name it and claim it" friends came out to "encourage" me. I apparently lacked faith in their eyes when I responded with the "God's will" thing...
Their response, "GOD'S WILL... GOD'S WILL... Don't pray for God's will, HAVE FAITH to move this mountain and pray to be healed!"

"Okay... whatever... read your Bible..." is what I wanted to scream, but, by the grace of God, what was sinfully in my heart initially, did not come out of my mouth... yet.
What came out was an opportunity to share what genuine saving faith was about... as compared to the roller coaster ride of self-sustained religion spew!
Did my feeble attempt at proclaiming this truth change that person?
No. They told me I was a young woman, impressionable... and though I had much to learn, they would pray that I would have the faith to be healed.
My response:
"Please don't pray for me... I do not know what "god" you're praying to... because all that you just threw up on me does not sound like the God I serve."

Okay... so that time my little rudder didn't guide my ship on a straight path. I reacted out of hurt and anger instead of continuing to use it to boast of great things. I did not "speak the truth in love"... I got fed up with what came across as an accusation that I obviously lacked faith. I was a new Christian back then, but I was still without excuse. Yes, we are called to pray for God's will. Yes, we are called to have mountain moving faith. But, sometimes people are crushed because they are given the false impression that their lack of faith is the cause of their not being physically healed. This happens even though they have followed all the steps, according to faith healers, they were told to follow to be "healed". The problem is that God's will is not factored in. And sometimes the "healing" may not be physical. Carla wrote, "name-it-and-claim-it teaching is such a dangerous path of bondage & distress." To that I say, "Yep."

Isaiah 55:10, 11 "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

God is faithful and His will far exceeds our plans or desires.

But my out-of-control response was certainly not the way to handle this heresy. I have learned some things about the tongue and the wisdom that should proceed from it the hard way. Actually some of these are things that I ... ummmm .... might still need work on.

1. If you cannot improve on the silence ... then don't break it.

2. Gentleness is strength under control.

3. True peace confronts sin in humility without compromise.

4. Wisdom from God does not pursue peace at the expense of righteousness and purity.

5. Wisdom is not measured by degrees but by putting it to practice daily in my life.

6. Good for nothing = worldly wisdom

7. Lack of true wisdom causes my tongue to be unruly.

"Set a gaurd, O Lord, Over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3) and "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord." (Psalm 19:4)

Posted by Lisa on July 18, 2006

Comments

Lisa,

Those are some excellent points to remember. I can especially appreciate #1 and definitely need to practice it more.

Fortunately, I don't find myself around this group any more. They appeared to be all around me when I was in college, though. I had a roomate in this camp.

One morning, it was pretty early, I felt uneasy while I was trying to sleep. I opened my eyes to find my roomate hovering over me. Totally wigged me out! Needless to say, after I got done exercising items 1 through 7, he decided to move out the next semester. I'm not sure why. :)

Posted by: Mike Young | July 18, 2006 09:03 AM

Yes, well, I would say #1 is what i need most work on.

Posted by: 4ever4given | July 18, 2006 09:17 AM

This was wonderful Lisa, thank you.

Posted by: Carrie | July 18, 2006 10:02 AM

God is wonderful and to Him be ALL the glory for my feeble attempt to bring Him glory.

Posted by: 4ever4given | July 18, 2006 11:42 AM

Name the Name of Christ and all that means. He, Himself prayed for the Father's will.

Claim with thankfulness that which the Only Wise God hath ordained.

Faith is not believing you will get what you want, Faith is trusting God's goodness to be all you need.

Part of the beauty of who God has made you, Lisa, is your strength in Him to bless His Name and shine brighter than those of us who do not have this privilege.

Posted by: amy | July 18, 2006 11:54 AM

It has been a busy, trying day, so I hope that my levity does is not taken the wrong way. However, I could not help but recall one of my most favorite lines in the movie "Bambi" when I read "If you cannot improve on the silence ... then don't break it."

When Thumper said something somewhat derogatory, his mother had him recite a rule she had taught him. He said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nuthin' at all."

I appreciated Amy's comment: "Faith is not believing you will get what you want, Faith is trusting God's goodness to be all you need." So good - so true. I might have to use that sometime.

SDG,

Posted by: Preacher G (4ever4given's Pastor) | July 18, 2006 04:40 PM

Pastor Ed... this was supposed to be your day off... and you describe it as "busy and trying". I guess pastors don't really get a day off... ?
I have to agree about Amy's comment. Very God-honoring and much appreciated.

Posted by: 4ever4given | July 18, 2006 07:15 PM

Well, I have lost a day. Today is Tuesday and Monday is your day off... ha. What happened to Monday???

Posted by: 4ever4given | July 18, 2006 08:46 PM

Lisa, I don't know what you dislike about this health and wealth stuff...it keeps working for me! I keep asking God to illumine my mind by his spirit to know him more through his self revelation in the scriptures and then, by the convicting and regenerating work of his spirit, that he would grant me grace to mortify sin and produce new fruits of righteousness in my life, and he DOES! Man! Does that mean the health and wealth works for ME?

I wonder if I'm praying the wrong prayers? Maybe I'm wrong in asking for SPIRITUAL wealth and SPIRITUAL health. Maybe I should be praying for things like PHYSICAL healing and more MONEY...but that seemsd silly, seeing as God doesn't make promises for those things in scripture.

Hmmm...

I wonder if I'm missing something here.

(And yeah. Enough with the 'watching your tongue' stuff. We all know who that pistol is shooting at. I'm convicted enough as it is! Doh!)

Posted by: The_Armchair_Theologian | July 18, 2006 10:04 PM

I will be on a field trip with my children for most of the day.

Hope you guys have a blessed day in the Lord.

Lisa

Posted by: 4ever4given | July 19, 2006 04:48 AM

I have had those moments of "Why is this God's Will" when I am in pain with my disabilities. Sometimes the pain is too much to bear, yet I always remember that people have it worse than me. I also have a God who is in control and has not forsaken me.

It's really encouraging to read how God has brought you through your "trials" too.

Posted by: Chelle Y. | July 19, 2006 11:39 AM

That is the truth that must be fully embraced, Chelle. That God is in control and has not forsaken you... nor will our perfectly faithful God forsake any of His adopted children ever. Thank you for sharing, Chelle.

Posted by: 4ever4given | July 20, 2006 06:50 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.