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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.

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Weekend Whatever: Oprah... How could anyone NOT like her.

She's nice. She's giving. She's dynamic. But why does she do these things?

In her own words after building a school in Africa to keep a promise to former South African President Nelson Mandela, she says, "I want this school to be a reflection of me."

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."--Col 3:17

I call Oprah's words idolatry of self. I know... I know... but she is SO giving to others. I like Oprah. I imagine I would enjoy meeting her and hanging out with her for a day. I would imagine that she would tell me that she loves God... AND that she loves herself because of the whole self-esteem thing. She would probably say that I need to love myself more because God made me in HIS image. But what does Jesus say?

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."-- Mt 16:24-25

So what does the following passage mean? "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." That is talking about loving your neighbor without partiality, just as you would feed your body and seek to nourish it to keep it healthy so as to serve the Lord.

Think about the story of the good samaritan. Oprah gives the appearance of a good neighbor. The problem lies in who's getting the glory. Oprah seems to be a picture of moral rectitude... but the problem lies in the distinction between true holiness and visible morality.

In the words of my pastor, "true holiness includes visible morality AND the principles of Scripture" giving God the glory with a picture of righteousness through Christ alone. It is not for me to say whether or not Oprah is or is not a genuine Christian. However, when we think upon "comparative righteousness"... a term my pastor uses to depict our tendency when "examining ourselves" to compare our character, motives and actions to other people instead of comparing it to Jesus Christ... we cannot conclude that a person is good because they do good things and live what appears to be a good life. For there are none that are good apart from Christ. And all good works apart from Christ are as filthy rags. But through Christ alone they are "a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God."

Visible Morality is not something to be disdained. But, let us be careful to make sure that visible morality is not all we have.

Make sure you read, "Rot of Religion: The idolatry of self-love."

Posted by Lisa on August 26, 2006

Comments

Wonderful post, Lisa. Amen.

Posted by: Carrie | August 26, 2006 02:56 PM

Watch this video:
One Way or Many Ways?: The Gospel according to Oprah

Posted by: Jeff Fuller | August 28, 2006 09:29 AM

Thank you for sharing that video. There are so many people that hold to "Oprah's Gospel". I personally will not claim whether or not Oprah is heaven or hell bound... even though the outward evidence gives the appearance that all she has at best is visible morality.

There is only One way. One Truth. One Life... through Jesus Christ alone, by faith alone, and all for His glory alone.

Posted by: 4ever4given | August 28, 2006 01:00 PM

Hi Lisa,
What Oprah has done over the years has been wonderful. I have to honest though watching her over the years it seems to me that it has always in some way been self serving. When ever she does something I always hear her bring the attention to the fact that she has done it.Many times I have heard her say for the first time ever on The Oprah show we have so and so proforming. I guess I see what ever she does the focus is brought back to her.
I also think she is a New Ager from what I gather.
http://www.wfial.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=artNewAge.article_1

take care
Cristina

Posted by: Cristina | August 29, 2006 03:31 AM

forgive the typo in previous post, it is 4:00am and I should be in bed LOL

Posted by: Cristina | August 29, 2006 03:32 AM

Cristina,
You are correct about her giving herself the glory. I do not really watch Oprah. Actually I do not watch a whole lot of TV. But I use to watch her all the time about 7 to 10+ years ago. And I occassionally happen on an article like the one I linked to that causes me to reflect once again on the fact that "she just doesn't get it." It saddens me because she is so popular, and really is dynamic. But again, she really doesn't get it. And I want to be careful to avoid saying whether she or anyone else is or is not a Christian... unless they themselves outright say they are not. I can certainly question it with a greiving heart. I am not God.

If someone writes of a scenario without naming names and says, "what if this person does all these good works, gives himself glory and believes in God and that there is more than one way to heaven... are they going to heaven or hell?"
My first thought is that "the path to hell is paved with good intentions."

OR a more obvious one..."What if this person did good works all their life and was very religious, but worshipped Buddha... is she going to heaven or hell?"
My first thought is that we are NOT to love any other 'gods' and that God, the Father of Jesus who sent His sinless human Son to die for His people, is the only true God. So unless the Lord draws that Buddhist to Himself even perhaps up to his last dying breath, I would have to conclude Scripturally that she is going to hell, unless she calls on the name of Christ and repents.

Oprah does claim to love God, but she also claims that there is more than one way besides through Christ... and there is not... period. And I do not write that with a supercilious holier than thou attitude. Think... broken heart, weeping for the lost, longing for His truth and His glory.

Thank you for your comments, Cristina and Carrie.

His servant for HIS glory,
Lisa

Posted by: 4ever4given | August 29, 2006 08:08 AM

Oprah is real nice and loving, unless you go on her show and say Jesus is the only way to be saved...then the truth comes out.

Posted by: Scott | August 29, 2006 04:05 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.