Pause. Pray.

UPDATE:  Praise Him!  It’s not MS!!  I don’t know what his health problem is – if anything – but I know I’m rejoicing over the emails I’ve received that say it isn’t what they were told to expect.   What I do know is that if Melissa Lea doesn’t call me back PRONTO with some info I’m driving to her house!!  xoxox0
 
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Today I humbly ask that you all pray for Nick Lea. He, his precious wife Melissa, and doll baby son Andrew are dear friends and church members. They have also served our Awana program faithfully and have loved my Boy Three above and beyond.  I know their patience with him in guiding him through his assignments are one of the keys that brought him to salvation last year.  So if they weren’t special to me already, they certainly are for that reason.
 
Nick is only in his late twenties and is facing a diagnosis of MS. He will be going to the doctor Thursday for a full report and treatment options. Ask the Lord to give healing if He so desires and courage to face the uncertainty of this condition if the Lord chooses to be glorified through this illness.
 
A very special woman in our church proposed that we fast something on Nick and Melissa’s behalf.  To honor this request and to create a longing to be answered only by prayer, I’m laying aside my beloved Diet Dr. Pepper and will not blog or Facebook Thursday.  Monumental stuff, people, but Nick and Melissa deserve much more than that.
 
If you feel so compelled, would you leave a word of encouragement for them?  I know they are living on the prayers of God’s people right now and I would love to be able to present them with a few more. 
 
 
Thank you all so very much!!
Lisa

August 19, 2009 | Filed Under Church Life, Ministry | 5 Comments 

Game On

Montgomery 2009 Cheryl 347

This has been the summer of The Volleyball. Or Ball-y Ball as Luke is prone to say. The mania started while we were in Montgomery on our mission trip. The church who hosted us had a net inside so during our breaks some of the more energetic among us would get up a game. I didn’t join them because, hello, we’d just come in from convection oven temps and mamaw needed her Diet Dr. Pepper, ham sandwich, and a few minutes to kick off the flip flops. It was so fun watching those little whipper snappers that I was all in when we got back home and they set up a net behind the church.

Now, when I say I was all in, I’ve got to mention that I was a little nervous about playing. The guys take their game seriously which I still haven’t figured out because none of us are any good. Yeah, homeboys, I said it. I really figured they wouldn’t let me play at all or at best, pick me last which would have triggered insecurities I work very hard to keep beneath the surface. Thankfully there are usually a few shorties playing with us so worst case scenario I’m typically better than the 4-year-olds.

Speaking of taking it seriously, I’ve got to show you the uniforms. We had a Throw Down scheduled for last Sunday night after church so some of the guys made themselves warrior gear to prepare.

This is Casey, The Prince of Produce. His dad, The King, has the veggie stand in town:

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JS, The He-Man with Infinity as his number. What was I thinking when I suggested it was a sideways 8?:

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JWatkeeeenz: And no his shirt is not bedazzled, it’s studded.  Big, huge, enormous difference.  Just ask him.

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AW: The One Man Wolf Pack. He has a scary serve.

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I didn’t get pics of everyone. My own son for one. Great move, mom. His street name is Rev Jr. He’s enjoying this Volleyball alias thing way too much. I’m really hoping he doesn’t go all UFC on me though an evangelist with a kung fu kick may be an interesting soul-winning combination.

There’s also Buzz.  He will sting you. In his dreams.  And he cries a lot.

I currently do not have a uniform save for a Jesus Girl shirt that I bought at an Angela Thomas/Priscilla Shirer thing in Nashville a few years back. With a little bedazzling studding, I think it will work just fine. I’ll be calling JW so he can hook me up with some metal.

And who ever thought a cleverly scheduled game could be such an outreach tool? There are more people showing up on Sunday and Wednesday nights than ever before because to play, you gotta pray. It’s a sick form of Baptist indulgence but we take it how we can get it. We’re unashamed.

I’m proud to report that my team – the one of misfits, under-aged, over-aged, and infirmed – is currently leading the series. It’s an underdog story worthy of the Hallmark channel. Since I’m sure you are totally invested in how this unfolds, I’ll be sure and keep you posted until the movie comes out.

I just have to ask.  Do y’all have this much fun with your church peeps?  Mine make me so happy…

Game Point,
Lisa

August 18, 2009 | Filed Under Church Life | 3 Comments 

First Day on the Faux Job

So I’ve mentioned that I feel I’ve come to a crossroads of sorts.  Just saying that makes me think of Ralph Macchio making a deal with ‘ole Scratch on a forgotten highway in the Mississippi Delta but that, thankfully, isn’t exactly what kind of junction I’m talking about.  Luke and I have talked a lot over the past weeks and I told him what I’m telling you now - I feel I’ve reached a season of life in which it is time to get a job. 

All of my kids are in school now leaving 7 hours of my day completely free.  I use the term ‘free’ loosely in that there are plenty of homekeeping, Luke-helping, kid-hauling, Bible-studying things that need to be done.  I just have a hard time determining the what, when, and how without getting sidetracked with something more fun or intriguing or demanding than what I’m doing at the moment.  I don’t work well with unstructured time.  The ADD in me needs obligation and accountability in order to thrive.  Once upon a time I did have a rigid schedule that I followed Pharisaically, but that stressed me out in a whole other kind of way.  SO, here I am with several areas of my life that need compartmentalization, pronto.

There’s also the financial aspect.  According to Luke, he’s kept me up for the past 13 years so now that my kids are half grown it won’t hurt for me to contribute to the money bag.  (He didn’t say it but I know he’s thinking it.)

Back to the job.  

As I prayed to the Lord for guidance, it occurred to me this thing could go one of two ways.  I could either attempt to find gainful employment whereby I actually punched a clock every day.  The heartbreaker there would be the inability to continue ministry as I now know it which basically consists of my being gone a couple times per month and preparing for those times in between.  I’m also trying to put together a new book proposal.  I don’t think many employers take kindly to having a girl who only wants to work when it doesn’t conflict with her study/travel schedule.   The upside?  A paycheck.  Haven’t had one of those in a while.  The downside?  Having the life sucked right out of me since I wouldn’t be able to do the thing I’ve come to realize gives me the greatest joy outside of loving my husband and kids.  Taking the summer off proved that point.   

Or on the other hand, I could lay the casual ministry I’ve already been doing for several years at the feet of Jesus and see what He might do through it.  Formalizing a bit – as in naming and claiming it as a real live organism – would give me that sense of accountability I need as an outlet for teaching, writing , and speaking.  The upside?  I’d be serving God in a new and scary way.  The downside?  No paycheck on this side of glory.

Enter providence. 

It seemed as though the decision was going to be made for me because the bottom line was that I needed a dependable income.  And so the Lord – being bigger than all –  orchestrated a work situation that could not be more perfect for me.  It is very flexible, will meet our families’ needs, and allows me to continue what I’ve been doing all along.  All out of the blue.  From nowhere.  As in BAM, there it was and I’m still sitting here slack-jawed over it. 

I have to believe this is my green light to continue on a path to forming a ministry.  I don’t know how long it will take because there is a lot involved f I decide to go the non-profit route.  I’m still researching all that.  What I do know is that – as of today – I’m running on faith and pretending the thing already exists.  I’ll be working from a make-shift office at the church on a regular basis.  I’m telling you all this because not only do I want to be accountable to God, my husband, and my kids – but to you as well.  So if you see my Facebook status update at an odd time of day, feel free to leave me a note that says, “Aren’t you supposed to be working?”  After I get over being mildly annoyed, I’ll thank you.  I promise.

I’ll be sharing more soon but for now, I’d better get to bed.  I’ve got to get to work in the morning. 

And my boss isn’t an early morning kind of girl.  I think we need to discuss flex-time.

Love,
Lisa

August 17, 2009 | Filed Under Ministry | 10 Comments 

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