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2009 Manna Blog | ||||
Tuesday, October 13, 2009Addendum to "Does He know you?"I received such a beautiful response to yesterday's posting from one of my friends, that I wanted to share a portion with the email list, to encourage all of our hearts: From Laura:Dear Lisa, Thank you for the insightful words; beautifully written and thoughtfully presented. I've pondered these words before and have remembered that Jesus is the author and finisher of my faith and I must trust Him to accomplish His will in and through my life and keep that which concerns me. It is an awesome Word to consider; being known by Him. And I appreciate you bringing it up before me again as a mirror in which I look to see not only myself but the LORD Jesus standing next to me in the reflection. I pray that we may all look to HIM and behold HIM as HE is and be made like HIM, that we all know HIM and are known by HIM in HIS name and for HIS glory! Because you trust in Me...This morning, I (Lisa) saw such an encouraging scripture I wanted to share it briefly too, along the same lines. In Jeremiah, right as Jerusalem was about to be conquered by the Babylonians, the Lord had Jeremiah deliver a word to a man (Ebed-Melech) who had actually rescued Jeremiah's life from the hand of those who sought Jeremiah's life for speaking judgment against them. He said to him (Ebed-Melech) when speaking of the disaster that was about to come upon the city (Jeremiah 39: 17-18): "But I will rescue you on that day, declares the LORD; you will not be handed over to those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the LORD." Trusting in HIM seems to be the overall theme, and there's no better, more sure foundation in which to put our trust.... We can say with Timothy: "...I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." (2 Timothy 1: 12b) May we ever trust in His enduring faithfulness, Lisa | ||||||
Monday, October 12, 2009Does He Know You?Today I added a new meditation to the Shining River Website. It's a "challenging word", especially to those of us who "know the Lord". I would encourage you to read it "at your own risk", and I trust Jesus Himself to lead you into an awareness of which parts are intended for your own heart. May He woo us all to His side... It's entitled: Does He know you? | ||||||
Tuesday, April 28, 2009The Holy Spirit ScreenHere is a little "word picture" that came to mind during a time of worship this morning. I had gone outside to "sing to the Lord" in the beauty of the fresh air. It was a blessed time... That is, until I realized that I had small black flies beginning to swarm around me, and actually landing on me. If I had been moving around, they would not have been able to find me as readily, but since I was standing in one spot, I was fair game...Thankfully, they were not BITING me, but they were becoming annoying. So the one-on-one time with the Lord got moved INSIDE, where some screens could conveniently keep those little pests from ruining the moment. Although not a perfect analogy, it seemed similar to our spiritual lives. As we walk in His will, the Holy Spirit may act as a "screen" to keep us from being distracted or hurt by the evil one. We can stand freely in Jesus Christ without fear of attack. Perhaps there are times when we need to venture out "into the world", but we do not stay and stand there unprotected. Jesus spoke of us coming in and going out and finding pastures (John 10:9). Paul spoke of us being able to "stand" while wearing the "full armor of God" (Ephesians6:10-18) Very similar to that "armor" (which is not as familiar in our culture), we could also look at is as a "screen" that protects us and allows us to "stand" in situations that would otherwise be hurtful or harmful if we were out of His covering and will... Also, it is interesting to consider the sin and error in our lives...perhaps sin causes rips and tears in that screen at times, allowing things to get through that would otherwise come near us... Interesting food for thought...thought it was worth sharing. Hope it blesses you as it did me, to know that we have this freedom to stand "in Him", and that He has the ability and desire to remove our fears and distractions, while enabling us to effectively do His will. | ||||||
Wednesday, April 15, 2009RootsToday I added a new entry to the Listening with Lisa files (a listing of my non-musical writings). It is entitled Roots: "Roots ... the place from which growth springs, whether for good or ill. Do you have any "roots" beneath the surface of your life? Are they roots that cause you to produce "good fruit"? Or perhaps are there unruly weeds popping up their heads now and then, from bitter roots running beneath the surface of your life ... or of your household ... business ... church?" More... | ||||||
Wednesday, February 25, 2009rockstars--ADDENDUMHere's a brief update to hopefully put a smile on your face.... :) I've been spending the "quiet" moments post holidays to pull together my taxes. In doing so, I always double check the past year's calendar to be sure I haven't forgotten any important info. For those who read the "Listening with Lisa" entry entitled "rockstars", I have a little addendum. This made me smile, and I hope it does the same for you. If you haven't read the original story, this won't make much sense, but if you did, I think you'll understand why I smiled when I became aware of this.... Remember at one point I said I didn't know if I'd remembered all the details, and that there might be other things that would "come to light" down the road? Well... As I was going through the July page of the calendar (for my taxes), I saw this (which I had totally forgotten) written in the July 7th block: "Fill This Temple sent out today". Because the following month had so many details back and forth to get the CD totally finished, I had forgotten about the day it originally left my hands to be replicated. Yes, indeed, it was 7/7/08. I just chuckled when I saw that, and wanted to share it :). God is good, and often so tender to us. I pray He'll be tender toward you today.... In Jesus, Lisa | ||||||
Sunday, January 11, 2009His breezes blow ... the waters flow....I want to share a quick word today, from a scripture to which I turned quite "by chance" today, aiming for a different section.... What a blessing to have the pages open to this particular Psalm (147), and speak in such a surprising and poignant way. This simple thought will hopefully bless any whose hearts feel about as cold and hard as the snow coated hills of North Jersey today (where I happen to be at the moment). Looking out the window, and seeing the ice-encrusted blanket of white somehow makes the words of this Psalm extra meaningful. This mid-winter day seems to be the perfect time to share this scripture with others who may be looking out of their own windows at a frozen landscape, while experiencing a similar emotional/spiritual "tundra" in their own hearts.... From Psalm 147: 3-18 He [the LORD] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Extol the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion, for he strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat. He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes and the waters flow. How about your life? How about your loved ones and friends? Ever seem like "hail" was being "hurled down like pebbles"? Surely in our nation and indeed the whole world, there is no one who can "withstand his icy blast"... Our only true "hope" is in Him ... in His grace and kindness, for in many more ways than we all know, we are truly "at His mercy". The following sentence can bring such comfort, in order to warm frigid hearts: "He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow." So here's a simple thought and prayer for this day ... that you would realize that Jesus, the "Word" of God was "sent" into this cold world ... even perhaps to your own "frozen" heart, to melt bitterness and frigidity.... That He delights in "stirring up His breezes", and making those waters within you begin to flow again.... During these cold, long days of January, may His gentle Spirit stir up a warm breeze within, to thaw rock-solid, icy hearts, and make those waters flow again. In Jesus' name, and in His love, Lisa | ||||||
Tuesday, January 6, 2009rockstarsHappy New Year! I posted a rather lengthy, but quite personal story entitled "rockstars" recently (on Christmas Eve) to the "Listening with Lisa" files. This writing goes into detail about the uncanny timing and events surrounding the production of the "Fill This Temple" CD. If you are a follower of Jesus, I would like to encourage you to consider that He desires to cause you and the rest of His "body" to "...shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life..." (Philippians 2: 15b-16a) | ||||||
The stories and entries in this Manna Blog are written by singer/songwriter Lisa Prokopowitz | ||||||
| Web Design/Graphics/Photography by Bob Prokopowitz © 2009 - 2014 Lisa Prokopowitz dba Shining River |