Lisa Notes: Church, where are we?

Church, where are we?

Two arrested in the last meth bust. Back page news.
The 20-something-man slits his wrist. He fails to die.

Lord, I need You, I cry aloud
My heart is low, my head is bowed

The teen girl feels unloved. She awaits 18 to leave it behind.
The mom has a death wish. Her plans are mounting.

Please come find me, I am here
I need to know that You are near

A wife stays jailed in her own home. She can’t leave her man.
The girl says this cut will ease the ache. No pain this time.

The sin is harsh and tries to stay
Kick it off, I plead, I pray

And the church in the city
keeps its doors locked at night and
its hearts busy by day and
its rules binding ever tighter.

Where is the Light?
Where is the Love?
Where is their Jesus?

Who has time for coddling slippery slopes when
souls are ripping and
marriages are breaking and
kids are wondering why mommy cries all the time.

Church, where are we?
Church, where are we?
Church, where are we?

I’m here, I’m here, My grip is strong
My grace is deep, My reach is long

Who will hear Him...
Can they tell another...
Won’t someone shine a Light on the dark?

* * *

When things bubble up, and I can’t catch the overflow, I lay them out in words. Sometimes words only in prayer. Sometimes there and here. Today, both.

What are you trying to say? Katie and Stacey say put your hearts on the page and offer them to the One who gave them to you in the first place. Link up here.

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Debbie · 679 weeks ago

It can be so easy to simply shake our heads at the state of our world and do nothing. Yet people are suffering and lost. I am reading Jim Cymbala's latest book called "Spirit Rising: Tapping into the Power of the Holy Spirit". I've only read the first chapter and yet I'm already excited. It begins with prayer as a church body and ...I thought of you Lisa.

I'll have to share more as I get into it but even in that first chapter Jim was reading about a Christian family in Pakistan who were persecuted and some killed for their faith. He told his church about it at their prayer meeting and they all prayed. It just happened that a woman who was visiting the church for the first time that evening was from Pakistan. The people in the church were so touched and they all agreed to do something. It was amazing!

Keep caring, believing, praying and trusting God to lead you Lisa.

Blessings and love,
Debbie
My recent post The Blessing of Change

1 reply · active 679 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

That sounds like an inspiring book, Debbie. And it just so happens we're studying the Holy Spirit in my Sunday night small group. Hmm...maybe I need to look into this one. ;-)

Thanks for being such a beacon of encouragement to me. You're a special sister. I appreciate you very much!
Love you!
My recent post Church, where are we?

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Mary · 679 weeks ago

Lisa, I'm your neighbor at Write It, Girl and so glad he orchestrated my place there. The words you write here are so true...thank you for sharing.

I've been praying for you after the tornados - hope all is well.

1 reply · active 679 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

Glad you are my neighbor, Mary. :-)

Thanks for your prayers for our area after the tornados. All is well in my neighborhood, but a few miles down the road is really bad again. I can imagine they are asking, "Why twice, God???" Praying they will grow in faith because of it and not lose faith...
My recent post Church, where are we?

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Nancy · 679 weeks ago

His grace is deep, His reach is long. Oh, how these have to be true! May he give me eyes to see those in need of his grace and his touch.

1 reply · active 679 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

I'm singing the Brandon Heath song in my head now (Give Me Your Eyes) after reading your comment. It is so appropriate:

"Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity"

I need/want to see more like Jesus does.
My recent post Church, where are we?

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Nikki · 679 weeks ago

Yes. we should be shouting it from the rooftops. His grace is deep. His reach is long.
Thank you for stirring my heart today!
My recent post Waiting Defines ~ Write it, Girl

1 reply · active 679 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

Yes, we have such good news to share. I feel like I hoard it way too much. :-(
My recent post Church, where are we?

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@RamonaGcrew · 679 weeks ago

so true. so true. I long for our church to be a place of healing.

1 reply · active 679 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

It's a great longing for each of us to have. What would the world look like if each our churches became places of healing???
My recent post Church, where are we?

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Katie · 679 weeks ago

I know this cry well. I have cried out to God like this. I do have church that reaches out.... recovery programs, divorce care, grief share, marriage conferences and counseling programs.

1 reply · active 679 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

Your church sounds like it is very devoted to helping the hurting. Such beautiful ministries. It is a blessing that you are able to participate with your own story of healing too, Katie.
My recent post Church, where are we?

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floyd · 679 weeks ago

Your compassion is your gift. It is encouraging, inspiring, and convicting...

A beautiful prayer from the heart.
My recent post COFFEE IN CHURCH

1 reply · active 679 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

Thanks, Floyd. I need to be more courageous with putting it into action though...the Lord is still working on me.
My recent post Church, where are we?

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Julie · 679 weeks ago

Indeed. I believe that the church we have been visiting and are planning to join tries very hard to impact community...I like what I hear. Caring compassion coming out of the ONE place where people most would EXPECT it....May we not live up to the expectations of others as much as we pour ourselves out to the hurting and searching for the glory of our Savior....thanks Lisa!!! :-) xoxo
My recent post A Respite in Cedar Rapids...thinking WARM thoughts

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

Your potential home church sounds like it has a healthy outward focus. It's so easy to just turn inward, but I know Jesus wants us to take that love he's given us and spread it around to others. I'm glad others have spread it to me! So thankful you're one of those. Thanks, Julie!
My recent post Church, where are we?

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Stacey · 679 weeks ago

Writing it all down does help us understand - but this is so much bigger than us isn't it? God is clearly working in your heart and i know He will continue to move you, because you are listening.
My recent post Lately

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

Thanks, Stacey. I don't really know where to go with most of this, but I do want to listen to God's leading and be available for His use. Yes, it is definitely much bigger than us.
My recent post Church, where are we?

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barbarah 65p · 679 weeks ago

"My grip is strong. My grace is deep, My reach is long. " Love that. So powerful. Thank you, Lisa.
My recent post Happy Birthday to Jim!

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

When I think about his grip on me, I feel so comforted. It's nice to know he won't let go. We are safe in him...
My recent post Church, where are we?

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pathoftreasure 18p · 679 weeks ago

"doors locked... hearts busy...no time for coddling slippery slopes..." Oh, the church will have much to answer for. May we have eyes to see, ears to hear.

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denisejhughes 11p · 678 weeks ago

Lisa, my heart resonates with you. I pray that I will be the church God has called us to be.

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alymae 22p · 678 weeks ago

God hears our intercession, our confusion over the suffering -- your prayer echoes his spirit. That we would be the church who cares for the lost -- thank you for this convicting post. We need to remember that even when we feel we are limited by what we can do to help others, going to the throne of grace is not a little thing, but the best beginning to reaching others with salvation. Blessings to you Lisa, Alyssa
My recent post To Keep Hope Alive