Lisa Notes: The practice of slowing down

The practice of slowing down

Talking around my kitchen table this morning. And linking up tonight around other kitchen tables for the Soli Deo Gloria party, because Jen is . . .

Inspiring women to just keep it real

Books I’m using this year for spiritual disciplines:

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor
The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows by James Bryan Smith

The most important aspects of our lives cannot be rushed. We cannot love, think, eat, laugh or pray in a hurry.
JAMES BRYAN SMITH

Full disclosure to keep it real:

I didn’t move the clutter or old newspapers off my kitchen counter for you, but I did pause the washer and dryer
I didn’t put on any makeup or fix my hair (just got out of the shower actually), but I did put on a smidgeon of lip gloss because my mama always said a woman needs a little bit of color
I didn’t tell you up front that I really don’t like making vlogs because of, well, a million reasons, but I did one despite all my reasons not to

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Comments (34)

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Beth · 634 weeks ago

Well, I had no idea you have a southern accent, Lisa! That was quite a nice surprise. :) (My hubby is from Knoxville and your video peaked his interest as well.) Thanks for "keeping it real" and sharing how you want to stretch and slow down. I want that too, Lisa. And I appreciate the quick review of the books you're reading. I'll have to check them out.

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

I have an accent??? Ha. So you're probably acquainted with "y'all" if your hubby is from Knoxville. :-)

The books really are good. I finished both of them a few weeks ago, but am going back through them, one chapter per month, to better DO what I read.

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Lyli@3dLessons4Life · 634 weeks ago

I love that quote from the book. Thanks for sharing (you brave, vlogger you!)
My recent post Victory

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

Yes, isn't that a great quote? Some things just can't be hurried.

Every vlog I make, I assure myself it will be my last. :-)

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Hazel Moon · 634 weeks ago

No way will anyone will get me to do one of those videos, but you did good!

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

Oh, but we would LOVE to see and hear you, Hazel! That would be such a treat. But I understand; I don't like doing them either.
My recent post The practice of slowing down

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Lynn Severance · 634 weeks ago

Lisa, it is so interesting to read your post today. I say that as just last night I read the chapter in the book my church home group is studying. The book is “The Life You’ve Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People.” by John Ortberg. The chapter I read last night is, “The Unhurried Life: The practice of SLOWING (emphasis mine).

Here is a significant except that goes with what you have shared. “Following Jesus cannot be done at a sprint. If we want to follow someone, we can’t go faster than the one who is leading.. . .Jesus often had much to do, but he never did it in a way that interfered with his ability to give love when love was called for.. . .Hurry is not just a disordered schedule. Hurry is a disordered heart.” p.79

Yes - think I’ll go and see if I have any rubber bands! Thanks for another great posting.

:) Lynn
My recent post Living in the Questions

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

God's timing is so perfect, yes? :-) So glad you shared that excerpt, Lynn. It fits right in with where grace is taking me.

I seem to need these reminders over and over. Living non-hurried sticks for awhile (at least in places), but then I gradually lose it. I want to follow Jesus at HIS pace, not mine. And his is not hurried.

Sounds like another book I need to add to my list. :-) I finally picked up another suggestion of yours last week when I was at the library: "The House on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet." I am enjoying it unfold.

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julie · 634 weeks ago

Love that you shared face to face ! (virtually!) It's so good to see and hear you talk. **{{I agree that you have a Southern Accent. I heard you for the first time when you and your family shared you memorization quest and the bloopers! (enjoyed) got to hear that Alabama voice }} I liked your rubber band reminders. Creative! Also liked the quote very much. I thought to myself, What if I DO ATTEMPT to hurry??? Love in a hurry? the recipient deeply notices it. :-( ~ Think in a hurry? I lose my train of thought! ~ Eat in a hurry? I get a tightness in my throat! ~ Laugh in a hurry? "it" loses it's humor. :-( ~ Pray in a hurry? ouch..I lose the intimacy of the moment of speaking to my Savior. You are Right. (well the author was right!) I am going to try and SLOW DOWN with you...and Keep it real. BIG {{HUGS}} to you Lisa. xo
My recent post An Update on my Dad...

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

Isn't that quote good? It's making me think a lot too. I like how you fleshed it out into different examples. For me to let go of hurry, I have to let go of things surrounding it. So if I don't want to hurry through my prayers, I need to spend less time on something else. Etc. Thanks for always keeping it real with me, Julie!

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Brenda Maddox · 634 weeks ago

Really enjoyed watching this. Hope you do more. You could see your heart in what you are practicing. Maybe more than if you had wrote this one. And I can't believe you didn't have makeup or fixed hair. You looked great. I would have set the camera clear across the room and I would have been that little dot in the back. Always enjoy visiting here and sorry I go awhile in between.

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

Set the camera further back--I'll remember that for next time. ha. (If there is a next time!) Anyway, you’re a sweet cousin, Brenda. :-) Hope you and your family are doing well! Love you.

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Kelly Chripczuk · 634 weeks ago

I'm slowing my way through An Altar in the World, skipping and skimming, letting what catches me catch and seeing what comes of it. Thanks for sharing.
My recent post If You Get Lost

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

I think that skipping and skimming is a great way to work through her book. I sketched out a general schedule in January for how I wanted to proceed through the book, but I've already switched things around as fits my season. I'm glad it's that kind of a book. :-)
My recent post The practice of slowing down

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Connie Smiley · 634 weeks ago

Thanks for making me feel welcome in your kitchen, for sharing from your heart, and for passing on that excellent quote.

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

My kitchen isn't much, but you are welcome there. :-)
My recent post The practice of slowing down

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lauraboggess 49p · 634 weeks ago

I smiled my whole way through this because it is SUCH A TREAT to hear your sweet voice! :) Yes, that is a little twang :) Love it. And you look gorgeous. No one should look so good straight from the shower!

And I love this idea of doing the disciplines this way. I am so sharing this, Lisa. You get five stars from me :)
My recent post Playdates with God: Joy Dance

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

And to think I hardly even notice I have a twang. ha.

I'm already benefiting from doing the disciplines this way. I love the traditional ones as well (I'm a HUGE Richard Foster reader and especially "Celebration of Discipline"), but Barbara Brown Taylor is shaking things up a bit for me now. That's always a good thing. :-)
My recent post The practice of slowing down

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Katharine · 634 weeks ago

Loved this! Stopping by from SGD... this was wonderful, I may have to be brave and try one myself!
My recent post Dear February...

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

I hope you WILL do one next time, Katharine. I'd love to hear you as well as read you!
My recent post The practice of slowing down

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Jen Ferguson · 634 weeks ago

You are such a beautiful inspiration -- I just look at the comment from Katharine above -- keeping it real really does have an impact on people. And I cannot believe how cute your hair is and you didn't even have to try!

On another note, I love, love, love that quote and the rubber band cue. I'm thinking on these things tonight.

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

I'd trade hair with you. I haven't been able to have a ponytail in quite a few years. :-) My hair just does whatever it wants to do, regardless of what I tell it to do.

You are a big inspiration, Jen. I'm thankful for your courage to show us the "real you" week after week. And the more we see, the more we love. You are precious.
My recent post The practice of slowing down

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Lori · 634 weeks ago

Loving all these comments about your Southern accent, sweet friend. Your vlog just made me yearn for more opportunities to share our commonalities which are multitudinous!! How do you like that word?? Not sure where that came from but it's so true. You are a great communicator! I don't share that in common with you as I doubt I would be able to get my point across as clearly as you did in just a few words. It takes me days to write a blog post ... how could I ever get it said in a few sentences??

Even though I think I introduced you to "A Good and Beautiful God" I had only read a couple of chapters so I'm back in it again. In fact, I actually prioritized my stack of books recently and it was at the top of a fairly large stack. I'm thinking I need to go on a "book fast" ... I guess Lent would get me started. Oh the discussion we need to have!! Great quote!!
My recent post Living My One Life Well

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

I like "multitudinous"! :-) I think it fits our common interests well. I do wish we lived closer and could meet around our kitchen tables--or at least Chick-Fil-A!--often.

Yes, you get full credit for introducing "A Good and Beautiful God" to me. Now I want to read the next book in the series, too, but I'm trying to hold back so I can concentrate more fully on this one first. Books are always a temptation to me!
My recent post On this day in February

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@nancyfranson · 634 weeks ago

I wasn't sure how I felt about this whole vlogging thing, but it sure was lovely hearing your sweet southern voice. How is it, after all your posts I've read, I'd never heard it before?

I like your practice of using a rubber band (or, gumband, as they are known in Pittsburgh) as a visual reminder. I was not raised in a liturgical tradition which used things like candles and prayer beads as symbols and reminders. Lately, however, I've been wearing a necklace given to me by a fellow prayer warrior. Each time I feel it around my neck, I am reminded to pray for a fellow warrior.

And, really? You check your Google reader while on the phone? Shocking! Truly! Because I thought I was the only one guilty of that :)
My recent post Of Waiting, Winter Gardens, and Longing

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

A gumband? That's a new word to me! :-) I love what we learn from each other through blogging.

I wasn't raised in a liturgical tradition either; that may be why it fascinates me now. What a great reminder to pray for your fellow warrior with the necklace. There's something about those tangible things...

Even after all this, I clicked on Google Reader when I was on the phone today! Can you believe it? But I felt immediately convicted, clicked off, and shut the laptop. Whew. Crisis averted...this time. Lord, have mercy on me! :-)
My recent post On this day in February

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Jerralea · 634 weeks ago

Lisa, I so love that quote from James Bryan Smith. Thanks for sharing.

I also love the idea of practicing slowing it down because I don' t think I can do it automatically. I have to be intentional about it. I only get one life, I don't want to race through it in a blur.
My recent post Fearless #6

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

You might like this quote, too, from that same chapter:

"Hurriedness is an inner attitude that is not necessarily caused by outer circumstances; boredom is one of its symptoms. The solution to the problem is counter-intuitive: being present where you are."

Being intentional--amen. Life isn't a race. Thanks, Jerralea.

My recent post On this day in February

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jodyocollins 6p · 634 weeks ago

Lisa--I also had no idea as well that you had an accent........where is that from? this is such a wonderful idea--a talking book report.

I hope some day to get to meet you in real life....this was a blessing

1 reply · active 634 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 634 weeks ago

If you've ever visited Alabama, you'll understand where I got my accent. :-) I've lived here all my life.

I love this vlog idea too--well, at least the part about hearing other people, not doing one myself. ha. So glad you were brave and did one yourself! And who knows? Maybe we will one day meet in real life; stranger things have happened. :-)

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Katie · 633 weeks ago

Love the James Bryan Smith books! I have trouble slowing down.
My recent post Trusting You With My Heart

1 reply · active 633 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 633 weeks ago

I think having trouble slowing down is one of the curses of our age. :-( So many of us struggle with it.

This was the first James Bryan Smith book I have read, but I hope it won't be my last! The next in the series I've started is "The Good and Beautiful Life." Looking forward to getting it one day.

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Jenna · 633 weeks ago

i have noticed that you are taking time to pause when talking to me... love you!!
My recent post my birthday… in photos

1 reply · active 633 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 633 weeks ago

Aw, now you're making a mama cry! :-) But happy tears. God is good to let me be your mom. I should ALWAYS pause when we talk. Love you!

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