I'm thankful that Jesus is calling

If you are looking for a 2010 Devotional to use this is it: "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. A few months ago a precious blogging friend named "B (whom I was blessed to meet in person at the Blogger Retreat) graced me with this beautiful book. At the time I looked at the date for that day and it gave a good word of encouragement. I set it aside to return to it but I had not until yesterday as I've been using Charles Spurgeon and Smith Smigglesworth devotions this year.

Well, I opened it up yesterday and this is what it said:

I knew right that moment that the reason I had not returned to it is because Jesus is calling me to make this my devotion for 2010. A part of my private moments with HIM each day and I well intend to soak in every drop. I appreciate B's obedience to the LORD in sending this special gift.


As I read the devotion above yesterday I cried because the SECOND paragraph describes the child, teen, young adult, adult woman that I used to be.  The FIRST paragraph describes the woman I became as I grew in my prayer life, my devotional life, the ingesting of HIS Word and in my relationship with Abba Father, the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit over the years and I'm still growing!! Jesus has brought great healing and peace into my life from so many areas I was wounded in and YET there are still areas I must keep before Him and I believe this tiny book is going to be of great impact!

I took the SECOND paragraph as a reminder to me of what NOT to return to which I was delivered from about 15 years ago and that was the virus of people pleasing but the second paragraph also was a HINT of what I could have fallen into with my Living a Fit Life blog which with all honesty I had explained to the ladies on that blog that I had to make it private so that I could HEAR GOD for Lisa until He releases me to turn it public again. I've been using this time to focus on writing my book which now is flowing and on getting re-focused in getting fit.

When we give out even through the power of Jesus Christ and not through ourselves (which is the only way to give out through HIM), we have to be careful not to expend more than we have to give in order to help others that we love and appreciate. That leads to burn out fast and so I had to obey the Holy Spirit and refocus, regroup, put the blog on pause and get into HIS PEACEFUL PRESENCE so that I can continue the journey of losing the remaining unwanted weight on my body and let me tell you it's a battle! Some of you may understand that battle.

Nonetheless, it is His presence that I find peace and strength so I choose to focus on the FIRST paragraph for this hour and the days, weeks, months and years ahead and I invite you to do the same.

I had not intended to share what I did above but I'm obeying the Holy Spirit's leading which means someone needed it and let me share this with you, I love the title of this devotional book: "Jesus Calling". Is that not perfectly said?! Amen?

He is calling us friends. He's calling us to a deeper awareness of Who He is and what we mean to Him. He is also calling us to bare better witness of Who He is in how we think, feel, behave and LIVE. He's calling us out of those dark hiding places where we think no one can see. He's calling us as followers of His to be more vocal and involved in what matters to HIM and not so much about what may matter to us.

He's calling us to be courageous and not fearful, to be filled with hope and not doubt. He's calling us to love more deeply.

I believe He's also calling us specifically in blogging to be more transparent and to share that which He leads us to share and to remember that we are to encourage each other in blogging but our mission is even greater than that. We are called to go into all the nations and reach people for Christ. Well, last I checked our public blogs are on the "world wide" Internet. What better way to reach the nations for Christ. Amen?! Amen!

Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

I'm excited about this season of giving thanks because of course we are thankful daily but this is a special set-apart time to be thankful. I am thankful for all the precious souls the LORD sends to my (HIS) ministry website and blogs and for all the ways He uses my life and yours to share HIM with the world with respect, love and boldness in the Holy Spirit.

I am thankful also for each one of you and the ways you have so touched my life. This year especially has seen many online friendships take root off line and for that I am deeply thankful to the LORD. For every prayer I am privileged to pray for you and your loved ones, for every encouraging word you share with me, for your genuine love and support I am thankful to the LORD for each of you.

I'm praying for you and thank you so much for your visit today.

Lovingly in Christ Jesus,



Copyright Sharing Life with Lisa/Lisa Shaw 2009. All Rights Reserved.

his unconditional love changed my life later on

I didn't realize that the unconditional love of my Grandpa later affected me in three ways:

1. My ability to receive GOD beyond being my GOD and knowing Him in the love of my Abba Father.

2. Grandpa's unconditional love caused me to love my husband, children and grand children unconditionally.

3. His unconditional love given to me as a single Mom prepared me to love my adult daughter unconditionally in the struggles she would later have.

You see UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (love without strings attached) conquers areas of sin. When we love a child or grand child enough to tell them the truth of what sin is and what they are engaging while still loving and embracing them and not dismissing them --ONE DAY that adult child will come to know GOD's love for themselves and they will draw to HIM and know repentance, forgiveness, healing and GRACE and all of that is unconditional love.

Let me share an example of Grandpa's incredible unconditional love in my life that transformed me later in life.

When I became an unwed pregnant Mommy at 21 years of age I received certain types of support (not monetary as I was working full time and had my own medical benefits) however I was not receiving the emotional and certainly not spiritual support I needed from anyone other than my Grandps.

For sake of time I will say that my Grandma was very hurt and even afraid for my future. She was concerned that my path in life was on the wrong track. I can still remember the words in the letter she wrote to me, "You are on your Mother's path. You'd had better stop now before you end up with two children out of wedlock by two different Father's as she did."  I didn't want her view of me to be spoiled but sadly it was.  I was so hurt that my Grandma was hurt. I was not angry with her although her words stung my heart deeply and initially had me very upset but truly I understood her pain.  I had disappointed her in a manner that could not be forgotten but I prayed it would some day be forgiven and it was. Thank You LORD.

Her anger was not at the baby. Her anger was at the decisions I had made that created the situation I was in and she was afraid for the future she saw ahead. I remember her saying to me  the day I called them with the news of my pregnancy. She said,  "I won't always be here Lisa and I want to make sure you are using your head." That simply was Grandma's way of saying, I love you and I want to know you are going to be alright in your adult years and make wise choices!

I don't want this message to be too long so let me just share that while I understood and respected Grandma's position and her manner of handling it, I still felt very alone and afraid myself although there were  a handful of people around me but those people were not invested in my life as my Grandparents were.

It took my Grandpa's love to get me through a very difficult time. You see, Grandma wouldn't speak to me until one month before I gave birth. I don't say that in a cruel way because remember the era they came from an the experience they had gone through with their own children. She was crushed. I understood but Grandpa pushed beyond whatever emotions and thoughts he had about my condition as he called it (remember the era) and he said something to me that made a life long impression on me so much so I ended up using these same words later in life to someone I loved unconditionally. My Grandpa said, "Lisa, I'm not disappointed in you, I'm disappointed in what you did but I love you and I love that baby and Grandpa is going to be here always for you."   He always spoke to me like I was a little girl and some how that was ok with me (smile). He was my Grandpa.

Let me tell you that he stayed in touch with me through the entire pregnancy. He wanted to make sure I kept my doctor appointments, that I was being careful at work and that I was getting enough sleep. He was concerned if I was gaining weight and if I was eating enough. He'd always remind me that Grandma loved me too. I knew that but I also knew he needed to tell me.

Anyway, the morning after I gave birth to my beautiful bundle of joy and other relatives had left I called my Grandparents and told them she was here. Grandpa had a million questions but I was so tired but I clearly remember him asking, "Do you want Grandpa to bring you some stewed chicken and rice?" Oh yeah!!! That was our signature meal.. It was the meal he had made me a million times over the years when I was sick or "hurting".It became the signature meal I made and still do for my hubby and children when they are sick or something is not quite right with them. I'm sure I'll do the same for my Grand babies.

What absolutely blessed me was when they walked through the door and the nurse brought my baby girl in I told her to hand her to my Grandma and oh boy...the smile on  Grandma's face. Grandpa looked at me and smiled. He knew it was all ok. Grandma started singing the boobooboobuboobula tune with her the way she did with me as a child and she walked over and kissed me on the forehead. No words exchanged just unconditional love in the manner in which she could show it.

Let me close with this, the words of my Grandpa about not being disappointed with me but rather with what I had done made all the difference in how I VIEWED myself. He did not condone the sin of premarital sex which leads to unwed pregnancies and he made that clear to me but he was all about family, love, support and telling you what was wrong and what was right and still standing by you.

While Grandma was not able to offer love in the manner in which Grandpa did  during the pregnancy I KNOW without a doubt he was updating her with every daily conversation he and I had and I know that she was praying for me and my bundle of joy while I was pregnant.

While I worked full time my aged Grandparents cared for my bundle of joy during the day until I arrived to their home. They poured into their first Great Grand daughter for the first 2.5 years of her life until I gave her to a local Christian licensed sitter. Grandma lived another 1.5 years and went to the LORD. She never had the chance to see me married, my daughter with a loving Daddy (my husband who adopted her) or another bundle our youngest daughter but some how I know she knows it all for sure and besides since October 2007 Grandps has been in Glory with her and I'm sure he's filled her in completely if the LORD hadn't already told her (SMILE).

Ok, I close with this -- love your children and grand children unconditionally the way Abba Father loves us. I will share in another post about how Grandpa's love helped me to see GOD as more than my GOD but my Abba Father which was very difficult for me.

How we treat our children and grand children not just as children but when they become adults even when they are not living up to the teachings they were given will make a difference in their lives later on. Tell them what is right and what is wrong. Don't tolerate sin however remember the grace of Abba Father toward you and extend that grace toward them. My Grandpa did that with me as did Grandma in many ways and I later had to do with one of my own precious ones. It WILL make a difference in her life later on and actually has already begun.  My Grandparents unconditional love I'm convinced is why I am where I am in the LORD today. It would have never happened otherwise. I thank GOD for them!

Let my vulnerability here in this message touch your life in a way where you reach out to someone in your life in an unconditionally loving way. It will matter in their lives later on.

Thank you for visiting with me today and reading my heart sharing of the unconditional love Abba showed me through my Grandparents. More later. Again, as I said in the previous post, no pressure to read, this is really some thing I need to do and I so appreciate the support of your sharing. Your comments in the previous post EACH ONE made me cry good tears and put forth good smiles and say many prayers of thanksgiving to our Abba Father for all the people He's put in our lives along the way to love on us.

Praying for you today.

Lovingly in Christ,

Copyright Sharing Life with Lisa/Lisa Shaw 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Wrap your teeth around this he'd say

There are two men in my life that are very important to me. My Husband and my Grandpa. Grandpa is now with the LORD (10/2007) and with my precious Grandma (4/1990) but I wanted to share some precious thoughts about my Grandpa during this season of giving thanks for I am indeed thankful to the LORD for my Grandfather.

Having grown up in the manner in which I did Grandpa was very important to my self-esteem as a girl. He was the healthy, pure, encouraging male love in my life. He made me feel safe. I trusted him completely and somehow even as a little girl I always knew that he would do anything for me.

Much I want to share but in this post I want to talk about a memory of meat. Yes, meat. You see Grandpa and I were huge meat lovers. I still am. He could cook like none other. I didn't get the gift. I'm average in the cooking department but I hold my own.  He could make a huge Turkey and Ham for Thanksgiving and Christmas that would make my mouth water literally.

Well, as a little girl I'd smell that Ham cooking in the oven and I'd come around the corner and peek into the kitchen. Grandpa  would be dressed just as he is in the photo above. What I like to call his casual cooking clothes.  He would steadily prepare foods, wash dishes, clean meats, boil peanuts, soak black eyed peas -- everything that would be needed to make the dinner tastefully delicious.

But oh that Ham.....

Grandma was usually working at the table on her "church stuff" she'd call it as she sang one of her two favorite songs, "What a Friend we have in Jesus" or "What a fellowship what a joy divine leaning on the everlasting arms". You see while Grandma was a good cook by all respects Grandpa was the chief of the kitchen but Grandma would really throw down on the preparation of those home-made deep dish Apple and Sweet Potato Pies. Ahhh


Ok, I'm back. I was just swimming knee deep in the thoughts and flavor of those pies.

When the Ham was done Grandpa would say, "Lisa, come here". Of course I would want to dash in to the kitchen at 100 miles per hour because I knew what was next.

Grandpa would use the big fork and stab that Ham and pick it up and trransfer it on to the cutting block and there I would stand with my head just over the top of the kitchen work table and Grandpa would slice a piece and put it in to my mouth and he'd slice another piece and put it into his mouth and then he'd slice a piece and put it onto the serving platter.

There wasn't any talking going on. Just chewing and sounds of mmmmm.  He'd then say with a smile on his face, "wrap your teeth around this" and he'd give me a big hunk of meat.

I would like to say this was purely in my little years but the truth is this special time between Grandpa and myself went all the way until I was 21 and a Mommy and even then I would come into the kitchen while he was preparing the meat and he'd slice a piece and hand it to me (no more putting it into my mouth for me) and those mmmm sounds still existed.

The blessing for me came when I was able to on two occasions cook the Turkey and the Ham for him after Grandma went to be with the LORD and I was well into being married and had another child and we all went to his home and I prepared the entire Thanksgiving dinner and the joy in hearing him say, "Lisa, this is great. You did good.". Here I was about 30 or so crying because he was so happy with the food and it blessed my heart because if you knew Grandpa he did NOT give over the reigns of the kitchen with ease. I counted it an honor to not only cook but to serve him.

I miss him so much and I think sharing here is what I need to do. With tears streaming I say to you,

Grandpa, I love and miss you very much. Thank you for pouring all the love out to me that you did. Thank you Grandps, what I loved to call you. Thank you for making so many Thanksgiving and Christmas times so special. Thank you for the moments the other 363 days per year also.  Thank you for being an example of Christ-centered love in my life.  Give Grandma a kiss from me. I'll see you both in God's timing. Enjoy the LORD and don't worry about us. We're in His care. I love you.

Thank you for visiting with me today. I'll be sharing some moments along the course of this week. No pressure for anyone to visit and hear about my times with my Grandparents but if you should stop by then I pray it will bless you. I'm praying for you.

Lovingly in Christ,

Copyright Sharing Life with Lisa/Lisa Shaw 2009. All Rights Reserved.

My prayers for you

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP) The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

I just wanted to reach out to anyone who visits today and tell you that I so appreciate and love each one of you and I'm thankful for the privilege to pray for each one of you. My prayer is reflected in the WORD above.

Have a peaceful, life-changing, life-giving weekend in the LORD. May you know HIM on a deeper level as you (we) seek HIM.

Lovingly in Christ,

Embrace the changes GOD is making

I was so blessed to be asked by Kristen, Founder & Editor of the encouraging Christian Magazine, EXEMPLIFY Online to share an encouraging video on her Ministry channel. I was certainly honored to do so as I really enjoy her magazine as I'm sure many of you do. Today is the first Video hosted so I'd like to ask you to pop in and let me know what you think. I pray it will bless you. I closed comments here with the hopes you'd leave an encouraging comment on the magazine. I appreciate your support.

Click HERE to view.

*Side note: the video was actually taped in Oct but they weren't able to release it until the Nov edition so the story I shared is from that time.

Thanks in advance. For all my blogging friends, I'll be making my rounds this evening and I look forward to a hot cup of cocoa, some Classical music in the background while I visit with each of you.

Lovingly in Christ,

Copyright Sharing Life with Lisa/Lisa Shaw 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Free to be me: Alecia Potter Corbin

I'd like to share with each of you today a family that has tugged at my heart: The Corbin Family.

Alecia and her husband Michael and their two beautiful children are full time Missionaries for Family Life Ministries(www.familylife.com). They have placed their complete trust in the LORD for ALL of their needs including a place to live while they are out on the missions field and every resource that is needed. What comes to my mind: "Faith walking"! Amen.



Alecia was one of the speakers at the Retreat and as I sat listening to their testimony and her humility in serving the LORD as a full time missionary and in her desire to be all that HE would have her to be as a wife and mother I was deeply moved and knew that I had to ask her if I could share her family with each one of you.

She left us with a lasting statement that her family is truly living: "Hold the cloak of materialism loosely".

I'm so glad she said for me to share as the Holy Spirit leads me because I believe that what He has led me to do is to ask if everyone who reads this would first pray for Michael, Alecia and their beautiful children and the humble work the LORD has commissioned them to do.

Then, would you visit with them at their CorbinLife blog or facebook at: Alecia Potter Corbin or Email ministry@corbinlife.com and give them WORDS of Encouragement in the LORD.

And then if the LORD touches your heart to partner with them monthly or to sow a seed one-time Donation into their lives to help support them, then please contact them directly. I'm sure the LORD will multiply whatever seeds are sown. He's just that type of GOD. He's amazing! Amen!


There are people who come into our lives that leave lasting impacts small and great. Faces that long into our years we will remember. Names that will stay on our lips in prayer even if time, the distance of the miles and the journey's are in different directions -- STILL those people will remain some how in the banks of your mind and heart. Alecia is one of those people to me. I will long remember her in the journey of my years and while our paths are different our end-goal is the same and that is for our lives to be used for the glory of the LORD.

Alecia, may the love, favor, blessings, mercy, protection and provision rest with you, Michael and your children always as you go forth with courage serving the LORD.

I am so honored to share this precious family with all of you today. Thank you all for visiting with me and please know that I am praying for each one of you.

Lovingly in Christ,

Remembering: Veteren's Day

Remembering all of the men and women who have served, those who are still serving and those who have died for this country.

Remembering the precious families who sacrifice their families as they defend and protect us.

Remembering my three brothers who served in the military over the years.

Remembering the precious lives taken at Fort Hood.

Remembering...and praying...for all who serve and have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Thank you all for your service. I honor you. God bless you and your loved ones.

I have closed comments to pray as we remember.

Lovingly in Christ,

Encouragement and Giveaway Winner!

"O Christ, I thank You that I can live, as You lived, a happy, trustful child of the Father, without fear. Help me to begin it today. Amen." E. Stanley Jones


This message is on my calendar this morning and it caught my eye. I read it smiled and proceeded to the coffee pot. I was drawn back to the message. I stood, read, smiled and then cried.

Tears? Yes, I'm the Queen of crying before the LORD and I'm unashamed for the tears marked my appreciation and joy for being able to say that I really know what it means to LIVE IN FEAR and then after a journey of many years to be FREE from FEAR because CHRIST set me free.

He was with me along that journey of fear from my childhood into my adult years.

He had my back.
He had my hand.
He carried me often when I was weak.
He wiped away many tears.
He healed me from violating hands from my childhood and teens.
He saved me from hurtful words and betrayals.
He rescued me from sinful and bad decisions I made.
He forgave me when I repented and restored me.
He reminded me countless times that I was HIS and that I didn't need validation in the wrong places.
He pulled me back when fear would grip me yet again.
He would whisper, "I love you. Trust Me."
He would hold me when I was afraid and unsure.
He'd pick me up when I'd stumble.
He'd lead me always back to Abba Father where I found even more love.

Sadly it took so many years for me to "get it" that I was truly HIS but He never gave up on me. He never slept. He never weaken. He never left me. He never became tired of me. He never failed me. He required my trust, my obedience to Him, and that I would abide in Him. So little to ask when He offers EVERY THING in return.


JESUS alone put a smile back on my face long ago and it remains! I'm FREE because He made me free and so are you! You don't have to live in bondage. Praise the LORD!

So today, if you are living in fear, release that fear to the LORD so that you too can live as a happy, trusting child of the Father through Jesus Christ. HE IS AMAZING!

So I weep tears of rejoicing unto You LORD for being my everything and for setting me free from everything that has held me captive. Help me to walk in that freedom each and every day precious LORD. I love You. I need You. I worship You. I thank You.

******
The Winner of the Blessing Giveaway post below is Debbie from The Way We Are. Debbie is a vibrant, beautiful woman who I'm sure you'd like to know so hop over to her blog and let her know she's won (smile) and encourage her in the LORD please.

I'm praying for all of you this day. Thank you for taking time to visit with me today and if I can pray for you in a specific area please leave a comment.

Lovingly in Christ,



Copyright Sharing Life with Lisa/Lisa Shaw 2009. All Rights Reserved.

I love You Jesus

It's early in the season but it's right on time for me. I love this song and the way this gentlemen sings it hits the cord of how I feel when I sing it unto the LORD giving thanks to HIM this season and always. Join me as we sing about that precious
"O Holy Night"





For all who stop by to visit please know that I am praying for you and more importantly JESUS loves you.

Lovingly in Christ,

It's going to take 11 minutes and 37 seconds

I realize every one's time is precious but if you're able to watch then please watch both videos so that you will hear my FULL heart in the LORD on this subject. I believe the Holy Spirit is leading me to share it although it's SO not the messages I normally share here but they are the ones I share off line so please be encouraged and see my heart in this.

Part 1




Final part





Thank you for taking the time to watch and for your visit. I love you and I'm praying for you and for me that we would all walk in the UNITY OF CHRIST in these last days.

Lovingly in Christ,



Copyright Sharing Life with Lisa/Lisa Shaw 2009. All Rights Reserved.