Before Acting, Ask Yourself....

                                          salfordlad1
..."Does this bring me closer to Christ? Michael Card in his "The Parable of Joy" urges us to ask this question. Such a simple question, but if each of us would remember to ask it of ourselves several times throughout our day, what a profound impact that simple question could have on us and those with whom we interact. Just as "What Would Jesus do?" impacted the lives of those who started and joined the WWJD movement, "Closer to Christ?" could move the needle once again to our the true force of our lives: our Lord Jesus Christ!
Blessings~
Lisa

A Well-Grafted Brach....

I love reading about Christians who are well-grafted. Those who are right where God means for them to be. And, who know it.

And, it isn't always a soft place. Often times it is a place so hard that breaks their hearts. Breaks them like bread. And they are given in their work-their lives-to those around them. Yet, they lead a life of fulfillment, with God as their next breath.

One of these "well-placed" Christians is Katie. I was so blessed to find her book on a table of bookstore at the Minneapolis airport. I had never heard of Katie, the book, or her ministry. But, from the first page, I was hooked. This 19 year old girl opened her heart to God and He placed her in the middle of poverty, disease, and squalor. And there, she found her heart - and His. And, she never turned back.

If you want to feel inspired, to see someone living her life for the Lord, and living life to its fullest, pick up a copy of "Kisses for Katie". It will change your life. You will find yourself listening for His voice, opening your heart to Him even more!

Blessings ~

The Word in Action...

As part of my faith life this year, I have been sharing this daily devotional with my husband. I found it on the sale rack at a bookstore in Minnesota and took a chance that it would provide meaningful daily devotions. It does.

The book is a short read, but it helps imprint the meaning - the application - of scripture in your mind. Each day, the reading concerns a story of how a person has found a particular passage of scripture meaningful at a specific point of his/ her life. Most of the people you know. Others you want to know more about.

I don't know about you, but I find many daily devotional books to be pretty shallow - I rarely remember the stories and reflections. This one offers tales you will treasure and remember - pick up a copy!

Winter Solstice - The Reawakening

The winter solstice offers us a new beginning. The darkest day is behind us. It is time to look forward. I am grateful that our celebration of Christmas comes just on the heels of the solstice, reinforcing the idea of Christ as the Light of the world, coming into our own personal darkness and shining his light on our path.

During the past few weeks, I have taken time to reflect on what is means to embrace Branch Living; how to live connected to Him, to allow His life to flow through me, and yet to be out and involved in the world. Through my reading and reflection time, I have concluded that our true purpose in life is to serve as Christ's heart and hands as He carries out His redemptive work in our world. We need to allow Him to redeem us and to lead us into those areas where we can use our gifts and talents to help Him restore the world.

This is true branch living. Reinforcing our graft to Him, allowing His life blood to flow through us without hindrance and blockage, reaching out into the world as He directs to use our talents, skills, and gifts to further His ministry.

Join me in Branch Living, as we strive to live redeemed and redeeming lives!

Dormant...

There is something both sad and beautiful about a stately home that has been abandoned. The home has a past. It held a family, children, and all the possibilities that accompany young life. It held dreams and a future. This is part of its beauty--its past. It is the contrast--the stillness, the emptiness, the seeds of decay that evoke the sadness. What once was is no longer.

Yet, if you look closely, within its current barrenness are the seeds of possibility, of new life, of repair, of a future.

I have thinking about my own life--this branch I have been given-- in this very way over the past few months. My nest is now empty. What once felt comfortable and full now feels quiet, dormant, and unfamiliar. Yet, within this stillness, I feel the faint hint of an inner stirring. Of new life. But, it is only a soft stirring. And, I don't know what it means or where it leads. And so I wait... pray...listen.


Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Blend all my soul with Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life
Of Thine eternity.

Edwin Hatch

Listening to His Voice...

I love the song "The Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns, particularly the line,"...out of all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth".

I need to remember that each day...

Television ads tell me of products I "need".

Acquaintances tell me what I should do with my time.... and though they are very well meaning, it is His voice I need to hear.

How should I spend my time?

How should I spend my money and use my resources?

It is the voice of truth I need to hear as I plan my day

"Open my ears, dear Lord, to your voice." Amen!