Bethlehem Blessing

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  • Joy and Pleasure on the Path of Life

    I like it that the Holy Spirit has made it clear to me that I will be advancing the gospel with my calling–with my purpose for being on this planet.

    I have known for a while now that I will be and am now spreading the goodness about Jesus with my art, music, and writing. And for a short time, I have known that I will be doing some public speaking regarding one of my writing projects.

    Today, I discovered through the Holy Spirit that in the not-too-distant future, I will also be preaching the word of God. I did not wonder about this when I found out. Several years ago, I finished writing a devotional book, and I am currently writing a book about reading the Bible. Neither has been published yet, as I have only recently monetized my business platforms to do so

    In writing the two books above, I have received an education that helps me understand how to write a sermon. Also, in the course of writing the books, my research led me to read several books on sermon writing.

    Although preaching is more than writing, I know it is a good career for me. I did take a public speaking class, and I grew up in a large family where I usually volunteered to speak for the whole group when needed. And, when I speak to people in general, I quote the Bible and offer helpful understanding.

    I have been envisioning standing before people and helping them with the words of God. I think about Jesus and the whole Holy Trinity throughout all the days and evenings of my life. It only seems right that I should be sharing this with people.

    Psalm 16:11 reads, “You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy, in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” NRSV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Reconnecting With Good Mini Habits

    Mini habits lead to even bigger ones. I start with mini habits because they are easier to make happen.

    I try to begin my small tasks and projects with a prep. I prepare the materials I need and set up the area I will be working in for what’s to come. Like if I am going to color my hair, I get out the items needed to mix together, and the utensils I will be using, and lay them all out on an old towel. I grab my iPad to listen to a podcast and put on my coloring cape.

    When I cook, I fill a bowl with water and white vinegar and soak the fruits and vegetables for a bit first. Then I chop them and turn on the hot pot to boil water. And I turn on the oven to cook the poultry or meat.

    These set-ups, or first tasks before- the -task efforts, make jobs go smoothly. To flow. To happen like water cascading over a waterfall.

    Considering just how organized I try to be, I could not even take the baby steps I needed to take for a long time; I thought there was something wrong with me. I felt like I wasn’t functioning properly. I would begin something and abandon it soon after.

    It was only after years of frustration with not accomplishing anything much that I figured out what the problem was. That roadblock, that boulder in the road ahead of me, was the people I had been surrounding myself with. At first, these people seemed enlightened, helpful, and kind. But eventually their true selves emerged.

    It was like these individuals were dressed up for Halloween in angel costumes and switched clothes while I was trying to get things done.

    1 Corinthians 15:33 reads, “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” NKJV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • No Worries About What I’ll Eat

    I have recently set out on my own for the first time in my life. I am trying to budget, and plan ahead so I do not find myself in trouble. I have been looking in my cupboards checking on supplies, food and what I have. I then began to get concerned about how long what I have will last. Then I remembered the Bible verse about the birds.

    Matthew 6:26 reads, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” NKJV

    I do not know how Jesus does the things he does, I just know that he does.

    I do know, though, that when we say prayers, we are to take some sort of action to go along with the prayer. So, when I pray that I will have enough to eat, and all that I need in general, I will do something. With regard to food, I will not waste any and will cook at home to stretch my dollars. Also, I do know there are a couple of pantries that are run by local churches in the neighborhood. I have donated to them in the past.

    When it comes to my utility bills, I will not use excessive electricity or heat when I can control it.

    And as for what I will wear, I will purchase clothing and other items at the thrift store, so I am spending a fraction of what a person would normally spend on these things.

    I know there will be days in the future when I will be in a position to donate to charities and to set up my own foundation to help people in need.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • All Things Equal What Is Good

    I just survived a season that was seemingly all things bad. But Romans 8: 28 reads, “We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.” GNT

    I know the above verse to be true even as recently as today. I was talking to my brother and was able to offer advice on how to regain important benefits. The beneficial things I’m talking about are walking in the woods, like he was already doing; being patient with yourself; letting go of guilt if it plagues you; and, basically, loving yourself.

    Had I not experienced one of the worst seasons of my life before the conversation, I would not have been able to offer that sort of help.

    Another situation where goodness came from a not-so-good happening is that, because my sister is in the hospital, some family members are visiting and are in town. We will all spread some loving-kindness around and catch up.

    In addition, I will be able to draw on the history of the adversity I lived through to bring my writing to life.

    Again, I will mention the Canada geese that frequented the campus where I went to school. Those geese were messy, which seemed bad. We had to dodge the remnants of their droppings to get from one class to the next. However, because they were there, I will forever remember my fondness for education. Today, I am a lifelong learner. Whenever I see the geese, I usually grab my iPad or a real hardcover book and dive in.

    As I write on this sunny day, there is also some good that came out of an unfortunate situation. I am inside, not out in the fresh air, because some people out there have been gossiping about me. I don’t feel like running into them. Besides, I decided not to tell them I know what they’ve been up to. I am just going to leave it up to Jesus. Whatever he decides to do will be right.

    While I’ve been inside today, I have fixed up my MacGyver couch (it’s a couch made out of an air mattress and a futon cushion). I’ve added a dust ruffle to my box spring under my mattress and disguised my art supply trolley with a lace front covering.

    I am achieving household success despite the cruel types outside.

    Thank you for reading, and have a beautiful day.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Jesus Goes Before Us

    Recently, I had to venture out into the world, not knowing where I was going. I packed my bags and took off. I had to have faith I would end up somewhere safe. I did land in a place where I was welcomed in, and I felt taken care of there.

    I did not know about the fact that the Lord goes before us wherever we may go. In the above case, I knew he did arrive before me when I got there. Everything was so perfect, and I had all that I needed too.

    It was so different from where I’d been. It was fresh and new, with trees, plants, and flowers.

    And the other day, I journeyed on a path I had never been on before. I had many stops along the way, but there was no obstacle blocking any of the avenues.

    And, when I first set foot on my college campus, it was obvious that someone had led me there. I did not know at the time that Jesus was even out there in the world, so I didn’t know it was him who paved the road ahead of me in that instance. But, I do now.

    Earlier in my life, I went spelunking (cave exploring) and had to enter a cave through a narrow opening, crawling on my stomach the whole way in. Once inside, there were caverns of all sizes. They were strung together in a maze-like fashion, and I know I wouldn’t have made it out of that cave without Jesus leading me. Because while inside, I encountered a dangerous situation that was a matter of life and death. Only Jesus could have made sure I found a straight path to escape.

    Isaiah 45:2 reads, “I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut bars of iron.” NKJV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Gratitude

    I got down on my knees and thanked Jesus for his many blessings earlier today. He is amazing, my God–the only God, and my savior.

    I like to make sure I am grateful at times when I am not in need of immediate help from the Lord. What I now understand also, is that when we are thankful and we have faith at the same time good things are going to happen. I do believe Jesus wants us to have faith as well as gratitude above all else.

    I look around and see the birds, grass, and trees beneath a perfect blue sky, and think about how awesome it all is. God put it all right here for us to enjoy.

    Then there’s the burgers, smoothies, and chocolate chip cookies. There are works of art, fast cars, and monkey bars–all here for our happiness.

    I thank Jesus for my paints, my computer, and my voice. I try not to forget anything when I am praising him.

    The gifts he’s responsible for are not just the ones that make the holidays special. All of them are from Jesus.

    James 1:17 reads, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” NKJV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Trying to Help Adversarial People

    When people are unfriendly or hostile at times it does not seem smart to issue good tidings to them, or to try and share Bible verses with them.

    I know that, as Christians, it is often good to offer understanding or sympathy with a Bible verse quote, but if someone has acted in a way that makes it seem as if they think they know it all and are too proud, caution might be okay.

    I have even offered advice to someone who acted like they accepted it, and later they told me they just don’t believe in God. This happened right after Jesus answered the prayers that the person and I prayed. I guess they didn’t want to see that the Lord stepped in and helped

    I was disappointed. I had thought this situation would make believers out of them. But no. It didn’t.

    Most recently, someone who obviously needs some help is so hostile at times that I am afraid to offer any assistance. This individual acts as if they are God themselves, so I will not touch the game they are playing, or even enter the court on which it is played.

    I do not like to give up on people, but when it is a matter of either them or you, I think the person’s cause to consider is your own.

    Matthew 7:6 reads, “Do not give what is holy to dogs–they will only turn and attack you. Do not throw your pearls in front of pigs–they will only trample them underfoot.” GNT

    It seems that we must know when to protect ourselves so we can move forward, do good things, and enjoy people who at least feel there is always something to learn. I feel that way. I am a lifelong learner. I miss the days when I was in school, dipping into one bundle of information after another.

    On the campus where I enjoyed school at its best, there were Canada geese. Whenever I see them, I think of how much fun it is to learn new things.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • My Calling Has Become Clear to Me

    Earlier in my journey with Jesus, I understood being creative as Intuitive Botanical, and as an Abstract Realist visual artist, a writer, and a singer-songwriter, as all I was meant to do in this life.

    Yes, I will always be an artist, a writer, and a singer, but now the Holy Spirit has let me know that I am also to be an actress and a speaker too. I am destined to act in a movie that I am writing now, which is concerning the mistreatment of people, and human trafficking specifically. After my acting debut, I will go on to do public speaking about the horrendous problem of those used and abused by human traffickers.

    At first, I wondered why the Lord would call me to do this job. Then I thought about it. I have always been a helper since I can first remember, when, at the age of five, I changed diapers for my mother in early morning hours while she got her much-needed rest. She gave birth to nine of us and kept us all safe, fed, and happy throughout our formative years.

    I am so in tune with people; I can feel it physically when they are hurting. I have an innate sense of their pain, and when I recognize it, I want to help them.

    At the present time, I have only surveyed the surface of the human trafficking issue. What I do know is that these people are trapped to no fault of their own. Many of them are very young children, and many are women. They are treated as slaves and raped continuously, sold, and used for unspeakable purposes.

    In addition to acting in the said movie and speaking in public to help these abused people, I have plans to run a foundation designed to help the victims and the potential victims. There will be campaigns focused on alerting people to the dangers and schemes of those who kidnap and otherwise entrap victims and recruit them into human trafficking rings. And also, our foundation will assist victims of this violent abuse. in an effort to transition them back into the world when they’ve been freed,

    Every part of the plan to help these people will be sanctioned by Jesus Christ.

    John 8:36 reads, “If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.” TEV

    Thank you for reading

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • I Praise Jesus With Music

    I had taken a break from singing. This morning, though, I spontaneously began singing. As I let the words come out of my mouth about Jesus I felt the God force, ( an energetic tingling that flows over my whole body when I am praising the Lord).

    I am in the process of editing and practicing as I go with a song that speaks of where we will all end up in this world.

    The song will eventually be in the screenplay that I am currently working on. My main character will sing it when she is rationalizing about life as we know it. It will make sense within the context of the story. And it will also answer some questions that many people have about what we’re doing on this planet and why we’re here.

    I have enjoyed singing ever since I was in grammar school. From there, I often sang Motown songs down on railroad cars at the end of the street I lived on for a while. Eventually, I went on to sing in various choirs, and in a shower stall at the home I lived in the longest in my life.

    Now, I sing in my apartment. I try to keep my voice low to avoid bothering the neighbors. When I am going to be belting it with my microphone, I will probably sing in my car while it is parked in a secluded spot. And when it is time to record my first song, I hope to be able to afford some studio time so I can sing as loud as I want, and get help with mixing the background music.

    I had always wanted to sing professionally, but I didn’t have the confidence to pursue it, and I didn’t know how to approach it. Walking with Jesus has empowered me and given me the confidence to do anything I choose.

    I did not know when I was younger that I would be praising Jesus, but he has filled me with such happiness that it just feels natural to sing his praises.

    Ephesians 5:19-20 reads, “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things” to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • I Wondered Why the Persecution Would Not Stop

    The onslaught of adversity kept coming at me like a machine gun gone wild. It has been one thing after another that has been disturbing me.

    Someone stole a load of my belongings when I was moving, and an angry person displayed their discontent with me. I couldn’t get the nails in the holder for the curtain rod, and no one would come over to help me. I couldn’t cook my eggs because I was missing utensils, the stove wouldn’t work, and I forgot to buy a lock for my storage unit. These things all happened while it was about 90 degrees outside.

    There was more, but I have pushed it to the back of my mind.

    I do realize that experiencing salvation and following Jesus every day without fail does not get you a free ticket to a town filled with an easy life. The Lord tells us he will be with us through it all, but problems will happen.

    I guess I had previously thought that working for Jesus somehow meant I would have nothing to get upset about, but that’s not the case. Part of my job is to help people with my stories about how I’ve gotten through hard times.

    I will say, though, that when I help others by communicating with them, it ends up helping me too. Before I sat down to type this blog, I was in tears. Scraping myself up off the floor, drying my face, and grabbing my computer changed my perspective. Just knowing that someone else might need encouragement lifted my spirits.

    Matthew 5:12 reads, “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” NKJV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown