It's almost here!

Occupying my thoughts this morning (and most days, lately) is our upcoming 2nd annual Breath of Heaven Conferences for Women. It is a wonderful conference that God placed heavy on my heart to help establish in 2004, and in 2006 we had our first conference in late March. It was a beautiful conference, with the Holy Spirit of God showing up in a massive way. Priscilla Shirer was one of the featured guests in '06, and her message on prayer touched my heart in ways I didn’t think existed. (Like many of you, this p.k. “vet” has heard a lot of sermons on prayer through the years!) But God's message, through Priscilla, was incredible beyond words!

For months, I have been earnestly praying for this year’s conference and asking God for a repeat of 2006! At the ’06 conference, I witnessed the difference between a really neat event and an event where the spirit of God shows up and takes over…and I want the latter to happen again this year. I believe that whether or not that happens hinges on one thing: prayer.

So…I’m asking for yours.

If you would, please pray with me about these specific things…

1) For the Spirit to show up and move among us, changing our hearts. That has to happen in order for the conference to go from a “cool” event to a supernatural work of God.

2) For women TO come and the women WHO come. We anticipate around 1,200 women to be in attendance, and some are coming as far as California.

3) For the featured guests (speakers, worship leaders, leadership team) to be in right spirit and fully empowered by God to do His work.

4) For me...with a varied role that goes from overseer, emcee and session leader, I need God’s strength and wisdom to do my job. The flesh side of me wants to do it well, but I also want to do well so that I am not a distraction to anyone but a minister of God’s message to these women.

The theme of our conference is found in Job 33:4, where it says, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” For those of us who He has given life to for the 2nd time around, we know about that BREATH from God!

I covet your prayers during this busy and hectic time leading up to the conference, and for the October 5th & 6th conference, itself. To read more about the conference go to http://www.bohconference.com/ or go to my website at http://www.lisawhittle.com/ and click on the link.

May God breathe down on us! Less than two weeks and counting!


Lisa

Shouting His Fame!

I am so excited, I just had to break my self-mandated "Mondays-only" rule for blogging!

My girlfriend, Leslie Neese, is one of the newest cast members of this season's SURVIVOR. Last night was the first episode, and it was awesome! My family and I are huge Survivor fans anyway, but watching last night was a thrill beyond words.

Last night, Leslie SHOUTED HIS FAME...loud and bold...for the entire national audience to see and hear. Faced with what was undoubtedly her first personal "challenge," the cast was asked to enter a Buddhist Temple in China to take place in a ceremony in order to be welcomed by the people. They were all assured by the host, Jeff Probst, that it was not a worship ceremony. But as the cast filed in, you could see that this was going to be a big problem for a woman of faith as Leslie is. She politely refused to participate and did not enter into the building.

When Jeff Probst asked her why she wouldn't participate in the ceremony she said these words ... "I have a relationship with Jesus Christ. The only One I will get on my knees and bow for will be for Him." POWWW!!!!! What a powerful and bold statement! Leslie REPRESENTED out there....big time!

So...watch Survivor this season...and cheer Leslie on. I know her to be a woman of character and prayer, and I know she has prayed for this opportunity for many years. I talked to her right before she sent in what would be her 11th audition tape for Survivor. And as I watched last night, I couldn't help but believe that God had prepared her...readied her...through all the season's she DIDN'T get chosen for such a time as this. Because He knew that faced with an issue of convenience or earthly pressure, she would instead, choose Jesus...and in the process, shout His fame to millions of people watching her!

Praise God! He will let His "fame" be known!

Lisa

Back to the Beginning

I recently had a conversation with God that went something like this…

Me: “God, I want to know you more. I want to know more about You and Your Word. Please show me where to read and what to read so I can experience growth on a different level.”

God: “Ok, then. Go back to the beginning. Start over.”

Start over? I thought. What is that supposed to mean? To be perfectly honest, it was not the answer I was expecting. I was hoping for a more specific word from Him like “Go directly to John 6” or “You are to study the book of Ruth” or something of the kind. Start over were not the words I wanted to hear. Admittedly, it’s in my nature to reject the notion of “starting over”…in relation to, well, most anything. Though some may think that “starting over” sounds like an exciting prospect, a fresh chance, a new start/clean slate, it just feels like an awful lot of backtracking to me. And I am a more forward thinker, keep going, full steam ahead kind-of-girl.

But when God speaks, I have finally learned to listen.

So with those seemingly non-specific instructions, I opened my Bible to Genesis, where it made the most sense for me to be in starting over. But I soon came to see that the starting over didn’t really have much, at all, to do with logistics. And God knew exactly what He meant by taking me back to the beginning.

Let me explain…

Not long after I started writing and speaking, a good friend of mine asked me if I had thought about writing Bible Studies for women. Uncensored, I gave her my most honest and straightforward answer that until then had been tucked neatly in the corners of my heart… “No, not really. In order to be a Bible Study teacher, I need to first become a better Bible student.” She looked puzzled by my comment, keenly aware of my background as a pastor’s daughter being reared in the church. After all, I was practically birthed in a worship center (then called a Sanctuary)…cut teeth on the church pew…and waded through my school years under the watchful eye of a church congregation. I learned Bible stories at the earliest of ages. But I was very serious about what I said. There is a difference, I have learned, between knowing ABOUT something, and truly knowing and understanding something. The older in my faith and age I have gotten, the more I crave to know God more. And knowing Him more means first recognizing all that I DON’T know about Him, but want to.

Traditionally in the past, when I started a Bible book study or character study, one could find me in the nearest Christian bookstore looking for a “guide” or workbook to sort my way through it. After all, I, like so many others, love to read most anything I can put my hands on. I read devotional books, inspirational books, autobiographies, and yes, even the sights and smells of Biblical commentaries excite me. Make no mistake about it…I love books. I have always loved books. I am a voracious reader of books. And, of course, I also love writing. It is very near and dear to my heart, at the top of my list of pastimes and passions, surpassed only by my love for God and my family.

But after this particular conversation with God, I didn’t go out looking for an outside aid to help me in my studies. I felt led, instead, to go straight to the source, Himself. I cracked open my Bible to page 5 and asked God to show me and teach me, one-on-one, guiding me by the power of the Holy Spirit. I asked for His discernment. I requested understanding. And something really cool happened for me. Can I tell you that I have thus far been on a 30-something day journey with God through Genesis that, despite lack of outside aids, has been without void or lack of anything? It has been among the most exciting “quiet times” of my life, and through it, God has revealed something to me that I had possibly lost perspective of. Maybe you have, too.

Friends, God’s desire is for us to know Him. That’s the way He set it up and the way He wants it to be. It’s a one-on-one, up close and personal, breath-on-breath, kind of a relationship He desires for us. No outside sources are needed or required for this relationship to happen or for us to know God. Helpful as they can be, other good sources, books and aids are not absolute necessities in engaging with God and delving into his Word. His infallible, inherent Word stands alone, and it truly needs no companion or third party involvement to give it power.

I know, I know…this is weird comment for me to make, the lover of books and the craft of writing, that I am.

I’m not conflicted, though, at all, in saying it. Because it has nothing to do with loving books or writing…or supporting and encouraging outside aids for study of the Bible.

It has to do with our human nature…my human nature…to exalt things and people, sometimes to the neglect of the One who deserves our exaltations. It’s the fact that often the perspective is misplaced in our Godly desire to grow and experience God. Over time, because of our long-held traditions or lack of confidence in our own relationship with God, we may begin to feel like we have to access Him through a certain type of study or with our usual inspirational aids to help us. If we don’t have those things, we fear that it won’t hold the same meaning for us, and our study time might not be fulfilling to us. We come to rely on the insights of others given to them by God when He longs to reveal things to us in an equally personal way. I don’t know about you, but for me, one of the single coolest things about having a relationship with God is knowing that I do not have to go through anyone else to get to Him. Remember the beautiful picture of this by the tearing of the veil? (See Mark 15:38 and Hebrews 9)

Whether or not we have the confidence in our relationship with God or our understanding of Scripture is not the issue. Jesus says in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” The deal is that we come with the request (for wisdom), and He delivers every time we ask for it with the understanding we need to grow and learn. The process is extremely personal and yes, pretty…basic. But amazingly deep and beautiful, all at the same time.

As for me, these days I am learning to be a better Bible student. I’ve got the best teacher in the world, and ironically, I am the only one in this particular class. Talk about intimacy!

Lisa

My Huge Moment...with Max!

I open this blog by giving you fair warning before you read it…this will not be the most spiritual posting I will ever write. But it was such a special moment for me that I have to share it with you.

In July, I had the opportunity to attend my first ever ICRS convention – a place where both new and veteran artists in the Christian music and publishing world converge to visit vendor booths, meet with agents and editors, and hang out with new friends who share their love for writing and music. Promoting The 7 Hardest Things book for Shepherd Press, my mother and I had the privilege of signing over 300 books for some eager readers, both men and women who we got to meet and visit with, face-to-face. What an exciting event that was for both of us! It took us a few minutes to fully realize that people were actually standing in line…waiting to talk to US! Very humbling...and somewhat strange.

It was even more humbling when I looked over and noticed another, much longer line forming to our left at the Thomas Nelson booth. (Incidentally -- my new publishing home for my next book.) Curious, I craned my neck to see what (or who) the line was all about. That’s when I saw a new book cover, 3:16, with Max Lucado’s name on it. I got so excited, I nearly jumped out of my skin! Max Lucado was signing books right next to me, and I could get in line and meet him!

Let me explain my excitement…although to most readers of Christian non-fiction, the excitement over the name Max Lucado needs no real explanation. When I was a sophomore in college, I felt the call of God on my life to be in His service for the rest of my life. At the time, I didn’t know what that would look like or where it would take me, but I was so excited to serve Him, regardless of the particulars. During those years, I read every “Max” book I could get my hands on to inspire, motivate and nurture this call on my life, often re-reading books right after I finished them. I loved his writing then, and I still love his writing today. He is one of the most inspirational writers of this time, and he can paint a picture of Christ like few others are able to do.

So when I was finally able to meet him for the first time at ICRS, I was both amazed and inspired, anew. God had used so many of his words to confirm my call and point me to Him over the years, and then, at this convention to see the manifestation of that call happen in some ways, was…well…incredible for me. It held such sweet meaning for this girl who, like many others, finally found her real significance in the arms of Jesus Christ, and now has the privilege of writing about it.

I pray that my writing will inspire hearts and touch lives in some way, just as Max Lucado’s writing has done for me and countless others over the years. It was a high privilege to meet Max Lucado this summer, and when I did, it was clear to me how he could write the way he does. The sincerity and humility of his heart was ever evident in his countenance and words. God has used him in a big way because he has allowed Him to. And what a powerful team they are!

As for me, getting to meet Max was like a big ‘ole hug from God! Too cool for words! :)

Lisa

A Divine Encounter

Have you ever had an encounter with someone and you leave there with spiritual “chills,” knowing that you have just watched God at work? For me, it’s in those moments (of which I crave more of) the most massive God of the universe could not seem more personal or real. One such moment happened to me this summer, in a most unexpected encounter with a woman named “Song.”

I was waiting for my precious ministry (and otherwise!) friend, Gwen, to join me for breakfast at my hotel’s only restaurant. Due to heavy Atlanta traffic, Gwen was running late. After a few minutes of waiting, I decided to go ahead and let the hostess seat me. I cracked open my new Ravi Zacharias book to read, excited to have a few minutes to get into it. Completely engrossed in the book, I barely noticed my server standing next to me, asking me if I wanted coffee. Looking up, I noticed that she was a woman in her mid to late 50’s, of Asian descent. She wore a nametag bearing the name “Song” on it, which intrigued me. “What an interesting and beautiful name you have,” I commented. “And yes, I would love some coffee!”

Gwen finally arrived, nearly 40 minutes later. Breathless, she and I took right to talking like two wind-up dolls. (Admittedly, we are both very chatty. :) ) We talked through coffee. And in between ordering our food. And when it came out of the kitchen, between each bite. We were just coming up for air when the server again appeared at our table. “I don’t mean to bother you,” she said. “But they are sending me on break. If you could go ahead and take care of the bill, you are welcome to stay and visit as long as you would like. It’s been a pleasure serving you.” We apologized for taking so long and reached for our debit cards to pay. As we did, Song started filling up our coffee cups to top us off before she left. It was then that I felt the Spirit tug on my heart, prompting me to ask her what I could pray for her that day.

I tried to ignore the prompts, arguing that it wasn’t really an appropriate time to ask her such a question. After all, we had prayed a long time ago when our meal arrived. Prayer time was over. But I couldn’t reject the insistent sense in my heart that I was to ask her what to pray for her for. So I took the plunge.

“Song,” I said. “We would like to pray for you today. How can we pray for you?” Still pouring the coffee, Song looked surprised. “Pray…for me?” she asked, clutching her chest. “Yes,” I confirmed. Song paused for a minute and started out slowly. “You can pray for my job. They don’t want me here anymore and are trying to run me off. I am too old, they say. They want girls who are 25-35 years old, not someone like me. I have worked here for 33 years, but they say I don’t do a good job. I know they are just saying that, but it still hurts me. I just want to work here two more years, but they want to get rid of me. Please pray for me. I don’t know what to do.” With every word, Song’s speech got faster and more emotional. By the time she finished talking, heavy tears were falling from her eyes.

Always “spirit-ready,” Gwen grabbed my hands and Songs hands. “Song, we are going to pray for you right now,” she said. Then, sensing Song’s desire to join us, Gwen asked, “Would you like to pray with us?” Song answered with an enthusiastic “yes,” and plopped down in the booth next to us. There the three of us sat, holding hands in the middle of a busy hotel restaurant, praying for Song and her needs. It was a beautiful moment between three kindred spirits.

After we finished praying, Song looked up. With tears in her eyes, she thanked us for praying for her. Then she said something that I will never forget. “God remembered me today,” said Song.

I could just picture Song that morning, getting ready for work, praying and asking God to help her. I could almost hear her asking Him to show her that cared about her and knew of her need. Somewhere between her cup of hot tea or coffee, Song may have cried out to God for help and guidance, not knowing what the day ahead of her would hold. God Almighty had, indeed, remembered Song that day by sending her a message of love and care in the form of two strangers. And in His sweet grace, He had let me sit in on a brief and intimate moment between He and His child, Song…an undeserved voyeur into a moment of His “parental” care.

Inventory of that day has brought me to several personal thoughts about what I experienced in my divine encounter with Song…

~God sees and knows of each of His child’s pain. Like Song, your needs and my needs do not escape His radar screen. Psalm 34:15 says: "The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.”

~God desires to use us to be a tool by which to minister to people. I am embarrassed to admit that many times I reason away the Holy Spirit's promptings and miss out on opportunities to serve others…and see the hand of God at work. I Cor. 4:1 says: “So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. “

~God goes to amazing lengths to create a divine moment. There is no happenstance. Had “circumstances” been even a nano-second different, Song and Gwen and I would have never met. Romans 1:20 says: “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

Praise Him for being the divine God of the Universe who cares and responds to all of the hurts of His children. Even when He is silent, He is working. I won’t ever forget Song, from Seoul, Korea, or my divine moment with her this summer in a hotel restaurant.

Oh, and one more thing. Call it coincidence or something else…but…Gwen and I both happened to be wearing kimonos that day. :) (check out the pic taken right after )

Lisa

P.S. More next time on someone else I met this summer…a meaningful meeting for me, yet in a completely different way…