This question has been on my mind recently: In relationships, am I the pitcher or the glass? Do I pour more often or expect to be filled more often? It’s a question we would all do well to ask ourselves.

While each of us need to be poured into on occasion, the fact is, we need to pour more often. Do we fill our friends and family or drain them? In Romans 12, Paul tells us to consider ourselves with sober judgment. Sadly, I don’t think most people do. It’s far easier to consider others with sober judgment and then soberly judge them. At times it’s healthy to take an inventory of who we are and how we relate to others. Are we growing spiritually (getting filled) and then pouring into others?

This is my challenge to you: Take a look at each of your closest relationships and ask the following questions:

• Do I pour into this person?
  • If yes, what do I pour? Emotional support, spiritual blessings, encouragement, unconditional love, a listening ear, etc…
  • Am I a positive influence?
  • Do I represent Jesus in this relationship?

• Am I a drain on others?
  • Do I expect their time and attention without giving back?
  • Am I a negative influence? Complaining, gossiping, or continually talking about myself?
  • Do I ask for friends to do things for me that I’m not willing to do in return?
  • Am I easily offended?

There is nothing about this exercise that’s comfortable. I think we will all find ourselves to be the pitcher and the glass at various times. But our goal is to be the pitcher more often than the glass. Pray through this. Ask God to open your eyes to your own behavior and expectations.

My goal is to be so full that when I move at all, I splash a little Jesus on the people around me. When I walk by, I want people to think maybe it’s raining. Trust me, I’m far from there, but at least I have a goal. I’m considering myself with sober judgment. That’s the only way change will take place, a reversal of unhealthy patterns in relationships.

Blessings to all,
Lisa

In nearly every season of my Christian walk, I can identify with someone from the Bible. God’s Word is filled with story after story of real people – not characters – who get it right and get it wrong, heroes and zeros. I think most of us can relate to many of them depending on the season of life we’re living and our level of closeness with God at the time.

At times I relate to Peter for his impetuousness and zeal. I can make a real mess of things in my passion and desire to “do” things for Jesus. Too, I am more often than not willing to walk out to meet Jesus on the water. Being Peter can be both good and bad.

I can be terrified like Gideon but willing to do things God’s way. I have struck out to places I don’t know like Abraham and “helped” God make His plan happen. I could give you at least a dozen other examples.

Over the years I have probably most related to David for various reasons – the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of him. Now, in this season, I relate to David – in a good way.

As he would pour his heart out in song, his words rising in pure worship then plummeting in despair, clearly, David knew that God was his only hope. God was David’s one desire. I’m in that place. Recently, I have been writing songs for my son Zack. I’ve known for decades that I have songs in me and from time to time have written lyrics that get tossed into a drawer. Now, though, words to songs seem to be pouring from me in a way that has completely amazed me. Maybe I should say they are being poured in so that they may be poured out.

When this began to happen back in October, I could have said, “Nope, I am a fiction writer. That’s my gig” and ignored this urging. But I didn’t. This new way in which God is using my gift of words is such a blessing to me. It’s worth learning some new things and at times getting negative feedback.

This leaves me with two questions for you:

One: What person from the Bible do you most relate to in this season and why?

Two: Do you keep yourself stuck in a fading season just because it’s too much effort to pack those winter clothes away and get out the spring ones?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Grace and peace and songs of worship to you,
Lisa

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It’s about time I have a full length novel available, huh? I find it hard to believe it’s been a year and a half since Deceiver was released. Hopefully, from now on I will have one or two books to release per year. Believe me, I have so many stories already written in my head that all I need is the time to sit down and write them.

This past 18 months has been spent getting my bearings, learning some new skills, and honing my craft. I like that – honing. 🙂 Now, I’m ready to get some writing done and new stories released.

Our team has been brainstorming and looking for the best way to reach more readers in the future. Since what I write is most often stories that will lead the heart to Jesus, we genuinely consider this ministry. Many of you have contacted me with stories of how a particular story has urged you into a closer walk with Jesus. You can’t possibly imagine what your stories mean to me. I read them every one and cry over some.

Consider it from my standpoint: I sit here and face a screen and peck away at a keyboard. It’s easy to forget there are minds and hearts out there that are being impacted for the Kingdom. What else can that be but ministry? I thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives – if even from my quiet office.

In order to reach more readers, a few things need to happen:

One, tell your friends about what you read if you like a particular story. Direct them to lisaheatonbooks.com or Amazon for purchase. Word of mouth is the very best way to develop a following.

Two, for the print and Kindle books you have read, reviews on Amazon are helpful. Those good reviews help others decide to read.

Finally, pray for wisdom for us. It’s so easy to get tunnel vision and do things one way for so long that it becomes difficult to see new opportunities. Prayer is always appreciated.

If you decide to purchase A Thousand Blessings, share your thoughts here on the site through the contact form. We would love to hear back from you and maybe even use your review, whole or in part, to do some promotions.

Thanks for your encouragement and support. I hope you enjoy Isabel’s story.

Blessings to you,
Lisa