Torn in Two for Me and You

by Lisa Morrone | | 3 comments

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As Easter Sunday nears, we believers often take time to reflect on the biblical account of the Resurrection weekend. Scripture tells us of many miraculous happenings: many of the dead in Christ rose from their graves and walked about Jerusalem, the huge boulder at the mouth of the Savior’s tomb was rolled aside, Christ’s body vanished right from beneath His burial clothes, and angels appeared (Matthew 27:52-53).

Meanwhile, back at the temple, the thick curtain, which separated the Holy Place where the Levitical priests served daily, from the Most Holy Place, where only the High Priest could enter once a year, was TORN IN TWO!

Maybe I was an unusual child, but as I listened to my Sunday school teacher

Do This

by Lisa Morrone | | 6 comments

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I haven’t been inside my church since March 2020. COVID-19. Enough said.

My heart (which resides inside my extroverted body) aches deeply. I’ve missed corporate worship; I’ve missed the energy of the assembled body of Christ responding to the spirit-led teaching of my pastor; I’ve missed the before and after church conversations in the lobby—but what I’ve been especially missing was taking Communion!

Many months into our “church at home” routine I finally confessed to my husband my longing to take part in the sacrament of Holy Communion again. He replied quite matter-of-factly, “So then let’s take communion after church service tomorrow.” Sunday morning, I walked into the kitchen to find my precious hubby filling small glasses with a bit

Empowered

by Lisa Morrone | | no comments

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Many years ago, I had boarded a plane headed for home. It had been a long week and I was worn out. Even so, as made my way down the aisle to find my seat, I prayed for the Lord to give me the energy I needed should He have a divine appointment for me in the form of my seatmate.

I settled into my seat and situated my things to prepare for the flight ahead of me. As passengers patiently waited for the plane to begin taxiing for takeoff, my seatmate—a woman about my age—turned to me and began asking the typical “getting to know you” questions: Are you traveling for business or pleasure? Where do you live?

The 2021 Temple Remodel

by Lisa Morrone | | 10 comments

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The HGTV network has captivated many of us women by virtually touring us through a house that is in desperate need of repair and remodeling. And then—within the span of a one-hour program—we are left slack-jawed, marveling at beautifully re-configured and professionally decorated, “new” home!

Have you ever lived through a remodeling job on your own home? Let’s just say, one hour doesn’t get you too far along in terms of progress. Restoration is a multilayered process that, depending on the extent of the renovation, can take months, or even a year or more.

The same is true when it comes to the restoration of the Holy Spirit’s temple: the rebuilding and remodeling of our physical bodies. Here, too, there

The Fullness of Time

by Lisa Morrone | | 7 comments

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Some women enjoy the experience of being pregnant—the “glow,” the added attention, the belly pats, the pampering from others, and the unexpected kicks from the inside out. Me, not so much.

Don’t get me wrong, I did marvel at how the Lord was growing another human being inside of my body and I was truly grateful for the gift of motherhood. It’s just that my frame is quite petite. The expansion of my belly during my two pregnancies quickly overwhelmed all 5’2” of me! As my stomach grew, so did my ankles and my feet. Breathing became difficult as the months passed and my diaphragm became increasingly pressed up against my lungs. By the time the ninth month of

The Grace of Giving

by Lisa Morrone | | 5 comments

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I grew up in a family whose finances were, let’s say, “slim.” On occasion, our church congregation would unexpectedly leave a box of much needed groceries at our front door or step in and pay our mortgage in times when we fell behind.

When I was four years old, my father was involved in a near-death auto accident which totaled our family’s only vehicle. I remember the day when Mr. Mitchell, one of the beloved elders of our church, came by to visit after my dad had healed. He handed my father the keys to one of his own cars. My father was extremely reluctant to accept such a generous gift. Sensing this, Mr. Mitchell said, “Joe, do you

Savoring in the Time of Suffering

by Lisa Morrone | | 32 comments

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I don’t know a single adult who will look back on the year 2020 and not shudder!

Living through this past spring and summer has felt like I’m running a marathon that I did not sign up for. It was filled with obstacle courses of people and places to avoid, lonely trails due to isolation, and uncomfortable running gear consisting of a face mask and the occasional surgical gloves! And the race isn’t over yet.

I know you’re feeling me; ‘cuz you’re living it, too.

Each week I intentionally spend time talking on the phone with loved who are also struggling during this season of doom and gloom. Given the present climate, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and hopelessness can slowly seep into