Lisa Buffaloe's Blog

Lisa Buffaloe���s latest release ��� Finding Freedom in a Binding World ��� is now available on Amazon!
As my first-fruit offering to the Lord, the eBook will be free 10/30/25 ��� 11/03/25�� https://amzn.to/4qvNg4R

Ever heard of the watermelon challenge? The idea is to place rubber bands, one by one, around the middle of a watermelon. As the tension builds, the pressure continues to mount until the watermelon explodes. The result is very, very, very messy.

Are you feeling the pressure of life���s challenges���like a watermelon squeezed by countless rubber bands, ready to burst? You���re not alone. In a world filled with health struggles, financial worries, and endless chaotic and confining uncertainties, peace can seem impossible to find. Yet, no matter how heavy life���s burdens may feel, true freedom is possible.

Drawing inspiration and timeless wisdom from the Bible, quotes and stories of perseverance, this book explores how God���s promises and the teachings of Jesus bring comfort, wisdom, encouragement, and freedom.

Join the journey to discover how you can live free in a binding world.

As my first-fruit offering to the Lord, the eBook will be free 08/31/25 – 09/04/25

https://amzn.to/4mC65AL

Rain Day has been on a restless journey, moving from place to place, away from her embarrassing past, searching for something she can���t quite define.��A near-death experience sparks a need for a stable life, bringing her to the small community of Crawdad Beach. Rain hopes to find peace and a place to call home, but her journey is far from over.

Vic Caine���s facial scar is a visible reminder of his earlier mistakes. Seeking a quieter life away from his troubled past, he makes the move to Crawdad Beach. Unexpected danger brings Rain and Vic together. As they navigate internal and external challenges, will they trust God, find healing from their past and discover the strength and courage needed for the future?

Join Rain and Vic in this heartwarming tale of faith, love, and second chances.

���A Healing Rain��� is a story that will inspire you to believe in the power of healing and the beauty of new beginnings.

Click to order… https://amzn.to/4lWksPo

Crawdad Beach novels may be enjoyed as a series or read as a standalone.

Laughter and love filled Hannah Joy���s childhood. However, on her twenty-first birthday, her life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers family secrets that put her at risk. Seeking safety, Hannah flees to the anonymity of Crawdad Beach, where she hopes and prays to find the truth surrounding her past.

Cameron Doss enjoyed success, friendships, family, and a bright future until a devious relationship shattered his world. When his aunt offers him a job in Crawdad Beach, Cameron jumps at the opportunity to escape the lies and deceit that wrecked his life.

Hannah and Cameron must confront their past, but will they find healing and their faith strengthened, or will their discoveries destroy their future?

Book 11 of the Crawdad Beach Series ��

Readers may enjoy each book in the series as a standalone novel.

https://amzn.to/3IABvZm

The other day I posted a smiling photo of myself to update my Facebook profile. The outward picture does not show what is happening inside.

Because of my neck problems, the surgeon grimly informed me that a four-level surgery offered no guarantee of pain relief. Since then, I���ve had numerous pain injections, Medical Branch blocks, and an ablation to destroy the neck nerves. The last procedure blessed with several weeks of wonderful total relief. Praise the Lord! I give thanks that I have a stand-up desk to use while I write, keeping my posture straight and relieving neck strain. Thank God, I have days I don’t need pain medication.

Nothing happening inside my body is visual to others.

You have your own hidden pain and sorrow. I���m so sorry. Life is hard, difficult, and, at times, agonizing.

Many deal with things no one knows about���unseen physical and mental pain, grief, pain from past issues, pain from today���s issues, and prayers yet to be answered. My problems are nothing compared to what others face.

Yet, Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow, that He will never leave or forsake us. Count it all joy, James wrote. Rejoice always and pray without ceasing, advised Paul. Peter wrote to cast all your anxiety on God, because He cares about you.

Their advice isn���t always easy. Yet, what we are told has power. Praying, casting our cares on the Lord, rejoicing, trusting and relying on God, and turning to the Lord, shifts our focus off our difficulties and suffering where we find God���s presence, joy, and peace.

Whatever happens in the future, Jesus will be with you. Continue to pray, and cast your troubles on God���s broad, loving shoulders, remembering that He cares for you and is always in control. Count it all joy because God works all things to the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Praise God for the incredible number of body parts that work every moment without pain and for the myriad of ways He lovingly watches over you. Rejoice because God���s got you safe in the palm of His loving hands. God is the great healer, and He is loving, kind, compassionate, caring, comforting, and will be with you whatever comes.

Therefore, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy is everlasting. (Philippians 4:6-7, Psalm 106:1)

The post, Change the Focus, first appeared on https://lisabuffaloe.com

As a first-fruit offering to God, the E-book is #free on Amazon 05/26/25 – 05/30/25 — https://amzn.to/3Z4dfEd

Elise Thomas is no longer the singer with crazy makeup, outfits, and wild hair designs. Those days are long gone. God has given her a new life, and she���s ready to fade quietly into the background. Thankfully, Crawdad Beach is over two thousand miles from her past. But will the distance be enough?

Richard Worthington works hard to succeed. Although Crawdad Beach is a small town, the chance to have his name on the sign of his own law firm is an opportunity he can���t refuse. And, if his plans for success continue, someday, everyone will know his name.

Book 10 of the Crawdad Beach Series

Each book in the Crawdad Beach series may be read as a standalone.

Anyone else have a hard time living in the present? Is it just me?

Good grief, the past keeps trying to creep into today and future concerns try to keep me wrapped up in the worries of tomorrow. The past and future squeezes me out of today which keeps me from living in the day. Argh! Ugh.

I really want to be fully present in the present. I���ve tried various ways, tried to give it my all, focus my mind, get rid of distractions, but the only thing that works, the only way I���ve found success is by seeking God���s presence. Thankfully, it���s not an art that needs to be mastered on our own, God���s presence is fully present.

If I seek God, calm my soul in Him, then I am wrapped in His presence in the present.

We can���t physically live in the past or the future, our bodies are here in the now, today, and we have a choice where we focus and how we live. God heals the past ��� our mistakes, our sins, the sins others have committed against us. God knows the future, is already in the future, and will help us through whatever comes in the future. As we embrace the light of His presence, all things are lit by His presence.

Today is a gift, it is the present. Unwrap today — the present — by being in the presence of God.

God is the great I AM. He is and was and is to come. He is eternally present. Seek God and you will find Him. Rest in God (even in your restless moments) and you will find His rest. His joy, His presence, all are gifts for you.

God blesses with the beauty of His creation as an example of His loving care.

Read what Jesus shares in the following passage. How can these truths help you fully embrace today?

Jesus said, ���If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers���most of which are never even seen���don���t you think he���ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I���m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied ���. People who don���t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God initiative, God-provisions. ��� You���ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don���t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Matthew 6:32-34, MSG)

What does the Psalmist share about God���s presence? ���You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.��� (Psalm 16:11, NKJV)

God���s word promises, the closer we draw to God, the more we seek His presence, the more we find a deep, intimate, vibrant, free-flowing, loving relationship and friendship.

The present is now and God is here, the Great I AM is here now, waiting for you. ���My heart has heard you say, ���Come and talk with me.��� And my heart responds, ���Lord, I am coming.������ (Psalm 27:8, NLT)

���Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the LORD��� rejoice in his presence!��� (Psalm 68:4, NLT)

Unwrap the present from Present in His Presence by Lisa Buffaloe

https://lisabuffaloe.com

Several studies show that birdsong helps plants awaken and grow. How cool is that! As I listened to the birds sing this morning, I realized I should also sing and speak to the Lord for my soul to awaken and grow. Would you like to join me?

���In the morning, Lord, You will hear my voice; in the morning, I will present my prayer to You and be on the watch��� (Psalm 5:3). ���Satisfy us in the morning with Your graciousness, That we may sing for joy and rejoice all our days��� (Psalm 90:14). ���It is good to give thanks to the Lord And to sing praises to Your name, Most High; to declare Your goodness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night��� (Psalm 92:1-2).

���But as for me, I will sing of Your strength; yes, I will joyfully sing of Your faithfulness in the morning, for You have been my refuge and a place of refuge on the day of my distress��� (Psalm 59:16). ���I will sing of the graciousness of the Lord forever; to all generations, I will make Your faithfulness known with my mouth��� (Psalm 89:1). ���I will sing of mercy and justice; to You, Lord, I will sing praises.��� (Psalm 101:1)

A good song to start the day. Come thou fount of every blessing –> https://youtu.be/4xJXzgonLdQ?feature=shared

Articles on birdsong helping plants awake and grow…

https://plant4harvest.com/do-birds-chirping-help-plants-grow/

https://birdsinthetree.com/do-birds-wake-up-plants/

The post, The Morning Song, first appeared on https://lisabuffaloe.com

I���m thrilled to announce my latest release is now available.

As my first-fruit offering to the Lord, the eBook is #FREE on #Amazon 02/20/25 – 02/24/25�� https://amzn.to/4i5hiXV

Shame drove her away, God���s grace brought her home.

Ashamed and heartbroken, Brooke Taylor ran from the only place she���d called home. As a skilled craftsman, she could fix practically any item, but no matter what she did, she couldn���t fix her past. For ten years, Brooke stayed busy and hid from the world, but when her workplace shut down, Brooke had to make a choice. Would she run again or return to Crawdad Beach?

A wicked hit on the football field changed Tate Tillman���s plans for college and his hope of playing in the NFL. His career choices redirected, Tate crisscrossed the country as a contract welder. When his cousin made him an offer to join him in Crawdad Beach, Tate didn���t refuse. Yet, no matter where he went, that night continued to haunt him.

As friendship forms between Brooke and Tate, will they be given a new start, or will shame and guilt keep them from God���s grace and their future?

Book 9 of the Crawdad Beach Series

Each book in the series can be enjoyed as a stand-alone.

Order on Amazon https://amzn.to/4i5hiXV

Life can be so very hard, sad, difficult, and filled with sorrow and pain. The last few days, I���ve been dragging my tail; a sweet friend is in hospice, my neck is messed up and hurting, and my surgeon isn���t sure what can be done. Other family members have gone through surgeries and need surgeries, and other family problems break my heart. Many friends are going through difficult times, plane crashes, and divisiveness, and social media and news spewing venom and hate. Ack! It���s a brutal, hard, depressing, difficult world!

Yet, I know God is good. I know God is always in control, loves His children, and promises to be with us through every trial and heartache. Regardless of what I see, feel, and experience, I need to continue praying and praising God. The Bible reminds us, ���The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!��� (Psalm 50:23, ESV).

���Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name (Hebrews 13:15, AMPC).

Gwen Smith wrote, ���No matter what difficult times we encounter, God is worthy of our praise. When we choose to praise, we choose to trust God. When we choose to trust God, the broken world around us lifts their eyebrows in wonder ��� Sometimes a sacrifice of praise is required. Offer it. We can and should choose to bless His name through the pain, which astonishingly can bring His joy into our hearts.���

���We can hug our hurts and make a shrine out of our sorrows or we can offer them to God as a sacrifice of praise. The choice is ours.��� ~ Richard Exley

I���m choosing to offer a sacrifice of praise to God. Will you join me?

���Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation.��� (Psalm 42:5, ESV).

���Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His powerful acts; praise Him for His abundant greatness. Praise Him with trumpet blast; praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with flute and strings. Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Hallelujah!��� (Psalm 150, HCSB)

���In the silent times, seek God. In the painful times, praise God. In the terrible times, trust God. And at all times, and at all times, thank God.��� ~ Ann Voskamp

The post, Sacrifice of Praise, first appeared on https://lisabuffaloe.com/

Pain, suffering, health challenges, bad news, heartache, divisiveness, and evil are all around us. I could list many personal issues we are currently facing, and we do need prayer; however, I also need the truth of how to live and make it through difficult times.

Early Christians were persecuted, killed, tortured, and driven from their homes, yet they continued to tell others of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Paul went through incredible hardship and yet continued to preach and tell others about Christ. Paul even wrote many encouraging letters while chained in prison. Today, people are suffering in terrible ways, yet continue to share the hope of Jesus Christ and His saving grace. Regardless of what they faced, they kept their focus on spreading the Good News about Jesus Christ. Let’s do the same.

Jesus said, ���Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] ������in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.��� [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] (John 14:27, John 16:33, AMP).

Therefore, ���Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.��� (Deuteronomy 31:6, NKJV).

���Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.��� (Joshua 1:9, NKJV).

���Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil��� (Ephesians 5:15-16, AMP). ���Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.��� (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, NKJV)

���Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose [and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel���the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ].��� (Philippians 2:2, AMP).

Life is hard, but God is always good, and His Son, Jesus Christ, is the Savior of the world offering forgiveness, grace, mercy, and His unending peace. Whatever you face, be brave and courageous and continue to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The post, Be Brave and Courageous, first appeared on https://lisabuffaloe.com