A Savior Who Stoops | Lisa Harper

I want everyone to stand and give her a warm welcome! She’s already here, but let’s show our appreciation. I love you—thank you! [Applause]

I was just about to say that I love you, too. Every time Debbie introduces me, it feels like an eHarmony introduction—like it’s all downhill from here! That introduction was all smoke and mirrors. But in all seriousness, I am so grateful for friends like Debbie Lindell. She knows where all the “bodies are buried” in my life, yet she still chooses to see the best in me. She radiates grace, and I love her dearly.

I have deep respect for Pastor John, sweet Savannah—who I’ve unofficially adopted as my niece—Pastor Brandon, Beth, Becky, and Pastor David. I love this church and, honestly, I keep begging to be an honorary Lindell! I even text Debbie about it.

I have fallen in love with this place and with all of you. The first time I came to DFL was ten years ago, and I was convinced Debbie had mistaken me for Lisa Bevere or Lysa TerKeurst! You’ve probably read Lysa’s books—she’s an incredible author who has sold millions of copies. And Lisa Bevere? She can preach the cover off a Bible—and usually does so in leather pants! I thought, “If I show up here in leather pants, it’ll sound like a flock of ducks being chased down the aisle!”

That’s why being here with you all feels like such an undeserved gift. Every time I get the opportunity to return, I almost have to pinch myself. I truly love the Lindells, I love James River Church, and I love this community.

I’ve also fallen in love with this area. Just the other day, I was hiking in the Ozarks and thought, “How did I not know about this place before coming to James River?” I used to live in Colorado, working for a ministry called Focus on the Family—back when I still had tight skin and a fast metabolism!

When I worked there, someone once told Mrs. Dobson that the gap between your big toe and second toe looked too much like cleavage—so we weren’t allowed to wear open-toed shoes! Can you believe that? We also had to wear pantyhose every day, which I personally think were invented by the devil. So, as you can imagine, I needed a little stress relief! That’s why I ran a lot in the Rocky Mountains.

There was one particular trail I loved, and it came to mind recently when I saw a trail near Dogwood Canyon. It was called Pulpit Rock Trail—a breathtaking 2.5-mile path through the mountains just outside Colorado Springs. When you reached the top, you could look west and see Pike’s Peak, almost always covered in snow, even in July. It was stunning.

How many of you are over 50? Raise your hands! You all look great! Do you remember that old “Calgon, take me away” commercial? That trail was my spiritual “Calgon, take me away” moment. I’d run up through the evergreen pines, singing along the way, and once I reached the top, I’d just sit in the meadow and take in the beauty of Pike’s Peak.

When I decided to leave Focus on the Family to go to seminary—so I’d be less of a heretic—I wanted to run that trail one last time. But there had been some criminal activity in the park, and law enforcement had warned women to stay away until they caught the suspect. Despite the warnings, I thought, “This is my last chance.”

So, on my final Saturday in Colorado Springs, I decided to go. The weather was perfect—bright blue skies, crisp air—it felt impossible that anything bad could happen.

Now, I just want to take a moment to speak to all the moms in the room. I didn’t become a mother until I was 50, through the incredible miracle of adoption. I still can’t believe God allowed me to be Missy’s mom—it’s more than I deserve.

So when I hear a baby crying in church, to me, that’s the sound of a symphony. If I ever see someone giving a mom the “Christian dirty look” for a fussy baby, I silently pray they break out in hives! So, Mama, don’t you worry about that baby—those sweet sounds are music to my ears.