Thanksgiving Break – Day 8

November 27th, 2014 dsisler

 

I will be visiting my Ohio family for Thanksgiving this year. While I’m away, I’ll be sharing some older blog posts about music…long before there was March Musical Musings or Monday Musical Musings I wrote about music. So enjoy these pieces and I’ll see you on December 2! Just in time for some Christmas posts!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

Thank You, Lord! – Blogging A to Z

 

I believe every day should be a day of thanksgiving. But today, I am especially thankful for all that God has blessed me and my family with. I have a warm home on this cold morning. I have a loving husband who cares for me so well. I have a job! I have three beautiful children and three little blessings called grandchildren.

 

I am thankful for the snow that is falling (yes, it’s snowing again in my neck of the woods). I’m thankful for my parents who taught me about God’s love. I’m thankful for Jesus who made my salvation possible. I’m thankful for a church family with whom I can praise Jesus. I’m thankful for good health. I’m thankful for…well, I believe this list could continue a while, but I think you get the idea. I am thankful.

 

I recall a short song we used to sing as I was growing up. Sometimes it was at camp around a campfire. Sometimes it was in a worship service. Whenever it was chosen, the message was simple. The message declared thankfulness. The message was of God’s love for me.

 

Today I share the song, “Thank You, Lord,” written by Seth and Bessie Sykes. Included are the verses (which we never sang), and what I liked about these words are how encompassing they are. Yes, we should thank God for all of these things, but most of all, we should thank God for what He’s done.

 

So take a look at these words and listen to this little song if you’d like. There is a link below to do so. “Thank You, Lord.”

 

Some thank the Lord for friends and home,

For mercies sure and sweet;

But I would praise Him for His grace

In prayer I would repeat:

[Chorus]

 

Some thank Him for the flow’rs that grow,

Some for the stars that shine;

My heart is filled with joy and praise,

Because I know He’s mine.

[Chorus]

 

I trust in Him from day to day,

I prove His saving grace;

I’ll sing this song of praise to Him

Until I see His face.

[Chorus]

 

Chorus:

Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul,

Thank you, Lord, for making me whole;

Thank you, Lord, for giving to me

Thy great salvation so rich and free.[i]

 

You surely would love to listen to this reminder to be thankful and you can do so by clicking here.

 

God has certainly blessed us and deserves our thankfulness. So let’s look at just a few of the blessings God has lavished upon us and why we should be thankful.

 

We are to be thankful that His love just keeps going. It never gives up on us. Ever! “Thank the Lord because he is good. His love continues forever.” (Psalm 107:1 – NCV)

 

We are to be thankful for victory! As we are led to victory in Jesus, God is able to use us for His mighty purpose. “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume.” (2 Corinthians 2:14 – NCV)

 

We are to be thankful for stability in God’s Kingdom. When everything around us may be shifting or even sinking, God’s Kingdom stands firm! “So let us be thankful, because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” (Hebrews 12:28a – NCV)

 

We are to be thankful for God. Our praise should come from grateful hearts and His Name should always be our lips. “So through Jesus let us always offer to God our sacrifice of praise, coming from lips that speak his name.” (Hebrews 13:15 – NCV)

 

We are to be thankful all the time. This passage tells us how to do so. “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, go continue to live in him. Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on him. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught, and always be thankful.” (Colossians 2:6-7 – NCV) We are to continue living in Jesus, keep our roots deep, build our lives on Jesus, and be strong in our faith. This is the path to thankfulness.

 

We are to be thankful by sharing with others. This passage speaks to singing, but it also shows that we are to encourage one another through instruction. When we are firm in Christ’s teaching, wisdom will flow from us, like little musical notes. “Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and instruct each other by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16 – NCV)

 

I’d say there is plenty to be thankful for. Perhaps you are struggling with health or a financial situation and you aren’t feeling as thankful as I am today. You can still be thankful for the reasons listed above. Our hearts are to be overflowing with thanksgiving to our Father in heaven, regardless of our situation here on earth.

 

So what are you thankful for? I would love to hear about your thankful heart today. If you’d like to leave a comment, please click here. It would make my day!

 

Today let’s choose to be thankful. Today let’s choose to thank the One who has given us so much. Today let’s choose to be kind and gracious. Today let’s give thanks.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] Thank You, Lord, Seth and Bessie Sykes, 1940, 1968 renewal by Singspiration Music.

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Thanksgiving Break – Day 7

November 26th, 2014 dsisler

 

I will be visiting my Ohio family for Thanksgiving this year. While I’m away, I’ll be sharing some older blog posts about music…long before there was March Musical Musings or Monday Musical Musings I wrote about music. So enjoy these pieces and I’ll see you on December 2! Just in time for some Christmas posts!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

Peace

 

As a young child, a group of singing teenagers came to our small church in Upstate New York. They were from Hamilton, Ohio and they certainly could sing. There is one song in particular that has stuck with me through the years. A brother and sister sang the tune a cappella and it was almost a like a round.

 

They lyrics to the chorus go like this.

 

“I’ve got a peace in my heart that the world never gave me

and a peace it cannot take away.

An everlasting peace and I know that it’s here to stay.”

 

IMAG1492While one sang this bit, the other sang, “Peace in my heart. Peace in my heart” over and over. It really was quite good. And I can sing this part of the song to this day. I don’t remember the rest of it though.

 

And I cannot seem to find this bit of music. My internet search has led me to some wonderful songs about peace. Some of my favorites actually. But not to this particular one.

 

There is an old hymn that has very similar words and I’m wondering if this little tune isn’t adapted from the hymn. The hymn is titled, “Constantly Abiding” by Anne S. Murphy and she wrote it in 1908.

 

I love the connection between the two. Peace and abiding. Without the abiding of God’s Spirit within us, I’m certain there would be no peace. Without Jesus’ assuring words in Matthew 28:20b (NIV), “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” I know without a doubt peace would be absent.

 

There is a connection. When we allow Jesus to rule our hearts, His peace joins Him. Let’s recall some of Jesus’ words as He spoke of peace. I pray that these verses will bring peace to your heart today.

 

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9 – NIV)

 

In John 14:27 (NIV), Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 – NIV)

 

Some of the last words Jesus spoke to His disciples were, “Again, Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’” (John 20:21 – NIV)

 

And the wonderful prophecy spoken by Isaiah calls Jesus the Prince of Peace. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 – NIV)

 

I also believe there must be constant abiding for us to be recipients of this peace. Abiding in God’s Word, in His presence, in fellowship with other believers, and in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice. The more we abide with God, the deeper our peace becomes.

 

Now I might add, we should be constantly abiding in God’s grace ourselves, but we miss that mark. So let’s just make that a goal. To be constantly abiding in God’s presence. Oh, won’t that make the ol’ devil mad.

 

Jesus mentioned in John 15 that we are to remain in Him. If you read my blog post several days ago, I mentioned in this short 17 verses, Jesus called us to remain in Him eleven times. He knew the importance of constantly abiding, but more importantly, He wanted us to know the importance of constantly abiding.

 

Your day may bring some unpeaceable moments. It’s during those times that we can rely on Jesus to be Prince of Peace. To let His peace carry us through the periods of turmoil. When we have Jesus’ peace in our hearts, nothing can bother us. Nothing can shake us. Nothing.

 

So today I call for peace. Not peace in the world, that isn’t going to happen. But peace in our hearts. Know that Jesus is abiding there. Know that He has conquered the world and there is no reason for us to fear. Know that His peace resides in your heart.

 

There’s a peace in my heart and I know that it’s here to stay!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Thanksgiving Break – Day 6

November 25th, 2014 dsisler

 

I will be visiting my Ohio family for Thanksgiving this year. While I’m away, I’ll be sharing some older blog posts about music…long before there was March Musical Musings or Monday Musical Musings I wrote about music. So enjoy these pieces and I’ll see you on December 2! Just in time for some Christmas posts!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

National Gumdrop Day

 

I bet you didn’t know that there was such a thing! Well guess what? There is! It is always on February 15 and can you imagine the flavors and the colors that go along with that day? Personally, I don’t like gumdrops. I don’t care for the flavors. Which is a story in itself.

 

IMAG1492Over the past year, I’ve tried to lose weight…so I’ve changed how I comment on certain foods. In the past I’ve said, “I don’t like fruits and vegetables.” Now I say, “Fruits and vegetables are good.” I’m learning. But gumdrops are fake fruit. I still don’t like fake fruit, like Kool Aid, popsicles, etc. Now I can get back to gumdrops.

 

So on February 15, the colorful little drops of sugar should be prevalent wherever you are. I do love the colors of these confections. Bright and cheery. Bold and screaming, “Hey! Look at me! I’m a gumdrop!”

 

The flavors are vibrant as well. When you bite into one, that fake fruit flavor is there. I know most people love that flavor.

 

And of course, the texture is probably the most memorable thing. It is crunchy on the outside because of the sugar and the inside is firm jell. You know you are eating a gumdrop when you eat a gumdrop.

 

There’s even a song about gumdrops.

 

Goody, goody gumdrops

My heart is doing flip flops

See what love can do

I’m gonna shout it from the roof tops

Goody, goody gumdrops

With a girl like you.[i]

 

I’ll be singing that song for a while!

 

Regardless of whether you like gumdrops or not, they are fun. They can be used in crafts, cooking, and for snacking. They can be spiced or non-spiced. For some, they may get stuck in your teeth, for others, you might lose a tooth by eating a gumdrop.

 

I suspect you’re wondering what God has to teach us about gumdrops. Well here it is.

 

As a Christian, we may be bright and cheery and seek attention. We may be tough on the outside, but gooey on the inside. We may be spicy or plain. But regardless of what we are, we cannot be fake. We must be genuine.

 

So let’s look at Romans 12 to see how we are to live a genuine, Christ-like life.

 

Live sacrificially – Romans 12:1

Live humbly – Romans 12:3, 16

Live in unity – Romans 12:4-5

Live as gifted – Romans 12:6-8

Live lovingly – Romans 12:9-10

Live zealously – Romans 12:11

Live joyfully in hope – Romans 12:12

Live patiently in affliction – Romans 12:12

Live faithfully in prayer – Romans 12:12

Live generously – Romans 12:13

Live hospitably – Romans 12:13

Live harmoniously – Romans 12:16

Live fairly – Romans 12:17

Live peaceably – Romans 12:18

Live well – Romans 12:23

 

Now that is quite a list! As we fill our hearts with these words, we’re able to see how to live lives that are not fake. But we also know that without the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, living this way would be improbable. No, impossible.

 

As we allow God’s Spirit to produce good fruit in our lives, the guidelines in Romans 12 become doable. Our desire to live in such a way grows within us. It becomes imperative that our lives are no longer considered fake, but genuine.

 

There is another verse in this chapter that will help us as well. Romans 12:2 (NIV) says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what god’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

 

You see, if we live as the world lives and think as the world thinks, we will be fake. Satan, the great deceiver, is the ruler of this world. There can be nothing genuine where he reigns.

 

But when we are transformed into what God wants us to be, we are able to be genuine. We are genuine because our God is genuine. Then when we are transformed, our minds will be renewed. Renewed for genuineness.

 

The next time you pick up a gumdrop, think of how God wants you to live. Not as a fake, or phony “Christian,” but as a genuine, living-life-to-the-full, Christ follower.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] Goody, Goody Gumdrops, 1910 Fruitgum Company, 1968

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Thanksgiving Break – Day 5

November 24th, 2014 dsisler

 

I will be visiting my Ohio family for Thanksgiving this year. While I’m away, I’ll be sharing some older blog posts about music…long before there was March Musical Musings or Monday Musical Musings I wrote about music. So enjoy these pieces and I’ll see you on December 2! Just in time for some Christmas posts!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

Life is a Musical

 

One of my favorite ways to pass time is by watching musicals. The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Singin’ in the Rain, Easter Parade. And this is just the beginning of my list. There are all the Disney musicals my children love.

 

IMAG1492There are times when I need a good cry. It’s hard to explain, but when it’s been a while since I’ve cried, I create a situation for me to do so in order to keep from finding myself in a blubbering scene in public. So I watch Carousel. It works every time.

 

And to get my grandchildren interested in watching musicals, I have Pete’s Dragon recorded and we watch it on occasion.

 

Of course during the Christmas season, I am able to watch the best of the best musicals. White Christmas and Holiday Inn must be on my watch list.

 

So why is it we love musicals so much? Because of the tunes! Catchy songs like “Good Mornin’,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Ten Minutes Ago,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “Money, Money, Money by the Pound,” “Easter Parade,” and “White Christmas” pull us in with their melodies and rhythms.

 

It’s been true for a long time. Music has been around since the beginning. And we find a whole list of songs throughout Scripture. So let’s see what musical numbers we find in God’s Word.

 

Moses begins our journey with his song in Deuteronomy 32:1-43. He concludes this song by telling the Hebrew nation that the words within his song were more than idle words. They were life. Moses was a great motivator.

 

Moses is joined by his sister Miriam and together they sang a duet after crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 15:1-18. They praise God for His mighty works and for His reign over the earth.

 

In Judges 5:1-31, Deborah recites details of the conquest Israel fought and won with God’s assistance. Her song begins with praise and ends with devotion to God. Life is victorious when God is in it with us.

 

We see Hannah praising God in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 for the gift of a son. She was so thrilled to finally be comforted in motherhood. “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is filled high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.” (1 Samuel 2:1 – NIV) We too can use these words when our needs are satisfied by God.

 

Then there is David. The young shepherd who played his harp to the sheep and to King Saul. Whose anguish, requests, repentance and praise are noted throughout the Book of Psalm.

 

But we also see a special song by David in 2 Samuel 22:1-51 after God’s deliverance. After recalling the entire experience, David praised God. “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!” (2 Samuel 22:47 – NIV)

 

Solomon is much like his father in the song writing department. Another book of songs are found in the Song of Songs. From friendship to lover, this book is filled with poetic music that shows great admiration.

 

After the birth of John the Baptizer, Zechariah’s song was filled with praise to God. But he also sang of what John’s role would be. That John would lead the way for the coming Messiah. That John would prepare the way for Him. What joy Zechariah must have felt to know that his son would do such a great thing. It’s no wonder he was singing!

 

Which leads me to our final song. Mary’s song. This young, righteous woman had just been told of her role in bringing the Messiah to the world. She was up to the task. And she couldn’t keep from singing.

 

We find her song in Luke 1:46-55. Let’s look into her heart for a moment and gain a little understanding of what she was feeling.

 

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.” (Luke 1:46-47 – NIV)

 

Mary’s soul and spirit rejoiced!

 

Music has been important throughout time. And it hasn’t stopped. The great worship song writers of our time continue to share praise music with us and inspire us to live lives worthy of God’s gift of grace.

 

I believe we enter into a Christian musical during each worship service. There is music. There is a story. There is a message. There are people involved who lead us to a point where we are encouraged to make a decision. And God is in the midst of that worship musical.

 

Are you listening to God’s song? Is He calling you to something? Repentance? Service?

 

And, do you have a song? What ideas are included within your song? What message are you singing for the world to hear?

 

I do enjoy a good musical. There is just something about a great tune and meaningful lyrics that touches my soul in a way like nothing else can. I pray that you will find God’s music in your heart this Christmas and every day throughout the year.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Thanksgiving Break – Day 4

November 23rd, 2014 dsisler

 

I will be visiting my Ohio family for Thanksgiving this year. While I’m away, I’ll be sharing some older blog posts about music…long before there was March Musical Musings or Monday Musical Musings I wrote about music. So enjoy these pieces and I’ll see you on December 2! Just in time for some Christmas posts!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

Let Faith Arise

 

Have you ever complained to God? I think we can answer this question with a unanimous “yes.” Complaining comes natural to us. When something isn’t right. If something doesn’t make sense. And that’s all it takes. The complaining begins.

 

IMAG1492I read through the book of Habakkuk yesterday. I found it quite interesting that Habakkuk had a couple of complaints for God. God answered each of Habakkuk’s complaints with words of encouragement.

 

First Habakkuk wondered why God was allowing Israel to continue in sin without coming to the aid of the prophet. Why God had not punished Israel for her transgressions. God answered Habakkuk. God told Habakkuk that He was going to do something. Something that Habakkuk would not believe even if he were told.

 

God was going to allow Israel to fall to the Babylonians.

 

And then Habakkuk wondered why God would allow a nation even more sinful than Israel to overtake them. Again God answered Habakkuk. God told Habakkuk that Babylon itself would fall.

 

In the end, Israel would receive correction for sin, Babylon would no longer be a threat to Israel, and God’s people would once again be restored.

 

Once God has given His answers to Habakkuk’s complaints, Habakkuk praises God for who He is and for what He would accomplish. Throughout his prayer, Habakkuk showed great faith in God.

 

God spoke of faith to Habakkuk in chapter 2, verse 4b (NIV). “…the righteous will live by his faith…” This verse is considered the main teaching of this book. Faith is the essence of who we are as Christians.

 

Dr. Halley shares some insight into faith and what it means. “Faith is the ability to feel so sure of God that, no matter how dark the day, there is no doubt as to the outcome.”[i]

 

I recall a time last year that was dark for me. I complained to God. He answered. I shared my despair with Him. He answered. Unfortunately, they weren’t the answers that I wanted.

 

Then came the moment when I surrendered my complaints and allowed my faith to take over.

 

A week into this dark period, I stood in a worship service. We sang a fairly new song. These are the words to the chorus.

 

“I lift my hands to believe again,

You are my refuge, you are my strength.

As I pour out my heart, these things I remember;

You are faithful God forever.”[ii]

 

In that moment, my faith in God brought me to the point where I could get through the situation.

 

But here’s the thing. I had to say it out loud. Sing it for others to hear. Profess that God was my refuge and my strength.

 

I also had to physically do something. I lifted my hands.

 

And then I believed again.

 

Oh, I have poured out my heart to God. Over and over again. But in the end, God’s faithfulness far overshadowed my complaints. God’s faithfulness stands forever. When my faith waivers, His faithfulness is rock solid.

 

Life isn’t fair. There will be situations that we simply don’t like. However, when we give all of our complaints to God, He will answer in His own way. Have faith that God knows what He is doing. God has a plan. God wants to implement that plan. If we are patient, He will do His best work in our lives.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] Halley’s Bible Handbook, Dr. Henry H. Halley, 2000, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, pg.470.

[ii] Let Faith Arise, Chris Tomlin

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    "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:18-19


    I am a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. I lived in the beautiful state of Colorado for 20 years where I found great inspiration for my novels and devotional writings. Currently living in southwest Ohio.

    I am passionate about helping women find their way to Jesus through Bible study, teaching, speaking, inspirational writing and creative Bible journaling.

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