True Joy and Contentment

September 13th, 2014 dsisler

 

Mason and I will be celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary on Monday. If you do the math, you’ll realize that we were married four days after September 11, 2001. The real problem was that Mason lived in Colorado and I lived in Ohio. Mason was supposed to board a flight on September 12.

 

weddingAt some point during the day on Tuesday, Mason called me and said, “I just can’t get there.” His travel arranger at work had been looking at alternative ways for Mason to make it to his wedding. She checked trains, buses, and rental cars. There was nothing available.

 

So after work on Tuesday, Mason loaded his little sports car and headed to Ohio (a 24-hour trip) for our Saturday wedding day. He was exhausted, but our wedding was perfect.

 

wedding 2Our wedding day was clouded by the events earlier in the week. To this day, we always know when our anniversary is approaching because of the 9/11 television programs to help us remember the day so much changed in America. Together as a nation, we found strength to move on and rebuild.

 

Jump ahead 12 years and another event occurred that affected many lives. The flood waters in Colorado enveloped homes and lives of so many one year ago. The devastation was indescribable. Lives were changed. Dreams were shattered. But through the past year, we’ve seen Colorado strength rise to action and have seen communities and lives rebuilt.

 

I am reminded that in the midst of the good in our lives, there will always be times of trouble. Jesus spoke to this in John 16:33, but Jesus also gives hope in this verse. Jesus said it, “I have overcome the world!” When we hold onto this truth, we are able to enjoy the good in our lives.

 

I love Psalm 16:9-11 from The Voice. I’ve shared it before with you, but I believe it is a good reminder for us today.

 

“This is the good life—my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy, and my body is at rest. Who could want for more? You will not abandon me to experience death and the grave or leave me to rot alone. Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending and I know true joy and contentment.”

 

When we walk along the path of God’s will, we are able to see the beautiful life that He has placed before us. This is the good life!

 

It might be easy for me to feel guilty about celebrating my wedding anniversary because of the events 13 years ago and 1 year ago. These events will always hold a special place in my heart, but I must move on. I must celebrate. So over the next few days, Mason and I will celebrate. It was a beautiful day when we said, “I do” and it will be a beautiful day 13 years later. I know true joy and contentment.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Temperature Change

September 12th, 2014 dsisler

 

I went to bed last night with the possibility of waking to snow this morning. Our temperatures dropped. There was moisture. But this morning as I look out the windows, no sign of snow. YAY!

 

DSC02389mmmmI believe we watched the weather forecast on each television station and I even follow a meteorologist on Facebook. Each of them had the possibility of snow in their forecasts, but in my little area of the world, there is no snow this morning.

 

The mountain region has received some snow and as the sun rises this morning (if I can see the mountains through the fog), they will be beautiful with their fresh dusting. It’s always one of my favorite sights here in Colorado.

 

This caught my attention last night on the weather maps. Denver’s temperature was 44°. Grand Junction’s temperature was 81°. Denver lies on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and Grand Junction is 243 miles due west on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, about a four hour drive from Denver. The cold front crept in from the north and placed parts of this state into a cold snap.

 

This large temperature difference made me think of the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22. This group of people had chosen an easy path. They had made the decision to be lukewarm. And I’ll tell you now, the Amen (Jesus) was not happy with their lifestyle.

 

Laodicea was doing well. This city was bustling with a healthy wool market, a medical school, a special eye salve and hot springs. Laodicea was a wealthy city.

 

However, material wealth does not equal spiritual wealth. And that is exactly what the Amen found in Laodicea. A church that was neither hot nor cold. They were lukewarm.

 

Early in this section of Scripture, the Amen shares His issue. “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither not nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16 – NIV)

 

I can’t help but wonder how the Amen views my life. Am I lukewarm? Do I profess to be a Christian, but don’t live up His expectations? How close am I to being spit from His mouth? Pretty serious questions.

 

In Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus spoke to John about seven churches in different cities. The people in these Churches had their good and bad, but Jesus encouraged each to do a little better. There is one little phrase from Revelation 2:26 that I believe is the key to living as Jesus wants us to live. “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end…”

 

There have been times when I’ve been lukewarm or cold toward God and His will in my life. There have been times when I’ve given up. I have probably fallen into the “bad” portions of each of these churches at different times. Making the decision to follow God’s will for my life has been the best decision I’ve ever made.

 

Sure, I mess up and miss the direction God wants me to go at times, but with the leading and guiding of God’s Spirit, it’s much easier to get back on the right path.

 

Jesus chose to discipline the church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22). His desire was and is that all come to know Him and accept Him as Savior. Their spiritual awakening was a great witness to their peers and for future generations.

 

The riches this church received from the Amen were true treasures. Gold refined in the fire. White clothes to wear. Salve to put on their eyes. Once they possessed these riches, their lives would be changed. They would become rich. They would be able to cover their shameful nakedness. They would be able to see.

 

The Amen is knocking on the door of our hearts. We determine whether the door is opened or not. We determine if the Amen will join us for a meal. Jesus has promised victory to those who choose to be hot over being lukewarm. Phew! I think it’s getting hot!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Move On

September 11th, 2014 dsisler

 

We have difficulty figuring out what to have for dinner in our home. I ask the same question each day, “What do you want for dinner?” and time and time again, I get the same answer, “I don’t know.”

 

DSC04423On occasion, someone will have a clear answer. But for the most part, my family rarely cares.

 

So I pull something out of my trusty handbag of dinners and whip up a delicious meal that the crew seems to enjoy. But to be honest, it gets old. I tire of the same thing each week.

 

I have had to eliminate some food items from my diet like beef and dairy, so that fact throws us for a loop. And I don’t like casseroles very well because of all the mess that comes with making them (you know mix some ingredients in one bowl, sometimes two, cook another set of ingredients in another pan, put it all together in yet one more dish, and the number of utensils grows with each step of the process…more work than it should be).

 

I search Pinterest and cookbooks for new recipes and sometimes I try them. Some have been successful, but others have just flopped. Some are not worth the work it takes to get it on the table, while others have been easy and delicious. I’ve also learned through the years that my husband is a picky eater, so that’s just one more element to throw in as well.

 

Needless to say, I’m in a rut. We have certain meals we enjoy and so I don’t rock the boat, I stick with them. Yes, we have a boring life.

 

I sometimes envy the Israelites wandering in the desert. They complained, God provided. Manna and quail. Every day. For forty years. Okay, maybe I am only envious of the fact that Hebrew mothers didn’t have to figure out what to have for dinner every night. It was the same thing every night. They were in a rut too and not just in the food category.

 

Over and over we see the Hebrew nation follow a pattern. They would trust God and then when things turned ugly, they would complain. Their trust would wane. Each time however, God always provided exactly what was needed and proved to them (many, many times) that He was in control and was worthy of their trust. And then the cycle would start all over again.

 

This cycle started pretty early in their new found freedom from Egypt. This large group of people left Egypt with all of their possessions and families and herds of animals. Together they trekked across desert until they were confronted by the Red Sea.

 

By the time they reached the sea, Pharaoh had determined his mistake and his entire army was in pursuit.

 

God told Moses to have the nation move in a way that would make Pharaoh believe they were confused, lost and wandering in the desert. God allowed Pharaoh to believe that he would be victorious over this group of peasants and their crazy leader.

 

The Hebrew people were frightened when they saw the Egyptian army coming across the desert. They cried out to Moses and wanted to return to their previous life of slavery. They wanted to go back to their old rut.

 

Moses believed and trusted God. Moses knew that God had a plan, but he didn’t know what that plan was. These are the encouraging words spoken by Moses to the Hebrew nation. “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14 – NIV)

 

However, God had another plan. God spoke these words to Moses. “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” (Exodus 14:15 – NIV)

 

God told Moses exactly what to do to part the waters of the Red Sea. With that parting, the Israelites walked across on dry land. God provided a way.

 

God did a lot more than just provide a way to cross the Red Sea. He also stood between the Israelites and the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:19). But God asked them to do their part as well.

 

I don’t know what rut you are in. Maybe your time with God has gone stale. Maybe your daily routine is keeping you from spending time with God. Maybe your prayer life is non-existent.

 

Let me give you some advice. Some God advice. Move on. It’s time to move along and figure out a new path in your relationship with God. God will draw you to Himself, God will provide all that you need, God will even protect you, but you must do something. You must move on.

 

Like the Israelites, there will be ups and downs along the way, but with God before and behind you, there is nothing to fear. So let’s determine to get out of the rut. Let’s live abundant lives through Jesus Christ. Let’s move on to a life worthy of the calling.

 

Move on.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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There are Days

September 10th, 2014 dsisler

 

Sometimes I think I’m getting old faster than I should. There are reasons for this. I know I don’t eat as well as I should. I know I don’t exercise…at all. My job keeps me at a desk for most of the day. Not to mention that the activities that bring me the most joy (Bible study and writing) require that I remain stationary while engaged.

 

RainYes, I know that part of how I feel is more my fault than not. But my, oh my, there are days when my body aches.

 

I shouldn’t complain. Some of my friends and family have real health issues. They have physical constrictions that I can’t even begin to imagine. Many of them never complain. Never.

 

I am reminded of a passage of Scripture in 2 Corinthians. The Apostle Paul shares his thoughts about our temporal bodies. In this book, Paul revealed that he had asked God to remove the thorn in his flesh three times, and yet, God allowed the thorn to remain. The lesson learned from this conversation is that God’s grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). This truth still remains.

 

In another section, Paul spoke some beautiful words about our earthly bodies. “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – NIV)

 

I love some of the language of these verses from The Voice. Take a look. “So we have no reason to despair. Despite the fact that our outer humanity is falling apart and decaying, our inner humanity is breathing in new life every day. You see, the short-lived pains of this life are creating for us an eternal glory that does not compare to anything we know here. So we do not set our sights on the things we can see with our eyes. All of that is fleeting; it will eventually fade away. Instead, we focus on the things we cannot see, which live on and on.”

 

I suspect I will always feel old if I continue on the path that I walk each day. I know and believe however, that my soul is being restored each day and that new life is being breathed into me by God.

 

What is breathing in new life to you every day? I pray that it is God’s Word, God’s grace, and God’s presence. For it is through these very things that we are strengthened.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Whimsical Treasures

September 9th, 2014 dsisler

 

A Facebook friend posted a little snippet on how to produce a name for your own fabric line. After using the first and last initials of my personal name, it turns out that if I were to ever create my own fabric line, it should be called Whimsical Treasures.

 

front porchI loved the name!

 

Unless there is a very big change in my interests, I don’t believe this name will ever come about for a fabric line. I rarely sew. I’m not creative enough to create my own fabric. But still, I love the combination of these two words. Whimsical Treasures.

 

Jesus spoke of treasure in Matthew 6. He knew that whimsical treasures of this world would take our eyes off of Him. He knew that we might be affected if we placed too high a priority on earthly possessions. Jesus knew that we would be pulled in two directions. So let’s take a look at Jesus’ words.

 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 – NIV)

 

Treasures in this world and in this life surely will not last. The elements in our world will eventually destroy all that we know as earthly treasures. And what we may consider “treasure” here on earth will probably not be held in such honor by our future grandchildren. Recall your last visit to an antique shop for perspective on earthly treasures.

 

So what does this mean to us today? I’m not saying we can’t have nice earthly, whimsical treasures. I have plenty of them in my home. I like them. But it all comes down to whether or not I place my whimsical treasures above my relationship with Jesus.

 

My treasure in heaven is far more important than my treasures on earth. My perspective is heavenward. My goal is eternity with my Savior. Nothing can get between me and that goal. Nothing.

 

Especially whimsical treasures.

 

What does this heavenly perspective look like in your life? Are you able to put Jesus before everything else in this world? What keeps you from storing up treasure in heaven? What does your heart love? Where is your treasure?

 

As I look at these questions, I realize that I must reflect on my own life to determine what this looks like for me. Maybe whimsical treasures aren’t as important, but there are other things that are. Food. Laziness. Focus. Sometimes these things jump in front of Jesus for me and then my perspective becomes earthly instead of heavenly.

 

I see clearly what keeps me from storing up treasure in heaven in my own life. I look forward to breaking the earthly habits that interrupt my spiritual life. In their place, I will develop holy habits that lead me heavenward.

 

I pray that you’re able to look at your life through Jesus’ eyes to determine what needs to be changed. What transformation needs to take place. What needs His touch. I pray that your heart will seek God. I pray that the whimsical treasures of this world will diminish in their importance and that your heavenly treasures will become most important. I pray all of these things for myself as well.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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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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    In September 2012 I went to SE Asia on a service trip. For more information, check out preachitclearly.blogspot.com.

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