Climb the High Mountain

July 15th, 2014 dsisler

Over the weekend, my husband and I took a trip to the mountains. It was a beautiful time to be in the Rocky Mountains. Everything is so green right now and the wild flowers were out in abundance. It was a wonderful trip.

 

At one point, I was sitting in the car by myself on the passenger side (this is unusual when we’re in my vehicle). The driver’s door opened and a woman got in. She was surprised and embarrassed. We laughed. She got out and walked to her red vehicle. It was a great encounter.

 

IMAG2196mFurther on, we walked around Sprague Lake. There were two couples who seemed to be having a wonderful time reconnecting. They were laughing, snapping pictures, and anyone around them could not help but be infected with the joy they were experiencing. They asked if I could take a group picture of them, so I did. Afterwards, we sat on the same bench and they took a few pictures of my husband and me.

 

God taught me a few things on this little venture.

 

Surprises

While there are some bad surprises in this world, the good surprises are what bring joy to our lives. Those chance encounters with old friends or a phone call out of the blue. Maybe a card in the mail or a bouquet of flowers. These surprises warm our hearts and bring a smile to our faces.

 

IMAG2201mAnd you know how much you enjoy these surprises, so why not surprise a friend or a loved one in the same way you’ve been surprised? Share this joy with others. You will be encouraged as well.

 

Encounters

The folks that Mason and I encountered on this journey were from all walks of life. Young families just starting out to grandparents caring for their grandchildren to everything in between. Some were laughing, some were quiet, some were skipping, some were hobbling. But when eyes met and a smile was shared, each person felt the connection.

 

The connection that we are all on a journey. Where we are headed is important, but what we do with our lives on that journey is what counts. Our words, our actions, our attitudes, these are what make our journey sweet or bitter.

 

And we know that God is with us on this journey. Look at what the Israelites were told. “The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the Lord you God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.” (Deuteronomy 2:7 – NIV) I believe that as faithful sojourners, these words apply to us as well.

 

As we head out into our day-to-day lives, let’s keep in mind that we are going to have surprises and encounters along the way. But we can be assured that we are not alone. If you need to be reminded of this, take a look at Psalm 16:11, Psalm 23:3, Psalm 119:35, and Psalm 142:3.

 

I’d like to share a poem I found about climbing a mountain. I pray that you will be inspired to live life to its fullest and to make this journey with Jesus by your side.

 

Climb the High Mountain

 

Climb the high mountain

Up God’s pathway

Looking unto Jesus

Lest you go astray.

 

Climb the high mountain,

Hard it may seem.

With Jesus as your guide

You will find your dream.

 

A life that is filled

With His love and His peace,

A life now and beyond

That will never cease![i]

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

[i] Climb the High Mountain, Perry Boardman

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“Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” – Monday Musical Musings

July 14th, 2014 dsisler

Today, our 4th and 5th graders from Rocky Mountain Christian Church have joined kids from LifeBridge Christian Church at church camp. I’ve never been to the facility where these kids will be spending the week, but from what I’ve heard, it’s one of the top camp locations in the country! I’m sure the pure beauty of Camp Como will lift their spirits, but I pray that these young students will absorb the biblical principles that our teams have put together for them.

 

IMAG1492My early church camp experiences were pretty similar. On top of a mountain in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, we would gather at Mountainview Christian Camp to enjoy God’s beauty, learn of His guidelines for our lives, rekindle friendships, and sing. Yes, music was a large part of the church camp experience.

 

Some were silly songs like “Doodle De Do” or “Georgie,” but when we got down to the real important moments in life music became the catapult from silly to serious. Once we turned our focus to God, we’d sing songs like “His Name is Wonderful,” or “God is So Good,” or “He is Lord,” or “He’s Everything to Me,” or “Goodnight.”

 

As the years changed, so did the music we sang. “How Majestic is Your Name,” “Emmanuel,” “This is the Day,” “I Will Call Upon the Lord,” and “Open Our Eyes, Lord” would be the music that filled camp chapels and night air around campfires. I have no idea what songs will be sung today, but I suspect these young folks will remember them long into their adult life.

 

Regardless of what music has been sung through the years, God’s love and grace has burst forth from church camp grounds since their inception. Church camp makes a difference in kids’ lives and nothing will ever be able to replace the experience.

 

It’s difficult for me to choose one song to share today. There have been so many camp songs that have touched my life. But I need to make a choice. So I choose…

 

“Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”

 

Lord I lift your name on high
Lord I love to sing your praises
I’m so glad you are in my life
I’m so glad you came to save us.

 

You came from heaven to earth, to show the way
From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay
From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky
Lord I lift your name on high.[i]

 

Click here to listen to this fun tune…maybe you remember the motions that go along with it. If so, let’s do them together!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

[i] “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High,” lyrics and music by Rick Founds, 1989.

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Psalm 117

July 13th, 2014 dsisler

Today is the last part of my series on encouragement. I pray that you’ve found some tidbits that you are able to hold and put into practice. Let’s not forget that we are to encourage one another!

 

Balloon Parade 2014 (11)“Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 117:1-2 – NIV)

 

I pray that today you will praise and thank the Lord for all He has done for you. Praise the Lord!

 

Encouragement – Part Eight

 

You’ve seen the signs in movies. “The end is near.” Well, I have come to the end of my writing on encouragement. At least for the purpose of this blog. There are a couple of topics to discuss and then tomorrow, I’ll be writing about something else.

 

But what a topic this has been! I have learned so much about encouragement and the elements that accompany this word. And when it’s all said and done, if I am not changed, if I do not encourage others, it will have been for nothing.

 

If you noticed, I have only used New Testament Scripture and it will be no different today. But there was one verse in Proverbs that caught my attention from the beginning. It says, “An anxious heart weigh a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” (Proverbs 12:25 – NIV)

 

That’s encouragement. Caring enough to say a kind word.

 

Today, I will conclude this topic with a couple of things we are to encourage and when we are to encourage. I pray that your heart will be open to further study of this topic and that your spiritual eyes will be open to see those who need encouragement.

 

What are we to encourage?

I found two things we are to encourage others to do. The first is to hold on to the teachings the New Testament believers had been taught.

 

Encouraging words to stand firm. Encouragement to remain true. Encouragers who spoke of stimulating minds. These too are words we must hold on to.

 

“When he [Barnabas] arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” (Acts 11:23 – NIV)

 

“Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to retain true to the faith.” (Acts 14:21b-22a – NIV)

 

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 – NIV)

 

“He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” (Titus 1:9 – NIV)

 

“With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.” (1 Peter 5:12 – NIV)

 

“Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.” (2 Peter 3:1 – NIV)

 

The second purpose for encouragement is to urge others to do good deeds and speak good words. Consider these passages.

 

“Encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:12 – NIV)

 

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 – NIV)

 

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24 – NIV)

 

Encouraging words that encourage godly behavior and steadfastness. That is what we should be encouraging others to do.

 

When are we to encourage?

We see in Scripture that we are to encourage in times of trouble.

 

Paul and Silas encouraged Lydia and those meeting with her after they were released from prison (Acts 16:40).

 

In Acts 27:27-44, Paul urged the centurion and soldiers to eat some food during the storm and imminent ship wreck. These men were encouraged and ate.

 

Paul shared encouraging words with the Philippian Church while still in chains. Philippians 1:14 (NIV) says, “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word God more courageously and fearlessly.”

 

In this passage we see the one in trouble doing the encouraging. What a message!

 

There is one last element to encouragement that I’d like to share. Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) tells us, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” We are to encourage one another daily! If it is Today, encourage.

 

I’m in the middle of having a yard sale. Yesterday morning I was determined to encourage those who ventured into my little sale. I think I did okay. I had K-Love playing the background (you know the “positive, encouraging” music station). I greeted each person with a warm smile. I engaged in small chit chat.

 

I think I did alright. But today I’m tired. I’m weary. I don’t feel like moving all this junk back outside to try to sell. I believe Today will be the real test. Will my words and my actions be as encouraging Today as they were yesterday?

 

The only way this is possible is with God’s Spirit at work within me. I will be able to do this because of Him. I’m so thankful for God’s gift of the Spirit!

 

Encouragement. There is more to this word than meets the eye. And to be honest, there is still so much more to say. More verses of Scripture that can lead and teach on this topic.

 

I’d like to hear from you. What is the one thing that stands out for you after learning about encouragement? How are you planning to be an encouragement to someone Today? I pray that you’ll not be discouraged and that you won’t give up on encouragement.

 

“Let us not become weary in doing good [or speaking words of encouragement], for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good [or speak words of encouragement] to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:19-20 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Change of Plans

July 12th, 2014 dsisler

My granddaughter Joy visited with us yesterday and spent the night. It was the first of many summer sleep overs and we had a great time. We made arts and “craps” (as she used to call it when she was much younger), ate blue box macaroni and cheese and went on an outing.

 

Originally, we were going to go to the church for an outdoor night of worship. There was to be fire pits and s’mores, fellowship and fun, as well as a time of worship. The weather, however, decided not to cooperate and this fun evening was cancelled.

 

So we moved to option #2. My husband, Mason works for United Power and they were having a movie night with hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn and cotton candy. This particular event was held in the mechanics building, so I knew we’d be out of the weather element.

 

StormAs we left the house, the wind really picked up and it seemed like we were in a western movie. Tumbleweeds and large dust clouds were chasing us down the street. It was actually quite cool. The picture really doesn’t do it justice.

 

In life, sometimes plans change. Sometimes lives change. It was no different for the people that Jesus encountered. Think of the people whose plans changed because they met Jesus. Nicodemus. Zacchaeus. Mary Magdalene. The woman at the well. Peter, Andrew, James and John.

 

Perhaps the greatest plan-changed encounter was Jesus with Saul. Acts 9 tells of the plan changing moment. Saul heard a voice and saw a blinding light. Jesus spoke to Saul and from that moment on, all of Saul’s plans changed.

 

From the moment Jesus grasped hold of Saul’s heart, his plans, his life, his message changed, and even his name changed! He became totally sold into Jesus’ plan. Acts 9:22 (NIV) tells of this miraculous change in Saul’s plans. Take a look at what was said about Saul. “Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.”

 

You see, Saul had been sent to Damascus to squash this new sect of believers, but before he even arrived, Saul’s plans changed. Enraged, the Jewish leaders conspired to kill Saul. But another change in plans helped Saul escape (Acts 9:25).

 

Encountering Jesus is a plan changer. When we allow Jesus to do His work in our lives, things change. We change. Life changes.

 

There’s a song from the musical “The Witness” that I just love. It is a song about Peter’s encounter with Jesus and how he received life through Jesus. Click here to listen to the message.

 

This is my invitation to you today. Come to the Life Giver. Allow Jesus to make this change in your life and your plans. Then, you too can join the list mentioned above. Are you ready for a change?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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My Piece of Paradise?

July 11th, 2014 dsisler

Each morning as I sit at my desk to write something about God and how He has showed up in my life, I look around my office and am reminded of God’s beautiful creation. I long to sit on the beach and hear the waves crash. I want to feel the ocean breeze across my face. So for a few hours a day, I am in my own little piece of paradise in my office.

 

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The reality is that this isn’t reality. Oh it looks like the beach is just within reach as I turn to my left. Ocean themed items are in view as I look toward the other side of the room. But it’s not real. It’s all fake.

 

Do you know people who live their lives this way? Playing it safe and never taking bigger and broader steps in their faith to live life to the full? Or maybe you’ve been around a fellow believer and see they are not living as they should. Maybe that person is you!

 

I believe we all want to be genuine Christians living the way God has called us to live. But in reality, we’re not quite reaching the mark. We’ve missed the goal. And so, it’s just easier to exist in an unreal world with superficial acts of faith.

 

John tells us that God hates that. In John’s vision of the Church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22), he heard God warn the Church that He was about to “spit them out of His mouth” because they were lukewarm. How God wished they were either all in our completely out, but not the in between.

 

When we live lukewarm lives, we miss so much of what God has in store for us. Jesus didn’t come so that we might live fake, lukewarm lives. No, Jesus came that we “may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 – NIV).

 

You may be reading this and wonder what or how you might grasp hold of this abundant life. If so, let’s see what God said to the Church at Laodicea. “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:19-20 – NIV)

 

Let’s repent. Let’s be earnest. Let’s ask Him to come in and be with us. That’s reality. That’s having it all and living abundantly.

 

I still love my beach room and all the reminders of my beloved ocean. But if I just sit here and never, ever visit the beach again, I’m missing the blessings and fulfillment that I receive as I walk through the sand.

 

It’s the same with our spiritual lives. When we sit on the outskirts of the Church and her mission, we miss the blessings and fulfillment we receive when we are involved and on fire.

 

Today, I pray that you will catch the fire and have a deeper desire to live abundantly. Let’s set this world on fire for Jesus. Who’s with me?

 

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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