Light

October 8th, 2013 dsisler

 

Yesterday I mentioned that during our worship service two weeks ago all the lights went off at the beginning of our first service. So here’s the rest of the story.

 

1340158443410As soon as the lights went off, my husband and I left the auditorium. I went out because of my role as executive assistant to the senior pastor (who was out of town with our elders on a retreat) and my husband left the room because he works for our local electric company.

 

As soon as we walked out of the auditorium he knew it was an internal problem…I wasn’t as quick to figure it out. But the lobby area still had lights and it certainly was an internal problem.

 

Before I had the chance to head back into worship, I was asked to do something in the office and my husband and I went our separate ways. While in the office, the lights suddenly went out again. I fumbled around trying to find light. I wasn’t in my office (which has a window), so it was very dark.

 

The lights finally came back on and we were able to finish the task at hand and the rest of the morning went along without any problems.

 

Later I learned that when the auditorium lights went off, they somehow fell into a cycle that would have brought them back on much later in the day. The team of experts determined that if they didn’t shut the entire building down, the lights in the auditorium wouldn’t come on until it was too late.

 

So they shut it all down. When the switch was flipped, all the building lights were on.

 

I was reminded of the scene in Jurassic Park when they had to shut down their whole system in order for it to return to normal. Well, without the dinosaurs.

 

I was also reminded of the time period between Jesus’ ascension and when the Apostles received the Holy Spirit.

 

The Apostles had been with Jesus for three years. They had listened to His teaching. Seen the miracles He performed. They had been blessed and disciplined by Jesus. They had seen Him die on the cross and rise from the grave. They had also seen Him leave.

 

Jesus told them to stay in Jerusalem and wait. Jesus’ words were cryptic. He mentioned they would receive the promised gift from the Father and that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

 

Perhaps this was a period of darkness for them, but not physical or even spiritual darkness. They simply didn’t have all the answers. They were in the dark about what was to come.

 

But when the lights came back on, everything suddenly became clear. They understood everything they had heard Jesus teach. They remembered every detail. They were able to speak in languages that they hadn’t studied. They became bold preachers of God’s message. When the Holy Spirit ascended upon them, they became great leaders of the Church of God.

 

I’m sure those who knew these men prior to the Gift wondered what had happened. Suddenly, this band of followers were confident in their message. They no longer questioned Jesus about His parables. They knew.

 

At the moment the Holy Spirit arrived and dwelt within these believers, the world changed. The Light was so bright on that day and has continued to shine throughout history.

 

When we follow Peter’s words in Acts 2:38 (NIV), we too are blessed to receive this same Gift. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

 

If you are living in darkness, today is the perfect day to let the Light in. Jesus will accept you just as you are. But the transformation He will make through the Holy Spirit will be remarkable. There is so much to see and learn within the Light. Why not take that step?

 

If you have received this great Light (the Holy Spirit), are you allowing Him to do His work within you? Are you being transformed each day? Do others see the Light within you? I pray that is the case.

 

I don’t care for darkness. I’d much rather be in the light. I’m thankful that when it comes to my spiritual life, I am living in the Light each day. Thank you Father for your Gift. Your Light. Your Holy Spirit.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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“It Is Well” – Monday Musical Musings

October 7th, 2013 dsisler

We live in an exciting era of music writing. Old hymns are being rebirthed with the addition of newer, updated choruses. This new look at the hymns many of us grew up singing is perfect for our children and grandchildren who are singing a different type of praise music to God. The resurgence is uplifting and satisfying.

 

0005030206R-849x565The song I’ve chosen to write about today is one such hymn. The songwriter, Todd Fields, has taken a beloved hymn of faith and added just a few lines that bring added meaning to the already great lyrics. They allow us to understand why all is well with our souls.

 

We all know that trials and disappointments come with the territory of life. There will be storms. Great storms. But when our soul is right with God, He will carry us through the storm and deliver us safely on the other side.

 

It’s during these times, like Horatio Spafford who lost so much on the Atlantic Sea, we are able to say, “It is Well.”

 

We sang this version two weeks ago in worship. In the middle of verse 2, the entire church building went dark. All power was gone. The worship leader sang a little louder, the congregation kept singing and at the end of the song, the auditorium erupted in applause.

 

I have many thoughts on that morning and I will share them at a later time, but for now, I’ll move along with today’s post. We sang this song again yesterday. Not because it wasn’t done well the week before, but because it’s message is truer than ever. When God is in the middle of our lives, whatever we go through, it is okay.

 

I pray that you can sing these words this morning. “It Is Well.”

 

VERSE 1
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, You have taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul

CHORUS 1
It is well, it is well;
through the storm I am held;
It is well, it is well with my soul

VERSE 2
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul

CHORUS 2
It is well, it is well;
through the storm I am held;
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well, it is well;
God has won, Christ prevailed;
It is well, it is well with my soul

VERSE 3
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
Even so, it is well with my soul[i]

 

Click here to listen to Todd Fields at Northpoint Church sing his version of “It Is Well.”

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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[i] “It Is Well With My Soul,” Words: Horatio G. Spafford, 1873, Music: Philip Bliss. “It Is Well,” Todd Fields, Album: Rise Above, 2012

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God’s Plan

October 6th, 2013 dsisler

Once again we’ve landed on the first day of the week on the calendar. You’ll be reading about the doll house again today and the plan we had to build it.

 

But I’d like for you to remember that God has a plan for our lives. I don’t use this verse often because I believe it is overused. I also believe there are important verses around it that are ignored. But they fit in with God’s plan for us. So today, I’ll share Jeremiah 29:10-14 – NIV)

 

“This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you to exile.’”

 

God’s plan for us is so much more than what we find in Jeremiah 29:11. His desire is that we seek Him with all our hearts. His desire is for us to be removed from the captivity of sin. His desire is that we come back to Him.

 

His plan for us does include good things, but He will discipline when necessary and He will wait while we wander about in exile. But when we call upon His name and come to Him in prayer, He will listen. Now that’s a great plan!

 

Building a Doll House: The Plan – Chapter 2

 

We had a kit. We had supplies. We had a plan. We had nearly four months to complete the project for Joy’s Christmas gift. We got started immediately. Mason pulled out every piece and placed a “sticky note” on it with the part number and the number of pieces.

 

He read through the directions and felt they weren’t adequate, so he found a great website that had step-by-step instructions (with photos) on how to build this particular house. We found this resource to be extremely useful throughout the project.

 

My project was to design each room. The color scheme, wall paper, flooring, and décor of each room was especially exciting to work on. I spent hours looking for the perfect items.

 

In addition to this, I also searched the Bible to find a verse to write on each surface that related to the purpose of each room. Each verse is hand-written under the wall paper, flooring, or shingles. My prayer is that when the wall paper or shingles fall off of this house, my great-grandchildren will see a message from me (and God).

 

Mason gathered tools and supplies. Lots of tools and supplies. Here’s a list: rulers, squares, saws, clamps, air hammer, glue, pin nails, tape, paint, paint brushes, electrical tools, pencils, sandpaper, and tables. Pretty soon, the loft was overtaken by all things doll house related. Our work station and planning were complete. It was time to actually start building the doll house.

 

Joy's Dollhouse Assembly 031mWe used a lot, a lot of clamps. Of various shapes and sizes, these supports kept pieces in place while the glue dried or they served as extra “hands” when the task got a bit difficult. Without the clamps some of the work on the house would be impossible, difficult or perhaps delayed. Occasionally we’d come to a spot where none of the clamps would work and in those situations we’d simply hold a piece in place or hope the pin nails would keep it exactly where it was supposed to be until the glue dried. These were not fun times and it made us very thankful for the clamps when we were able to use them.

 

God gave us several tools to help us through difficult times. Times we might need an extra hand, an encouraging word, or a hug. Our fellow Christians can be the support we need at times. Remember Ecclesiastes 4:12?

 

God’s Holy Spirit can lead and guide us and God’s Word can give us encouragement when there is no encouragement to be found. Through the true foundation of God’s Word, Jesus as our Savior, and added strength of good Christian friends will we be able to handle the trials we encounter.

 

Proverbs 14:22b tells us, “Those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.” Love and faithfulness. Gifts from God. They may come in the form of friends, but most definitely from God.

 

Do you have a plan? A good plan? I pray that you do. If not, why not seek out the Planner of our salvation and begin the process of building a new life? His plans stand firm. Forever. Let’s use His plan!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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Are You Washed?

October 5th, 2013 dsisler

I haven’t written about the flood for a while, mainly because I haven’t been out and about as much. But yesterday I had the privilege of going out to work with Samaritan’s Purse into the town of Lyons that had so much damage from the flood. The town was cut off. Residents had to be evacuated. Homes were washed away by the raging river. Lives were turned upside down.

 

Barbara is one such resident.

 

We spent the day at her home that was cut in half by the river. Her barn now stands on an island. There are massive piles of debris everywhere. Mud is caked up to three feet deep in many areas. A team of 17 people barely made a dent in all that needs to be done. And this is just one home.

 

We woke yesterday morning to cold temperatures, wind and snow. It wasn’t the ideal situation for working outdoors, but I knew I’d stay warm with the physical labor ahead. However, when we got there and jobs were being issued, the one nobody wanted was left hanging. Washing items found among the debris.

 

My friend and I volunteered. We knew we’d be cold by the end of the day, but we also knew we’d have some interaction with the homeowner, and that’s important in situations like this.

 

Flood 2We had to draw water from the river to wash the mud-filled items to “clean” the items that were found in the debris. There was already a workstation put together. Marilyn and I just picked up where the last crew stopped.

 

I found this to be quite interesting. Each item required a different method for getting the mud off. Some were easiest cleaned if we took them to the river and allowed the raging waters to remove the mud. Others required a good scrubbing with a brush or sponge. While still others were cleaned best when a paint brush was used with a genFlood 1tle touch.

 

I have found that it’s been like this with my life. When I am in tune with Jesus, at gentle touch is all I need to know that I’ve missed the target and there needs to be some clean up.

 

Sometimes it’s taken a bit more for me to see the sin in my life and for it to be removed.

 

But then there have been times when I needed to be taken to the river and dunked to allow the raging waters to get my attention. It’s during these times that I’ve been so stubborn and selfish. When I’ve wanted to hold on to what made me happy. When I’ve turned my back on God and his precepts.

 

God calls it “stiff-necked.” And there are nineteen such references in Scripture.

 

In Deuteronomy 10:16 (NIV), God asked Israel to “Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.” This sounds like a New Testament verse, doesn’t it? Jesus taught that sin begins in the heart. God planted the seed from the beginning. Mankind didn’t listen.

 

Other actions mentioned in Scripture in relation to being stiff-necked are: wickedness, rebellious, didn’t trust, not submissive, disobedient, stubbornness, turned their backs, refused to listen, not responsive to discipline, and resist the Holy Spirit.

 

Wow. No wonder a good washing at the river is needed when we are in seasons of such disobedience. There’s a lot to be washed away.

 

But the good news is that God has no desire for any of us to perish. He is standing on the side of the river holding on tightly to you (and me). He will make sure that the river doesn’t pull you under. And when you come up from this good washing, your heart will indeed be clean and circumcised.

 

Discipline isn’t fun. But there are times in our lives when that’s exactly what we need. When we are submissive to God’s discipline, we are able to understand the full extent of His love for us. Our relationship with God will be healed. Our relationship with God will be better than before. And our relationship with God will be restored.

 

There is still much work to be done here in Colorado. The flood clean-up will be on-going for months to come. Just because my life has returned to normal, it doesn’t mean that everyone’s has.

 

So please keep our efforts in your prayers. Pray for our strength. Pray that we will not grow weary (Galatians 6:9). Pray that the workers will continue to show up each day (regardless of the weather). Pray for financial support to continue. Pray for the safety of the teams that head out each day. Thank you!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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Sparks are Flying

October 4th, 2013 dsisler

As I was out and about yesterday, there were two vehicles in front of me with their flashing lights on. The rear car was being towed by the front car. It wasn’t a safe situation, so I kept my distance.

 

As I followed this pair, I realized that neither of them were very good drivers. If one swayed, the other followed. They were in both lanes of this two lane road and also on the shoulder.

 

sparkOn occasion sparks would fly. The chain between these two vehicles didn’t seem to be the safest way to transport the obviously disabled car.

 

And then it happened. The chain broke and both vehicles took a quick right turn and stopped by the side of the road. I was thankful that while these two vehicles were figuring out their next strategy that I was able to get around them safely.

 

The swerving, swaying, jerking, unexpected movements and unsteadiness remind me that sometimes in our lives we seem to be following God’s plan well. And then something causes us to become unsteady and get off track. It could be an incident. It could be someone. It could be an attitude. It could be a temptation.

 

Whatever it might be, we suddenly find ourselves on the side of the road of life in a broken-down vehicle and what seems to be the one who took us down this road.

 

When we are in this position, we have the best roadside assistant plan available. Grace. We can call on the One who is able to do far more than we could imagine. We can call on the One who has lavished His great love upon us. We can call on the One whose mission is to seek and save the lost. We simply need to call Him.

 

But what is best is if we strive to never get in this position at all.

 

So how can we be steadfast in our daily walk and not wind up on the side of the road?

 

Ask for God’s help! Psalm 51:10 (NIV) gives us David’s prayer. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” David realized that a steadfast spirit would wane with the situations of life and that only God could restore it within him.

 

Know that God will come to your aid just when you need it. 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) says, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.” What a blessing to be able to approach God’s throne with this request.

 

What are the results of being steadfast? Psalm 112:6-8 (NI) assures us, “Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.”

 

Are you catching some of these phrases? “renew a steadfast spirit,” “restore and make you strong, firm, and steadfast,” “no fear of bad news,” “his heart is secure,” “trust,” “look in triumph on his foes.” What promises! And God can make these promises because He is steadfast in all His ways.

 

Psalm 111:7-8 (NIV) tells us that our God is steadfast. “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are steadfast forever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.” I don’t know about you, but that spurs me on to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful!” (Hebrews 10:23 – NIV)

 

By staying the course, sticking to the narrow path, we know we are heading in the right direction. I pray that God’s words would resonate in your mind when you are tempted to get off track.

 

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58 – NIV)

 

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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