Balloon Parade

June 21st, 2013 dsisler

Last year we had the opportunity to see a large amount of balloons take off from just north of our home. We sat on the back deck and watched as they sailed past and took pictures.

 

It is balloon parade weekend! This morning, a large number of balloons passed by…not nearly as close as last year, but still close enough to enjoy their beauty.

 

I recall watching a balloon launch with my Mom several years ago. We followed one in particular and got some amazing photos of this silent vessel.

 

I’m drawn to hot air balloons. I love to watch them launch and land. I am amazed at their ability to float through the air. They seem to be dancing with the sky.

 

But I enjoy them while being on the ground. I would never attempt to jump aboard and sail across the landscape. I’m too afraid of heights for that.

 

But it would be glorious to be up there.

 

I’m sure Ezekiel was completely amazed at the vision he saw in Ezekiel chapter 1. The creatures. The wheels. The eyes. The expanse. The flight. Perhaps it was in preparation for all that he would see throughout the book of Ezekiel. He saw some pretty amazing visions.

 

In our time, we see all sorts of airplanes, from bi-planes to bombers. And there are also helicopters and hot air balloons. Vessels in the sky are part of our lives. But in Ezekiel’s time, none of this was possible. There were only birds in flight. Nothing else would have been visible in the sky.

 

I can only imagine how Ezekiel felt as he watched this vision. And this was all before God called him to be a prophet. God was preparing Ezekiel for a mighty work. God’s mighty work.

 

Ezekiel’s calling is magnificent! God tells Ezekiel that he is to go and tell Israel what God has to say. To be a prophet among the Hebrew nation. However, it was not going to be easy.

 

God said that Israel had become rebellious (Ezekiel 2:3). They were obstinate and stubborn (Ezekiel 2:4). Their hearts were hardened (Ezekiel 3:7). They were unwilling to listen (Ezekiel 3:7). But God told Ezekiel that He would make him as unyielding and hardened as Israel (Ezekiel 3:8). He told Ezekiel not to be afraid of anything they said or did against him (Ezekiel 2:6). God’s Spirit would be with Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:12). God’s strong hand would be upon Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:14).

 

God also asked Ezekiel to eat a scroll. God’s words against Israel. Ezekiel did so and it tasted as sweet as honey in his mouth (Ezekiel 3:3).

 

God mentioned to Ezekiel that he wasn’t going to an obscure nation. To a nation that spoke an obscure or difficult language (Ezekiel 3:6). God was sending him to the house of Israel. God’s people. Ezekiel’s people.

 

But would they listen?

 

Ezekiel spent 22 years among the people in exile. During this time, he received multiple visions from God and then relayed them to Israel. Israel’s rebellion against God is seen within the pages of the Book of Ezekiel. But what lessons can we learn from this book?

 

God’s deepest desire is for us to have a relationship with Him. Throughout Israel’s history, we see God pursuing them over and over. He wanted Israel to come back to Him. And He has never stopped. God pursues us just as diligently as He did Israel. It’s up to us to accept Him.

 

Rebellion will not go unpunished. After reading through some of what Israel went through because of their rebellion, it doesn’t make sense that we still continue to sin against God. But we do. But we can also run to God’s loving arms and with a repentant heart live in His presence once again. I am so thankful that God is willing to forgive me when I am rebellious.

 

Tasting of God’s goodness through Scripture will be as sweet as honey. I enjoy reading His words so much. I pray that you have the same desire and craving. Let’s spend quality time devouring the words in our Bibles so that we may know as much about God as we possibly can.

 

There is great hope in sharing God’s message with those who speak obscure and difficult languages. Listen to God’s words in Ezekiel 3:5-6 (NIV). “You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and difficult language, but to the house of Israel—not to many peoples of obscure speech and difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you.” Mission or service work must not be squashed because of budget cuts or lack of money. God has called us to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20- NIV)

 

We must also know that God’s Spirit will be with us through all that we go through. God will lift us up as He did Ezekiel through the difficulties. Oh we may get discouraged. Ezekiel did. But knowing we are in God’s presence and that we are in His strong hands gives us great peace, strength, and joy. Let’s not lose sight of our heavenly Father and all of the promises He has given.

 

The balloons will return tomorrow. I look forward to seeing their beauty again. If you live in the area, you may want to peak out your window. You just might see the balloon parade!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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Mission Statement

June 20th, 2013 dsisler

I just started reading a new book…well new to my bookshelf anyway. “Hand Me Another Brick” by Charles Swindoll has been around a while, but I just recently found it on a bookshelf where I work and thought it would be a good read and study.

 

The tag line for this book is “How Effective Leaders Motivate Themselves and Others.” Yes, I think I could learn quite a bit from Mr. Swindoll and Nehemiah.

 

And of course, I didn’t get too far into the book without having to stop and think about a question.

 

“In twenty-five words or less, how would you summarize your primary mission, the most important task you’re trying to accomplish in your realms of leadership?”[i]

 

I have worked up a mission statement for different ministries, for my blog, for my book publishing, but never a personal mission statement. So this idea really intrigued me.

 

I’m sure you can think of some mission statements from Scripture. Here are a few I recall. See if you know who said them (answers will be at the bottom).

 

#1

“If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the god of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

#2

“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”

 

#3

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

 

#4

“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

 

#5

“Remember me with favor, O my God.”

 

#6

“Let my people go.”

 

#7

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

 

#8

“Meaningless! Meaningless!”

 

#9

“I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

 

#10

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

 

#11

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

 

#12

“Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

 

#13

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”

 

#14

“He believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

 

#15

“The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

 

What fun to find words used by some of our favorite biblical believers that could be used as their mission statements! Maybe they aren’t the words they would have chosen, but they are words we’ll remember them by. Maybe you feel there are other words that might be better. If so, let me know. I’d love to hear them.

 

But now the hard part. Coming up with my own mission statement. One that describes me and that when others hear it will know it belonged to me. So here goes. My personal mission statement.

 

“With God’s Spirit leading me, I will direct others to Jesus through my words, actions, writing, teaching, prayer, and example. Love God and love others.”

 

Phew! 25 words don’t seem adequate for a mission statement…especially for a writer! But I suspect I could take each element in the above statement and clarify it. That might satisfy my desire to elaborate.

 

Do you have a mission statement? If so, I’d love to hear it if you’re willing to share it. If not, maybe it is something you’d be interested in pursuing. It was a good exercise and one that took a bit of thought on my part. It can remain personal. No one would ever have to know you’ve done it. But like our biblical friends listed below, if you’ve lived your life loving Jesus and others, you already have a mission statement!

 

I’ll go back to my reading now and see how far I can get today. Until tomorrow…

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

#1 – JOSHUA (Joshua 24:15 – NIV); #2 – RUTH (Ruth 1:16 – NIV); #3 – PAUL (Philippians 3:13b-14 – NIV); #4 – MARY (Luke 1:38 – NIV); #5 – NEHEMIAH (Nehemiah 13:31b – NIV); #6 – MOSES (Exodus 5:1 – NIV); #7 – ESTHER (Esther 4:13-14 – NIV); #8 – SOLOMON (Ecclesiastes 1:2 – NIV); #9 – DANIEL (Daniel 2:23 – NIV); #10 – JESUS (Luke 19:10 – NIV); #11 – JAMES (James 2:14 – NIV); #12 – PETER (2 Peter 3:18 – NIV); #13 – JOHN (1 John 4:16-17 – NIV); #14 – ABRAHAM (Genesis 15:6 – NIV); #15 – DAVID (1 Samuel 17:37 – NIV).

 

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[i] “Hand Me Another Brick” by Charles Swindoll, W Publishing Group, 2006, pg. 3.

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Iron Skillets

June 19th, 2013 dsisler

I bought a magazine recently and the entire magazine is about cast iron skillets. There were articles about the different size and shapes available and the uses for each. There is plenty of advice on how to care for cast iron cookware. It even contained testimony after testimony from famous chefs regarding the impact cast iron had on their chosen career path.

 

Of course there are loads of recipes to create in these case iron skillets and Dutch ovens. Some I cannot wait to prepare…in a cast iron skillet or not! They sounded delicious and full of flavor. The first one I might have to try is Skillet Steak with compound butter.

 

The advice was interesting. One would say to never place iron skillets in soapy water, and then another would say it was okay to do so. One said to never air dry, another thought it wouldn’t hurt it. I suspect if the results are the same, how you achieve the finished product isn’t relevant, at least when it comes to cast iron. Or maybe it does matter. They’ve just managed to confuse me on these issues.

 

I did enjoy the stories from the chefs regarding the cast iron that had been passed down from generation to generation. Some even felt the cookware was as valuable as jewels or family heirlooms.

 

Is there something that you have received from a grandparent or ancestor that is of value to you? What makes it so? Is it the memory that is attached to the item? Is it valuable because of your relationship with the person who gave it to you? Or perhaps it is the combination of many things. Regardless, when we receive something from a loved one, it is precious indeed.

 

While inheriting items from loved ones can be wonderful, we have received far greater gifts from God our Father. Here are a few.

 

Love: God loves us. He wants to lavish that love upon us. 1 John 3:1 states, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” As His children we receive the inheritance. The true treasure, eternal life.

 

Glorious Riches: Grace. (Ephesians 1:7-8; 3:8).  Again God lavished it upon us. “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6-7) Without this glorious gift, we would be lost. Forever.

 

Jesus: God gave us His Son so that we might have eternal life (John 3:16). We are “…adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ…” (Ephesians 1:5).

 

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

 

If you love cast iron cookware, one from a great-grandmother would be a treasure! I have a couple that have been handed down and one that I have seasoned myself. Any of them will do. They simply are the best for making fried chicken or cornbread.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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Mammogram Monday

June 18th, 2013 dsisler

You’ve heard the phrase, “it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt” right? Well I’ve experienced this first hand.

 

My friend and I carried the same health insurance and as part of their preventative plan offered walk-in mammograms for women. To make this experience more enjoyable and endurable, my friend Lori and I decided to go through this process together. Mammogram Monday’s were born.

 

We’d meet, go have our mammograms and then enjoy lunch. What fun we’d have. We would laugh. We would chat. We enjoyed one another’s company. We looked forward to Mammogram Monday’s.

 

Mammogram Monday’s were fun until I received news that I needed to go in for a deep tissue mammogram. They had found something and wanted to get a better look.

 

Mammogram Monday’s were no longer fun.

 

In fact, Mammogram Monday’s have stopped altogether because I had to start making appointments for my mammograms and I had to go every six months.

 

I wonder if these biblical characters felt the same way.

 

Adam and Eve (Genesis 1-3)

Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12)

Esther (Esther 1-4)

Jonah (Jonah 1-2)

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3)

King Belshazzar (Daniel 5)

Lazarus (John 11:1-44)

Paul (Acts 91-19)

Eutychus (Acts 20:7-12)

 

These are just a few examples of things going along well and suddenly everything changes.

 

Perhaps you know how this feels. Maybe it was your marriage that you thought was fine. Or maybe your job. It could possibly be an issue with your child or even your church. Everything seemed to be good and then suddenly, something happened that changed everything. Suddenly, there is heartache. Disappointment. Discouragement. Grief.

 

During these difficult times, I know I have a heavenly Father who cares for me. I know that Jesus is touched. I know that the Holy Spirit is within me to comfort me. There is certainly no reason for any of us to go through these situations on our own.

 

There is an older hymn that reassures me that in fact Jesus does care. It may be exactly what you need to hear today. If so, please take the time to read through these wonderful lyrics and perhaps listen to a version of this hymn by clicking here.

 

And as a reminder that God does care for you, 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) also reassures us that God does in fact care and that He wants us to lean upon Him. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

 

“Does Jesus Care?”

 

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?

(Chorus)

 

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

(Chorus)

 

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?

(Chorus)

 

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

(Chorus)

 

Chorus:

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.[i]

 

What wonderful words of encouragement and hope! I am so thankful for a loving God and caring Savior. I am sure my struggles in this life would have been overwhelming had it not been for their loving kindness and caring hearts. God’s mighty hand has indeed lifted me up (1 Peter 5:6) through these difficult times. Can you say the same?

 

I continue to go for a mammogram every six months. It’s not as fun as it used to be, but I know the benefits of preventative medicine and I intend to continue. But I do miss the companionship and fun Lori and I had on those Mammogram Monday’s. Just a little plug for women’s health here. Ladies, when was your last mammogram?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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[i] Does Jesus Care?, words: Frank E. Graeff, 1901, music: J. Lincoln Hall

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Summer of Love

June 17th, 2013 dsisler

It is summer…well officially there are still three days remaining to the spring season, but the temperatures are reaching 90° or close to it, so I’d say it’s summer!

 

A few summers ago, the church I attend celebrated the season with “Summer of Love” being our theme. The world was remembering 1969, so we utilized that year for our theme, décor, and design.

 

There were events scheduled throughout the summer with one being a large worship service on July 4th at a local park. There was music, worship, preaching and communion held as we gathered to share our faith in this open arena.

 

We had a love bus. An older Volkswagen van that was painted with a 60’s theme and it had our “Summer of Love” logo painted on the front. At the end of the summer, a name was drawn from the names we collected throughout the summer and that person was given the love bus.

 

Throughout the summer, church staff were encouraged to take the love bus to their neighborhood. I took the love bus home one evening. I sat outside with a cooler filled with popsicles and passed them out to my neighbors. It was a great opportunity to share a cool refreshment with them as well as what was happening at my church.

 

The morning after this small event, I was seen driving the love bus back to church by a friend. She called me later and said she saw me and was so excited to see the love bus out and about.

 

I recall how excited the folks at church were that summer. They anticipated what might happen next. They looked forward to being with other believers during weekend services. They wanted to be part of the happenings.

 

I wonder if it wasn’t somewhat like this as Jesus traversed through Galilee. The anticipation. The sights. The healings. The crowds. The teachings. Jesus. It must have been so exciting for the folks of these small villages to host the Messiah.

 

I also wonder where the excitement is. Shouldn’t we be excited to be at church on a weekend without a publicity plan or a media blitz or a sensational program? Oh I get it, Jesus isn’t there, but the message is the same. His message is still being taught. There still should be excitement over that.

 

I must admit, I’m feeling a bit “eegh” about heading to church myself. Not because my faith is wavering or because something has happened to make me feel this way. It’s just what I’m feeling. This post is really more for me than for you, my reader.

 

But you know what I’m talking about. You know, “it’s Sunday morning and I feel like being lazy today” kind of feeling. Or, “it’s the only full day that I have to spend with my family this week” kind of feeling. Or, “this has been a crazy week” kind of feeling. Or, “the mountains are calling my name” kind of feeling. Or, “put whatever excuse you want to put here” kind of feeling.

 

We all get it. It happens to all of us. But we must regain the excitement of being in God’s presence. So let’s take a look at some Scripture to see the importance of being in God’s presence. Then maybe, we’ll regain some of the excitement we lack.

 

God assured the Hebrew nation that His Presence would be with them and that they would find rest in His Presence. “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” (Exodus 33:14 – NIV)

 

Deuteronomy 12:7 (NIV) mentions that rejoicing is in order in God’s presence because of His blessings. “There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you.”

 

Ezra 9:15 (NIV) reminds us of our guilt and that we find repentance in God’s presence. “O Lord, God of Israel, you are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in your presence.”

 

King David knew he would find joy in God’s presence. “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11 – NIV)

 

Psalm 31:20 (NIV) tells us that in God’s presence, we find security. “In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.”

 

There is light in God’s presence. “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.” (Psalm 89:15 – NIV)

 

We listen and learn in God’s presence. “So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” (Acts 10:33 – NIV)

 

In 1 John 3:19 (NIV) we find we belong to the truth and are at rest in His presence. “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.”

 

With all of these blessings I find by being in God’s presence, why am I not as excited as I should be to be with Him? I can come up with yet more excuses, but what I need to spend my time doing is getting excited. To get out of the doldrums of the summer and have a great desire to be in God’s presence. That’s what I need to do.

 

So today that is my plan. Read through these verses again and let His joy, rest, truth and safety flood my soul with excitement. I choose today to let His presence fill me with His excitement. Are these the actions you need to take today? If so, will you join me?

 

The “Summer of Love” and the love bus were fun. I’ll admit it. But I cannot rely on my church, my friends, or my minister to bring excitement to my spiritual life. I must do that by being in God’s presence. And that is exactly where I’m headed.

 

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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