Just Another Day in Paradise

July 29th, 2012 dsisler

I love mornings. My bedroom window faces the east, and when I’m not awake and writing in my office, I’m awakened by the sunrise.

Yesterday and today, this daily event was spectacular. There were clouds which guarantee a dramatic sunrise. Yesterday the colors were muted. Today they were vibrant. Each was beautiful in its own way.
The sunrise yesterday reminded me of an eye with a pupil and visible eyelashes. I love how God reminds me of verses of Scripture or snippets of a story through images I see.
Yesterday was no different. I was reminded of God, His power, His awesomeness and His love. I was reminded of His grace, His care, and His strength.
One of my favorite verses came to mind. 2 Chronicles 16:9a (NIV) says, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
He was roaming. He was searching. And He found me in that moment. My strength was renewed enough to make it through the day. I was exhausted when I went to bed last night and slept well.
While I still feel a bit groggy this morning, I know that my day will once again be filled with the riches of His glory. I’ll be given an extra dose of strength. I will know that regardless of what this day brings, God is on my side and He has my back.
Yesterday was a tough day. I hadn’t slept well. I had an argument with my husband that didn’t end well. I had my two precious grandkids all day. While I love them to pieces, they wear my out!
Yesterday I was exhausted. Life showed up. And I wallowed in a little bit of self-pity.
I chose not to write yesterday. Okay I’ll confess I wrote a blog post, but did not post it. It was a good outlet for me. I don’t think I could ever give up writing completely.
But here’s the thing. I believe I know what God put me on this earth to do. What my purpose is in life. So regardless of what shows up at my front door, I will not give up writing. I will not stop putting the words to paper that God places in my heart. I will continue to share God’s love with anyone who is willing to read it.
One of my friends told me that she loved my blog, but that she wanted to know how I was doing. That I never write about my feelings or how I am doing each day. Her sister reminded her that this blog isn’t about me, it’s about God.
But I think they each are correct and today you’ve heard a more “personal” me. You are watching me work through some open wounds. A rough situation. And I’ll be the first to admit that it hurts. But I’ll also be the first to admit that with God, I can face it without fear.
Are you shaking your head in agreement with my current situation? If so, please know that God really does care. God does want to lift you up when you are unable to stand. God is the Healer of the brokenhearted. God does share His strength. God forgives the worst offenses. God is the great Protector. God is the Giver of abundant life.
I’m living proof.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Plans…

July 28th, 2012 dsisler

I had a difficult night and morning…please bear with me today. I won’t be posting anything other than this. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.
I give you a single verse from Proverbs. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21 – NIV) May God’s plan shine forth clearly that I might see the path that I am to take.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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From Infancy to Adulthood

July 27th, 2012 dsisler
My grandson was born eleven weeks early. He was so tiny. He needed extra care.
In the beginning, the contact was minimal. A couple of hours per day were all he could handle. In his covered isolette, his little body would continue to grow and develop without outside interference.
Eventually, feedings were introduced and slowly he started to gain weight. Slowly the progress was made from isolette to crib.
Finally after 65 days and nearly three pounds of growth, my grandson was placed in a car seat…a much-too-large-for-this-tiny-baby car seat. He was ready to go home. He had matured enough to leave the shelter and comfort of the hospital to go to his own home.
He was growing up.
There are a few passages in Scripture that speak to maturing with an infant as the example. Let’s see what God has to say.
A division in the church at Corinth led Paul to speak these words to them. “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3a – NIV)
This passage shows us that when we allow certain sin to fester within the church and our lives, we are unable to grow spiritually. We remain as infants in Christ. The solution? The sin must be removed and replaced with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
The writer of Hebrews shares concern about spiritual growth as well. In Hebrews 5:11-14 (NIV) we see these words. “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being sill an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
Are you still learning the elementary truths of God’s Word? We see from this passage that we must move from infancy to maturity in our spiritual walk. The only way we can do so is by learning God’s Word and put it into practice. Then we will know the difference between good and evil.
Again we see the comparison between infancy and immature Christianity in 2 Peter 2:1-3 (NIV). “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
Again in this passage we see that sin is the culprit to immaturity. Getting rid of this sin is the only way we can move in our spiritual walk.
The spiritual youth of our infancy is a good thing, as long as it leads to growth. If we allow ourselves to remain as infants, we will never know the goodness of our God. We will never have the pleasure of maturity. Isn’t it time to grow up in your salvation?
What are the steps you need to take to move from infancy to Christian maturity? Are you in a weekly Bible study that draws you into God’s Word to learn more about God? Are you attending worship services on a regular basis? Do you have a spiritual mentor who can assist when you have a spiritual question? Do you crave being with God daily?
These are questions that need to be answered in order to know the direction of your spiritual walk. If you answered these questions with “no,” this is where you need to begin. Spending time with God, learning His Word, worshiping Him, and having a spiritual guide will put you on the right path to maturity. Keep working at it. Maturity is inevitable.

Today my grandson is a healthy, thriving 17 month old little boy. He now runs when being chased by his older sister. He enjoys the same foods that we enjoy. He laughs and “sings” when he hears “Ring around the Rosie.” He moves his little trucks and says, “vroom, vroom.” And he yodels when he says, “doggie-odel-edel-o.”
But he didn’t get to this point without work, effort, and lots of prayer. He is growing up. And for that I am thankful. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for him throughout his life.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Empty

July 26th, 2012 dsisler
Today begins a new chapter in my life. My oldest child, Philip is moving cross country for a job opportunity. While he hasn’t lived with or near me his entire adult life, he has been living with us for the past five years.

I get all the aspects and importance of this move, but in reality, it makes for a difficult day. We will miss him. His sisters will miss him. His niece and nephew will miss him. And he will miss us.

The good news? He’s moving close to where my entire family lives. He will be near aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. It really couldn’t get any better than that.
I ask that you join me today and tomorrow to pray for his safety as he drives across the central plains of this wonderful country of ours. Pray with me that his car has no mechanical issues. Pray that God will protect him each mile that he drives. After all, he is my baby.
Yes, I’m starting a new chapter in my life. One step closer to empty nestedness.
I’m sure God was feeling a bit like me in the very beginning. Genesis 1:2 (NIV) says, “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” What a description! It’s no wonder God wanted to create something of beauty.
Look at some of the terms. Formless. Empty. Darkness. Deep. For us, these terms might be related to how we are feeling emotionally. If we aren’t careful, we begin to feel this way when we encounter times of loneliness, depression, or change.
But remember, God didn’t want to remain in that situation. He chose to create something better. Something more splendid. Something more uplifting. He created the earth in all its glory.
God doesn’t want us to stay in a state of emptiness either. He would love to take your life and create something beautiful out of ruins. Beauty from ashes.
God wants to take away all of your hurt, your anguish, your pain. He wants to replace these feelings with joy, love, and grace.
I do love Isaiah 61. There is such hope in this chapter. If you are in this empty place today, pull your Bible out and read through it. Take it to heart. Learn how God wants to heal your brokenheartedness. How God wants to release the prisoner. How God wants to comfort the mourning. How God wants to replace the spirit of despair with a garment of praise.
This list could go on and on. It is the perfect passage for anyone that is hurting. God provides hope and promises that can take us from the depths of despair to the heights of favor. Don’t let another day go by without calling out to Him.
I’ve only experienced the empty nest feeling one time in my life for a few short months. All the kids were gone. It was just me and Mason. To keep from being bored, we went to book stores and looked for new material to read while drinking flavored coffees. We took short road trips in the evenings to see interesting parts of our state. We even went to the zoo to take pictures of all its inhabitants. We really were quite the pair.
I don’t see us reverting back to our old way of life any time soon. We really are content being at home together. And besides, my nest isn’t empty yet. But all too soon it will be. And that for certain will turn the page of yet another chapter in my life.
I’m truly thankful for all the people, friends, and family in my life. May God bless each of you with great abundance on this day and every day that lies ahead.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Jonah

July 25th, 2012 dsisler

I have been working through a Bible study on the book of Jonah by Priscilla Shirer. If you think you know the story of Jonah, I believe I could challenge you to learn more. Mrs. Shirer certainly has opened my eyes to several revelations throughout the study so far.
I am also impressed with God once again. This study has been preparing me for an upcoming experience. My Southeast Asia mission trip.
The idea of this Bible study is that Jonah’s life was interrupted and that our lives are interrupted as well. But what if we think of these interruptions as divine interventions? Times when God stops us in our tracks to share a vision with us? It changes our outlook on life.
In the beginning of this study, I thought it was a great way to look at Jonah. But then it got personal. Some of the questions stirred me. Some of the concepts intrigued me.
Then ten days ago, everything changed. I was called to action. And this study had been preparing me for that very moment. What a journey God is sharing with me.
From the example of Jonah being called and disobeying to the concept of God being the God of second chances, each section of this study has been preparing me to go. Make disciples. Baptize. Teach.
One revelation for me has been how evangelistic this book is. This week in our homework section, we compared the mission Jonah was given with the mission we, as Christians are given (Jonah 1:2; 3:2; Matthew 28:19-20).
Another revelation has been that God goes before the mission He gives us and how He prepares us for that mission. I believe I’ve been preparing for this mission trip my entire life. It is finally the moment when it is all falling into place. Into God’s timing. And He will do amazing things when I obey.
Another revelation was the importance placed upon praying Scripture. I’ve done this in the past, but Jonah showed me that sometimes it is all that is necessary. Praying God’s words back to Him. And that leads to the importance of Scripture memorization. If we don’t know it, we can’t recite it.
I want to close with a few quotes from the Jonah study. These are the lines that have made an impact on my life. Maybe you’ll find some relevance.
“Making sense of what God has asked or feeling compelled to cooperate cannot be the prerequisite for choosing obedience. His Word must be enough.”[i]
“The discipline God allowed was not meant to punish Jonah; it was meant to prepare him.”i
“Whatever you are holding on to in this life, hold it loosely so it won’t hurt when the Lord has to pry your fingers open to take it away.”i
“No prayer is more effective than the one that finds its roots in the pages of God’s Word. Jonah challenges us: Have we taken time to inscribe God’s Word on our hearts so we have a framework of verses to construct our prayers in the time of need?”i
“The word God is trying to do in you requires your full participation. You will find the rewards when you subscribe completely to what He asks and do the tasks how and where He asks.”i
“Sharing Jesus is supposed to be a way we live, not just something we do.”i
We still have a two sessions to go. I’m certain God isn’t finished with my lessons from Jonah. My desire is to be completely open to what He wants to teach me. I can’t wait.
I must admit, I’ve second guessed myself about the trip to Southeast Asia. I haven’t seen any real progress. I’ve been challenged by some. But it all comes down to the fact that I truly believe this is what God wants me to do.
Do you believe God is calling you to something? Maybe it is as simple as saying hello to your neighbor. Maybe it is to read the book of Jonah and work through a study on this small book of the Bible. Maybe it is to memorize more of God’s Word and add these verses to your payer life. Maybe it is to give your life completely to God…not just enough to make it look like you’re committed.
Maybe it is giving money for a mission trip. I am still seeking financial support for the work God has called me to do. If you are willing to help in any way, please let me know. You can read more about it at http://wwwpreachitclearly.blogspot.com.
Whatever it is God is calling you to, act upon it. Now.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna

[i]Priscilla Shirer, Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted, (Nashville: LifeWay Press, 2010) 29, 64, ChuckSwindoll – 73, 75, 93, 107.
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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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