Parenting!

April 16th, 2012 dsisler

A couple of years ago, while writing a Bible study, it was my task to write the lesson on parenting. I struggled with it until I realized that I needed to look at parenting from God’s view. How does God parent us?  I found peace from that point on. Here are some of the things I learned.



What would your definition of parenting include? If you’re like me, it might include joy, heartache, laughter, disappointment, amazement, emotional, fear, and the list could go on.
I once read this definition of parenting. “Raising children is like being pecked to death by a chicken.” (Anonymous) Now that is discouraging!
So what can we learn from God as a parent?
How to Love
1 John 3:1 tells us that we are called children of God and that God has lavished His love upon us. This love is abundant, generous, and extravagant.
In Ephesians 2:4-5, we see what God did for us because of His great love. “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
Zephaniah 3:17 is such a glorious passage. “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” God delights in you!
Knowing and believing that God loves you unconditionally is a freeing experience. Do you believe it?
How to Forgive
Read through these passages of Scripture to see how God forgive us.
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Daniel 9:9 “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.”
Psalm 51:1 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.”
God’s forgiveness is so amazing and at times unfathomable! But these verses show us, when we’re forgiven, it’s done. It’s forgotten.
How to Discipline
Hebrews 12:4-11 teaches us about God’s discipline. Clearly, we struggle with sin and we should not “make light of the Lord’s discipline” or “lose heart when he rebukes us.” “Because, the Lord disciplines those he loves and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”
The reason? For our good. So that we might share in His holiness and produce a harvest of righteousness and peace.
Discipline is hard to accept and dish out, but clearly God disciplines out of love so that we might be filled with His characteristics.
For further study on this topic, check out Deuteronomy 8:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 11:32.
How to Instruct
Read through these passages to see how God instructs us.
Isaiah 28:26 “His God instructs him and teaches him the right way.”
Titus 2:11-12 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say, ‘no’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and their children after them.”
God’s instruction manual has answers for all of our problems. The more we read it, the more understanding we’ll have.
How to Give
Matthew 7:7-11 is a familiar passage. Jesus shows just how good the Father is at giving. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
If we read Philippians 4:9, we see that our heavenly Father is very rich! He will meet all of our needs.
According to James 1:17, God’s gifts are good and perfect.
And God loved us so much, that He gave us “His only Son.” Now that is a generous Giver.
We are lavished with gifts from our Father. Take a moment to write down some of the gifts God has given you. Thank Him for those gifts.
How to Protect
In 2 Timothy 4:17-18, Paul shares how God protected him. God stood by his side, gave him strength, delivered him, rescued him, brought him to safety, delivered him from evil attacks, and would one day bring him safely to the heavenly kingdom.
Psalm 121:3-8 assures me that God will not let my foot slip. Even when my footing is unsure. The word “watches” is mentioned five times in these few verses. God is there to protect me in ways I never even thought of. Now that’s protection!
We all need protection. Perhaps that is why super heroes are so popular. Someone who will protect us against the evils of this world. Someone who is willing to stand between you and danger. God is that someone. God’s protection is greater than any you’ve ever known.
These are just a few ideas I’ve had on God as my parent. I pray that there is something among these thoughts that will help you with your day. I thank God that He is my Father and that He is the perfect parent.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Where Are Your Eyes?

April 15th, 2012 dsisler
This week my daughter had a mishap with her vehicle. She took her eyes off the road for just a few moments and she veered to the right. Her tires hit the loose gravel; she started to skid and then over corrected. When her car came to a stop, she was in a marshy area very close to a small lake. She was pretty scared.
Fortunately, there was no real damage to the car or to herself. One tire needed to be fixed, but the worst part was how muddy her car was. The entire white car was covered with splashes of mud. Front to back. Side to side. Even on top.
Peter also had an experience where he was distracted and ultimately found that he was lacking faith. Jesus sent the disciples out onto the lake ahead while He spent time in prayer. In the middle of the night, Jesus met them somewhere on the Sea of Galilee.
Frightened, they cried out. Jesus told them not to be afraid because He was coming to them. Peter wasn’t so sure and asked for proof. Jesus simply said, “Come.”
Peter stepped out of the boat and began the journey toward Jesus. However, the waves frightened Peter. Peter took his eyes off of Jesus. Just for a few moments. Suddenly, Peter began to sink and he cried out for the Master to save him.
Another lesson in faithlessness was taught to Peter that night. Jesus reached out to Peter and together they climbed into the boat. The wind died down and the group believed Jesus to be the Son of God. (Matthew 14:22-33)
Oh, how I feel that faithlessness at times. I know I should believe. I know I shouldn’t doubt. But I do. And Jesus says the same thing to me that He said to Peter. “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
I too, take my eyes off of Jesus and need to be rescued by the Savior. I reach out my hand and repent for my lack of faith.
Good thing for me, Jesus doesn’t tire of pulling me out of the water.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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A Nasty Bug

April 14th, 2012 dsisler
My laptop was somehow infected by a virus. A spybot. It has taken days to get rid of the junk that accompanied this little worm. Even down to completely removing everything from my laptop and starting from scratch.
That sounded like a great idea. However, now that I have my laptop back, nothing is the same! Microsoft Word is completely different. All of my “favorites” on the internet are gone. My virus protector is driving me crazy with its desire to keep my laptop free of the horrors that accompany emails or visits to web pages.
And I’m weary from trying to remember the passwords to each and every program, website, and email.
It’s been difficult to even write. All of my writings are on my laptop. So when I had to work on my husband’s laptop for a couple of days, it was a real struggle to get into the groove. I just couldn’t get inspired.
I feel a little defeated!
Maybe I’m more frustrated than defeated. I just want everything to go back to the way it was…before. Before my entire electronic world was destroyed. Guess what? It’s not going to happen. I must learn to live with the way things are now. Suspicious. Cautious. Leary. Concerned. Anxious. I think I’m becoming my virus protection software!
The problem is I don’t want to be!
I don’t want to have any of the feelings mentioned above. So I’m going to give it all to Jesus.
I am going to give it to the Prince of Peace so that I might have His peace.
I am going to give it to the Good Shepherd so that He might lead me.
I am going to give it to the Rabbi so that I might learn from Him.
I am going to give it to the Lord of All so that He will be in complete control.
I will adjust. Life will get easier. Normal will soon return. Until that time, I will trust in Jesus knowing that I don’t need to worry. Today I choose peace. Today I choose guidance. Today I choose instruction. Today I choose surrender.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Do Not Feed the Prairie Dogs

April 13th, 2012 dsisler

My good friend Lori says that I live on the “prairie” in Colorado. I like living on the prairie. I have a full view of the glorious Rocky Mountains. I have greater opportunity to see both ends of a rainbow. Lightening storms are amazing from my vantage. And hot air balloons have landed in my back yard.

I also am surrounded by prairie dog colonies. Large prairie dog colonies. Upon first glance, these little critters are very cute. They scurry and scamper across the prairie. They stand on their hind legs to view all that’s going on around them. They “bark” to other dogs when danger is near. And they disappear under ground to avoid said danger.
Yes, they are cute. Upon fist glance. Prairie dogs are rodents and they have fleas. Some of these fleas can carry the bubonic plague. While the chances of this disease being transmitted to humans is slim, pets have been known to have contact with the fleas and become infected.
As a means of controlling the large colonies around my neighborhood and for our safety, two signs were posted. “Do Not Feed Prairie Dogs.” Occasionally a McDonald’s bag could be seen near the colonies and I suppose they were munching on a few fries. But I believe the signs are really for the children who live in the homes that are directly by the colonies.
On one occasion, I saw three children standing on the top of the play area in their back yard throwing pieces of bread over the fence…for the prairie dogs to eat. The children clearly had not read the signs. They were not aware of the importance of keeping prairie dogs away from their home and their safe environment. They were unaware of the possible danger.
As with our physical lives, we see in Scripture the warnings against spiritual dangers. The Hebrew nation was warned to watch out for spiritual and physical dangers. The list is abundant in the book of Deuteronomy.
Joshua was told over and over again to be strong and courageous, but he was also encouraged multiple times to be careful. Joshua 22: says, “Be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” That’s quite a list!
Jesus warned of false prophets, of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (hypocrisy and teachings), of temptation, of deceivers, of dissipation, drunkenness, the anxieties of life, and of all kinds of greed.
And the Epistle writers cautioned us to remain faithful.
  • Romans 12:17 “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.”
  • Ephesians 5:15 “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise.”
  • Hebrews 2:1 “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”
  • Hebrews 4:1 “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.”
Sometimes, like the children mentioned earlier, we are unaware of how close we are to spiritual danger. How near we are to entering into temptation or falling short of God’s rest. Not following His commands. Or not giving God everything.
I believe these are the very reasons God gave us the warnings. Maybe we need signs placed near all of our danger zones. Why not use Scripture to remind yourself of the danger you’re getting near? Sticky notes, labels, or a piece of paper with a warning will do just fine. Whatever helps you to steer clear of the danger.
I still enjoy watching prairie dogs…but from a distance. I pray that God’s Words would continue to caution me of the spiritual dangers I wander too closely to. And I thank God for the signs He continues to post along my path.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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The Light on the Back Porch

April 12th, 2012 dsisler

Growing up in Upstate New York brought with it some great experiences and memories. Bike rides to Blueberry Hill, panning for gold, tobogganing in the snow, drives though the mountains during the autumn months, boat outings on the lakes and canals of the area, visits to apple orchards for fresh pressed apple cider, and the list could go on.
Memories of my youth.
Another memory is playing baseball in the backyard with other neighborhood kids. We lived on a 3-acre lot and there was an open field at the back of the property where we had created a baseball diamond.
Saturday’s would come and when our chores were finished, we’d head to the baseball field with gear in hand. After rounding up our friends, a baseball game would get underway.
We would play for hours. We would lose track of time. We were having fun.
Then it would happen. My sister, my brother, or I would see it. The light on the back porch. At that moment, we knew the game was over for us. We’d gather our gear and head home. That porch light brought disappointment to us and to our fellow ball players on many occasions.
My dad had thought up the little system. If we were out and about and saw the porch light on, it was the signal to come home. And it worked well.
That light had meaning. That light contained a message. That light gave direction. That light was a beacon. That light drew us to it.
In our spiritual walk, we too have a light. That light is Jesus. Isaiah told of this great Light in his book. “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)
John the Baptizer also told of this Light. He testified concerning the Light. “The true Light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” (John 1:6-9)
And when Jesus walked onto the scene, the Light had arrived and He proclaimed it. “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
On another occasion Jesus said, “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” (John 9:5)
And as Jesus taught the crowds about the Light, He said, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness over takes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put our trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” (John 12:35-36)
Once we become “sons of light,” we are called to be a light in this world. We are to reflect the Light so that others might see Jesus through us.
Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Our light is to be visible to all we come in contact with…in order to praise God!
Paul shares in 2 Corinthians 4:6 a little about light. “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
Just as God created light in the beginning, He has placed light in our hearts. That light has meaning. That light contains a message. That light gives direction. That light is a beacon. That light draws us to it.
What power we have received! Romans 13:12 also tells us to “put on the armor of light.” We have this power from the Light all around…inside and outside.
So, what are you waiting for? The Light is here! The Light is waiting for you to shine! Don’t keep the Light under a bushel…oh no! I pray that you will “let that little light shine” for all to see and so that God would be glorified.
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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