Death in a Pot

March 17th, 2012 dsisler

I love to cook. I enjoy reading recipes, trying new ideas, and then of course, eating what I’ve made. It’s in my blood. My Great-Grandmothers and Grandmothers were excellent cooks. My Mother is still a wonderful inspiration to get into the kitchen and prepare a fabulous meal for the people I love. I’ve learned so much from these wonderful women and am blessed to call them family.
 I’ve enjoyed several creations of my own. In years past, I was able to go to a farm and purchase fresh milk, directly from the cow. It was fun to draw the cream off the top of the bottle. I always saved out a little to use in my coffee, but then fresh butter was made.
I made my own cottage cheese and a few other cheeses. Upon remembering this, I recall having to go to the library to do research on how this process works. Boy, have times changed! And I supposed I just gave my age away. During this time period, I gained quite a bit of weight. Everything was so much tastier because of the freshness of the product! It was worth it.
Another odd food item I made in years past was marshmallows. If you’ve never had a home-made marshmallow, you haven’t lived. They are so tasty! Again, research at the library brought me to this delicious confection. This I might have to make again…this time for my grand kids!
Believe it or not, there is an account of an odd cooking experience in the Bible. In 2 Kings 4, we see there was a famine in the area. Elisha was hosting a meeting of local prophets. Yes, like a preacher’s meeting. When it was time to feed the group, a large pot was placed over a fire for a stew to be prepared.
Someone from the group went to the fields and gathered herbs and some gourds from a wild vine. He brought them back, cut them up, and put them into the pot. No one knew what this particular gourd was, but it was the only gourd to be found.
When the stew was finished, it was poured out for the group. Upon eating it, they all cried out, “O man of God, there is death in the pot!” They could not eat it. Perhaps it was an exaggeration. Maybe it just tasted awful. But remember, this was a group of preachers (sorry all my preacher friends…I had to put that in).
Elisha didn’t panic. He simply asked for some flour. He put it into the pot and said, “Serve it to the people to eat.” There was nothing harmful in the pot.
Now I can’t say that I’ve made anything that horrible, but I’ve made a few things that I will never make again. Sometimes recipes just don’t live up to the expectation. Sometimes substitutions just aren’t adequate. Sometimes (as in my current situation) the altitude messes with the outcome.
Whatever it might be, it’s no reason to give up on cooking. We just keep trying until we get it right. This idea can be translated into other areas of our life as well. Whether it is a new skill you are learning or a project that just doesn’t seem to come together. Don’t panic. Keep going. Keep working. Your best effort will be rewarded.
Now, I think I must go find a cow.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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The Storm

March 16th, 2012 dsisler

A couple of years ago my husband and I went on a getaway for our anniversary. We decided to go to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. September is not ski season (we don’t ski anyway), but still there is a lot to do in Steamboat. We also thought there might be a chance to get some good photos of the changing colors of the Aspen trees.
We headed in the direction of Steamboat, enjoying one another’s company. In Rabbit Ears Pass, the snow began to fall. The further we went, the worse the weather became. Soon, we were in a full blown blizzard. The roads became treacherous and Mason was worried that we wouldn’t be able to finish our trip and that we should turn back.
My thought was that we should continue. We’d come to this point, why not keep going? We did keep going. It wasn’t pleasant, but we managed to come out on the other side of the pass without any real problems.
The weekend was fabulous. The sun shone the entire time we were in Steamboat and we were able to relax and enjoy our time together. All too soon it was time to head back to our daily lives. We packed up and headed home.
The trip home was priceless. We were rewarded with some beautiful scenery.  The fresh snow covered evergreen trees and there was a stark contrast between dark and light. Aspen trees with their changing colors of yellows, golds, and reds were also contrasted between the snow that covered them.  What a photographers dream. Many photos were taken on that trip home.
There are times in life when things are going along splendidly. No worries, concerns, or disappointments. Then a storm invades our lives out of nowhere. It becomes difficult to continue on and only with the help and strength from God are we able to do so. At some point after the storm, something beautiful is visible. Perhaps it is a changed life. Or maybe an attitude change. Whatever it might be, God’s hand can be seen in the situation.
My prayer would be that in the midst of the storm, remember that there is something to look forward to on the other side. Yes, it will be difficult. Yes, you will want to give up. But don’t! Continue on and you’ll find a great reward when it is complete.
Vince Gill wrote a song called “The Rock of Your Love.” In the chorus he sings,
“Let the storm clouds roll;
Let the rain flood my soul.
I’ll still be here when the troubles come;
Standin’ on the rock of your love.”
When we know that God is in the midst of the storm with us, it is much easier to weather that storm. His love, His comfort, His strength are all available to us during these difficult times. I pray that we stand on that Rock for stability.
David shares his pain with God in Psalm 61:1-2. He says, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
God does hear your cry. He hears your prayers. He leads you to the Rock. During those most difficult times, lean on Him. Allow Him to bring you through to see the beauty on the other side.
Mason and I have not seen such a dramatic change in scenery since that trip to Steamboat. We’ve seen some beautiful places since then, but nothing compares to that trip. I once again am thankful to live in this beautiful place called Colorado.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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The Name

March 15th, 2012 dsisler

A name. It is part of what defines you. Sometimes people hear a name and say, “it fits that person.” Sometimes, not so much. When children are born, we take great lengths to find the perfect name for the child. It might be given before birth or perhaps after, but still it is not given without great deliberation.

My children were no different. Philip Daniel, Candace Lee, and Bethany Joy were all given with great care and thought. Each named after a person or simply because we liked a name. And each of their names can be found in the Bible…Philip and Candace in the same chapter of the book of Acts. I would assume that my parents spent time in deciding upon my name and the names of my siblings.
Names are important. They have been since the beginning of time. Adam took the time to name each animal God had created. The final name he gave was to Eve, his perfect mate.
God changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah in Genesis 17. He gave the name of Israel to Jacob in Genesis 32. And in the New Testament, we see Jesus changing the name of Simon to Peter in Matthew 16, after Peter’s confession of Christ.
With these new names, their lives were changed. Changed to be committed people of God. Their new names would reflect who they belonged to. The Lord.
Also in Scripture, we see many names for God. But I don’t want to look at the list of names; I want to discuss The Name.
“The name of the Lordis a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10 NKJV)
Wow! This verse tells us that His Name is amazing and powerful. Yet sometimes we dismiss it, forget it, or ignore its power. There are other verses that lead us to this conclusion as well.
  • Psalm 8:1 – “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.”
  • Isaiah 12:4 – “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.”
  • Micah 5:4 – “He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.”
  • Deuteronomy 28:58 – “…revere this glorious and awesome name—the Lord your God.”
His Name. That’s it. The Proverbs passage tells us His Name is a strong tower. That in His Name there is great strength and protection. Simply in His Name.
And what are we to do? We are to run to it for safety. Run. Directly to him. We see from the following passages how we are to run.
  • Psalm 119:32 – “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.”
  • 1 Corinthians 9:26 – “Do not run like someone running aimlessly.”
  • Hebrews 23:1a-2b – “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
The Amplified Version adds some insight into the Proverbs passage. Take a look.
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong.”(Proverbs 18:10)
The consistently righteous man knows where the power is. It is in the Name of God. He knows outside the safety of the strong tower, evil will be there to lure him into its clutches.
I didn’t care for my name for years and I really don’t like the song “Donna,” even though I hear it quite often from people. But through the years I’ve come to enjoy hearing my name. Especially from those who love me. I look forward to the day when Jesus calls me by name, and then writes my new name on a white stone. I wonder what that name will be?
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Round Robin

March 14th, 2012 dsisler

I am the fourth grandchild on my Mother’s side of the family. While my birth may have been ordinary, I was born into an extraordinary family. A family who always welcomed and lived out true hospitality. A family where each person was different, yet in that uniqueness brought unity. A family where music, laughter, inspiration, tales of “growing up” and walks to the river were available in abundance. A family that was a family.
My grandfather, Grandpa Rich as we knew him, was born second of seven siblings. They were raised on a beautiful farm near Irvine, Kentucky; their father the school master, their mother a homemaker. Through the years the Richardson children remained close. Even as they went their separate ways as adults, there were reunions at the family farm where memories were remembered and made.
Keeping in touch with family in our electronic age is fast and simple. Facebook, Twitter, text messaging, and Skype have reduced the miles to mere inches. Mail delivery from days to seconds.
However, my Grandfather and his siblings used a form of communication that is of the past. It was called the Round Robin. A large envelope would arrive. Inside would be news, stories, adventures, and photos of each sibling and their family. After reading the contents, each sibling would remove the last items they placed in the envelope and would replace them with the most recent news from their family. The envelope was on its way to the next sibling. The anticipation, waiting for the next Round Robin, was exciting. What would the postman bring today?
A letter. Isn’t it wonderful to receive a letter in the mail. A real, paper letter with a stamp on the envelope? It is of the past, for certain, but what a treasure we have lost through the use of the electronic gadgets of today.
Paul speaks of a letter in 2 Corinthians 3. The image that Paul wants to convey is so interesting to me. He mentions that the believers in Corinth were his letter of recommendation, written on his heart. Then he goes on to mention a few more things about this group of believers.
  • They were a letter from Christ (v. 3) – by their actions, they showed to whom they belonged—Christ.
  • Known and read by everybody (v. 2) – their transformed lives could be seen by anyone who came in contact with them.
  • Not written with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God (v. 3) – ink fades, but what lived within them remained forever.
  • Written not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts (v. 3) – a contrast between the old covenant and the new covenant.
I pray that you will look at yourself as a letter from Christ. I pray that others might look at you and see that you belong to Him. I pray that your transformed life might point others to Jesus through the writings on your heart.
There is no longer a Round Robin within my family. It’s long gone. But the connection is stronger than ever. It is the family bond that will never loosen its grip on the Richardson clan. A family that is a family.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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A New Outlok on Heaven

March 13th, 2012 dsisler

Last year on this date, my 19 day old grandson, Archer, passed away and is heaven with our glorious Savior. A few weeks after that, I woke early one morning to a new vision of what heaven would be like. This is what I envisioned.

 

“I saw a large area with nursery isolettes, cribs and cradles. They were filled with babies. Some of these babies were unwanted on earth. They had been aborted by their mother, tossed into a river by relatives, or left in a dumpster as if they were yesterday’s trash. These babies had never known the care of a loving mother or grandmother or family. These babies were rejected.

 

Among them were also babies who were desperately wanted. By moms who lost these children to miscarriage or still birth. These babies could feel the excitement from their mother because of them, because she was carrying a child that she loved. However, these babies never felt the touch of their loving mothers. It was not meant to be.

 

There also were those babies who were fortunate to be born, to be loved by their mother, to be cherished day by day. But again for some reason, were not able to survive in this world. Disease, infection, accident, or any of the many reasons, these babies left their mothers far too soon.

 

In the nursery were women and men who loved babies. Who loved caring for those who were so helpless and tiny. You know who they are. Those faithful volunteers you see in church on Sunday morning. Week after week. Month after month. Who are care for those tiny ones during church services. That is exactly who is “oohing” and “aahing” over these babies in heaven’s nursery.

 

There are grandmothers and mothers who loved their children and grandchildren on earth. Who desire to spend an eternity holding and loving babies. Lullabies are in abundance. Kisses and cuddles are shared willingly.

 

Occasionally Jesus strolls through the scene. He is thrilled to be among the babies. The smile on His face shows the love He has for these little ones. He stops periodically to show special interest to specific babies, and then moves on.”

 

If you are going through the grieving process now, please know that God cares. He wants to give you comfort during this time. I’ve included some verses of Scripture that has helped me over the past year. My favorites.

 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b

“Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;

my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.”

Psalm 31:9

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Psalm 147:3

“I will turn their mourning into gladness;

I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.”

Jeremiah 31:13

 

I didn’t want this day to pass without remembering Archer in my writing. I don’t know if there will be a room like this. I just know that when I was grieving, this was a comfort to me. What I am confident of is that Archer is with Jesus and he by-passed this mean, ugly world for the riches of glory. He is missed each day and will forever be in our hearts. We love you Archer, our Little Mister!

 

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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