Full Measure of Joy

Focus

March 1st, 2012

dsisler

I had a crazy morning a while back. Have you ever had a day like this?

Woke up at 4:45 a.m.
Husband left for work at 5:30 a.m.
Did a little Bible study.
Took a shower.
Drove son to work.
Realized I was hungry and thought I’d make toast and peanut butter as soon as I got home.
On the way home I thought my windshield was pretty dirty with bugs.
Turned on wipers and smeared them all over the window.
Decided to clean my windows when I got home.
Pulled into garage, noticed something on my front door.
Cleaned my windows.
Went to front door to get junk mail.
Noticed the plants on my front porch needed watered…badly.
Got the junk mail and threw it in the trash.
Went inside and got my watering container (I don’t have a watering can because I kill plants).
Watered one section of the plants.
On the way back inside, the cat ran out the front door.
Got a second container of water.
Watered last section of the plants.
Put container away.
Pulled the block out of the doggie door at the back door so the cat could get back in.
Poured a cup of coffee.
Heard cat at the front door.
Let the cat in.
Checked my email.
Realized I hadn’t made my toast or drank the cup of coffee I poured.
Made toast with peanut butter.
Ate toast and drank my cup of warm coffee.

This is a morning that kept me from staying focused on what I needed to stay focused on. I was hungry. Hunger is something that tends to get our attention. It got mine, however, when other things or issues arose, my hunger faded to the background.

It reminds me of Paul’s discussion with the Galatians. He says, “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7) In this case, it was the Judiaizers, Those who felt the Galatians needed to be circumcised before they could become Christians. For us it can be a number of things.

Family, work, recreation, death of a spouse or family member, laziness, television, etc. Each of these things can “cut in” on our desire to be and do what God wants from us. Whether it’s our Bible study time, our prayer time with God, helping someone in need, serving in our local church, or any other worthy activity.

Don’t let anything get in your way of being what God wants you to be. Stay focused. Keep running the good race.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

Smile

March 1st, 2012

dsisler

One of my favorite vocalists is a local gal. She is a jazz singer and she can make songs like “Smile” or “A Wonderful World” come to life through her voice. What makes her so special? She is legally deaf. Mandy Harvey was a vocal major at a local college and then began losing her hearing. Eventually, she had to drop from the program to pursue other career options.

Her faith, perfect pitch, and support from her family and friends led her back to music and she is now a featured artist at a local jazz club. Mandy found an opportunity to take something unimaginable to a vocalist and fill the lives of many through her music. Her first album, “Smile,” is bright and cheery. You can’t help but smile! If you are looking for some good jazz, you can learn more about Mandy’s music and life at www.mandyharveymusic.com.

Sometimes I feel like the lyrics to the song, “Smile.” “Smile, though your heart is aching. Smile, even though it’s breaking. When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by…”[i]Turmoil, sadness, depression on the inside, but I must put on a good face. I must keep smiling so the world doesn’t see my pain. I will get by.

I wrote a novel and submitted it to a publisher late last year. Two days ago, I received my first rejection letter. My heart was sad, but yesterday morning I went to Women’s Bible Study and smiled. No one ever knew that I was hurting. Why do we do that? Why do we feel like we can’t let the world see our pain? I’m thinking we are too proud or we want to show how independent we are. I believe we need an attitude adjustment.

There are plenty of verses in the Bible that tell us that we need to keep our minds set on the right things. Like, Ephesians 4:20-24. “…be made new in the attitude of your minds…” Or “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2) And even, Colossians 3:2 tells us to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

But how are we to share that pain with others and why should I? Again, the Bible gives us the answer. We must share our burdens with others. Galatians 6:2 tells us that we are to “Carry each other’s burdens…” We also must learn to listen. Listen when others share their burdens.

Then we are to encourage those who are hurting. “…encourage the oppressed…” (Isaiah 1:17) “Encourage one another daily.” (Hebrews 3:13) “…let us encourage one another…” (Hebrews 10:25)

Above all, ask God to lighten the load. “He cares for those who trust him…” (Nahum 1:7) And 1 Peter 5:7 gives us more encouraging words. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Ultimately, it is God who will bring peace to our lives and renew the spirit within. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within in.” (Psalm 51:10)

Another portion of the song “Smile” says, “Smile and maybe tomorrow you’ll find that life is still worthwhile if you just smile…” Yes, life is worthwhile. This is Paul’s prayer for the people of Colosse. May you be encouraged by his words.

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:10-12)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

[i]Smile, Words by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons, 1954, Music by Charlie Chaplin, 1936.

Extra! Extra!

February 29th, 2012

dsisler

Today is February 29, 2012. It’s been four years since we had this “extra” day. Leap year as we call it. This is a day that holds “extra” meaning for me. On this date in 1896, my grandfather was born. He was also a twin. The two of them were “extra” special in many ways.

This past weekend, I had “extra” time with my granddaughter, Joy. I explained to her that we were getting an “extra” day this year. That February usually has 28 days, but this year, and, every four years, February has 29 days.

After the conversation, I realized that her preschool teachers probably had big plans to celebrate the day and learn about its significance. I could hear her words when asked what she learned at school that day. “Nothing that I didn’t already know.” Sorry Miss Sandy and Miss Lisa. Oh the life of a pre-schooler (in need of being in Kindergarten)!

We all have this “extra” day. I guess the question that’s begging to be asked is, “What are you going to do with this ‘extra’ day?” Will it be like any other day? Will you celebrate the day? Or will you look for “extra” ways to live a Godly life? Here are a few ideas:

Read an “extra” chapter (or two or three) in the Bible
Spend an “extra” 15 minutes (or half hour) with God
Love on your family a little “extra”
Share your Jesus story with someone
Volunteer at a local food bank or shelter
Catch up on unfinished projects
Try something new and unexpected
Renew an old friendship
Write a poem

2 Peter 1:5-8 from the New International Reader’s Version says, “So you should try very hard to add goodness to your faith. To goodness, add knowledge. To knowledge, add the ability to control yourselves. To the ability to control yourselves, add the strength to keep going. To the strength to keep going, add godliness. To godliness, add kindness to believers. And to kindness to believers, add love. You should possess more and more of those good points. They will make you useful and fruitful as you get to know our Lord Jesus Christ better.”

More and more of these good characteristics. “Extra.” This is how we should view this “extra” day. When we try very hard to add these qualities to our lives. And the purpose? To be useful and fruitful on this “extra” day.

Don’t let this “extra” day go to waste. Use it for good. God’s good. I know it is “nothing that you didn’t already know!”

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

Tick-Tock

February 28th, 2012

dsisler

My father-in-law was a master clock maker and repairer. His house was filled with clocks of all size, shape, make, and origin. The room that housed his tools and work bench was amazing. Drawers filled with supplies for his craft. And the sound of the house was memorable. The ticking and chiming of clocks filled each room.

My husband inherited several clocks from his father. Some are unique, while others are classics. Not all of them work, but they mean a great deal to him.

The clock that dominates our home is a large wall Regulator. It chimes on the hour and half hour. It is the one thing that keeps me on track throughout the day. Sometimes I don’t hear it. The chiming has become part of our lives and the routine of the day. I take it for granted.

But mostly, in the middle of the night, when I’m wide awake and thinking, the clock and its chiming becomes my friend. It tells me exactly what I need to know. “It is 3:30 a.m. Why are you awake? You’ve slept exactly 5 ½ hours. You really need to try to fall sleep.” Or perhaps, “It is 7 a.m. Time to get up!”

My family has become accustomed to the chiming, but guests may find it more annoying than comforting. I know when my grandson comes for a visit; the chiming catches him off guard each time. He just doesn’t know what to think of it.

My heavenly Father is much like the Regulator clock hanging on my wall.

God keeps me on track. His will is good, pleasing and perfect. His desire is that I live a holy and pleasing, sacrificial life. Only through the transformation of my life and mind can I know what it is like to live this way. Thankfully we have His Spirit and His Word to lend a hand. (Romans 12:1-2)
I sometimes take Him for granted…I don’t hear Him. Why is it that sometimes God is my last resort for answers? Oh how I disappoint myself (and God) at times. I want to be like David who’s “soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm. 84:2)
He is part of my life. Jesus spoke of the Vine and the Branches…the point? We are to remain in Him. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. (John 15:1-17)
God is a friend. In that same passage, Jesus tells us that we are His friends. He gave His life for us. Why shouldn’t we desire to share in that same friendship with God the Father? He is our friend.
God can be seen in me by others. There’s an old song…“Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. All His wonderful passion and purity. O my Savior divine, all my being refine, Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.” (Author: unlisted, Words: Public Domain). These few lines say it all. May His beauty be seen by others in my life.

The past two weeks have brought silence to our home. The clock has not been wound and it has simply run out of energy to continue. Winding the clock is my husband’s job…my fear of breaking it far outweighs my desire to hear it chiming. So I’ll wait. Wait for the Regulator to spring to life yet again. Thankfully, God, our Father, will never run out of energy and will always be there when we need Him. Thank you God for your faithfulness!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna