“Good to the Last Drop”

February 27th, 2012 dsisler

You’ve heard it before…the advertising slogan for Maxwell Coffee.  Or what about, “The Best Part of Waking Up?” If you are a coffee drinker, you know that these are more than just words, they are a lifestyle! Whether you like it sweet, flavored, with cream, or black, there is just something about coffee that makes life okay.

I’ve often said, “If there were a coffee perfume, I’d buy it!” The aroma brings such comfort to me. I enjoy walking down the coffee aisle in the grocery store for that very reason. It is a simple pleasure in life that brings fulfillment like nothing else.

For my family, coffee drinking is a social thing. When we get together, you might as well know that the coffee pot will be working double time. And it’s been that way from my early childhood. Saturday morning cartoons with a glass of coffee, milk, and sugar are etched in my memory. And I’ve been told, we were given coffee in our bottles…there are some benefits to this…but that’s another story.
I purchased a coffee bean tree. Or bush. Whatever it was, it was to produce coffee beans. I nurtured it. But in the long run, like all other plants I’ve “adopted,” it died. With nary a coffee bean to be produced.
In the past year, I was told by my doctor to back off on the caffeine. Half caf. Oh, say it isn’t so! But alas, it had to be. I searched for the best decaffeinated coffee I could find. I mix it with my regular coffee to create the perfect brew. It isn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but still, it’s just not the same.
I believe that in the past, coffee was more important to me than almost any other thing in my life.
Guess what? God doesn’t want that to be the most important thing in my life. Years ago I led an Elizabeth George Bible study on the Fruit of the Spirit. She made one comment that made an impact on my life. “I reached a point when coffee was controlling my life! Coffee—not God—was my first waking thought. Coffee—not prayer—was my first waking need. Serving myself coffee—not serving my family—was my first concern each day.”[i]
That single statement made led me to think about what I place between myself and God. Coffee for certain, but I knew there were others. But more importantly, I knew I needed to get my priorities straight.
First priority? My personal time with God. God’s desire is for me to be with Him in a relationship. The only way I can know Him fully is to spend time with Him. Psalm 99:5 says, “Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.” Oh what joy to be able to sit at His feet. At His footstool to worship Him. Now that is intimate and as He wants my relationship to be with Him.
Second priority? My prayer time with God. God also desires that I go to Him with all my worries, my praises, my needs, and my petitions. “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18) This is just one verse of many reminding me to spend more time with God in prayer.
Third priority? My Bible study time. Anytime I can read and study God’s Word is a good time. It has led me to truth (John 8:31-32). It has guided me (Psalm 119:105). I have been kept from sin (Psalm 119:11).  And I have seen the goodness within its pages (1 Peter 2:1-3).
These three priorities keep all the others in line. They help keep me focused on the right things and how that focus can be used for God. Coffee is still a large part of my life. I’ve often said that I hoped I never had to give up coffee for some reason. But in reality, I’m half way there!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna

[i] A Woman’s Walk with God: Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit, Elizabeth George, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon, copyright 2000, pg. 198.
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A-N-T-I-C-I-P-A-T-I-O-N

February 26th, 2012 dsisler

You know exactly what I’m talking about. That long, almost unbearable waiting for something. At each thought of what is to come, a zap of excitement shoots through your body and you cannot keep that smile from bursting forth. Perhaps you might even giggle. We’ve all been there. Anticipating.
I have anticipated some exciting events in my lifetime. The birth of my children and grand children are high on the list. Of course, their first birthdays were also times of anticipation. Seeing what they each had accomplished in that first year leading up that first birthday was exciting. I wouldn’t have traded any of those times for anything.
But there have been others. Moving to a new city or state. Before I moved to Colorado, I had the months of the calendar plastered on my bedroom wall…each day I would cross off a day, and eventually, the date came when I could load the truck and head to this beautiful state and my husband.
The start of a new job. There have been plenty of those. The months preparing for a trip to Daytona Beach and my first NASCAR race…why I could hardly contain myself! And today, I’m anxiously waiting for the Daytona 500 to start and, once again have a trip to Florida to prepare for within the week.
Yes, these are some exciting times for me. But is it where my focus should be?
Some synonyms of anticipation are expectation, prospect, eagerness, hope, or contemplation. The very nature of the word allows for those giddy feelings to surface. Contemplating the “what ifs” or believing there is hope fuel the building excitement. Expecting a good outcome brings peace during times of anticipation.
Anticipation has been around a long time and can be linked to our faith in God. Just as those living under the old covenant eagerly waited for the coming of the Messiah, we too, eagerly await the second coming of Jesus, the Messiah. It brings hope to this otherwise hopeless world. But that must not be our only focus. We must be anticipating the good things that God wants to add to our lives.
Philippians 1:6 assures us that we should be anticipating what God is doing in our lives. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
And Ephesians 2:10 gives us insight into what we should be doing with what God has done within us while awaiting the second coming. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Yes, anticipation is exciting. In our physical lives, but also in our spiritual lives. Oh, I pray that you will anticipate what God is doing in your life. Watch for His workings. Anticipate what He will do with it. And of course, eagerly wait for His return. I know I can hardly wait!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!

February 25th, 2012 dsisler

Several years ago, my husband and I went to an intimate concert of our favorite pianist at a local book store. He was promoting his most recent album release. We arrived and found our place where we could see Jim Brickman up close and personal. Mason saved our place as I went to purchase the new CD.
I was gone quite a while, the store was crowded. When I returned, Mason said, “Have I got a surprise for you!” He was so excited, he could hardly contain himself. I couldn’t think of what kind of surprise he could have put together in the amount of time I was gone, but he had done something.
“You get to go up and play the piano for the sound check!” Again, he could hardly contain himself. “What?” I asked. “Yeah, this guy came out and asked if anyone in the audience played the piano to do the sound check and I said you would do it.” “I have to go up there and play the piano in front of all these people?” “Yes, you’ll be fine.”
My life as a pianist flashed before my eyes. I was a vocal major. Yes, piano was my minor, but I wasn’t very good at it. I recalled a similar experience years before when my dad told the music director of one of our largest churches that I played the piano. I accompanied the 80 voice choir in front of several thousand congregants. Now that was nerve wracking. Surely I could play something here. I was a bit more accomplished since that long ago experience.
Suddenly, it was time. As I walked to the piano, my next thought was, “Jim Brickman will be the next person to sit at this piano and play its keys. What an experience!” Excitement grew and I was there. Sitting in my own little world. It was almost as if a large bubble had surrounded me. I didn’t hear anything or see anyone. It was just me and the piano.
I played Jim Brickman’s arrangement of “How Great Thou Art.” Well part of it at least. All too soon, the young man said I had played enough and that he appreciated my help. I walked back to our seats and Mason was beaming with pride. He had complete faith in me. It was a priceless moment.
I must say, Jesus was full of surprises too. If you look at each of the miracles He performed, there was surprise. Oh there was amazement and wonder and belief as well, but He did surprise people.
Mark 6:30-44 gives account of the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus takes five loaves and two fish, blesses them, breaks them, and then proceeds to feed the crowd with baskets of food left over.
When Jesus first meets Peter, Andrew, James, and John, they had been fishing all night long and hadn’t caught a single fish. Jesus asked them to throw their nets into the water and surprisingly, they catch an astonishing amount of fish. But then, they walked away from it all to “fish for men.” (Luke 5:1-11)
One of my favorite surprises was after the resurrection of Jesus and His encounter with Mary. She believes Him to be a gardener and asks “where the body of her Lord had been taken.” And with a single word, Jesus surprised Mary. He simply said her name. “Mary.” She immediately knew it was Jesus and nothing about her life would ever be the same. (John 20:10-18)
Those who encountered Jesus had surprising changes in their lives. Whether they were healed, raised from the dead, or forgiven of their sins, they knew something had changed. Their lives were changed by the Savior of the world.
Are you looking for God’s surprises today? Keep your eyes open. You just might be amazed by the graciousness of our heavenly Father.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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My Song

February 24th, 2012 dsisler

I was a music major throughout high school and college. Singing has been a great form of expression for me for so long, I can’t remember when I actually first started singing. Songwriting, however, has eluded me. I have attempted to write four songs in my lifetime.

The first was a tune I added to a poem my sister, Tammy, wrote. It was more of a social awareness song that ended with the two of us belting out, “We’ve got to do something, there’s much we can do. But we must…” Okay, I can’t remember all of it.
The second was a ballad for the Empire State Games. There was a contest for any Upstate New York high school music major students to write the theme song. Needless to say, it wasn’t successful. My melody was not heard at the late 70’s Empire State Games.
The third song was a love song. To my boyfriend, Randy, of two years in high school. It was my Valentine’s Day present to him in 1978. Again, I couldn’t sing a note of that tune or recount any of the words.
You would have thought by this point, I would have given up on the song writing thing, but alas, in Bible College, it was a requirement! Write a song. Now I don’t mean to name drop, but I was in music theory class with Rich Mullins! The Rich Mullins! Did I really think I could produce anything of value or worth? Mrs. Cartwright thought I could.
I scoured the Bible, looking for the perfect words to which music would improve the message. After much searching, I found the perfect words in the book of Psalm. Naturally, David’s words would be far better than my own.
I wrote a melody line, a harmony line, and an accompaniment to this newest praise song. It was performed in front of the class, and I suspect it wasn’t the hit that I thought it should or could be. I only performed it one other time, by myself, a cappella.
No, I’m not a songwriter. And at this point in my life, I don’t think I would want to try again. But, the melody and the lyrics to that praise song still jingle around in my head. It’s the one song I remember. It’s the most important one to remember. Thank you Mrs. Cartwright for pushing me and giving me a song that has stayed with me through the years.
One Thing
by Donna Howard
One thing I have asked of the Lord, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.
For in the day of trouble He’ll conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
Then my head will be lifted up above my enemies,
I will offer sacrifices of joy;
I will sing, yes, I’ll sing. Sing praises to the Lord.
(adapted from Psalm 27:4-6)
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Ukrainian Eggs

February 23rd, 2012 dsisler

I am so blessed to be able to babysit my two grand kids each week. It’s only for a day, but still, to hear their laughter and see their smiles makes the week fly until I can see them again. On one particular day, Percy was napping and I was able to spend some one-on-one time with Joy. She wanted to look at my Ukrainian Eggs. One by one, she held an egg and told me why she liked it or didn’t like it. She decided upon her favorites and then sat and listened to my explanation.

Some of my Ukrainian Eggs
You see, I love creating. Anything. When I had the opportunity to learn how to make Ukrainian Eggs, well, it was just meant to be! My husband’s grandparents came to the United States from Russia. This was a chance for me to add a bit of his heritage and culture into our home. I learned the process and began making these lovely creations and still have a deep desire to continue this craft.
Everything about a Ukrainian Egg is representative of something else. The color, the symbol, and even the egg itself. And the best part is that each symbol leads to God! Yes, they are an evangelistic tool. So, I was once again given the opportunity to share with Joy the great news of the Gospel.
Symbols were very important to God throughout the Bible and we’ve carried that importance throughout the history of the world. You may be thinking of some, but I’ll give you a few here.
  • The Rainbow – represents God’s promise to never destroy the earth by flood again (Genesis 9:12-17)
  • Baptism – represents the death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:1-4)
  • The Dove – represents the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:21-22)
  • The Lord’s Supper – represents the body and blood of Christ (1Corinthians 11:17-26)
  • The Bride and Bridegroom – represents the Church, God’s people and Jesus (Ephesians 5:22-33)
  • The Empty Tomb – represents hope, eternal life, victory (1 Peter 1:3-5)
As I said, each symbol on a Ukrainian Egg means something. I was delighted to find that the symbol for “joy” was the red poppy. Each time I see a red poppy, I think of my granddaughter, as well as the joy in my life because Jesus is my personal savior. What about you? Do you see something and automatically think of someone or Jesus? I pray that you do.
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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    In September 2012 I went to SE Asia on a service trip. For more information, check out preachitclearly.blogspot.com.

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