Wedding Music – Day 9

March 19th, 2016 dsisler

 

I am heading to my son’s wedding and will be pretty busy over the next week or so. I ask that you extend a few things on my behalf:

 

  • The ability to re-post some music that I’ve shared in the past.
  • Prayer for safe travel.
  • Prayer for my son, Philip and his bride, Heather.
  • Joy and presence in each moment.

 

I’ll remember you and pray for you each day. Until we meet again…

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

“Jesus is Alive” – Musical Musings in March

 

???????????????????????????????If you haven’t figured out yet, music has been a huge part of my life. I have enjoyed listening, singing, analyzing, and even playing music.

 

There was a time when music was all that I thought of. I directed church choirs, I played the piano or organ at most worship services, I used my voice to sing praise to Jesus through solos. At the time, I would have never believed that my musical talents would be reduced to clicking on a Youtube video or singing with the crowd on Sunday in worship. But that’s where I am in my life.

 

I do love sharing those tunes that were so special to me all those years ago. March and Monday’s are actually pretty cool!

 

Today I’d like to share a specific song, but I also want to mention what Ron Kenoly meant to me in the early 90’s. Mr. Kenoly was a worship leader and his voice was like silk. I used to listen to his cassettes over and over.

 

On occasion I hear one of his songs and it warms my heart. I’m instantly transported to that special church building in Jeffersonville, Ohio and his music fills the sanctuary with praise to Jesus. It didn’t get much better than that.

 

I’d like to share one song with you, but there are plenty you can search on Youtube. “Jesus is Alive” was one of my favorites. It’s what we as Christians hold to. It is our hope. It is our future. It is our present. Jesus is alive and because He lives, I can live.

 

So let’s shout it from the rooftops. Let’s rock it out in our church buildings. Let’s live lives that are excited about these three words. Jesus is alive!

 

“Jesus is Alive”

 

Hallelujah
Jesus is alive
Death has lost its victory
And the grave has been denied
Jesus lives forever
He’s alive! He’s alive!

 

He’s the Alpha and Omega
The first and last is he
The curse of sin is broken
And we have perfect liberty
The lamb of God is risen
He’s alive, He’s alive!
Jesus is alive![i]

 

You’ll want to click here and listen to this special song…I may have to listen to it several times today!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Jesus is Alive,” Words and Music by Ron Kenoly, Integrity’s Hosanna Music, 1987.

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Wedding Music – Day 8

March 18th, 2016 dsisler

 

I am heading to my son’s wedding and will be pretty busy over the next week or so. I ask that you extend a few things on my behalf:

 

  • The ability to re-post some music that I’ve shared in the past.
  • Prayer for safe travel.
  • Prayer for my son, Philip and his bride, Heather.
  • Joy and presence in each moment.

 

I’ll remember you and pray for you each day. Until we meet again…

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

“God so Loved the World” – Musical Musings in March

 

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I’ve recently finished a study on the parables that Jesus spoke to the people of His day. What I’ve come to learn is that even though I’m not a sower, a sheep herder, or a wealthy land owner, these earthly stories with heavenly meanings are very relevant in my life. As a wise student of Scripture, I am entrusted with Jesus’ words and am expected to be transformed by them.

 

In a couple of parables we’ve studied, we’ve learned about giving. Financial support of God’s kingdom is taught throughout Scripture. It is something we are called to do.

 

God doesn’t ask us to give of ourselves or our talents or our money because He needs it. He asks us to give so that we might be transformed. So that we might be more like Him.

 

One statement made in this study went something like this (I can’t seem to find the actual quote in the book) in regard to John 3:16. When we give we are most like God.

 

I’m reminded of Jesus’ words in Luke 21 as He watched the rich place their offering into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow place two small coins into the treasury. This is what Jesus said. “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more in than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:3-4 – NIV)

 

This widow placed her trust in God. She believed that if she gave all that she had, He would care for her.

 

That’s what God is looking for. Willing people whose hearts completely trust Him.

 

God gave His only Son for mankind. He gave the ultimate gift. When we are open to sharing what we have, we are most like God.

 

Today, I want to share this beautiful song that encapsulates the Gospel. As you read and listen, I pray that you place your trust in God. I pray that you’ll look at giving in a new light. I pray that God’s Word will transform you.

 

“God so Loved the World”

 

God so loved the world.
God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoso believeth, believeth in Him
should not perish, should not perish
but have everlasting life.

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world.
God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through Him might be saved.

God so loved the world.
God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoso believeth, believeth in Him
should not perish, should not perish
but have everlasting life,

everlasting life, everlasting, everlasting life.
God so loved the world.
God so loved the world.
God so loved the world.[i]

 

Click here to listen to this beautiful melody.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

[i] “God So Loved the World,” Words from John 3:16-17, Music by John Stainer (1840-1901), 1887.

 

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Wedding Music – Day 7

March 17th, 2016 dsisler

 

I am heading to my son’s wedding and will be pretty busy over the next week or so. I ask that you extend a few things on my behalf:

 

  • The ability to re-post some music that I’ve shared in the past.
  • Prayer for safe travel.
  • Prayer for my son, Philip and his bride, Heather.
  • Joy and presence in each moment.

 

I’ll remember you and pray for you each day. Until we meet again…

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

“Here is Our King” – Musical Musings in March

 

Today’s melody is a fairly new song by a young composer in comparison to some I’ve shared this month. I’ve only known it a short time, and yet, when I hear it, I’m touched by the words and I’m transported back to another time.

 

I learned this song for an Easter drama we were performing at LifeBridge Christian Church. The worship teams and ensemble joined forces to raise the message of Easter. And as Jesus walked into the room, we sang this song.

 

Oh it was exciting. Now I knew that Jesus really wasn’t walking into the room…in fact the man who performed this role was my neighbor. I knew who he was. So I would suggest that it was the music that drew me closer to the real Jesus.

 

Yes indeed. As I sang this song, Jesus was my King. Jesus was the One. Jesus was He who came to bring us back to God. And my heart still rejoices each time I hear this song.

 

Now you may not care for the style of music as presented in “Here is Our King,” but I would ask that you focus on the words. Do you find hope in these lyrics? Do you find love? Do you find purpose? Do you find redemption? Do you find peace? Do you find a call to grow spiritually? Do you find the return of a prodigal heart? Do you find Jesus? I certainly do.

 

Easter is coming. It won’t be long until we are singing with the multitudes of Jesus resurrection from the dead. Perhaps it is a time for your heart to be resurrected as well. Allow Jesus to penetrate your heart and bring you back from spiritual death. Then you too will join me in singing, “Here is Our King!”

 

“Here is Our King”

 

Chorus:

Here is our King, here is our love
Here is our God who’s come
To bring us back to Him
He is the One, He is Jesus

And He is our King, He is our love
He is our God who’s come
To bring us back to Him
He is the One, He is Jesus, Jesus

 

From wherever spring arrives to heal the ground
From wherever searching comes the look itself
A trace of what we’re looking for so be quiet now and wait
The ocean is growing, the tide is coming in, here it is

(chorus)

 

And what was said to the rose to make it unfold
Was said to me, here in my chest so be quiet now and rest
So be quiet now and rest
The ocean is growing, the tide is coming, here it is

(chorus)

 

Majesty finally, Majesty finally here[i]

 

Click here to listen to this beautiful worship song.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Here is Our King,” Words and Music by David Crowder, worshiptogether.com songs/sixsteps Music, 2005.

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Wedding Music – Day 6

March 16th, 2016 dsisler

 

I am heading to my son’s wedding and will be pretty busy over the next week or so. I ask that you extend a few things on my behalf:

 

  • The ability to re-post some music that I’ve shared in the past.
  • Prayer for safe travel.
  • Prayer for my son, Philip and his bride, Heather.
  • Joy and presence in each moment.

 

I’ll remember you and pray for you each day. Until we meet again…

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

“Sweeter as the Years Go By” – Musical Musings in March

 

IMAG1492I’m sure you’ve heard people say that time flies by…especially as you get older. I never really believed it until I got older. It seems that it was just yesterday when I held my oldest granddaughter as a baby. She’s now in first grade! Where did that time go?

 

My youngest child turned 27 this year. I asked her older sister how old she was going to be (14 months separate these two). When she said “27,” I was stunned. In my mind she was still a 20-year-old. Now granted, she has been married for eight years and has a beautiful 7-year-old little girl, but I just couldn’t believe the years had gone by so quickly.

 

Perhaps you’ve also heard the line, “time flies when you’re having fun.” Maybe as we get older we find that we’re having more fun! Whatever the reason, time has a way of slipping past us and if we aren’t aware of it, we’ll have missed some of the best things in life.

 

Jesus just might be one of the things you’ve allowed to be missed through your life. For me, He’s grown sweeter and sweeter as the years have gone by. As my relationship with Him as grown deeper, Jesus has become sweeter. And if you’re too young to remember, there is a hymn that expresses these sentiments.

 

In the hymn “Sweeter as the Years Go By,” the songwriter states that he was lost, but found in Jesus. He states that grace, mercy and love claimed his soul and that he would forever sing of Jesus’ redemption.

 

You see, Jesus’ love is sweeter, richer, fuller, and deeper as our relationship with Him develops. The more we learn about Jesus, the more we want to know. And as we truly understand the depth of His sacrifice, we can’t help but fall in love with Him over and over.

 

So let’s sing about the sweet love Jesus has lavished upon us. Let’s praise Him for the healing of our broken hearts. Let’s worship His Name because of His pursuing. Let’s sing praises to our Redeemer with angels and saints. And let’s join today’s songwriter in saying Jesus’ love is “sweeter as the years go by.”

 

“Sweeter as the Years Go By”

 

Of Jesus’ love that sought me, when I was lost in sin;
Of wondrous grace that brought me back to His fold again;
Of heights and depths of mercy, far deeper than the sea,
And higher than the heavens, my theme shall ever be. [Refrain]

 

Refrain:

Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by;
Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter,
Sweeter as the years go by.

 

He trod in old Judea life’s pathway long ago;
The people thronged about Him, his saving grace to know.
He healed the broken-hearted, and caused the blind to see;
And still His great heart yearneth in love for even me. [Refrain]

 

’Twas wondrous love which led Him for us to suffer loss,
To bear without a murmur the anguish of the cross;
With saints redeemed in glory, let us our voices raise,
Till Heav’n and earth re-echo with our Redeemer’s praise. [Refrain][i]

 

You’ll enjoy this melody through a beautiful arrangement by clicking here.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Sweeter as the Years Go By,” Words and Music by Mrs. Leila Naylor Morris, 1912.

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Wedding Music – Day 5

March 15th, 2016 dsisler

 

I am heading to my son’s wedding and will be pretty busy over the next week or so. I ask that you extend a few things on my behalf:

 

  • The ability to re-post some music that I’ve shared in the past.
  • Prayer for safe travel.
  • Prayer for my son, Philip and his bride, Heather.
  • Joy and presence in each moment.

 

I’ll remember you and pray for you each day. Until we meet again…

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

“The Lord’s Prayer” – Musical Musings in March

 

cool-sheet-music-background-pq3wplniYears ago, my sister Tammy picked up an interest in American Sign Language. She spent hours learning and practicing this beautiful language.

 

At one point, she offered a class at our church so that we could learn this language as well. The hope was to find several who would be able to join her in deaf ministry at the church. Of course, I took the class.

 

I did alright and still have a few words that I can pull out of my back pocket if needed. But I would almost guarantee that if my skills were needed to interpret, the poor person trying to read my sign language would wonder what I was saying.

 

Music is a beautiful way to share and express sign language. Its flow naturally plays well with the rhythm of music and music creates a delightful backdrop to the language itself.

 

One piece of music we learned in sign language class was “The Lord’s Prayer.” So today, I share this piece of music with you and have searched to find this song with sign language added. I’m sure you’ll agree, it is all the more beautiful with these movements.

 

“The Lord’s Prayer”

 

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

 

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil;

For Thine is the kingdom,

And the power,

And the glory,

Forever, Amen.[i]

 

Click here for a beautiful version of this classic song.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “The Lord’s Prayer,” Text found in Matthew 6:9-13, Music by Albert Hay Malotte, G. Schirmer, Inc., 1935

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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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