July 13th, 2016 
dsisler Hey folks,
There have been some complications in my travel to Ohio to see my new grand baby, Liam. My daughter-in-law has been in the hospital since Sunday evening, so I’ve stuck around to help with Liam.
For now, this will be my only post until I am back in beautiful Colorado. I miss you all and have much to tell you, but until then…
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
July 12th, 2016 dsisler
One final repeated blog post and then I should be back, ready to share lots of exciting news with you. Have a blessed day!
Dead Leaves
I’m in the process of yet another transformation in my office at home. I’ve had a beach mural on the wall for about seven years. I’ve decided it’s time for it to come down. However, parts of it will still be visible through windows and a screen door.
I mentioned this idea to my granddaughter who has considered this room “her room” since she was born. At first, she wasn’t too keen about it, but then she said, “Okay, but please don’t keep the dead leaf.”
I hadn’t noticed a dead leaf, so I asked her about it. She pointed out the single dead leaf on the wall. It’s pretty noticeable, but with all the other things to look at on this wall, that single dead leaf was not in my sight.
Maybe you’ve experienced something similar to this in your spiritual life. You believe everything is okay and that your life is in line with God’s Word. Then, the Holy Spirit points out a flaw. You are convicted of a sin that you were unaware of and suddenly, it’s so big that there’s only one thing to do. Rid your life of that sin.
Galatians 5:16-26 shows us a life guided by sinful nature and a life guided by the Spirit. We find in these ten verses a multitude of sinful nature characteristics that we are to eliminate from our lives. Things such as rage, sexual immorality, idolatry, selfish ambition, envy, and conceit. And if you haven’t found your “sin of choice” in my short list, you’ll probably find it in the Galatians list.
By contrast, the Apostle Paul also showcases the spiritual traits that are to be present in our lives. Perhaps you can rattle them off with me. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. By replacing a sinful nature attitude with a spirit-filled attitude, we are able to live life by the Spirit. We are able to “keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
By making Jesus the Lord of our lives, we also make the decision to follow the guidelines of the Spirit instead of our sinful nature. Paul says it this way. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature.” (Galatians 5:24 – NIV)
Oh, I know those “dead leaves” are going to show up. But once we’ve recognized the sinful behavior, we must rid our lives of its death. And in its place, we fill the void with life. Abundant, everlasting life that only comes through Jesus Christ and His Spirit.
My goal is to have the dead palm leaf off my wall today. Are there any “dead leaves” that you need to rid your life of? Maybe it’s time to ask the Holy Spirit to help. That’s part of His job!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
July 11th, 2016 dsisler
I’m sure you feel like there isn’t enough time in a day…well I feel like there isn’t nearly enough time with this little one, but my time here is quickly coming to an end. I pray that you will find some encouragement from today’s repeated blog post. See you soon!
In His Presence
If you’re like me, you sometimes feel like you don’t have enough time in a day. I sat in a co-worker’s office yesterday and read some phrases on his wall. One of them said, “If you don’t think you have enough time in a day, stop watching television.”
I love that. Because to be honest, television zaps time at the end of my day with meaningless, mindless nonsense. I justify my actions by telling myself that I’m tired or I just need to relax and unwind. But in reality, there are other ways to do that.
Sometimes I find myself sitting in front of the television in the morning. This is worse for me. If I start early in the day, it seems like I just can’t pull myself away from the thing. I am most aggravated at myself on these days.
I believe God’s answer to this dilemma is to spend time with Him. Why not read or listen to God’s Word? A little prayer time might be a good option. Or even quietly meditating on verses of Scripture that you have memorized would be better.
Maybe you’re not in the habit of reading the Bible or spending time in prayer with God. Or maybe you are. Either way, these spiritual disciplines (as we call them) are beneficial in several ways. Take a look.
Spiritual disciplines are beneficial for these reasons:
You see, when we make a decision to spend time with God (through Bible reading, Bible study, prayer, quiet time, etc.), we are more likely to add what we learn into our lives. We will be better people because we have chosen to be transformed by godly characteristics.
I also love that the Holy Spirit will use what we learn through spiritual disciplines. Jesus told His disciples that this would happen in John 14:26 (NIV). “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” When my memory is at its worst, I know that God’s Spirit will help me to remember what I’ve read, studied, and learned. This truly is a gift!
And then what about those who look to you for spiritual guidance? Are you making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20)? If so, spiritual disciplines will help you help them. You may not be a “know-it-all,” but you will be in the know when you regularly spend time with God.
One of my favorite books is “Follow Me,” by Randy Sprinkle. Take a look at this quote from his book.
“Victory begins at the start of the day with a closed door, an open Bible, and a disciplined, responsive heart ready to turn loose anything that hinders our walk and work with God for the sake of His kingdom that day.”[i]
Oh how I love beginning each day with this thought in mind. When I am in tune with and focused on God from the start of the day, I am more apt to be kingdom-minded throughout the day. Isn’t that what it’s all about?
If you are interested in starting on this spiritual disciplines journey, start by finding a Bible reading plan that works for you. It may be on your computer, or on your phone, or you may actually use a real Bible, but try something that you know you will stick with.
Then set a specific time to be with God. When I started writing my blog, I wrote at different times during the day. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. Years later, I’ve found that writing between 5 and 7 am are the best times for me to write. It will be that way with you as well. You may find that early morning is the best time to be with God, but you may find that it has to be in the evening. Just find it and stick with it. Make it an important decision and keep going.
Most importantly, have fun with God. He wants a relationship with you, so make it that. Change it up when it feels like you’re in a rut. Add new ways to be with God to make it interesting. Enjoy His goodness. Find pleasure in His presence. Rejoice over His love and grace. Pretty soon, it won’t feel like a discipline. It will feel like heaven.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
[i] “Follow Me,” Randy Sprinkle, New Hope Publishers, p. 38-39.
July 10th, 2016 dsisler
Hi again from Ohio! I miss you and I will have lots to share when I return, but until then, here’s another repeated blog post. Have a blessed day!
College Days
After graduating high school in 1978, I lived on campus of Cincinnati Bible College (now known as Cincinnati Christian University) for three years. I attended one more year at Cincinnati Bible College while living off campus and yet another year at a small Bible college near Buffalo, New York (New York Christian Institute).
During my three years living on campus in Cincinnati, I lived in Alumni Hall for two years and Rine Hall for one. The lower floor of Rine Hall housed the cafeteria when I attended college and for many, this beloved dormitory holds some pretty awesome memories.
I typically woke up at 4 am each morning to do school work and when 6 am rolled around, I would move my studying to the cafeteria. Coffee and coffee cake (the best in all the land) awaited me at that early hour. I was blessed to enjoy this luxury day after day, week after week, for three years!
Rine Hall also housed one of my good friends and together we watched Laura Ingalls fall in love with Almonzo Wilder in the lounge of Rine Hall. Rine Hall was a gathering place for laughter and serious discussions. And during my third year at CBC, I lived in Rine Hall.
You’re probably wondering why I’m so obsessed with Rine Hall today. Well, yesterday, they tore this residence hall down. Today, it no longer exists. It’s gone. The demolition crew began yesterday morning and now, nothing remains of this beloved building.
Oh, there are new, bigger and better buildings to replace Rine Hall on the campus of CBC and new memories are being made each day within the walls of those buildings, but it still makes me a little sad to know that part of my past is gone.
Sometimes we dwell too much upon our past. The regrets. The disappointments. The disillusions. The missed opportunities. But Paul urges us to forget the things that we’ve done wrong or missed and to look forward to what will be. You see, our past holds nothing for us. But in our future, we have hope. We have opportunity. We have promises. So why on earth would we continue to dwell on the past?
Well, I believe the answer is because we just do. Sometimes we can’t help it. We wonder, “What if?” Or “I should have…” Or “What was I thinking?”
My encouragement to you today would be to forget the past and all that accompanies it (sin and its ugliness) and look to the future (redemption and its beauty). Recall Paul’s words with me. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 – NIV)
I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me. Can you?
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
July 9th, 2016 dsisler
I’m so excited to be with my son and his new baby, so until I return, please bear with me and enjoy an older blog post. Love to all!
Miles and Miles
I heard a tag line in a car commercial that I thought was thought-provoking. “What good is 27 miles per gallon if the miles aren’t interesting?”
I don’t know about you, but I’ve driven some stretches of 27 miles that have not been interesting…some, downright boring!
After my first visit to Colorado some ten years ago, I told my husband that there is no reason to drive east here. If you’re driving east, you can’t see the mountains and that is where the true beauty of Colorado lies.
I guess there are times when we need to be entertained or be visually inspired as we go through this life. But what about the times when we are on a boring stretch? What are we to do then?
I believe as we are on our spiritual journey we encounter the same realities. At times, we are on an interesting stretch of the journey. We may be on a learning streak or attended an uplifting conference.
But then we reach a section of the journey that is a little boring. Those “ho-hum” moments. We feel parched. Dry. Maybe we simply aren’t looking for ways to grow spiritually and the excitement is not visible.
Again, I ask the question. When we are on a boring stretch on this spiritual journey, what are we to do then?
Might I suggest that we make it exciting? Jump into a word study. Or perhaps find a topic you’re interested in and see how often it is mentioned in Scripture. Get into a Bible study with fellow believers.
And then there is the possibility of serving in some capacity. I generally find that offering my talents to others is a great way to bring excitement back into my spiritual life. And, oh the people you will meet along the way!
And of course, spend more time with God in prayer. Make it a conversation with Him. Don’t get bogged down on the words. Give Him your heart. Let God see you as your truest self. You will find that your spiritual journey will come back to life.
I still enjoy going west instead of east in Colorado. But I also know that I can only get home by heading east from just about anywhere I go here. And I also know that I am never under enthused when I see the mountains as I turn and head west. They still take my breath away and I appreciate them so much more.
It’s the same with my spiritual journey. I know that there are times when I’m just not where I should be in my excitement of being in God’s presence, but when I arrive, it is more glorious than I remembered. My breath is taken away and I appreciate that time so much more.
It can be the same for you. Is it time to head home? Why not take the time today to be in God’s presence? Ask Him to join you on your spiritual journey. Ask Him to meet you there. “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” (Micah 4:2a – NIV)
And just to make myself clear, He isn’t the One who moved.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
