He Owns the Cattle (Sabbatical Post)

January 19th, 2016 dsisler

 

Colorado weather has finally decided to warm up. After months of cold and snow, we are now enjoying warmer temperatures…perhaps a little too warm for some. But we are at least able to enjoy the outdoor patio.

 

Today 011MAs I woke to the birds singing and a beautiful sunrise, I looked out my window and saw the open space behind our property. It was green! It looked like a rolling meadow and I was awestruck.

 

I then told my husband, “This is beautiful! Without my glasses I can’t even see the junk yard.”

 

This field is green now, but just a few weeks from now, it will be dry and it will turn brown. My beautiful green meadow will be gone.

 

As I snapped photos of the field, I remembered an old song we used to sing. “He Owns the Cattle (on a Thousand Hills).” There isn’t a cow to be seen, not even a chicken. There is an occasional prairie dog or coyote, but still no cattle. So why would I think of this particular song?

 

Because that song goes on to share an even greater message. Take a look at these words and if you’d like, you can listen to a medley of songs by the Gaither Trio that includes “He Owns the Cattle (on a Thousand Hills)” by clicking here.

 

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills,
The wealth in every mine;
He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills,
The sun and stars that shine.
Wonderful riches, more than tongue can tell –
He is my Father so they’re mine as well;
He owns the cattle on a thousand hills –
I know that He will care for me.[i]

 

It’s not that God owns all of His Creation. It’s that He has shared it with me! I am His heir and therefore all that He owns belongs to me as well.

 

But the earthly portion of it isn’t even the best part. Oh we have some beauty in our world to see, but my future home is far greater and more wonderful than anything this world has to offer.

 

Because God is there. Jesus, my Savior sits at God’s right hand. I will be able to sing praises to them forever without my voice cracking or feeling weak. I will be able to stand in their presence without my feet hurting. I will never grow weary of worshiping.

 

And unlike my green meadow that will turn brown soon, nothing in heaven will grow old or fade away or die. Forever, it will be green.

 

And unlike the drought season that will return to my small portion of this earth, there will always be water in heaven for there is a river that runs through it.

 

And unlike the small amount of trees that line the landscape from my view, there are trees that produce crops of fruit and they are on either side of the river of life.

 

And all of this will be mine one day for I have Jesus’ promise that He will return. I find great hope in John’s final words after seeing the vision of heaven. “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20 – NIV)

 

I believe that sometimes I get too comfortable in this world. I love its beauty and the people I am blessed to have in my life and I forget Jesus’ words that He is coming soon. And I rarely ask for Him to come as the Apostle John did.

 

And because my mindset isn’t always as it should be, I miss opportunities to share God’s grace and message with the lost and dying world. I am too focused on the now instead of the eternal future.

 

I must be determined to live my life with urgency. The urgency Jesus felt in those three short years of ministry. The urgency of His mission “to seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10 – NIV)

 

We find these words in Psalm 50:10 (NIV). “For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” But I find greater joy in knowing that I am His and that He cares for me.

 

Do you belong to Him?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] He Owns the Cattle, Words and Music by John W. Peterson

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A Cut Wire (Sabbatical Post)

January 18th, 2016 dsisler

 

Yesterday was such a good day. A celebration of motherhood is always enjoyable. But the day had possible threat looming over it.

 

DSC04473On her way to work, my daughter Candace called and said her engine light came on and that her car wasn’t running well. So we knew when she returned home, we’d have to see what the issue was.

 

So at 8:30 last night, my husband pulled out his handy gadget that told him the fourth cylinder had misfired. And after looking at the engine, he knew why.

 

Somehow the spark plug cable had been cut, possibly by the fan.

 

I know there are times in our lives when we aren’t running on all cylinders. Illness may be hindering our function. Young children may be zapping energy from us. A busy schedule may be keeping us from releasing our full potential.

 

But it can be downright dangerous if we allow this to happen in our spiritual lives. Perhaps we’ve “taken a break” from church attendance or group Bible study. Perhaps there’s no time to add personal devotions to our lives. Or perhaps we’ve grown lazy in our spiritual development.

 

Whatever our “good” reasoning is, it isn’t.

 

There is a reason Jesus gave us the command in John 15 to remain in Him. Jesus is our life source. Without Him, there is no life. It’s not just one cylinder misfiring, it is your entire life misfiring.

 

And according to Jesus, apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). That may seem a little dramatic to some, but I’ve lived on both sides of this command and it is so true.

 

There is nothing outside of Christ.

 

However, Jesus doesn’t want us to just remain in Him. There is something we are to be doing in this state. We find this in the same verse mentioned above (John 15:5 – NIV).

 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

 

We are to bear much fruit. And you’ve heard of this fruit before from Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

 

This is the fruit we are to bear.

 

Jesus also mentions in this section what happens to the branch that doesn’t bear fruit.

 

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1-2 – NIV)

 

Looks like we’ve come full circle doesn’t it? We aren’t the only ones who cut ourselves off from God. If we are non-fruit producing followers of Christ, God will do the cutting for us.

 

Remember God’s words about being lukewarm? To the Church at Laodicea He said, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16 – NIV)

 

We cannot be happy with mediocrity. We must be working diligently to grow spiritually and by remaining in Jesus and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are able to produce an abundance of fruit.

 

Mason had a spark plug wire. He replaced it in 5 minutes and Candace’s car now runs smoothly again.

 

We have the source and power to be great followers of Christ. Reach out and grab it. Repair that broken line between you and God. Then, wait to see what God produces in your life and what wonderful things He has in store for you.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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My Desktop (Sabbatical Post)

January 17th, 2016 dsisler

 

I have an odd mix of items on my desktop that I’d like to share with you today. But then I want to do a little “prayer walking” around my desktop.

 

?

You see, I prayer walk through my neighborhood. I prayer walk with a group of ladies each Wednesday morning. I prayer drive as I’m heading out each day. So why not prayer walk through my desktop? It is what I look at each time I sit down to write or check email or enjoy Pinterest. But if God is not in the midst of it, this screen could cause some problems for me.

 

I am easily distracted. And maybe a cluttered desktop is just what the evil one needs to keep me occupied with things of this world instead of concentrating on God’s work.

 

There is one verse in James 4 that carries some convicting words. Take a look at it. “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4 – NIV)

 

Bear with me today…this is important. Perhaps it is something that you need to do as well.

 

The first thing I see as my computer comes to life is the picture of my grandchildren. They are so precious to me, but they are more precious to God. My prayer is that I will be an example of God’s love and grace to them and that my focus must be on teaching them about Jesus.

 

There is a recycle bin. It holds all the trash that I no longer need. I pray that God will take the trash of sin in my life and delete it permanently. I don’t need the guilt or anguish to continue haunting me. Once it’s deleted, it is gone.

 

Zune is the program that goes with my little music contraption. My prayer is that the music that I choose to play is honoring to God. That God would be glorified by what my ears hear.

 

Symantec. I have no idea what this is for, but it’s one of those things that tells you if you delete it, there are consequences and so it’s easier to just keep it. I pray that God will show me those things in my life that are just space takers. If it isn’t important, get rid of it.

 

A Word document that teaches how to make a homemade mosquito trap. It’s pretty popular right now on the internet and I’m hoping it actually works! My prayer is of thanksgiving. For this little critter is so annoying to us, but it is one that God created. Thank you God for your creation!

 

There is a folder of the April snow storms we have had this year. Thank you God for the moisture we have received here in Colorado. Everything is so green and filled with life. Although we were tired of snow, the benefits far outweighed the struggles. Thank you God for your forethought and design. It is beautiful!

 

Well, that finishes the first row of my desktop praying. I’ll save you the details of my remaining prayer walking through my desktop. I’ll work on the rest throughout the day.

 

This morning in my Bible study time, I asked God to show me how to illumine Him. For Him to point me to ways that I could point others to Him. I believe this is a start.

 

Perhaps today you will find the need to do exactly what I am doing. Praying more and illuminating God. If so, let’s travel on this journey together. Let me know how God is showing up in your life. Let me know what you’re eliminating so that God can take His place out front.

 

My greatest desire is to serve God. But I cannot have friendship with the world and with God at the same time. Jesus taught this concept as well. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24 – NIV)

 

Okay, I’m going back to prayer walk through the rest of my desktop. When I’m finished here, I have my laptop to pray over as well. Then there’s my phone…and my Nook reader…and my Zune…

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Keep it Simple (Sabbatical Post)

January 16th, 2016 dsisler

 

I could have finished this line “keep it simple” with another word (KISS). I’m sure you’ve heard it before. But I’ve chosen not to. I’ve heard it more throughout my life than I’d care to mention and believe that it is an unnecessary addition to this phrase.

 

???????????????????????????????However, I have a little book on my shelf called Smart Women Keep it Simple by Annie Chapman and Maureen Rank. I’ve read it several times through the years…you can tell by the markings and the condition of the spine. But it has been years since I’ve read it.

 

So with my new, crazy schedule, perhaps it is the perfect time to pull this little gem off the shelf and re-read these words.

 

There are a couple of earmarked pages. Those stories or concepts that I wanted to return to visit. And as I read through one section, I was thankful for my forethought of wanting to remember this particular story.

 

It was of an older Russian woman who was a faithful believer of Christ. Multiple sclerosis had ravaged her body and she wasn’t able to do much, but what she accomplished was astonishing.

 

Each morning, her husband would prop her up on the couch, place a typewriter in front of her and with one finger, this devoted woman translated Christian books or the Bible into the Russian language.

 

The author of Smart Women Keep it Simple says, “Every other Christian in the city was watched by the secret police. But because she had been sick so long, the police took no interest in this woman, and she could work undetected.”[i]

 

And here’s another quote from the book. Corrie ten Boom was interviewing the husband of this Russian woman and this is what he said of his wife. “Not only does she translate these books, but she prays while she types. Sometimes it takes a long time for her fingers to hit the key, or for her to get the paper in the machine, but all the time she is praying for those whose books she is working on.”[ii]

 

What obstacles this woman overcame to be a servant of God. She lived in a country where being a Christian was illegal. Her body had betrayed her. However, nothing was able to stop her from doing what God called her to.

 

Annie Chapman goes on to say this about limitations. “Life puts limitations on us; no one is without them. But once we accept those limitations, God is free to use us in our weakness to glorify himself.”[iii]

 

If we view our limitations as to what we are able to do for God’s Kingdom, we are putting handcuffs on God. Our limitations must not be God’s limitations. Tweet this!

 

The Apostle Paul knew limitations. His thorn in the flesh kept him from becoming conceited, but it certainly did not keep him from fulfilling God’s plan through him. Paul came to the understanding that it was only through God’s grace that he was able to become powerful. Paul also understood that God was to be glorified in all that he did.

 

Take a look at Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV). “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

 

What a wonderful way to look at the difficulties of our lives. Whether it is physical, emotional, financial, persecutions, hardships, insults, weaknesses or a busy schedule, as we allow God to work in our weakened lives, we will be strong.

 

We take the relying on ourselves and place it in God’s hands. Capable hands that are able to carry us through the difficulties, trusting that He will deliver us on the other side. And through it all, we must give Him the glory.

 

I know others have much more difficulties in their lives than I do. I’ve got it pretty good in comparison, I know that. But still, in the midst of my tough days, when I give it over to God, He is able to help me through it. And for that I am thankful.

 

So today as you’re going through the motions of this life, please stop to ask God to be in the middle of it. Ask Him to give you strength. Ask Him to get you through it. He has promised that He will. Accept that promise as your own and know how strong you really can be through Him.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] Smart Women Keep it Simple, Annie Chapman and Maureen Rank, Bethany House Publishers, 1992, pg. 153

[ii] Smart Women Keep it Simple, Annie Chapman and Maureen Rank, Bethany House Publishers, 1992, pg. 153 – As told in Tramp for the Lord, Corrie ten Boom with Jamie Buckingham, (Jove Books, 1976)

[iii] Smart Women Keep it Simple, Annie Chapman and Maureen Rank, Bethany House Publishers, 1992, pg. 153

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A Blessing (Sabbatical Post)

January 15th, 2016 dsisler

 

I’ve not thought much about sharing a blessing with those I come into contact with or praying a blessing on a home upon entering, but I’ve recently read of how it was (and is) an important element for the Israelite nation.

 

We see examples of blessings in the Old Testament. One you’ll recognize immediately is found in Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV).

 

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.”

 

Wouldn’t that be a wonderful greeting? Or maybe those final words spoken as you depart? Yes, I believe this would give great comfort to those who hear it.

 

Another example of a given blessing in the Old Testament was by King Solomon at the dedication of the Temple. This one is a bit longer, but there are some wonderful words in this section of Scripture.

 

“Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.

 

“May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us.

 

“May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers.

 

“And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other.

 

“But your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.” (1 Kings 8:56-61 – NIV)

 

I love this section because we see how God does keep His promises and that God will never leave us, but it also tells us that we must do something as well. Verse 61 shows us that we must be committed to God, live by His decrees and obey His commands. After all He has done, this really is a little thing.

 

But these blessings don’t end with the Old Testament. Jesus mentions one in Luke 10. In this section, Jesus prepared the way for His arrival by a group who were sent out two-by-two. They were to go into the towns Jesus was preparing to go.

 

When they entered a house, Jesus told them to say, “Peace to this house.” (Luke 10:5 – NIV) Jesus offered further instruction on this phrase. “If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.” (Luke 10:6 – NIV)

 

I believe this one is totally doable. What a blessing our friends, family and acquaintances would receive by our speaking this blessing. Even if we don’t enter into a home, as we are walking (prayer walking), we can pray this upon the homes we pass.

 

How are you blessing those you come in contact with? Do you practice this on a regular basis? If so, I’d love to hear about it. If you are willing to share, my ears are open!

 

I never thought of it this way, but I end each blog post with a blessing. A blessing for you. To you from me. Today will not be any different. I offer this blessing to all who read it and accept it.

 

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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