The Ark Encounter

August 9th, 2016 dsisler

 

It has been a while, friends. I’ve enjoyed my newest grandson Liam. Spent lots of time with family. Watched my precious niece commit her life to a godly man in marriage. Traveled from Ohio to Colorado with my Mom. And have been on an airplane six times since the middle of June. What fun I’ve had.

 

20160801_125522But now it’s back to work…and writing. I want to share something I did while I was away. I took my parents, along with my sister and her mother-in-law to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. It just recently opened and I was excited to be there to experience their “40 days and nights” theme.

 

The Ark Encounter is awesome and I don’t know that I will be able to share enough about it to do it justice. I’ll try.

 

20160801_145810The ark is a replica of the ark Noah built in the Book of Genesis (Genesis 6:9-22). The ark that sits in Kentucky is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide and 51 feet high. It is massive! And the closer we got to it, the greater understanding we had of just how great an undertaking this was for Noah. In our modern world, this structure is a marvel. I can only imagine what Noah’s peers thought of his ark.

 

Of course, like Noah, many have scoffed at this endeavor, but whether it is approved of or not, both were built. Both followed God’s instructions. Both drew attention to God. Unfortunately for Noah’s peers, all perished except for Noah and his family. We can only pray that in our society today, some will come to know the Lord because of this structure.

 

20160801_163823 (1)Interestingly, come to find out a company in Lafayette, Colorado provided all the wood for the modern-day ark. I read an article in a local paper about it and it educated me about the wood itself. You can check out their thoughts on the ark by clicking here. There are awesome pictures there too.

 

Our trip to see the ark was just one day of my adventures over the past six weeks. I can’t wait to share more. But until then, have a blessed day and don’t miss out on being with the Lord today.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“Shepherd of My Heart” – Monday Musical Musings

August 8th, 2016 dsisler

 

This summer I had the opportunity to search God’s Word to find what God has to say about trust. Through creative Bible journaling, God revealed to me and a group of ladies how He wants us to trust Him.

 

We can trust the Name of the Lord our God (Psalm 20:7). We can put our trust in God because of His unfailing love toward us (Psalm 143:8). We can trust God’s commands (Psalm 119:66). We are to trust the Lord with all our heart (Proverbs 3:5-6). When we trust God, we will find perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3-4). Worry is far from us when we trust God (Jeremiah 17:7-8). And there is great hope and power in trusting God (Romans 15:13).

 

Much more can be said about trust and these passages of Scripture, but what I found is that we are to trust God with our entire being, in every situation and hold on to the peace and hope we receive through trust in our wonderful heavenly Father.

 

As I listened to today’s song and read through the lyrics, I realized that these thoughts put all the things I learned about trust this summer and put them into a nice package. When we can acknowledge God as the Shepherd of our hearts, we can trust Him. With everything we do and everything we are.

 

So today as you read through these lyrics and listen to Sandi Patty sing of our relationship with God, I pray that you will begin (or deepen) this journey of trust. Give God just a little bit more today than you did yesterday.

 

“Shepherd of My Heart”[i]

 

Maker of this heart of mine
You know me very well
You understand my deepest part
More than I know myself
So when I face the darkness
When I need to find my way
I’ll trust in You
Shepherd of my heart

 

Keeper of this heart of mine
Your patience has no end
You’ve loved me back into Your arms
Time and time again
So if I start to wander
Like a lamb that’s gone astray
I’ll trust in You
Shepherd of my heart

 

You’re the beacon of my nights
You’re the sunlight of my days
I can rest within Your arms
I can know Your loving ways
So let the cold winds blow
Let the storms rage all around
I’ll trust in You
Shepherd of my heart

 

Giver of this life in me
You’re what I’m living for
For all my deepest gratitude
You love me even more
So as I walk through valleys
Listening for the Master’s call
I’ll trust in you
Shepherd of my heart

 

You’re the beacon of my nights
You’re the sunlight of my days
I can rest within Your arms
I can know Your loving ways
So as I walk through valleys
Listening for my Master’s call
I’ll trust in You
Shepherd of my heart

 

I’ll trust in You
Shepherd of my heart

 

Click here to listen to this beautiful song.

 

It’s good to be back! Have a blessed day!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Shepherd of My Heart,” words and music by Mark Baldwin and Dick Tunney, BMG Songs, Pamela Kay Music, 1986

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A Needed Break – Day 19

August 7th, 2016 dsisler

 

It’s Sunday morning! Are you ready for worship? I am looking forward to being at Rocky this morning. I pray that you find exactly what you need in God’s presence today.

 

“Redeemer”

 

I’ve mentioned several times that music has been a large part of my life. From playing musical instruments to singing, I enjoyed every aspect of music.

 

DSC_0070If I had a “signature song,” it would have been a wonderful arrangement of “I Will Sing of My Redeemer.” It was an arrangement by a group of young singers and it told the message of the Gospel for their generation. Since then, any song about my Redeemer has been special.

 

So when I heard “Redeemer,” my heart began praising God for yet another generation receiving their own version of the Gospel.

 

And with Resurrection Sunday just a week away, let’s praise God for our Redeemer and that He indeed is alive. And what better way to do so than to listen to “Redeemer!”

 

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
And who told the ocean you can only come this far?
And who showed the moon where to hide till evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

 

Chorus:
Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

 

The very same God
That spins things in orbit
Runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I’m broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

 

Now I know, my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know
My Redeemer

 

He lives
To take away my shame
And He lives
Forever I’ll proclaim
That the payment for my sins
Was the precious life He gave
But now He’s alive and
There’s an empty grave!

 

And I know
My Redeemer lives
He lives
I know
My Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer

 

I know
My Redeemer lives[i]

 

To hear this inspiring song, click here.

 

I found this quote by Nicole C. Mullen about this song and what inspired her to write it. “‘Redeemer’ was inspired by the scripture passage in the (Old Testament Book of) Job of when, while under his afflictions, Job stooped and said, ‘I know that my redeemer lives and at the last day, He will stand upon the earth.’ And how he was going to see God with his eyes and in his flesh—not another but he himself. How powerful—that regardless of what we go through, regardless of what the world tells us—that we can stand up with our shoulders back and our head straight and forward and say, ‘I know that I know that my Redeemer lives in spite of what I’m going through, in spite of what I’ve seen or what’s going on around me.’”[ii]

 

Job understood. Nicole Mullen understood. Now it is up to us to understand. The one thing that we can believe and know is that our Redeemer lives. And we can remember His death and celebrate His life and His resurrection over the coming week.

 

Join me today in repeating Job’s words. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” (Job 19:25 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] Redeemer, Nicole C. Mullen, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, 2001

[ii] Wow #1 Hits

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A Needed Break – Day 18

August 6th, 2016 dsisler

 

Just a couple more days and I’ll be back with you. Thank you for your patience!

 

“Shine Jesus Shine”

 

DSC_0493I am down to the last two songs to share with you this month. And I must say, just because they are the last two doesn’t mean they are my least favorites. No, the last two songs thrill my heart each time I hear them. I stop and sing them if I’m moving about. I think of Jesus when they are playing and that is the main reason I love these songs.

 

“Shine Jesus Shine” brings light to this dark world. It shares the hope that we receive through Jesus Christ and it shares His truth that brings eternal life.

 

There are a couple of phrases that touch me each time I sing them. “Search me, try, me consume all my darkness” is one. This of course reminds me of the passage in Psalm 139:23, but it’s the last portion that really makes me think.

 

Perhaps there are some dark areas in my life that need to be enlightened. Okay, I know there are! So yes, Jesus, shine to those areas and brighten up those corners. Take away the darkness. All of it. Consume the darkness! What a prayer!

 

The other line that catches my attention is “Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story.” You’ve probably heard the phrase, “I may be the only sermon someone ever hears.” As a believer of Jesus, if my life doesn’t mirror Him, I could be turning someone away from Jesus by my actions or my words. My life must tell His story.

 

The Apostle Paul teaches us to live as children of light in Ephesians. He also teaches that we are to shine as stars in Philippians. Listen to his words. “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the world of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.” (Philippians 2:14-16 – NIV)

 

So today I share “Shine Jesus Shine” with you. Sing it. Believe it. Live it.

 

Lord the light of Your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness shining
Jesus Light of the world shine upon us
Set us free by the truth You now bring us
Shine on me shine on me
(Chorus)

 

 

Lord I come to Your awesome presence
From the shadows into Your radiance
By the blood I may enter Your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me
(Chorus)

 

As we gaze on Your kingly brightness
So our faces display Your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story
Shine on me shine on me

 

Chorus:
Shine Jesus shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze Spirit blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow river flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word
Lord and let there be light[i]
And if you’d like to listen to this wonderful worship song, click here.

 

I pray that Jesus’ light will touch you in some way today and that you share His light with others.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] Shine Jesus Shine, Graham Kendrick, 1987

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A Needed Break – Day 17

August 5th, 2016 dsisler

 

I am enjoying going back to the original songs I shared in 2013. I pray that you are receiving a blessing from then as well.

 

“The Potter’s Hand”

 

DSC00374I have gone through many transitions in my life. Career, location, and family changes just to name a few. Some have been more difficult than others, but what I’ve learned through these times is that when I allow God to be in the midst of the transition, I am at peace.

 

The song I’ve chosen to share with you today has given words to my requests to God. When I offer my life to the Potter, He is able to make something beautiful from a slab of clay. When I remain moldable to His hands, it is amazing what He creates.

 

I’ve kept the lyrics to this song nearby for such reminders. Remain pliable. Remain teachable. Remain captured. Remain useable. Remain surrendered. In doing so, I’ve allowed God’s Spirit to lead and guide me into great places.

 

So if you are searching today, read through the words of “The Potter’s Hand.” Perhaps make these words your prayer. Then allow the gentle Hands of our Savior to create.

 

“The Potter’s Hand”

 

Beautiful Lord, wonderful Savior

I know for sure, all of my days are held in Your hands

Crafted into Your perfect plan

 

You gently call me, into Your presence

Guiding me by, Your Holy Spirit

Teach me dear Lord

To live all of my life through Your eyes

 

I’m captured by, Your Holy calling

Set me apart

I know You’re drawing me to Yourself

Lead me Lord I pray

 

Take me, Mold me

Use me, Fill me

I give my life to the Potter’s hands

 

Hold me, Guide me

Lead me, Walk beside me

I give my life to the Potter’s hand[i]

 

Click here to hear a wonderful version of “The Potter’s Hand.”

 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] The Potter’s Hand, Darlene Zschech, Hillsong

 

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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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