Watercolors (Sabbatical Post)

November 7th, 2015 dsisler

 

I attended a watercolor painting workshop yesterday afternoon. I recently mentioned to my husband that it was something I’d like to try and he gave me a watercolor kit for Valentine’s Day. Then this workshop showed up on my Facebook page. I knew it was something that I had to experience.

 

???????????????????????????????And experience I did. With a group of nine other ladies, our instructor, Marti, gave us detailed instructions. Step by step we began the process of building the chosen scene.

 

What was most interesting to me is that there was one instructor. But at the end of day, there were eleven different looking scenes. Each person had a different level of talent, perception and creativity. Each person there interpreted Marti’s instruction differently. Each person there created something unique to them.

 

Each was different due to colors chosen, the size of the house and the amount of color actually placed onto the paper, but each was beautiful in its own way. Reminds me of a Ray Stevens’ song…one of his serious ones.

 

My mind then wandered to God’s Word. His Bible holds a great deal of information for us. It is filled with instruction, guidelines for living, and commands. There is only one Author. God.

 

So why are there so many interpretations of the Bible? Why are there so many versions? Why are there so many different churches? I’m not sure I can answer this question adequately, but here is my take on it. It’s because of the human hands and minds that have taken God’s Holy Word and given it their own meaning.

 

I can read a passage of Scripture and say it means one thing. Someone else can say it means another. And then a biblical scholar might disagree with both of us and say it means something completely different.

 

Is it any wonder people are confused about God’s Word? Is it any wonder some have chosen not to believe because of the discrepancies between denominations and versions?

 

So here are my thoughts on all of this.

 

First, we must study God’s Word and allow His Holy Spirit to lead us to an understanding of what Scripture says. There have been many times in my Bible study life that I’ve thrown out the commentaries and saturated myself with what God has to say about a certain topic or passage. Then I wait for Him to enlighten me. It may not work for all, but it does work for me.

 

If we do not know what God’s Word has to say, we will just accept whatever someone else says it says. Please don’t be an uninformed follower. Study God’s Word for yourself.

 

Second, I believe we must trust the source we receive information from. Again, please don’t just like a preacher because of their preaching style. Love him for his willingness to preach the Word. God’s Word. In its whole. The good and the bad. Sin and its consequences. Heaven and hell. Jesus and His fullness. Not just things that tickle the ears of the audience (2 Timothy 4:2-3).

 

As we get to know a minister and his character and integrity, we will then be able to trust what he has to say about God’s Word.

 

Third, if Jesus isn’t taught as Scripture presents Him, then we must not accept the teaching of that particular teacher, church or minister. Anything outside of Scripture is false. Anything less than the fullness of Scripture is also false. And if we do not know who Jesus is, we cannot know God and all that He has to offer us (John 14:9-14).

 

Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus answered Thomas in John 14:6-7 (NIV) with these words. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

 

If we really know Jesus…

 

If we call ourselves “Christian”, a follower of Christ, shouldn’t we know Him? So tell me, what do you know about Jesus? I want to know. There is plenty of room for comments below.

 

Of course, I could tell you what I know about Jesus, but then that would go against what I wrote about today. My goal here is for you to think and study and then tell others what you know or have learned. It’s no less than what Jesus calls us to do.

 

I look forward to using my watercolor kit. I learned so much in the workshop and while it may not be exactly what I envision it to be, I believe I will find joy and peace through this creative outlet of watercolor painting.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Ring Tones (Sabbatical Post)

November 6th, 2015 dsisler

 

I love my smart phone. One of the features I love about it is that I can set specific ringtones for specific people. These ringtones were chosen carefully. They are ringtones that match a person’s personality or it might be their favorite song. When I hear a song or words, I know who is calling. It’s actually pretty exciting.

 

For instance, when my daughter Bethany was pregnant and time was getting close, the theme song to the show “Friends” would make my heart jump for joy. It still does. And here’s the list of all the others.

 

???????????????????????????????Mom – “Boogity, boogity, boogity! Let’s go racing boys!”

Dad – Theme song to “Gunsmoke”

Mason (husband) – “MacGyver” theme song

Philip (son) – “Ghostbusters” theme song

Candace (daughter) – Kamakauiuo’s version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”

Tammy (sister) – Opening words to “Days of Our Lives”

Billy (brother) – “Hawaii Five-0” theme song

Michael (brother) – Theme song to “Star Wars”

Lori (best friend) – Theme song to “Golden Girls”

 

Of course I change the regular ring tone throughout the year, well, okay just for Christmas, and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” can be heard, but the rest of the time, the theme from the “Waltons” is my ring tone.

 

If I had the time and greater understanding of each person on my contact list, I would for sure have a specific ring tone for each of them. However, that would be a much larger task than I could possibly take on. So if you happen to call me, your ring tone is the “Walton” theme song.

 

Maybe I have too much time on my hands, but this was fun. I loved picking out the perfect ringtone for each person.

 

I might say that God chose different ways to announce Himself to each person in Scripture. It was like His unique ring tone for who He was speaking to and how He wanted to get their attention.

 

God got Moses’ attention through a burning bush (Genesis 3).

 

Balaam received word from God through his donkey and an angel with sword drawn (Numbers 22:21-35).

 

Elijah heard from God in the form of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:9b-18).

 

Mary and Joseph received news from God through an angel (Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25).

 

Saul saw a blinding light and heard Jesus’ voice (Acts 9:1-19).

 

The Apostle John received God’s revelation through an angel (Revelation 1:1-3).

 

Regardless of how God appeared or presented Himself, our biblical friends knew it was Him. And here’s some good news. God still has a message for us today. We know His message will provide exactly what we need when we need it.

 

We, who are living in this present age, have God’s words and message He has given through His Scripture. The Bible is our main source of hearing God’s voice and knowing Him. If we do not know the Bible, we do not know God.

 

We also hear God’s message through those called to ministry. God’s Holy Spirit leads these people to an understanding of God’s Word and they in part share their enlightenment with others.

 

And of course, we have God’s Spirit within us to be with us along our life journey. The Holy Spirit is our Counselor (John 14:16), will teach all things and will remind us of everything we’ve learned (John 14:26), is our Helper who testifies about Jesus (John 16:26), convicts of sin (John 16:8), guides us in all truth (John 16:13), speaks what He is told (John 16:13), brings glory to Jesus (John 16:14), resides within us (Romans 8:9), and He brings good fruit to our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

 

God still shows up. God still calls. God is still at work. As we recognize Him, we are able to listen to what He has to say and act upon it.

 

I pray that as you go through your day today that you’ll stop to listen for God along the way. Hear what He has to say to you and act upon it. He has something special to tell you. Let’s just start with, “I love you! God”

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Gathering Eggs (Sabbatical Post)

November 5th, 2015 dsisler

 

The loved ones of this world celebrated St. Valentine’s Day yesterday. I thought about writing on the topic, but decided against it. Until I was out and about on Valentine’s Day.

 

DSC04227I received several emails, read all the Facebook posts, and even received a cute card from my husband about love for others and God’s love for me. I purchased a card for my husband and small boxes of chocolates for my grandchildren. I will admit that I added a few dollars to the commercialism of love. But that’s not what I want to write about today.

 

My husband and I were in a party supply store purchasing Elmo party supplies for our grandson’s 2nd birthday next week. As we stood in line, all the customers ahead of us were purchasing red heart balloons. Some were leaving the store with single balloons while others were struggling with ten, twenty or perhaps more.

 

The problem was that it was a windy day in Colorado. We noticed a large bunch of balloons in a tree when we arrived at the shop, so we weren’t surprised when the store clerk told each patron to “hold on to your balloons tightly.”

 

One woman left the store with a dozen balloons and did as she was told. She held tightly to the ribbons that were attached to the balloons. However, the balloons were not attached at the top as tightly as they should have been and two escaped before she made it to her car. I mentioned it to the clerks behind the desk and they had to make some alterations to their ribbon attaching strategy.

 

One of her balloons drifted off into the great balloon abyss, but one tangled itself in a nearby tree. As we walked to our car, without any balloons I might add, I noticed a young man climbing the tree to capture the wandering heart-shaped balloon. With balloon in hand, he descended from the tree, but the balloon must have snagged on a branch, for when he touched the ground, the balloon was torn. This young man hung his head in disappointment.

 

But his female companion was not disheartened by the scene. Upon spying the large grouping of heart shaped balloons in another tree, he began the climb once again, while his young friend took video of the adventure. I was hoping he could at least get one balloon out of that tree intact.

 

Life, in all its wonders and excitement, still disappoints us at times. We may not be loved by the one we love. We may be attacked by illness. We may find ourselves unemployed. We may face unbearable pain each day. We may have been betrayed by a friend. Our dreams may be dashed. Yes, disappointment is part of living.

 

But disappointment is just that, a part of living. There is so much more to this life than disappointment. And we can learn from each disappointing circumstance.

 

We understand from Scripture that this world is a disappointing place. Look at 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV). “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

 

Peter’s solution to disappointment? Rejoice! Rejoice that there are more opportunities out there.

 

Peter also encouraged his readers to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 – NIV) When disappointment surrounds you and me, God would love nothing more than to wrap His everlasting, never disappointing arms around us. Because He loves us!

 

God also desires to deliver us from our troubles. King David wrote of such deliverance in two specific passages.

 

“A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” (Psalm 34:19 – NIV)

 

“Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf!” (Psalm 66:5 – NIV)

 

In Psalm 73:21-26 (NIV), David also reminds us that in God we will never be disappointed.

 

“When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me you’re your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

 

I saw a quote on Pinterest that said, “I’m placing all of my eggs in one basket and I’m giving the basket to God.” I believe that is exactly what David did. David accepted God’s counsel and guidance. He understood that nothing satisfied as God did. He depended upon God for provision and strength. Yes, David placed everything in God’s hands.

 

Yes, this life will bring disappointment, but as we place our trust and faith in God and God alone, we accept the disappointments as growth experiences. Learning experiences. We also come to realize that God is the only one we can truly depend upon. He will never disappoint.

 

Let’s start gathering those eggs!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Earth Roamers (Sabbatical Post)

November 4th, 2015 dsisler

 

A nearby business makes expedition vehicles that look amazing. EarthRoamer not only provide vehicles that will traverse the difficult terrain of our world, but you can do so in luxury. While I’ve never seen one on the inside, I have seen several on the road and they show pictures on their website.

 

These types of vehicles bring out the adventurer in me. Not that I am mind you, but they make me want to be. And to be honest, the whole camping thing really isn’t my thing either. So I guess I could possibly cut out this whole paragraph. I just talked myself out of any adventure I might have today.

 

For those adventurous folks in my world, a vehicle like any of the ones produced by EarthRoamer would really excite them. They could fulfill their wild side while still being comfortable as well as stylish.

 

One vehicle that grabbed my attention was the one seen in the picture here. It was a truck. Looked like an ordinary pick-up truck, but there was a tent on top of it and it extended out. And there was a ladder that led up to the tent! Again, I’m feeling adventurous, but not really.

 

I thought of a few biblical characters who might have enjoyed one of these vehicles, but especially the one with the bed up off the ground. Let’s see who they are.

 

I might mention that the Old Testament nomadic people had some protection against the weather elements. Their tents would have provided a place to escape the sun or rain or even provide warmth. But the people we’ll look at today didn’t even have a tent.

 

We’ll start with Jacob (Genesis 27-28). After deceiving his father and receiving the blessing intended for another, Jacob escaped Esau’s fury and ran for his life. On his journey, he stopped to rest when the sun set.

 

Genesis 28:11b (NIV) says, “Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.” Jacob, all alone, with not even a pillow. But the blessing he did receive was worth it.

 

You see, Jacob had a dream that night and God spoke to him through the dream. “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:13-15 – NIV)

 

I believe Jacob got a good night’s sleep on that stone.

 

The second biblical character I’d like to share with you is Elijah. The Bible is filled with quite a few stories of Elijah, but the one I’ve chosen also involves his running for safety.

 

This incident occurred after the priests of Baal could not produce fire on the altar (1 Kings 18:16-40). However, Elijah’s God not only provided the fire, but burned everything up on or near the altar.

 

When Jezebel heard of this, she was furious and demanded that Elijah be killed. Elijah was afraid and he ran. He ran into the desert and sat down by a broom tree (1 Kings 19:1-9). There he begged God to take his life and then fell asleep. His only protection in this vast desert was the broom tree.

 

However, God was not finished with Elijah. God sent an angel to care for Elijah until he was fit for the journey set before him. Elijah traveled 40 days and 40 nights to the mountain of God. There, he spent the night in a cave.

 

In the next section of Scripture, we see God assuring Elijah that he was not alone.

 

First and foremost, God was with him. But there were still 7,000 in Israel who had not bowed their knees to Baal. Together they would be able to stand against the idol worshipers and proclaim God to be the true God (1 Kings 19:9b-18).

 

Although Elijah didn’t have the comforts of an EarthRoamer, he was comforted by God, and that was definitely worth the journey.

 

Finally, we’ll look at Jesus’ words to His followers. In Matthew 8, Jesus had been very busy. He healed a man with leprosy. He welcomed the faith of a Centurion and healed his servant. He healed Peter’s mother-in-law. In the evening he drove out the spirits of the demon-possessed. He healed all the sick who were brought to Him. Yes, Jesus was busy.

 

But Jesus also knew when it was time to move along. So he gave word to His disciples to take Him to the other side of the lake. As they were leaving, a teacher of the law said to Jesus, “Teacher, I will follow you where you go.” (Matthew 8:19 – NIV)

 

This was Jesus’ reply. “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20 – NIV) Jesus’ mission was not to find comfort in this world. His mission was to seek and save the lost. That mission took Him into uncomfortable situations and places.

 

If you read on into the 8th chapter of Matthew, we find Jesus sleeping in the back of a boat in the middle of a violent storm. Again, no comfort there.

 

But what we can understand is that Jesus is comfort. He calmed this particular storm and eased the minds of His disciples. He healed those with infirmities and brought comfort to their physical bodies. He released spirits from deep within and brought comfort to their souls.

 

Jesus can do the same for each of us.

 

We can find comfort in the Son of God. The ultimate comfort. Comfort for our souls, our bodies, and our minds. He will provide it as we ask for it and allow Him to sit on the throne of our hearts.

 

These three biblical characters were definitely earth roamers. And although they didn’t have the creature comforts we might require, they did receive comfort from God. And isn’t that much greater comfort than this world could possibly offer?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Oh, How I Love Jesus! (Sabbatical Post)

November 3rd, 2015 dsisler

 

Today is Ash Wednesday. The first day of Lent. A day when many people throughout the world proclaim that they are going to give up something for Jesus for 40 days. All of this sacrifice leads up to Easter. The day we as Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after His sacrifice.

 

sunrise 1-28-15While I appreciate the thought of Lent, I also understand that I could never out-sacrifice Jesus. I also understand that I am to be sacrificing anything that muddles my relationship with Jesus on a daily basis. I am to sacrifice myself until there is nothing more of me and all of Him (Galatians 2:20).

 

Giving up one thing for 40 days is perhaps the place to start, but I might encourage each of you to think about Jesus’ sacrifice and determine if giving up chocolate or Facebook for 40 days is enough.

 

I’d like to share an excerpt from a book that I just love. The author, Debbie Williams, has filled my soul with laughter, tears, desire to study God’s Word and spend time with Him in prayer, and a longing to obey His commands. She has a way with words that thrills me. So please read through these words from “Pray with Purpose: Live with Passion.”[i]

 

“Picture the quiet village of Nazareth, where the culmination of an eternal promise is about to be put into motion. The Holy Spirit moves upon the virgin Mary, and the heavenly Father begins weaving the Savior of the world within her womb. Imagine Him forming every fiber of Jesus’s body, shaping His eyes that would one day penetrate the masses. His hands that would touch disease-ridden bodies and bring healing. His lips that would teach us to pray. Consider the care with which the Father formed His Beloved Son’s tiny back, knowing it would one day carry the weight of our sins at Golgotha.

 

“Imagine how the Father must have hovered in anticipation when Mary went into labor, how He must have proudly watched the birth of His beloved Son. What rejoicing must have echoed through heaven when Jesus let out His first cry and the heavenly host looked on the innocence of Jesus, Savior of the world.

 

“Never before and never since has a father celebrated his baby’s birth in such a spectacular manner. Our heavenly Father placed a glorious star in the sky to herald His Son’s birth. He sent musical birth announcements by way of angels. He invited shepherds to come and see His Beloved Son. The Father sent birthday gifts fit for a king by way of wise men.

 

“As great as the Father’s love was that first Christmas, consider God’s love and pleasure as he watched His Beloved Son grow in stature and favor with mankind. Imagine the heavenly excitement on the day of Jesus’s baptism when the Holy Spirit descended as a dove and the Father spoke from heaven, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased’ (Matthew 3:17). The Father loved and esteemed His only begotten Son.

 

“How could it be, then, that the Father was silent when His Beloved Son was tied to a whipping post? Where was His Father when Jesus endured scourging almost to the point of death? Where was His Father when Jesus stumbled and fell under the weight of the cross? Where had He turned His gaze when His Beloved Son cried to Him, ‘Why have You forsaken Me?’ (Matthew 27:46).

 

“The Father’s love-filled eyes were looking at you and me.”

 

If you were to look at the notes around this section of this book, you’d see these words I’ve written, “What a picture of the relationship between Father and Son.” “Oh, how I love Jesus.” “Wow!”

 

Oh, what a sacrifice God the Father and Jesus the Son made for you and me. Far beyond what I could imagine. Far beyond what I could repay. But it was their gift, their decision, their desire. They sacrificed it all so that we might know forgiveness and live in grace and peace.

 

I pray that you’ll allow God to use these words for His instruction in your life. Then we might ask ourselves, “What am I willing to give up for Jesus?”

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] Pray with Purpose: Live with Passion, Debbie Williams, New York: Howard Books, 2006, p. 61-62.

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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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