SNOW DAY!

February 2nd, 2016 dsisler

 

There are always mixed emotions about snow days. Some are excited. Some, not so much. There are still folks who need to get out in this weather, but others have the luxury of working from home. I happen to be one of the blessed ones.

 

unnamedOur church buildings are closed today, so that means we can work from home. And with all of the technology in our modern world, I am able to do so.

 

However, I’m a little sad. Tuesday’s are the days when all of our staff are together. Staff meetings occur on Tuesday’s and it’s an opportunity to see friends and co-workers that I don’t get to see any other day of the week.

 

I’m also sad because we have a lot to celebrate this week. We were in our new worship auditorium, we had five baptisms and Karl Mecklenburg spoke on Sunday. It was an energized Sunday and it would have been a perfect day to share all of our stories with others on staff. We will just have to wait until next week.

 

This snow has also caused a few cancellations of activities or events that I attend. The Stephen Ministry training that I am taking was cancelled last night. And because our buildings are closed, Praise in Motion will not take place this evening. Very disappointing.

 

Snow.

 

But here’s a few more thoughts. Maybe these are petty in comparison to the single mom who will make the choice of leaving her children home alone or missing another day of work. Or to the person who has no other option but to go to work today. Or to our service workers who will fight fires, patrol our streets or care for the sick while this mini-blizzard hits Colorado. Yes, my disappointments are minimal in comparison to what others face today.

 

In this midst of this snow day today:

 

  • I will remember how blessed I am (2 Corinthians 9:8).
  • I will ponder the good and perfect gifts from God (James 1:17).
  • I will rejoice (Philippians 4:4).
  • I will be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
  • I will not fear (Isaiah 41:10).
  • I will praise God for His provision (Philippians 4:19).
  • I will live abundantly (John 10:10).

 

What will you do today?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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“Softly and Tenderly” – Monday Musical Musings

February 1st, 2016 dsisler

 

I’ve been following Joey Feeks’ journey over the past 3 or 4 months. Mainly through my mom’s updates, but as I’ve been drawn into Joey’s story, I’ve found it to be one of inspiration. See if you don’t agree.

 

IMAG1492Joey and her husband Rory have been singing Gospel music for nearly a decade, with their debut album being released in 2008. For their musical careers, this was just the beginning and have recorded several albums since then and have become very successful in the music industry.

 

Personally however, things have not gone as they had hoped. Soon after their only daughter was born with Downs Syndrome, Joey was diagnosed with cervical cancer. This past year, Joey shared that her cancer had returned, that it was terminal and that she was discontinuing all treatment.

 

Sounds discouraging doesn’t it?

 

Maybe you’ve been in a similar situation. Maybe you’ve been discouraged. Maybe you haven’t had to face the difficulties that Rory and Joey are living, but perhaps you’ve reached a low point in your life. Wherever you may be, there is some encouragement here.

 

Joey has continued to sing through her illness. She has continued to encourage those around her. She has pointed others to Jesus in her daily life. She has touched the lives of thousands, perhaps millions, with her words and music.

 

Oh yes, it’s sad, but there’s hope in Joey’s journey. She knows her Lord and Savior and she is ready to meet Him. I pray you are in this same position.

 

Joey has recorded some touching music since her diagnosis. All you need to do is Google her name to listen to them. But the one that caught my attention was “Softly and Tenderly.” I don’t know if the author of this hymn thought of it in light of the transition from this life to the next, but as I read through these words and listened to Joey sing them, I can’t think of a more appropriate song to sing at the end of life.

 

So today, take a look at these lyrics and click on the link below if you’re interested. I might add that your prayers for Joey, Rory and Indiana would be appreciated by this young family. What a blessing they have been to me.

 

“Softly and Tenderly”[i]

 

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
calling for you and for me;
see, on the portals he’s waiting and watching,
watching for you and for me.

 

Refrain
Come home, come home;
you who are weary come home;
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home!

 

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,
mercies for you and for me?

(Refrain)

 

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
passing from you and from me;
shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
coming for you and for me.

(Refrain)

 

O for the wonderful love he has promised,
promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon,
pardon for you and for me.

(Refrain)

 

Click here to listen to Joey Feeks sing this precious song about going home to be with the Lord.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Softly and Tenderly,” words and music by Will L. Thompson, 1880.

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A Little Snow

January 31st, 2016 dsisler

 

It snowed last night, but according to our weather folks in Denver, it was just the precursor to what is headed our way this afternoon, evening and overnight. While none of them can agree on how much we are expected to get, they all agree we will get some substantial snow.

 

snowflake2This morning is our big day at Rocky. Our new worship auditorium will be open for everyone to see. It’s beautiful…but what is even more beautiful is the fact that five people will be immersed on this day. Five people who have decided that they needed Jesus’ righteousness. Five people who don’t want to do this “life thing” alone. The heavens will rejoice today!

 

It is Sunday, and if you remember, is a day of repeated blog posts. So here’s another one for you…and for me! It’s about Christmas! Have a blessed day and stay safe out there!

 

What? It’s Not Christmas?

 

As I was driving around town yesterday, I found myself listening to Christmas music. For some of you reading this, it is not surprising. But for the others, here is my confession. I’m a Christmas nut. I love everything about Christmas and listen to Christmas music year round. In fact, five of the six CD’s in my car are Christmas albums.

 

One of my favorite artists is Jim Brickman and he has some fabulous Christmas albums, one of which is in my car. Near the end of this album is a version of “O Holy Night.” It is a duet performed in French. It is now my favorite version of this Christmas classic.

 

As I listened, I couldn’t understand any of it except the word, Noel. But I know the words to this song in English, so I know the message of this song.

 

I realized in that moment, that God’s message is the same, regardless of the language. Yes, I’ve heard these words before, but I really understand it now.

 

Genesis 11:1-9 gives the account of why there are language barriers in the first place. A group of people desiring to reach God by building a tower was not a good idea. God caused the group to speak in different languages to confuse those doing the construction. From that point on, God’s message would need to be translated into different languages in order to be understood.

 

Can you imagine how the folks on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13) felt when they heard God’s message in their own language for the very first time? What a thrill it must have been!

 

Even for me, an English speaking woman in the United States to be able to pick up a version of the Bible that I can read and understand should be exciting to me each time I read it. Yes, God’s Word is exciting to me, but it has never been so because it is in English!

 

The original Scriptures were not written in a language that I read. In fact, the Bible was written in three languages that I can’t read. If not for some dedicated scholars of the past, I might not be able to hold a copy of God’s Word in my hand, much less have multiple copies sitting on my shelf.

 

We can look at Philip and Ethiopian in Acts 8 to see that even if there isn’t a language barrier, understanding may not come easily. Let’s look at the passage.

 

“The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.” (Acts 8:29-31 – NIV)

 

God’s message is the same, no matter what language it is heard, read, or studied.

 

So what can we take away from this?

 

First of all, I think we can be more appreciative of the fact that we have God’s Holy Scriptures in our own language to read. Don’t take these precious words for granted. Memorize as much of it as possible. Study and understand what God’s Word has to say. Feel privileged that you have a copy of the Bible. There are others in this world who do not.

 

Second, understand that God’s message never changes. It is the same today as it was in the beginning. It is the same regardless of the language in which it is presented. Appreciate the magnitude of that message and be certain to speak it clearly.

 

Third, who do you know that needs assistance with understanding God’s Word? What role do you think God is leading you to? How can you help others understand God’s message? Don’t underestimate how God can use you in these circumstances. He is an amazing God!

 

Oh, I know that Christmas is still over three months away and there are a few holidays to celebrate between now and then. What can I say? Christmas makes me happy. Christmas music fills my heart with warmth.

 

And no matter what language we say it in, Merry Christmas [Melkin Yelidet Beaal (Ethiopian), Joyeux Noel (French), Fröhliche Weihnachten (German), Buone Feste Natalizie (Italian), Sung Tan Chuk Ha (Korean), Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia (Polish), Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom (Russian), Feliz Navidad (Spanish).[i]] means Merry Christmas.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] http://www.santas.net/howmerrychristmasissaid.htm

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Happy, Happy Birthday!

January 30th, 2016 dsisler

 

I have missed you! I am so excited to be sitting at my computer and writing a blog again! Thank you for sticking with me through this sabbatical period. It’s been a good few months and I have so much to share with you!

 

CCFirst of all, I want to wish my husband Mason a happy birthday! He has entered a new season of life and it’s such a joy to be on this journey with him. He is such a great partner to do life with.

 

Next, I’d like to wish Full Measure of Joy a happy birthday! Today marks four years since my very first blog post. All I can say is I have been blessed by God’s faithfulness. His gentle reminders, nudges and insights have been the driving force behind FMoJ. All the glory and honor goes directly to Him!

 

Now, for some news that has happened since I was “live” on my blog.

 

My son, Philip has found the gal of his dreams! They are engaged and will be married on March 19. It’s been fun to help with wedding plans. Heather has become extra special to me because she loves my baby. Heather brings three beautiful children into their marriage, so more grandchildren for me! Needless to say, I’m excited. Way to go Philip and Heather!

 

And to add to this bliss, they are expecting a little bundle of joy to join their family late July. My cup runneth over!

 

At church, we’ve just completed a major worship auditorium renovation in just a month. How blessed we’ve been at Rocky to see God’s hand work and move through this process. We’ve seen prayers answered, lives touched and obstacles removed each day of this transformation. We open up the doors to this new worship area tomorrow morning. There will be celebration and rejoicing…but I am most excited for the five people who have chosen to be baptized on this big day at Rocky. My heart will be filled with joy and thanksgiving. I can hardly wait!

 

My time away from writing a daily blog has been spent studying and writing a Bible study on 1 and 2 Peter. The ladies in my Thursday morning Bible study are working on week one as I type this post. I pray that they will be blessed by what I’ve written. I pray that they will hear God’s message clearly through my words. And most of all I pray that God’s Spirit will touch their hearts and that they will find transformation through the work done in this Bible study.

 

The study is titled, Get Yourself Ready and I was drawn to three specific areas that Peter wrote about that we need to be preparing for. First, persecution. Perhaps it’s time for us as American Christians to consider this possibility. If and when it does occur, will you be ready? Second, we need to get ourselves ready to recognize false teaching. How would you fair against a false teacher? And finally, we need to prepare ourselves for the second coming of Jesus, the Messiah. There is much to be done and Peter points us in the right direction for this process.

 

I want to close today by sharing some beautiful words from 1 Peter. I pray that you will find great comfort in these verses and that you will believe them with all of your heart.

 

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:2b-5 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Memorial Day (Sabbatical Post)

January 29th, 2016 dsisler

 

Today is the day we Americans set aside to remember the men and women who fought and died in our military forces. From the Revolutionary War to the war against terrorism, those who have fallen are remembered on this particular day.

 

flagThis day allows us to remember the bravery of those who have served in the armed forces. To reflect upon what their service meant. To ponder what might America might have looked like had these men and women neglected their call to duty. To beam with pride for our America.

 

Patriotism in our early nation meant giving of oneself for the better of the whole. Sometimes it meant loss of livelihood. Sometimes it meant death. Today, we seem to believe we are patriotic if we fly our flag. But patriotism goes much deeper than that.

 

It is who we are as Americans. It is what we believe in. It is what we are willing to do to protect our values and our families. It is knowing that fighting for what is right is better than not fighting. But most of all, it is knowing that we live in a land where we are free.

 

Unfortunately, we take all of this for granted on most days of the year.

 

One of my favorite patriotic gospel songs is “Statue of Liberty.” In this song, a comparison is made between our American freedom and our freedom in Christ. Here are the lyrics to this song and if you’d like to listen and see a beautiful slide show, you can click here.

 

In New York Harbor stands a lady,
With a torch raised to the sky;
And all who see her know she stands for
Liberty for you and me.
 

I’m so proud to be called an American,
To be named with the brave and the free;
I will honor our flag and our trust in God,
And the Statue of Liberty.
 

On lonely Golgotha stood a cross,
With my Lord raised to the sky;
And all who kneel there live forever
As all the saved can testify.
 

I’m so glad to be called a Christian,
To be named with the ransomed and whole;
As the statue liberates the citizen,
So the cross liberates the soul.
 

Oh the cross is my Statue of Liberty,
It was there that my soul was set free;
Unashamed I’ll proclaim that a rugged cross
Is my Statue of Liberty![i]

 

I believe these lyrics show how our Christian faith is intertwined with our American lives. Where religious freedom meets political freedom. As a Christian, my faith must be seen in all areas of my life.

 

In Scripture we see that our spiritual freedom comes through living by God’s teachings. David knew how to be free. “I run in the path of your commands, or you have set my heart free.” (Psalm 119:32 – NIV) Isn’t this what we are all seeking? A heart set free? David shares the secret. It’s up to us to accept it.

 

Jesus also spoke of the freedom by following His teachings. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 – NIV) As we study and implement Jesus’ teachings, truth will become clear. It is the truth that will set us free.

 

And one more passage from 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) that tells us where freedom can be found. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” When the Spirit of the Lord resides within us, freedom is abundant.

 

I am called to live a life that honors God because of the freedom given in America and through the cross of Christ. I cannot take either lightly. Too great a sacrifice has been given for each.

 

Revolutionary War soldiers fought with great courage for what they believed in order to establish a nation that offered freedom and liberty to its citizens. Each military member since that time has fought for that same reason.

 

Jesus gave His life so that I might know true freedom and liberty. Spiritual freedom. Everlasting liberty.

 

Today I remember both. If you have not already enjoyed Christ’s freedom, why not do so today? It will be a day to remember!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] Statue of Liberty, © Words & Music by Neil Enloe, 1974

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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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