“G” – Blogging A to Z

April 8th, 2015 dsisler

 

As we continue our journey through the alphabet, we land on the letter “g.” One sure way to improve your attitude or boost your happiness is to grin. In the article written by Jennifer Rainey Marquez titled “More Bliss, Less Stress: A to Z Happiness Boosters to Try” in a recent Good Housekeeping magazine, she says that grinning stimulates muscles and signals your brain that you are happy.

 

gI have become more aware of what my face looks like over the past year. It has been my goal to grin or smile more. I catch myself at work with a scowl on my face as I’m intent on a computer task focusing on something I need to get done. When I do, I’m quick to remedy that fact. I immediately put a smile on my face and not only do I feel better, but I look better too!

 

I must tell you, the word “grin” is not in the Bible. I searched multiple versions. Nothing. So in order to make this A to Z challenge work, I must change the word. Either change it to a completely different word, or use the idea and chat a bit about smiling. I’ve chose to talk about smiling today.

 

This first passage of Scripture is well-known, but not as it reads in The Message. See if you don’t recognize it.

 

“God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you, God look you full in the face and make you prosper.” (Numbers 6:24-26 – The Message) As I read through these verses, I smile myself when I think of God smiling at me. How blessed we are to worship a God who adores us. And not only does He adore us, He shows us that He does. The blessings we receive from God on a daily basis are indeed attitude boosters. How wonderful!

 

Here’s another passage that speaks about God smiling upon us.

 

“God, mark us with grace and blessing! Smile!” (Psalm 67:1 – The Message) I’m smiling…are you? The New International Version translates this word as “make his face shine upon us.” Isn’t that what smiling is? When my face lights up because of a good thought or word from someone? That’s a smile! And God smiles upon those who call Him Lord God Almighty! Another attitude booster!

 

And finally, Psalm 80 talks about God’s face shining upon us several times. The Message says it this way. “Smile your blessing smile.” (Psalm 80:3, 7, 19) Each time this phrase is spoken in Psalm 80, the result of receiving this blessing smile is salvation. I love this phrase, especially when I know that I am only saved through Jesus Christ. So definitely, smile Your blessing smile!

 

Regardless of how you say it, we need God’s smile upon our lives. We need to know that His face is shining upon us. Dear friend, if we bring a smile to God’s face, how could we possibly not be smiling ourselves? And if we’ve known God’s smile, who is it that we need to share His smile with? A friend? A loved one? A neighbor? The joy of smiling is in the sharing.

 

So today, let’s smile a little more. Let’s share that smile a little more. Let’s allow God’s Spirit to lift our spirits and fill us with the joy of the Lord. Get that sour look off your face. God is smiling upon you today!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“F” – Blogging A to Z

April 7th, 2015 dsisler

 

Good Tuesday morning! I pray that your day will be filled with God’s goodness and that you will give praise to the One who blessed you with all that goodness. Let’s continue today with this April challenge, Blogging A to Z.

 

fIn the article “More Bliss, Less Stress: A to Z Happiness Boosters to Try Today” by Jennifer Rainey Marquez in Good Housekeeping, her attitude changing idea for the letter “f” is to flip through photos. I get this one. I could spend hours going through old pictures.

 

I’m sure Creative Memories and Shutterfly are thankful for our desire to boost our attitude by retelling our life story through pictures. Even on Facebook, there’s “throw back Thursday” for people to share a little tale with a picture included.

 

Yes, we love looking at photos and thinking back to the time when an event took place. Pictures help to refresh our memory when the details can be a little distorted. Pictures also remind us of people who are no longer with us. My grandparents. My grandson. When I see a picture of each of them I smile. Oh they are missed, but the memories are priceless (as they were) and they remind me of the good times spent with them.

 

So what did we do before photos? There were paintings and drawings and books of course, but another way to remember an event or a person was through a story teller. With details stored in their minds, a story teller could share these details with precision and with a flare to keep an audience connected.

 

There are accounts of such people in Scripture. Joshua recounted the history of Israel as said goodbye to the people he loved (Joshua 23-24). King David shared a beautiful story in 2 Samuel 22. David recalled all that God had done for him through his lifetime.

 

Job shares his thoughts on God through the entire book of Job but concludes in Job 19:25 (NIV), “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” Of course the Book of Psalm is one story after another. One visual after another. What a beautiful picture of God we have through this book.

 

Jesus was a masterful story teller. The pictures drawn by His words are deliberate and meaningful. There are beautiful parables sprinkled through the Gospels and each parable leads us to a better understanding of the Kingdom of God.

 

The Book of Acts also has some great story telling within its pages. Peter begins on the Day of Pentecost retelling the details of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection (Acts 2:14-36). Peter was joined by John in Acts 4 as they retold the story Jesus to the Sanhedrin. Stephen spoke to the Sanhedrin in Acts 7 and reminded them of the Israel’s history and ended with the account of Jesus’ life.

 

In a synagogue in Pisidian Antioch, Paul shared more of Israel’s history and went on to recall the account of Jesus’ death and resurrection (Acts 13). Paul shared his personal encounter with Jesus to a crowd in Jerusalem (Acts 22:1-22).

 

And if all of these story tellers aren’t enough, let’s look at one more section of Scripture that tells a beautiful story of faith. Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, recounts story after story of those who were faithful to God in their walk. From Abel to the prophets, their encounters with God are mentioned. They are beautiful stories, but Hebrews 11 ends with this fact about each of them. “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40 – NIV)

 

Jesus is that something better. Our Old Testament biblical heroes found favor in God’s eyes were born before the perfect Lamb was sacrificed. How blessed we are for being born this side of the cross!

 

We’ve heard that a picture is worth a thousand words. But I might venture to say, the Good Story is worth a thousand pictures.

 

I pray that you have accepted these stories from the Bible as truth. I pray that you have accepted The Story of Jesus as the Truth. Because of Jesus we have more stories to tell of our own lives. We can share how we’ve been transformed and made new through Jesus. What a great way to boost our attitudes!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“E” – Blogging A to Z

April 6th, 2015 dsisler

 

I feel like we are flying through the alphabet during this Blogging from A to Z challenge in April. During this first full week of April, we begin with the letter “e.”

 

eIn the article I’m using as my alphabet guide (“More Bliss, Less Stress: A to Z Happiness Boosters to Try” in a recent Good Housekeeping magazine), Ms. Marquez explains that when we spend our money on experiences rather than stuff, we are able to experience happiness.

 

More and more I hear of families giving “experience” gifts rather than an object. Zoo passes, knitting lessons, ski lift passes, or even the promise of a picnic all direct our attention to being with the person rather than occupying the person’s attention with a gizmo or gadget. Smart.

 

In this article, Ms. Marquez makes this statement. “The dry cleaner may destroy your blouse, but it can’t touch your memories.”[i]

 

I recall someone else making a statement something like this. That someone is Jesus.

 

In His longest message in Scripture, Jesus found Himself in the midst of a crowd. This was a perfect opportunity to teach, so Jesus went up on the mountainside and they all gathered around Him. In this moment, Jesus began to teach.

 

In these three chapters in Matthew, Jesus shared God’s plan for our lives as it relates to adultery and divorce. Murder and oaths. Justice and fasting. Judging and wisdom.

 

Jesus also explained how we are to live our lives. We are to be different than the world. We should not worry. We must share our possessions with others. We are to love one another. We are to pray and ask God for what we need. And we are to be fruit producers.

 

In the middle of all this teaching, Jesus shares this idea about treasure.

 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 – NIV)

 

Jesus said it first. Things will be destroyed. But the experience of being with Jesus cannot be destroyed or taken from you.

 

The things of this world have a way of taking our minds and focus off of what really matters. When we allow our possessions to control us, we cannot expect to enjoy the experiences all around us. Physical or spiritual.

 

Remember. Jesus came so that we might have abundant life. Abundant life is not found in things. It is found in the spiritual riches we have stored up in heaven.

 

What do you need to experience today? Are you overlooking the personal relationships you’ve been blessed by? Is there something that has gained control of your life?

 

Maybe you need to experience Jesus today. He’s patiently waiting for you to move your attention from earthly things to heaven. What are you waiting for?

 

Experiences can be exciting, thought-provoking and life-changing. Let’s take our lives back and experience abundant living. What a great way to get an attitude adjustment!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “More Bliss, Less Stress: A to Z Happiness Boosters to Try Today,” Jennifer Rainey Marquez, Good Housekeeping, Vol. 260, No. 4, page 114.

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He Lives!

April 5th, 2015 dsisler

 

Easter morning has once again rolled around on our calendar. What a great day to be part of the Kingdom of God. What a celebration will be heard around the world today. I pray that you are able to take part of a celebration service this morning.

 

If you haven’t read the biblical Easter account in a while, why not click here to read through the four Gospel accounts of this what happened on this morning so long ago. In these words you will find great hope for today.

 

If you live in the Colorado area, I would ask you to join me at Rocky Mountain Christian Church this morning as we begin a new series on hope. During Hope Rising, we will explore how hope can exist in the midst of trials and suffering. If you are in need of a good dose of hope, you will not want to miss this one.

 

The repeated blog post I share with you today is the very first Easter blog post I wrote several years ago. I pray that you will be uplifted by these words. Happy Resurrection Day! Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!

 

Oh Glorious Day!

 

It’s Sunday morning. Not just any Sunday, but Resurrection Sunday. Easter Sunday.

 

Holy Land Experience 004mAs a child I recall going to the cemetery on Easter morning for sunrise service. Later as an adult, Easter sunrise service was a highlight of the year. It was very meaningful and that single hour seemed more special than any other hour of service.

 

There are sunrise services each year at different locations here in Colorado that promise to be spectacular. Red Rocks Amphitheater hosts a service each year, as does Royal Gorge Bridge. These are always well attended.

 

Many mountain communities have their own services scheduled, as well as local churches. If you are looking for a sunrise service, here in Colorado or in your local community, I’m sure you can find one.

 

Maybe a cemetery is not the popular choice these days for sunrise service, but Easter Sunrise services certainly are.

 

Why do you suppose that is? For Christians, I know. We see this morning as victory over death. As a reminder that Jesus rose from the dead on this day so long ago. And what a glorious day it is!

 

But what about unbelievers, what attracts them to these services each year? Perhaps something is missing from their life. Perhaps they are seeking peace, hope, anything.

 

The good news? Jesus can provide peace, hope, or anything anyone is seeking.

 

He is the Way, the Truth, the Life. He is the All, the Bright and Morning Star, the Guardian of our souls. He is the Prince of Peace, the Word, the Everlasting Light.

 

He is the Hope of Glory, the Fountain, the Living Stone. He is the Mediator, the Physician, the Advocate. He is the Bread, the Spiritual Rock, the Lamb of God.

 

He is the Good Shepherd, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Counselor. He is the Door, the Alpha and Omega, the Chief Cornerstone. He is the Gift from God, the Messiah, the Redeemer.

 

He is the Author and Finisher of our faith.

 

On this Easter morning, whatever it is you’re seeking, you will find in Jesus Christ. If you have any doubt, just follow the advice of the angel when speaking to the women in Matthew 28:6. “Come and see…”

 

Come and see what Jesus can be for you. Come and see what Jesus can do for you. From personal experience, I know you will never be the same.

 

For your personal reading, the Gospel accounts of the resurrection of Jesus Christ may be found in Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; and John 20:1-9.

 

When the secular influence is stripped away from Easter morning, all that remains is Jesus and His resurrection. Jesus fulfilling all of my needs. Jesus accepting me for who I am. Jesus my Bright and Morning Star.

 

As for me, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“D” – Blogging A to Z

April 4th, 2015 dsisler

 

As part of an April challenge, I am working through the alphabet and sharing my thoughts about that letter. I’ve been using the article “More Bliss, Less Stress: A to Z Happiness Boosters to Try Today” by Jennifer Rainey Marquez in Good Housekeeping as my guide.

 

dFor the letter “d,” Ms. Marquez suggests that we dance. University of Derby researchers found salsa lessons improved the moods of depressed patients. Another team in Australia found the same results and the added bonus of less insomnia by patients who learned how to tango. It makes sense. Movement releases endorphins. And really, who doesn’t like music?

 

I don’t know if she didn’t like music, but she certainly didn’t like seeing her husband dance before the Lord. Michal, King Saul’s daughter who was given to King David as a bride, watched with hatred as King David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem.

 

King David had been victorious against the Jebusites and the Philistines. He had regained the city of Jerusalem for Israel and set up his residence in the City of David. A large palace was built for David and he knew that God had established him as king over Israel.

 

It only made sense to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and to make this city the place to worship God. So the Ark was brought to Jerusalem. What a processional it was. Scripture tells us that the “entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.” (2 Samuel 6:15 – NIV) King David led the group wearing a linen ephod and he danced before the Lord with all his might.

 

This parade of musicians, dancers and singers flooded into Jerusalem. It was at this moment that Michal saw King David. She was enraged.

 

Michal accused King David of showing himself to everyone and of not being very dignified. But King David was quick with an answer.

 

“It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.” (2 Samuel 6:21-22 – NIV)

 

The lesson I learn from this encounter is that whatever you do, do it with all your might. Whether it is dancing, or singing, or creating, or selling, or administrating, or speaking, be passionate about it.

 

I also believe when we do anything for the Lord, there should never be a reason for not doing so with all our might. King David was passionate in his praise to God. We should be the same. Nothing should hold us back from praising God in any manner. Just remember all that He has done for you. That alone should be reason enough to dance before the Lord with all your might.

 

I know. I know. We just don’t do that.

 

You’re right. We don’t. But why not?

 

Perhaps we are afraid of being ridiculed by the “Michal’s” of our world. Perhaps we don’t know how to praise God. Perhaps we haven’t given ourselves completely to God. Perhaps.

 

Tomorrow morning we will join together with fellow believers to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His resurrection is our reason for life as we know it. Jesus rose from the dead so that we might know peace beyond all understanding. Jesus rose from the dead so that we might live abundant lives. Jesus rose from the dead so that we could receive amazing grace. Jesus rose from the dead so that we could spend eternity with Him. Jesus rose from the dead to wipe away every sin. Jesus rose from the dead for you.

 

Of all Sunday mornings of the year, tomorrow morning, Resurrection Sunday should be the one we dance before the Lord without any hesitation. Are you with me? Are you willing to praise the Lord with all your might?

 

I know. I know.

 

At least let’s worship Jesus tomorrow morning with a renewed passion. I suspect a side benefit will be the lifting of your spirit. I can’t wait to be in the Lord’s house tomorrow morning and praise His Name among His people. I pray you are excited to do the same.

 

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

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