“C” – Blogging A to Z

April 3rd, 2015 dsisler

 

On our A to Z journey, I am allowing 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 to be our guide. The idea she offers for the letter “c” is to change your commute.

 

CAccording to this article, if your commute to and from work causes stress, think about changing the mode of transportation, changing your route or listening to an uplifting audio book. These changes have made a difference in attitude for many. Maybe it will help you as well.

 

I can’t even imagine what the children of Israel experienced during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Seeing the same images and sites over and over again must have been discouraging. This was not a large wilderness area. In fact, Deuteronomy 1:2 (NIV) says, “it takes eleven days to go from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea by the Mount Seir road.”

 

The Hebrew nation was discouraged. They grumbled. They complained. They insisted. They rose up against Moses. They created an idol to worship. They acted horribly.

 

But in each instance, God showed forgiveness to this group of people who just couldn’t seem to be satisfied. Now it didn’t mean that He would allow the attitude busters to go unpunished. By the time their wandering ended, an entire generation of Israelites had died in the wilderness.

 

I believe we can find ourselves in the same spiritual wilderness. Spiritual growth and faith stretching are key elements to warding off spiritual melancholy.

 

Are you experiencing spiritual wandering? If so, ask yourself these questions.

 

  • When is the last time to you spent more than 5 minutes reading God’s Word?
  • When is the last time you spent more than 5 minutes in prayer?
  • Are you gathering together with other believers in Christ at least once a week?
  • Have you allowed God to stretch your faith recently?

 

Now these aren’t all the questions you should ask yourself, but they are a good place to start. Do you recall James’ words? “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (James 4:8 – NIV) Maybe you need to move closer to God. It is the first step to ridding your life of spiritual depression.

 

Of course, there is the possibility that you have been on this spiritual journey for a long time and maybe you just need a change in scenery. Maybe you need to stir up your prayer life. Maybe you need to find another way to study God’s Word. Whatever it is, seek out unique, creative and interesting ways to be with God. Maybe you’ll find this little tweak is just what is needed for your spiritual attitude.

 

As God led the children of Israel through the wilderness He said this to them at one point. “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north.” (Deuteronomy 2:3 – NIV) Maybe that’s what God is saying to you today. “You’ve lived your life in this manner long enough. Now try it My way.” “You’ve gone back to that particular sin long enough. It’s time to give it up.” “You’ve been on this spiritual plateau long enough. Come closer.”

 

Whatever God is saying to you today, listen. And then, to quote James again, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22 – NIV)

 

I’ll see you on the journey.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“B” – Blogging A to Z

April 2nd, 2015 dsisler

 

In the article “More Bliss, Less Stress: A to Z Happiness Boosters to Try Today” by Jennifer Rainey Marquez in Good Housekeeping, her word for the letter b is bake. She states that baking is emotionally therapeutic.

 

bOkay, I struggle with the whole baking thing in this high altitude, high desert climate. I just can’t seem to get the hang of it. So instead of emotionally therapeutic for me, it frustrates me and I have given up. I’m a failure at baking here in Colorado. This doesn’t quite fit into the whole “happiness booster” idea does it?

 

What I can relate to is the poor woman in 1 Kings 17 who had become a wonderful baker. She had lived her life baking delicious bread for her husband and her young son. One day her husband died, leaving behind a widow and orphan…and a small jug of oil and a handful of flour.

 

On the morning of her encounter with the prophet Elijah, she recalls the schedule of her day to him. “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in the jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” (1 Kings 17:12 – NIV)

 

I can’t even imagine how discouraged this woman was. She had done her best. She had given her all. And the small amount of nourishment she had was now asked to be given to another. But that is exactly what Elijah requested.

 

Take a look at his words. “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.” (1 Kings 17:13 – NIV) In the midst of our discouragement, fear takes over. We sometimes can’t even know where to begin. But I believe when we drive fear out, we are able to make a good start at dispelling discouragement and improving our attitude.

 

This was a huge ask for this widow. To put someone else above the only person she loved more than herself. But that was exactly what God asked of her. And in her obedience, God supplied her needs with a never-ending supply of oil and flour. She, her son and Elijah would be nourished until the rains returned and the land was bountiful again.

 

There was no need for her to worry. There was no need for her to be fearful. All she needed to do was trust God.

 

I know it can be difficult for us to put this much trust in God. We worry. We are afraid. But when we do, God will lavish His bountiful graciousness upon us. So take this step toward your attitude adjustment today. Trust God. Trust God with what you can today. Tomorrow you may be able to give Him a little more and the next day, even more. Believe what He says. Trust what He is able to do. Watch how He is able to transform your attitude from fear and worry to freedom.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“A” – Blogging A to Z

April 1st, 2015 dsisler

 

Today is April 1. It’s the beginning of a new month and a new challenge. Two years ago, I accepted the Blogging from A to Z challenge. Each day is assigned a letter of the alphabet and as a blogger, we are to write about something beginning with that letter. Again this April, I will be sharing my thoughts on the alphabet.

 

AOn one of my recent flights, I flipped through a magazine. Guess what I found? From A to Z, a list of easy little tricks to energize your attitude (happiness boosters).[i] How convenient! My A to Z list has already been done for me…well at least the ideas for each letter. Of course, I know the best way to energize our attitude. It’s God’s Spirit living within you and me. So stick with me through the month as we examine God’s plan for energizing your attitude and by April 30, your attitude should be pretty energized.

 

Jennifer Rainey Marquez tells us that we should learn to “Appreciate the Present.” She stresses the importance of savoring the moment and to shift our perspective to focus on something positive instead of what is negative.

 

I think we all can understand savoring. That moment we place something on our tongue that screams deliciousness or refreshment. You know you’ve done it. Allowed that food or drink to linger just a bit in your mouth so that you could find great satisfaction. It might be accompanied by an “mmm” or body gesture or even the closing of eyes. However you acknowledge this perfect morsel in your mouth, you’ve learned through the years to savor those precious perfections.

 

Now let me ask you. When was the last time you savored God? His abundant goodness? His amazing grace? His extravagant love? His inexpressible generousness? His gentle comfort? When we take the time to enjoy being in God’s presence, we savor all that He is and all that He has to give to us. Sometimes it might be a quick “taste” and then we’re off again, but to really enjoy all that God has for you and me, we must savor. We must take our time. We must linger.

 

Psalm 34:8 (NIV) reminds us to “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” When we allow ourselves to spend time savoring God, we will see God’s goodness, be blessed and find refuge in Him. I can’t think of a better way to get an attitude adjustment!

 

Another way to savor God is by thinking about Him and His kingdom above other things in our world and lives. Focusing on the positive instead of the negative will certainly help with our attitude. Take a look at what God’s Word has to say about it.

 

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:33 (NIV) clearly points us to think about something positive. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.” When our thoughts and desires revolve around God’s goodness, righteousness and the work He is doing in our lives, we are able to renew our spirit and attitude.

 

And we also see in Colossians 3:2 (NIV) that we are to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Oh I know, we live on the earth and earthly things will distract us, but when our minds are “set” on things above, we are more Kingdom focused, Kingdom driven and Kingdom thinkers. We must realize that the evil one has control here on earth, but “the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 – NIV)

 

There is plenty of negative thrown at us each day, but let’s be determined to focus on the positive. To think about “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8 – NIV)

 

I pray that these words will help you today as you allow God’s Spirit to work on your attitude. I pray that you will spend time with God and savor Him. I also pray that you will look for something positive in every situation today. This is just the beginning!

 

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.

 

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“Your Love is Extravagant” – Musical Musings in March

March 31st, 2015 dsisler

 

Good morning! It’s so good to be back with you my friend. Thanks for your patience while I was away. I’m always amazed at the faithfulness of those who read my blog. I pray many blessings upon you today!

 

IMAG1492Because I’ve been away, I haven’t been able to speak to the time period that envelopes us today. We are on Tuesday of Holy Week. Jesus entered into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and spent His final week with His disciples, religious leaders and with His heavenly Father.

 

During this week, Jesus prepared Himself and His followers for the events that would take place later in the week. But as we know, Jesus’ followers and the religious leaders didn’t like what they heard. In the end, the disciples were disappointed, the religious leaders felt justified, Jesus died on a cross and everyone from that time forward (including you and I) became recipients of extravagant love.

 

John 3:16-17 (The Voice) gives us insight into God’s amazing love. “For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. Here’s the point. God didn’t send His Son into the world to judge it; instead, He is here to rescue a world headed toward certain destruction.”

 

God’s plan was and is to redeem mankind from destruction. Left on our own, that’s how the story would have ended. But God loved mankind so much, with such an extravagant love, that He was willing to send Jesus, His only Son to rescue us from that certain outcome.

 

There are many times that I get caught up in my own little world and I forget the sacrifice God and Jesus made for me. How selfish and unappreciative I can be!

 

So today, I want to bask in the extravagant love of my Father. But I want to do more. I want to be transformed by His Spirit. I want to live a holy life. I want to lead others to the throne of grace. I want to make a difference in this world. By accepting the extravagant love of the Father, I am also asked to share His love with others.

 

I pray that your day is filled with opportunities to share God’s extravagant love with others. I can guarantee that if you look, you will find someone to point to Jesus.

 

The song I share with you today is called “Your Love is Extravagant.” Enjoy!

 

Your love is extravagant

Your friendship, it is intimate

I feel like moving to the rhythm of Your grace

Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place

Your love is extravagant

 

Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin

No greater love have I ever known You considered me a friend

Capture my heart again[i]
 

You can click here to listen to Casting Crown’s version of this beautiful reminder of God’s love.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Your Love is Extravagant,” Words and Music by Darrell Evans, Integrity’s Hosanna Music, 1998.

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Ohio Respite #3 – Day 7 – Musical Musings in March

March 30th, 2015 dsisler

 

I’ll be in Ohio the rest of the week getting Mom settled at home. There will be no time to write, so please enjoy older Musical Musings in March posts. Have a great first full week of Spring!

 

“My Savior’s Love” – Musical Musings in March

 

???????????????????????????????Sometimes words are not sufficient. The adjectives we use in day-to-day living just don’t seem to fully envelope the grace and love that our God has for mankind. And yet, some of the most beautiful hymns have been written that use such adjectives.

 

Wonderful and marvelous are two such words.

 

I do believe that from the beginning of time, mankind has had a difficult time in describing God’s love.

 

King David’s descriptions included “unfailing love” (Psalm 6:4), “great love” (Psalm 17:7), “wonderful love” (Psalm 31:21), “abounding in love” (Psalm 86:5), and “enduring love” (Psalm 136).

 

Our New Testament writers had similar problems. We read Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV). “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

 

John followed suit in 1 John 3:1a (NIV). “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”

 

And sometimes, the biblical writers went beyond description and stated what God did because of His great love for us.

 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 – NIV)

 

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 – NIV)

 

Perhaps it is difficult to understand the length to which God will go to show us His love. Maybe, as we see in Ephesians 3:17-21 (NIV), that the only way we can understand God’s great love for us is through Him.

 

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his powers that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

 

Today, our songwriter expressed his amazement at God’s love. And do you know what? I believe it is okay to just say it’s wonderful and marvelous. So enjoy “My Savior’s Love” today. Bask in His love. Allow God’s love to cover you. And you too will stand amazed.

 

“My Savior’s Love”

 

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

 

Refrain:
Oh, how marvelous! Oh, how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
Oh, how marvelous! Oh, how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

 

For me it was in the garden
He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

 

In pity angels beheld Him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night.

 

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calv’ry,
And suffered and died alone.

 

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.[i]

 

Click here to hear this beautiful song.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “My Savior’s Love”, Words and Music by Charles H. Gabriel, Public Domain, 1905

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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 Jacksonville, Florida.

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