Loosing Focus

December 19th, 2014 dsisler

 

I’m a little behind. There is still so much to do before Christmas and I am getting concerned that some of what I had planned may not be accomplished before Christmas Day.

 

???????????????????????????????For instance, if our Christmas cards are not in the mail tomorrow, they will not arrive before Christmas. For many, this really wouldn’t be a problem. However, we have created our own Christmas card for years, so I can’t see us going out and purchasing a box of cards to send to family and friends.

 

Then there are the trees. They have lights on them, but no ornaments. I’m no expert, but I think the trees would look much better with a few baubles.

 

I don’t bake, but I would like to make some candy. Something special for us to nibble on between now and the New Year.

 

I also know that I can be this way when I’m in the middle of a big project or event at church. I’m so focused on the details that I miss the main thing. People. Relationships. Jesus.

 

Maybe this was how Martha felt as she rustled around in the kitchen preparing a meal for Jesus and His disciples. There was so much to do that she also missed the main thing. People. Relationships. Jesus.

 

I really don’t want to miss Christmas this year. So what do I propose?

 

Focus on Jesus. I cannot afford to skip my daily time with Him. This must be a priority. I remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33 (NIV). “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Words to live by!

 

Focus on family. I need to remember to be present with my family. When we are together, they are most important.

 

Focus on friends. I must remember to leave enough margin in my daily schedule for the precious moments I can spend with good friends. When life is too busy to pick up a phone, send an email or visit over lunch, life is just too busy.

 

Focus on others. I tend to go through life with blinders. Running from one thing to another with very little time to stop and see those around me who are hurting or who are in need. I must learn to see others through Jesus’ eyes and make the time to help if I can. Even an open ear for a few moments is better than not noticing them.

 

Perhaps you are feeling this same way today. I would encourage you to think about the steps listed above and see if you could also have a peaceful Christmas this year.

 

To be honest, my “to do” list could go on and on. There are always things to get done. Maybe my perfect Christmas won’t happen this year. Maybe Christmas will come and go with everything at home just as it is. If so, I need to be okay with that.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Weeds?

December 18th, 2014 dsisler

 

I’ve shared this with you before, but today, I thought it was worth sharing again.

 

Let me tell you a story. It’s a legend actually, from Mexico. It is one that is told over and over, especially at this time of year and it is about the poinsettia.

 

poinsettiaIn this legend, a poor girl names Pepita wanted to take a gift to the Christ child. But she had nothing of value to bring to the child. Her cousin Pedro told Pepita that the gift itself didn’t matter. If she offered her gift with a heart filled with love, anything would be an acceptable gift for the Christ child.

 

Pepita began gathering weeds and created a bouquet. As she lay her gift at the Christ child’s feet God was touched. He was moved to action. This small gift of weeds was transformed into beautiful flowers. And not just any flower, but into poinsettias. Each brilliant red and shaped like the Christmas star.

 

I love poinsettias…they are red, they are readily available at Christmas and they remind me of what Christmas is all about. Jesus. But I must tell you, when I heard this legend, I thought of the wonder of the whole Christmas story. That God was interested in sharing His Son with the world (and me). Of what the birth of His Son represented (redemption of mankind). But especially what happens when a heart filled with love accepts Jesus as their Savior.

 

Transformation, like the weeds to poinsettias, is what Jesus evokes within us. We want to be different because of the gift from God. We can offer our hearts and lives to him in their worst state (like the weeds) and when Jesus is finished, our hearts and lives are transformed into something beautiful and useful (like the poinsettia).

 

Romans 12:2 (NIV) is a passage that I use quite often in my writing. When we offer our lives to God for His use, we must be different. We must be changed. We must be transformed. And this verse says it best. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

 

What a promise! Transformation allows us to know God’s will for our lives. We are able to follow His ways and guidance with peace because we know how good, pleasing and perfect His will is for our lives.

 

We often ignore God’s will and the understanding of His will. When we do so, we are bound to live our lives with uncertainty. With unrest. With no clear direction. But when we allow God’s Spirit to transform us, we are able to see more clearly the path God has laid for our lives. It’s in that transformation that we find confidence, peace, and direction.

 

These days poinsettias come in many shapes, sizes and colors. They are each beautiful in their own way. Maybe this is our way of understanding that we are all unique. We each come to God at different times in our lives under different circumstances. But the real gift is that God takes us where we are and creates beauty from weeds we lay at His feet.

 

I don’t know where you are in your life today. Maybe today is the day that you need to offer your “weeds” to God. Maybe you need to offer God your heart with love. If you do, His transformation will be amazing. Perhaps even miraculous! And isn’t that what the Christmas season is about?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Today I’m Thankful For…

December 17th, 2014 dsisler

 

There are days that I’m not as thankful as I should be. I take so much for granted. Big things that I consider little things.

 

???????????????????????????????I live in a beautiful home. I live in a safe neighborhood. There is food in my refrigerator and my freezer. We have reliable transportation…not just one, but three! I have a wonderful husband. My children and grandchildren are healthy. I have a job. My husband has a job.

 

This is my short list of things that I take for granted.

 

Last night I got a good dose of why I should be thankful every day for everything. I arrived home at a decent time, had to do one work-related task and then settled in to be with my family.

 

After a half hour or so, I realized it was cool in the house, so I stepped in front of the thermostat (we have one of those Nest thingees and when no one walks by it after an hour or so, it automatically drops to a lower temperature to save money). Nothing. The thermostat was directing the furnace to come on, but the furnace wasn’t responding.

 

We went to the basement and yes, the furnace had given up. It didn’t want to work any longer without some care. We walked away knowing it was going to be a cold evening.

 

However, my husband doesn’t give up that easily, he is a do-it-yourself-er and he has a technical brain that understands just about anything…after all, he is an electrical engineer. So after dinner, he scoured the internet for possible fixes and finally came to a conclusion. He believes it is a small part that doesn’t cost much. But it would have to wait until morning to be fixed.

 

So we went to bed with warmer sleeping gear, put a couple more blankets on the bed and drifted off to sleep.

 

It’s actually not too cold in the house this morning. It’s bearable. And this morning I am thankful. I had a warm bed to sleep in. There was a roof over my head last night. I even have electricity this morning. There is so much to be thankful for and I need to be grateful.

 

Today, I want to share a few verses of Scripture to remind me (and you) about being thankful. These are just what I need.

 

Psalm 28:7 (NIV) “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”

 

Psalm 30:11-12 (NIV) “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.”

 

Psalm 69:30 (NIV) “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.”

 

Psalm 100:4 (NIV) “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

 

Psalm 107:1 (NIV) “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever.”

 

And listed below are a few more for good measure.

 

1 Chronicles 16:34

Psalm 9:1-2

Psalm 34:1-3

Psalm 50:23

Psalm 95:1-3

Psalm 103:1-5

Psalm 118:28

Psalm 138:1-2

Isaiah 12:4-5

Ephesians 1:3

Ephesians 5:20

Philippians 4:6

Colossians 2:7

Colossians 3:15-17

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

I pray that these verses will remind us all today to be thankful for the little things as well as the big things in our lives.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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December 16 – Follow

December 16th, 2014 dsisler

 

If you recall, I created a little Advent calendar for one of my Bible study groups to help us focus more on Jesus through the month of December. The word to reflect, contemplate and meditate upon today on my little Advent calendar is “follow.”

 

DSC03935mI thought of each character who participated in the birth of Jesus. Mary and Joseph followed God’s direction and allowed the events to unfold just as the angel had said. The shepherds knew they needed to follow the sign given by the angel. And those glorious Magi followed a star from a great distance to see the Christ child.

 

There were others who followed God’s direction during these months and years. Elizabeth and Zechariah followed God’s lead in the birth of their son. John, their son, followed God throughout his life and prepared others for their following of Jesus.

 

As I looked at my own life, I could see snippets of time when I followed Jesus. My trip to SE Asia was one and the moment I started writing Full Measure of Joy was another. In these two instances, I knew for sure it was what God wanted me to do.

 

Do you ever wonder about God’s leading in your life? Do you think it is possible? Are you willing to follow God regardless of where He takes you? Let’s look at Scripture to see how God works in our lives and how we can be open to following His direction.

 

It would be wonderful if God was as visible to us as He was to Israel during their journey in the wilderness. He led them by day by a pillar of cloud and at night by a pillar of fire. (Exodus 13:20-22) But the interesting thing in these verses is that it says that “the Lord went ahead of them in” each of these pillars. He was there, but He went before them. Leading them. Directing their path.

 

God isn’t that visible today. Instead, God urges us to use His Holy Spirit and His Holy Words to guide us on the right path. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Acknowledging God is the first step to understanding His leading.

 

Then we need to ask God to lead us through His wisdom and truth. Psalm 145:18 (NIV) says, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

 

We find similar instruction in Luke 11:9-10. When we ask God to lead and guide us, He will do so. Just ask.

 

After we’ve asked for guidance, we need to be open to instruction. We need to listen and accept instruction from God. “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.” (Psalm 16:7 – NIV) Psalm 32:8 reminds us that when we follow God’s counsel He will watch over us. What a blessing from God when we accept His instruction!

 

Our next step is to follow. Follow God’s lead. Isaiah 48: 17 tells us, “This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.’”

 

Jesus shared these words in John 16:13 (NIV). “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

 

Jesus also reminds us in John 8:12 (NIV), “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

 

When we are open to following God’s lead, we will be in the light. That light will illuminate the path, the direction, the way we should go and it will be clear.

 

The benefits of following God’s lead are a great encouragement. Isaiah put it beautifully when he said, “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” (Isaiah 58:11 – NIV)

 

Who wouldn’t enjoy refreshment and satisfaction from God? I know there is nothing like it and without God’s guidance, I would feel parched. Empty. Lethargic.

 

I don’t know where God will call me next. But what I do know is that when the time comes, I must be willing to say “Yes, I will follow You.” As I wait, I am preparing myself, learning from Him and seeking God’s wisdom.

 

I really don’t know where God will call you next either. But I pray that you will also be willing to say “Yes” when the time comes.

 

And as we think about the Christmas story, let’s praise God for those who were willing to say “Yes” and follow Him without hesitation.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“Adore Him” – Monday Musical Musings

December 15th, 2014 dsisler

 

Last week was a pretty remarkable week. Yes, there were lots of Christmas festivities, but I also saw some friends I’ve been missing as well as met new friends along the way.

 

???????????????????????????????There were many highlights I could share…meeting Lee Strobel was way on top, assisting in the baptisms of six people who gave their lives to Christ was up there as well, and hearing the song I share with you today was especially good for me.

 

I attended a Christmas Tea on Saturday and a young woman shared this piece. I was reminded of the long journey of the Magi. They were looking for a palace which housed the new King, but instead, they were led to an ordinary home. There was no throne, no crown, nothing that would lead them to believe this was the King they were looking for.

 

But still, they bowed down. Why? Because the star they had been following stopped directly over this little home in this humble village.

 

Their intrigue led them to believe the Savior of the world had come. Their desire to seek the meaning for this star led them to meet God Himself. Their willingness to travel countless months, even years allowed their weariness to be replaced with joy upon meeting the Christ child.

 

Perhaps you are in need of a Savior. Perhaps you are looking for meaning in your life. Perhaps you are weary beyond words. If so, Jesus is exactly what you need. Your seeking will cease. Your purpose will be made clear and your weariness will be turned to joy. And I might add, you will be filled with God’s grace, you will be forgiven of all your sins, you will receive the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, and much more.

 

If you haven’t read the true story of the Magi in a while, you can read about their journey in Matthew 2:1-18.

 

“Adore Him”
 

Countless days on a journey that led so far
Endless nights they traveled to follow the star,
They did not find a palace just a humble village home
And searching for a king but finding a child no crown no throne.
 

Still they bowed down,
 

Come let us Adore Him
O come let us Adore Him
O come let us Adore Him
 

Expectation turned to mystery
For nothing was like anything they dreamed
Anticipating the royal and those honored by this world
Instead they gazed in the awestruck eyes of a lowly peasant girl.
 

Holding her child,
 

Come let us Adore Him
O Come let us Adore Him
O Come let us Adore Him
 

The brilliant gold, the fragrant myrrh, the costly frankincense
 

Placed before Him,
 

Come let us Adore Him
O Come let us Adore Him
O Come let us Adore Him
Christ the Lord.[i]

 

Kari Jobes sings this beautiful song. Click here to listen.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Adore Him,” Words and music by Don Poythress, Tony Wood, John Wade and Frederick Oakley, Integrity’s Hosana Music, 2009.

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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.

  • 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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