Grumbling and Complaining

November 14th, 2014 dsisler

 

It’s hard to believe that in two weeks, Thanksgiving will have passed. Family and friends will be out and about in the hub-bub of the shopping frenzy and the end of the year will be within our sights. And before you know it, this season of gratitude will be gone.

 

Daytona Beach 014mI have friends who have taken the thanksgiving challenge on Facebook to share what they are thankful for each day through November. It’s been good to read their thoughts. They are reminders for me and others not to take what we have and who we know for granted. To thank God for all the blessings we have received through Him.

 

I’ve been working through a Bible study (for the second time) this semester. It’s called Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild. This study shares helpful tools to remove the lies of the evil one and how to replace them with God’s true words. What I’ve learned about myself is that I still grumble and complain far too much. I grumble about myself and complain about others in the recesses of my brain.

 

So while some of my Facebook friends are filled with gratitude, I found myself thinking of how I am not. Oh I’m thankful for most things, but there are still a few areas where I have not allowed God’s hand to touch.

 

I continue to mention and pray for transformation with myself and the ladies I lead. If there is no transformation after reading God’s Word, then it’s just another good book to read. God’s Word must inspire us to change, to be better people, to think better thoughts, to soften our hearts.

 

“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.” (Romans 12:2 – NIV)

 

My mind does need renewal. I don’t want to grumble and complain. I want to know and be thankful for all the blessings God has lavished upon me. So this is my goal. To stop grumbling and complaining.

 

So, how will I accomplish this? First of all, I will give it over to God and allow His Spirit to lead me through this transformation.

 

Second, I will continue to remind myself of all that I have and why I am thankful. Today I will begin a gratitude journal. When I start to head down my grumbling and complaining trail, that journal will pull me back to the right path.

 

And finally, I will believe this passage that I have around my office. “This is the good life—my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy, and my body is at rest…You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending and I know true joy and contentment.” (Psalm 16:9-11 – The Voice).

 

If you’re a grumbler or complainer, maybe this would be a great exercise for you as well. Join me on this journey. I can’t wait to see the difference on the other side.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Who Are You Praying For?

November 13th, 2014 dsisler

 

I have struggled with my prayer life through the years. My mind wanders. I lose focus. Sometimes I fall asleep. Why is it that this praying thing can be so difficult?

 

August 2004 Trip2 018mTurns out that I am not the only one who has difficulty in my prayer life.

 

In Randy Sprinkle’s book, Follow Me, he shared a 2000 survey conducted by George Barna which showed that in America, the average daily prayer time was less than five minutes per day.[i]

 

While other spiritual activities such as Bible reading, church attendance, small group involvement, volunteerism, and Sunday school attendance has increased according to a more recent survey, prayer and evangelism did not reflect significant change since the 2000 survey.

 

The survey says, “Slightly more than four out of five adults (84%) claimed they had prayed in the past week. That has been the case since Barna began tracking the frequency of prayer in 1993.” To read information the article that includes this information, click here.

 

I try to find creative, fresh ideas to keep my prayer life active. I have found beautiful time with God through coloring. I have found finger exercises keep me heading in the right direction. I pray and sing Scripture. I have found that I am more focused on prayer when I speak out loud.

 

These are just a few of the tools I’ve picked up through the years to keep my prayer life on track.

 

When praying for others, I have used Colossians 1:9-14 (NIV) to guide my thoughts. Take a look at these verses.

 

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” (v. 9) Pray that they might understand God’s will and that they may grow in their spiritual wisdom and understanding.

 

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,” (v. 10) Pray that they might live a life worthy of God, that they might please Him in every way, that they might bear fruit, that they might serve with good works, and that they might grow in their knowledge of God.

 

“Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,” (v. 11) Pray that they would be strengthened with God’s power and that they would endure in patience.

 

“Joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” (v.12) Pray that they would be joyful and thankful, especially for their glorious inheritance.

 

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (v. 13-14) Pray that they would remember the forgiveness God has given.

 

Who do you need to pray these verses over today? A child? A friend? A spouse? A neighbor? Maybe you need to pray this for yourself. Whoever you feel called to pray for, this is just one more tool to use to help you stay focused as you pray.

 

I don’t want to be one of those people in the statistics listed above. I want to be a prayer warrior. Who is willing to join me on the battleground? I’m going in.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] Follow Me, Randy Sprinkle, New Hope Publishers, 2001, pg. 36.

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I Will Not Keep Silent

November 12th, 2014 dsisler

I saw something through Facebook that I would like to share with you today. One of my friends posted that there was a really cool video on Youtube from Louie Giglio that we should watch. Knowing what Mr. Giglio is capable of, I wanted to see this one for myself. I was not disappointed.

 

starsThe video I share with you today is the mashup of stars and whales singing “How Great is Our God.” It’s around 15 minutes in length, but it is worth the listen. You can click here to watch.

 

However, you may want to read Psalm 148 before you head to far reaches of the universe and the depths of the sea. Why? Because this Psalm tells us that God receives praise from everything He created. Remember what Jesus said in Luke 19:40 (NIV) after the Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke His disciples? “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

 

Maybe one day we’ll discover technology to hear the rocks praising God!

 

God has created this big, beautiful world and universe and it all screams praise to Him. How are you doing in this area of your life? Are you praising God with everything in your being? Are you continually praising the Name of Jesus?

 

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be outdone by whales. I want my life to be filled with praise and I never want to stop singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8 – NIV)

 

I will never sing “How Great is Our God” again without thinking of this video of stars and whales making music and praising God. Folks, I serve and praise an amazing God and I will not keep quiet!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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God

November 11th, 2014 dsisler

 

Wow! Autumn has been fantastic. We’ve enjoyed mild temperatures and on this November 11th, there are still leaves on the aspen trees in my front yard.

 

???????????????????????????????We all knew it was too good to last. Yesterday morning we started out with temperatures in the mid-sixties. By the time I left work, it was 24°, my car was covered in snow and reality set in. Our beautiful fall days had come to an end.

 

As I look out my office window this morning, the sky is not filled with the beautiful sunrises I’ve experienced of late. Instead, the sky is gray, there is a dusting of snow covering the landscape, it is 16°, and the mountains are nowhere to be seen.

 

While the weather outside has changed, I know for sure that God has not. He is the same today as He was yesterday. He will be the same tomorrow as He was today. Take a look at some other things I’ve learned about God.

 

God is Lovely

When we are in God’s presence, we dwell in loveliness. Psalm 84:1 (NIV) tells us of this place. “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty.”

 

David continues to speak of a yearning within to be in the presence of our lovely God. “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm 84:2 – NIV)

 

I pray that you’ve experienced this deep desire. That nothing else could possibly fulfill this desire to be with God.

 

God Satisfies

David knew this as well. There are three passages in Psalm when David shared the ways that God satisfied. Let’s see what he said.

 

In Psalm 103, David begins with praise to God. “Praise the Lord, O my soul…who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:1a, 5 – NIV) God satisfies our desire with good things.

 

And in Psalm 107:9 (NIV) David said this about God. “He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” David urged Israel to thank God for all that He satisfied, including food and drink. We too must remember to thank God for all that He gives.

 

David shared another satisfaction in Psalm 147:14 (NIV). “He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.” In this section, David talks of all sorts of weather. Through it all, God satisfied David’s needs and desires. God wants to do the same for us.

 

God Protects

David was fully aware of God’s protection. When David was being blamed for something he had no control over, God protected him. And in this protection, David found rest and peace.

 

“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8 – NIV)

 

As we place our problems in God’s hands, we allow ourselves the benefits of rest, peace and protection. Why wouldn’t we want to give all of the issues of our lives to Him?

 

God Provides

David knew this very well and shared his thoughts on this topic in one line. “All my fountains are in you.” (Psalm 87:7b – NIV)

 

When we come to the understanding that there is nothing apart from God, then we too can make this statement without doubt. Everything we need. Everything we desire, God provides.

 

In our spiritual walk, we have the opportunity to walk with God and allow Him to fulfill our needs. God’s spiritual provision is all we could possibly desire. Can you repeat David’s words?

 

Perhaps you’ve heard the current worship song containing this line. I pray that the next time you sing these words you’ll have a better understanding of how God really does provide.

 

God Purifies

David’s greatest desire after his adulterous affair with Bathsheba was to be purified. He asked for God’s mercy. He asked to be cleansed. “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7 – NIV)

 

In our repentance of sin, we too have the desire to be purified. What a blessing it is to know that God is willing to do just that. We have the opportunity to be washed clean. To be as white as the first snow of the season.

 

God has so much to offer us. We need to remember all of them. If we jump back to Psalm 103:2 (NIV), David wanted to remember all that God had done for him, too. He didn’t want to forget. “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Let’s not forget. Let’s remember all that God wants to give us. And then, accept them!

 

I may need to grab a coat on my way out the door this morning, but I also need to remember these ideas today as well. Remember, the weather may change today, but God remains the same. You can count on that.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“Where No One Stands Alone” – Monday Musical Musings

November 10th, 2014 dsisler

 

There are some pieces of music that I’m drawn to because of the lyrics and some because of the music. I love listening to men sing in four-part harmony. Their rich, deep tones are lovely.

 

IMAG1492In college, I sang in the Women’s Chorus for my freshman and sophomore years. I loved the music we sang, but our counterpart, the Men’s Chorus, seemed to have the better music…or I just liked their “sound” better.

 

I heard today’s piece of music a few weeks back and loved the harmonies, but then as I looked at the lyrics, I was even more drawn to this song. I was reminded of the times King David asked God not to hide His face (Psalm 27:9, Psalm 69:17 and Psalm 102:2).

 

In our darkest hour, when we feel alone, we need to realize that we are never really alone. But sometimes we have allowed our sinful nature or selfish ambition to cloud our vision. When we find ourselves in this position, that’s when we need to do is ask God to show His face.

 

I pray that if you are in this situation today that you will ask God to show up in your life. Don’t go through another day feeling lonely or isolated. With God by your side, you are never alone.

 

“Where No One Stands Alone”

 

Once I stood in the night with my head bowed low
In the darkness, as black as could be
And my heart felt alone
And I cried oh Lord
Don’t hide your face from me

 

Chorus:

Hold my hand all the way
Every hour every day
From here to the grave
I know
Take my hand
Let me stand
Where no one stands alone

 

Like a king I may live in a palace so tall
With great riches to call my own
But I don’t know a thing
In this whole wide world
That’s worse than being alone
(Chorus)[i]

 

If you are an Elvis fan, click here to hear Elvis’ version. The Gaither Vocal Band also has a beautiful version of this song. Click here if you’d prefer to hear theirs.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Where No One Stands Alone,” Words and Music by Mosie Lister, Lillenas Publishing Company, 1955.

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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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