There are Days

September 10th, 2014 dsisler

 

Sometimes I think I’m getting old faster than I should. There are reasons for this. I know I don’t eat as well as I should. I know I don’t exercise…at all. My job keeps me at a desk for most of the day. Not to mention that the activities that bring me the most joy (Bible study and writing) require that I remain stationary while engaged.

 

RainYes, I know that part of how I feel is more my fault than not. But my, oh my, there are days when my body aches.

 

I shouldn’t complain. Some of my friends and family have real health issues. They have physical constrictions that I can’t even begin to imagine. Many of them never complain. Never.

 

I am reminded of a passage of Scripture in 2 Corinthians. The Apostle Paul shares his thoughts about our temporal bodies. In this book, Paul revealed that he had asked God to remove the thorn in his flesh three times, and yet, God allowed the thorn to remain. The lesson learned from this conversation is that God’s grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). This truth still remains.

 

In another section, Paul spoke some beautiful words about our earthly bodies. “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – NIV)

 

I love some of the language of these verses from The Voice. Take a look. “So we have no reason to despair. Despite the fact that our outer humanity is falling apart and decaying, our inner humanity is breathing in new life every day. You see, the short-lived pains of this life are creating for us an eternal glory that does not compare to anything we know here. So we do not set our sights on the things we can see with our eyes. All of that is fleeting; it will eventually fade away. Instead, we focus on the things we cannot see, which live on and on.”

 

I suspect I will always feel old if I continue on the path that I walk each day. I know and believe however, that my soul is being restored each day and that new life is being breathed into me by God.

 

What is breathing in new life to you every day? I pray that it is God’s Word, God’s grace, and God’s presence. For it is through these very things that we are strengthened.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Whimsical Treasures

September 9th, 2014 dsisler

 

A Facebook friend posted a little snippet on how to produce a name for your own fabric line. After using the first and last initials of my personal name, it turns out that if I were to ever create my own fabric line, it should be called Whimsical Treasures.

 

front porchI loved the name!

 

Unless there is a very big change in my interests, I don’t believe this name will ever come about for a fabric line. I rarely sew. I’m not creative enough to create my own fabric. But still, I love the combination of these two words. Whimsical Treasures.

 

Jesus spoke of treasure in Matthew 6. He knew that whimsical treasures of this world would take our eyes off of Him. He knew that we might be affected if we placed too high a priority on earthly possessions. Jesus knew that we would be pulled in two directions. So let’s take a look at Jesus’ words.

 

“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)

 

Treasures in this world and in this life surely will not last. The elements in our world will eventually destroy all that we know as earthly treasures. And what we may consider “treasure” here on earth will probably not be held in such honor by our future grandchildren. Recall your last visit to an antique shop for perspective on earthly treasures.

 

So what does this mean to us today? I’m not saying we can’t have nice earthly, whimsical treasures. I have plenty of them in my home. I like them. But it all comes down to whether or not I place my whimsical treasures above my relationship with Jesus.

 

My treasure in heaven is far more important than my treasures on earth. My perspective is heavenward. My goal is eternity with my Savior. Nothing can get between me and that goal. Nothing.

 

Especially whimsical treasures.

 

What does this heavenly perspective look like in your life? Are you able to put Jesus before everything else in this world? What keeps you from storing up treasure in heaven? What does your heart love? Where is your treasure?

 

As I look at these questions, I realize that I must reflect on my own life to determine what this looks like for me. Maybe whimsical treasures aren’t as important, but there are other things that are. Food. Laziness. Focus. Sometimes these things jump in front of Jesus for me and then my perspective becomes earthly instead of heavenly.

 

I see clearly what keeps me from storing up treasure in heaven in my own life. I look forward to breaking the earthly habits that interrupt my spiritual life. In their place, I will develop holy habits that lead me heavenward.

 

I pray that you’re able to look at your life through Jesus’ eyes to determine what needs to be changed. What transformation needs to take place. What needs His touch. I pray that your heart will seek God. I pray that the whimsical treasures of this world will diminish in their importance and that your heavenly treasures will become most important. I pray all of these things for myself as well.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“God Will Take Care of You” – Monday Musical Musings

September 8th, 2014 dsisler

 

I have such difficulty each Monday morning. There are so many songs to choose from and I want to share all of them! Some are more meaningful than others. Some we sang the day before in worship. But all of them are special in their own way.

 

IMAG1492This song came to mind last week as I dealt with the death and disappointment in my life. Regardless of what this old world wants to throw my way, I know that I will be cared for. I know that God will take care of me.

 

And when all else fails, I have God’s Word to remind me of God’s promise. Here are just a few verses to keep in mind.

 

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” (Nahum 1:7 – NIV)

 

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – NIV)

 

“Since God cares for you, let Him carry all your burdens and worries.” (1 Peter 5:7 – The Voice)

 

It is really very simple. God cares. There is no reason to carry the burden alone. Today as you venture into your daily life, remember this beautiful promise from the Lord. He cares.

 

Below are the lyrics to “God Will Take Care of You.” Just a reminder.

 

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

 

Refrain:
God will take care of you,
Through every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.

 

Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.

 

All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you.

 

No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.[i]

 

Click here to listen to a beautiful version of this melody by the Heritage Singers. Enjoy!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

[i] “God Will Take Care of You,” Words by Civilla D. Martin, Music by Walter S. Martin, Public Domain.

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Fellowship of Believers

September 7th, 2014 dsisler

 

I thought I would remind you of how the Church in the Book of Acts spent their time. “They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42 – NIV)

 

If you have missed one of these elements lately, perhaps today is the perfect day to return to your roots. Just a suggestion.

 

Today’s blog post is again from the April 2013 Blogging from A to Z challenge. We’re up to “g.” It’s time to read about gobbledygook! Have a wonderful day filled with God’s joy!

 

Gobbledygook

 

I received a book from Dad last year. It was a text book on writing. I read it. Maybe not all of it, but I read quite a bit of it. I can honestly say that there is more to this writing skill than I ever dreamed. I have learned so much!

 

I came across the section about gobbledygook. Yes, there is such a word and it pertains to writing!

 

DSC02249

 

“Gobbledygook is writing that suffers from an overdose of traits guaranteed to make it stuffy, pretentious, and wordy.”[i] It is an attempt to make writing sound better than it is by adding words to give it a “fuller” feel.

 

If you have ever read a legal document, you’ve read gobbledygook.

 

Jesus had something to say about gobbledygook. In Matthew 6:7, Jesus said, “And when you pray, do not keep babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”

 

This verse is in a section where Jesus teaches His disciples about prayer (Matthew 6:5-15). His model prayer follows.

 

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed by your name,

Your kingdom come,

your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.”

 

This prayer spoken by Jesus gives us the purest, most concise way to pray to our heavenly Father.

 

When we get rid of all the over used words, traditional phrases, and church jargon, we can get to the heart of prayer—sharing our hearts with our Father.

 

Entering God’s presence with our souls bared is where Jesus wants to meet us. Getting down to the real issues, using real, honest words with our God is where He will reward us.

 

And when we are to the point where we don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit steps in for us. Romans 8:26-27 tells us, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”

 

Even when words cannot express what’s on our hearts or our emotions, God will hear us.

 

Gobbledygook has no place in our conversation with God. Pure, simple words are all He desires from us. With that, I’m done!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

[i] Alred, Brusaw, Oliu. The Business Writer’s Handbook. 6th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2000. p. 271.

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Think About Such Things

September 6th, 2014 dsisler

 

It’s already started. The commercials or Facebook posts about the upcoming scary movie month of October. I dislike horror movies. I’m not crazy about suspense movies. And evil Halloween movies make me cringe. Well, let’s just say the big screen viewing of “Jaws” and “House of Wax” (in 3-D I might add) as a teenager have caused great distress.

 

sunflower-image-Vintage-GraphicsFairy (2)The problem is that when I see something or hear something that is remotely frightening, I am more apt to have a nightmare about that very thing. I cannot watch horror movies or any television program with even hints of a scary segment. Call me a wimp, but I don’t like it.

 

So when October rolls around (and it does each year), you’ll find me muting the television, changing the channel, closing my eyes or even leaving the room (if necessary) to keep these images and words from my mind and heart.

 

I know there are people who love this kind of thing. I don’t get it, but I know there is a huge market for this genre of “entertainment.” But because I can, I will share my thoughts.

 

My feelings about scary movies are not just what I think. God has something to say about this as well. Take a look at Philippians 4:8 (NIV). “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—think about such things.” I don’t find anything lovely or pure about scary movies.

 

In a section of 2 Corinthians, Paul adds this phrase “we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5 – NIV) If my thoughts are to be captivated by Jesus, there must be room for Him. When I cannot get past a frightening scene in my head or heart, Jesus is pushed out. I cannot allow that to happen.

 

King Solomon had a few things to say about how foolish we can allow ourselves to get. Here are two verses to consider. “The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.” (Proverbs 15:14 – NIV) “A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” (Proverbs 17:24 – NIV)

 

Now I’m not going to suggest that the only thoughts in my head are spiritual and praise-worthy. What I am saying is that I choose not to add anything else that will distract me even further from God’s truth.

 

For me it’s horror/scary movies. For another it might be pornography. And for another it might be romance novels (or you can add anything that holds your thoughts captive). The evil one has put plenty of entertainment options out there for us and when we are consumed by these movies or books, we don’t allow time to be in God’s presence and to meditate upon His Words.

 

Let’s allow God to show us where our foolish eyes have wandered. Let’s allow God to hold our thoughts captive as we are obedient to Jesus. Let’s dwell on God’s truth and His knowledge. Let’s keep the evil one at bay and be prepared to fight the battle when necessary.

 

I still dread October and probably always will. But there is so much good in this life. So, I choose to dwell on the good.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

P.S. – Peabody the peacock has a friend. I have named him Sherman.

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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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