“There’s Within My Heart a Melody” – Monday Musical Musings

January 13th, 2014 dsisler

It’s Monday! I get to talk about music! I don’t know that I can ever express what joy that brings to my soul.

 

0005030206R-849x565Today’s musical piece is one that I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. The melody is easy to sing. The tempo keeps it moving. The message is divine. It’s the combination that creates a beloved hymn.

 

This particular song brings a smile to my face because of all the elements within it, but the lyrics are truly what brings this song to life for me. Just read through the refrain. “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Sweetest name I know.”

 

Yes! When I speak the Name of Jesus I receive all that I need. Fear dissipates. Peace fills the void. Discord retreats. Harmony invades. Paths seem difficult. Footsteps guide. Grace. Rest. Shelter. Eternal life.

 

These are all mine (and yours) at the mention of His sweet Name. It’s no wonder there’s a melody within my heart.

 

So today, take a look at the lyrics and if you’d like to listen to this wonderful old hymn, there’s a link below. Enjoy. Sing. Rejoice. Praise God for the gift of His beloved Son, Jesus. The sweetest Name I know!

 

“There’s Within My Heart a Melody”

 

There’s within my heart a melody

Jesus whispers sweet and low:

Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,

in all of life’s ebb and flow.

 

Refrain:

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

sweetest name I know,

fills my every longing,

keeps me singing as I go.

 

All my life was wrecked by sin and strife,

discord filled my heart with pain;

Jesus swept across the broken strings,

stirred the slumbering chords again.

(Refrain)

 

Though sometimes he leads through waters deep,

trials fall across the way,

though sometimes the path seems rough and steep,

see his footprints all the way.

(Refrain)

 

Feasting on the riches of his grace,

resting neath his sheltering wing,

always looking on his smiling face,

that is why I shout and sing.

(Refrain)

 

Soon he’s coming back to welcome me

far beyond the starry sky;

I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown;

I shall reign with him on high.[i]

 

Click here to listen to a wonderful arrangement of this hymn.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna


[i] “There’s within My Heart a Melody,” Luther B. Bridgers, 1949, Belwin-Mills Publishing Corp.

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Today is the Day

January 12th, 2014 dsisler

Here we are, nearly two weeks into the New Year and January is nearly half over. It’s hard to believe that times flies by as quickly as it does.

 

Today, I believe God is reminding me that I cannot take anything for granted. Especially not time. Wasted time doing meaningless things will keep me so preoccupied that I won’t have time for the important things that need doing.

 

So I believe there are some meaningless activities that I need to weed out. It’s a good time to start, at the beginning of this New Year.

 

Perhaps there is something you need to weed out as well. Perhaps you need to focus more on God than a meaningless activity. If so, let’s do this together. Let’s spend less time on a meaningless activity and more time in God’s presence (Bible reading, prayer, worship). I know by doing so that we will make the most of 2014.

 

The post I share with you today is about one of my favorite restaurants. Enjoy!

 

A Chicken Farm

 

I have a favorite restaurant here in Colorado. They serve fried chicken that is moist and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. There is also kidney bean salad, pickled beets, cottage cheese, coleslaw and corn fritters served family style and unlimited. And don’t forget the shops, a petting zoo, and live music throughout the week.

 

whitefencefarm.com

whitefencefarm.com

There are two problems however, I have with this restaurant. First, it is pretty far from where we live and there is really no reason to be “passing by.” It takes at least 45 minutes to get there. So a planned trip to dine on this delectable fair is a must.

 

The second problem is that they close down the restaurant for the whole month of January. With my birthday in January, my favorite restaurant is always off the list for a place to celebrate. How disappointing!

 

The good news? The restaurant is still open 11 months of the year and we make several trips during those 11 months to get our fill of this great food.

 

More good news? God doesn’t take time off from caring about you and me. He is always there when we need Him…and when we think we don’t need Him.

 

Just read through some of the promises found in Scripture to gain a deeper understanding of how God will always be there for us. He is an amazing God!

 

In the Old Testament we find God reminding His people of His dedication to them. God promised to be with them. And He always kept His promise. We can believe that when God promises to be with us, we know He will be.

 

The Hebrew nation received word of this promise as they were preparing to enter the Promised Land. Not only was God with them (Deuteronomy 31:6), but they were assured by Moses that God was going before them. “The Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the Lord said.” (Deuteronomy 31:3 – NIV)

 

Joshua also received this promise as he prepared to take over leadership of this great nation. “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5 – NIV) With God on his side, Joshua certainly had nothing to fear.

 

King David assured his son, Solomon, that just as God had been with him through his life, God would be with Solomon as he ruled Israel (1 Chronicles 28:20).

 

David also shared some of his feelings through the Book of Psalm. How God was with him each step of the way. We can be assured that God will be with us, just as He was with David.

 

God was with David as he dealt with the pain of death. In Psalm 23:4 (NIV), David shared his assurance of this fact. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

 

David also assured others that God would be there continuously. Psalm 121:3-4 (NIV) says, “He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”

 

In Psalm 139:7-12, David stated that he could not hide from God’s Spirit. Wherever he went, God was with him. Whatever situation he faced, God was there.

 

Isaiah proclaimed to Israel that God would be there for them in Isaiah 41. Throughout this chapter, God recounts His actions. What He had accomplished and would accomplish through Israel. And God also declared, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 – NIV)

 

In the New Testament, we see more promises of God’s presence. Jesus, speaking to His disciples, told them, “And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b – NIV)

 

We find in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 that God will be with us to comfort us. Just as we have been comforted by God, we are then able to comfort others.

 

And we see in the Book of Hebrews a reminder of God’s words. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5 – NIV)

 

God will be with us. We never have to wait for Him to return from vacation or re-appear after a break. We can hold onto the promise that God is with us.

 

There are more Scripture about this particular promise from God. Do you have a favorite? What verse speaks to you and assures you that God is always with you? What passage do you grip tightly when everything seems to falling apart around you? I would love to hear what you have to say.

 

The restaurant, White Fence Farm, will continue to be on my “I cannot wait until February” list. Just as sure as I know that, I know that God has been and will be with me through it all.

 

He’s been with me through the rough times. He’s been with me through the rebellious times. He’s been with me through the joyous times. And He isn’t going to stop for all eternity. God is so faithful. And for His faithfulness, I’m eternally grateful.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

EPILOGUE: My husband and I went to White Fence Farm in December. It was the last weekend the restaurant was open before their close in January for a month. Their Christmas decorations filled each area of the restaurant, shops and waiting areas. The snow began to fall as we waited. It was very beautiful. We waited for over an hour to get our table, but the meal was well-worth the wait.

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Another Celebration

January 11th, 2014 dsisler

In my family, we continue our holiday celebrations well into January. No we don’t enjoy the Twelve Days of Christmas or observe Orthodox Christmas. We have birthday celebrations.

 

birthdayToday is my youngest granddaughter’s birthday! It’s hard to believe that our little “L” is 1. But she is and I can’t wait to have her first birthday party…princess décor and all.

 

Monday is my birthday, so we will yet again have another celebration. My husband’s birthday is later in the month, so again, we’ll pull out the old birthday hat and sing and rejoice.

 

The other family birthdays are a little more spaced through the year, but it seems once October 8 rolls around, we are in party/celebration mode for months.

 

I was asked to recall my spiritual birthday a couple of times this week. I’ve recalled that moment many times through my life, but I was asked this week to make the connection between my baptism and the place I was baptized.

 

I must admit, it showed me a significant piece. I was baptized at a small camp in Upstate New York at 10 years of age. I enjoyed camp up until then, but afterwards, I loved going to camp (and I’m not the outdoorsy kind of girl).

 

Through the years I’ve had a bond with Mountainview that I never put my finger on before. But now I know. It was (and still is) my spiritual birthplace. It’s no wonder there deep emotion about that acreage on a mountainside.

 

Perhaps you don’t have the same pull toward the place you gave your life to Jesus, but perhaps you’ve never thought of it before. About how in a specific place your life changed forever.

 

We see in the Old Testament that when a locale was special, a marker was placed to remember the place. Some were altars; some were a pile of rocks. But those specific spots were given special significance.

 

I’ve come to understand the importance of remembering specific places and what significant events happened in those places. It helps me to remember what I need to remember. A deeper relationship with Jesus. The moment I gave up a sinful act. The sharing of God’s message with another. These are just a few…there have been plenty through my life.

 

I’ve come to understand the importance of Old Testament altars. They were a place of worship. They were a place of sacrifice. They were a place of new beginnings.

 

Exactly what happens when we offer our lives to Jesus.

 

In Romans 12, Paul shares how we are to be living sacrifices. We are to place all that we are on the altar and give it to God. “I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1 – NIV) That is exactly what we do at the time of baptism.

 

However, it doesn’t end here. In order to live holy and pleasing lives, we need to know how to do so. Colossians 3 gives us a whole chapter of ways to live holy lives.

 

So, do you recall the place you gave your life to Jesus and were obedient to Him through baptism? How do you feel about that place? I’m sure if you think about it, you have a connection to that specific place.

 

If you haven’t given your life to Jesus, why not make the commitment today? There’s no better time to be with Jesus than the present.

 

I look forward to our little gathering later today to celebrate another first birthday. Right here in this place.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Clinging

January 10th, 2014 dsisler

This has been a great week. I returned to my Wednesday evening group of ladies to continue with our study on prayer. What a joy it is to share God’s Word with faithful women who love God.

 

I also sthandarted leading a new group of ladies through my local church. We meet on Thursday mornings and I was thrilled to be in their presence. I pray that as we gather each week that we will be encouraged and that our hunger and thirst for God’s message will transform our hearts.

 

The return to Bible study after a break is always thrilling to me and this week has been no different.

 

I was handed a challenge this week as well. Two different people from two different areas of my life suggested that I start an online Bible study. After the first mention, I was intrigued and figured I’d think about it. But when the suggestion came again just a few days later, I knew something was about to change.

 

I told both parties that I would pray about it. That I would allow God to point me in the direction He wanted me to go. This is a big undertaking and I know there’s much to be done before this could actually happen. I also knew that I couldn’t do it alone. God would need to be in the middle of it.

 

As usual, my early morning time with God has already brought some insight into this decision.

 

In preparation for writing material for my Wednesday night group, I read through the two chapters in the book that I will write material for this week. This particular quote popped off the page.

 

“God doesn’t call us to sit in the lowland but to rise to His high calling and purposes for our lives. To what height is God calling you?”[i]

 

Well, I think I know, but my observations didn’t end there.

 

One chapter I read through was the chapter titled, “Lord, You are the One who Upholds Me.” Through this chapter, the author quoted verse after verse of how God’s strong right arm is able to help us through any situation we face. Take a look at some of them.

 

“My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:8 – NIV)

 

“Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” (Isaiah 9:7 – NIV)

 

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 – NIV)

 

And this verse was quoted several times through the chapter.

 

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.’” (Isaiah 41:13 – NIV)

 

Regardless of whether I begin an online Bible study or not, I have been reminded of God’s ever-presence and the help that I received because He is always with me.

 

Maybe you feel like you’ve been given an overwhelming task. Maybe you face an illness. Maybe family issues have you underwater. Maybe financial burden is crumbling your spirit. Whatever you may be facing, please know that God is with you. His right hand is reaching out for you to grab. In His grip, you’ll find strength, comfort, ability, peace, love and so much more.

 

Today I chose to cling to God.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna


[i] “Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion,” Debbie Williams, Howard Publishing, 2006, page 201.

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XXII Olympic Winter Games

January 9th, 2014 dsisler

It is an Olympic year. In fact, the winter Olympics will begin in 29 days. Soon I will be enjoying all of the sporting events and I am able remember Olympics of the past and how they have impacted my life.

 

olympicsIt was an Olympic year when my son, Philip was two. He loved watching the “lympics” and especially the men’s gymnastics. He would imitate their movements as best he could. We had to place a mattress in the middle of the floor for his safety.

 

I was a camp counselor during the Olympics one year. I decorated our dining hall table with the Olympic theme and updated the US medal standing daily. That was no easy task without our modern technology.

 

I have been a huge fan of the Olympics through the years and have loved watching the athletic feats of these disciplined athletes. During the summer Olympics two years ago, I recall some remarkable outcomes.

 

I remember watching the men’s Road Race Cycling. I love racing and have found that I liked the bicycle racing. I didn’t understand a lot of it, but was so impressed with the efforts of each man in this race.

 

Near the end of one particular race, two men jumped out front. With each pedal, they pulled away from the pack. As the finish line came into view, these two were over 10 seconds ahead of the lead pack.

 

Rigoberto Uran of Columbia turned to see where he was in relation to the pack of cyclists behind him. In that moment, Alexandr Vinojurov of Kazakhstan began his sprint. In those short moments, Uran lost his gold medal. He was unable to catch Vinojurov.

 

How often are we guilty of this very thing? I know for me, I seem to fall into the trap of looking around instead of looking ahead at times.

 

In my spiritual life, this is costly. Temptation can lead to sin. And sin leads to death. Sometimes I look to my past. Guilt resurfaces and I feel worthless. At other times I allow my busyness to move my energy and effort from my time with God. Again, nothing good comes from any of these actions.

 

We must learn to keep our eyes on the goal. Keep focused on the finish line. Hold unswervingly to the path set before us.

 

So what are the things that keep us from focusing on our goal? The verses below will direct us.

 

Distraction

The Galatians had an understanding of how a distraction could cause failure in their race. Paul asked this question of them. “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7 – NIV)

 

You can ask yourself that same question if you are being distracted in your Christian walk. Once you’ve figured it out, you will be able to put the distraction behind you and continue faithfully in the race.

 

Hindrances

Sometimes the hindrances of this world and sin will cause misstep. The writer of Hebrews warns us of this possibility. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1 – NIV)

 

The good news here is that there are encouragers along our journey who are cheering us on. Gain strength from their encouragement. Be spurred on because of their inspiration. Attain your goal by leaning on their spiritual wisdom. Follow the path they have already marked. The prize at the end will be worth it all.

 

Looking Behind

One of my favorite passages is from Paul. He encourages the Philippian Church to forget the past. Look to the future. These are wonderful words of wisdom for us to remember each day as well.

 

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14 – NIV)

 

Looking to our past will always get us into trouble. The evil one will see that as our weakness and fill us with guilt over and over. Let’s not allow that to happen. Let’s keep our eyes focused on Jesus, the goal and finish line.

 

Uran took his eyes off the finish line. He allowed his vision to be distracted by what was behind him. It cost him a gold medal.

 

There is so much more at stake for us in our spiritual walk when we take our eyes off the goal. Our eternal life is dependent upon it. Forget what is behind. Strain toward what is ahead. Press on toward the goal. Your prize is waiting!

 

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

  • 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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