The End

December 29th, 2013 dsisler

Today is a day of lasts. The last Sunday before the beginning of 2014. The last chapter of Building a Doll House. I’m a little sad about both of these and yet, I’m filled with anticipation. I’m excited to think of what 2014 will hold.

 

As I come to the end of this year, I also spend time thinking of my life and how I have lived. And as I think about such things, it’s appropriate to share the final chapter of the doll house saga. The celebration of its completion and sharing this gift with others.

 

What a party it was!

 

Building a Doll House: Open House – Chapter 14

 

I knew from the beginning of creating this doll house that I wanted to share our experience with others. And as I told friends and family what we were doing, they all wanted to see it. So I decided that I would have an open house for the doll house.

 

Joy's Dollhouse 2 009mmmmmmmmmmmmI love to entertain, so this was an easy party to host. And of course, Joy had to be part of it. So together we threw an open house that was well-attended.

 

The doll house was placed on the dining room table and all the furniture was set. My home was prepared and food filled the kitchen for guests to enjoy. We then waited for guests to arrive.

 

Joy's Dollhouse 2 005mmmmAnd they did. For the entire afternoon, we had guests come and go. Others stayed the entire time visiting. It was a joyous occasion. And Joy was the perfect hostess. She was honored to show our guests each room of the house.

 

I enjoyed telling the story of building the house. The choices we made. The verses of Scripture under the wall paper, flooring and shingles. I even created a PowerPoint presentation of the process for everyone to see. Here is a glimpse into the rooms of the house with the Scripture reference that is written there.

 

The kitchen (Proverbs 31:15).

The dining room (John 21:12a).

The living room (Titus 2:4-5).

The parent’s bedroom (Matthew 11:28).

The boy’s bedroom (Psalm 4:8).

The nursery (Psalm 62:5).

Joy's Dollhouse 2 002mmmmmThe little girl’s bedroom (Psalm 127:2b).

The bathroom (Ezekiel 36:25a).

The foundation (Psalm 127:1a).

The floors (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

The porch (Deuteronomy 6:7).

The roof (Psalm 45:15).

 

Joy's Dollhouse 2 118mmmmThis was a day of celebration. And we celebrated with those we cared about the most. Family and friends.

 

Jesus is building a place not so different than the doll house. Except that is God’s house. And there are many rooms, mansions or dwelling places, depending on the version you read.

 

We find reference to it in John 14. Just before this passage, Jesus told the disciples that He would be leaving them and also that Peter would deny Him three times. Jesus knew they needed encouragement. So here are the words He spoke.

 

Joy's Dollhouse 2 004mmmm“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4 – NIV)

 

So what do we know about this place, this house that Jesus is preparing for us?

 

It has taken a long time to finish. Jesus left the disciples behind nearly 2,000 years ago. Each generation from that point on has been waiting and longing for Jesus’ return. What joy it will be when we see Jesus face to face!

 

Joy's Dollhouse 2 123mmmmIt will be beautiful. We see a glimpse of this place, also from John, in the Book of Revelation. The description found in Revelation 21 tells of a city made of pure gold, precious stones, and with streets of gold. There is a river with trees lining its banks. Of course, these are human terms. Concepts that we can understand. But from what we can comprehend, heaven will be beautiful!

 

God and Jesus will be there. Also from Revelation we read phrases like, “It shone with the glory of God.” (Revelation 21:11a – NIV) “The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” (Revelation 21:22b-23 – NIV) “The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city and his servants will serve him.” (Revelation 22:3b – NIV)

 

He wants to share His house with all those He loves. His family. His friends. Jesus told His disciples in John 14 that they knew the way to this place. Jesus was and is the Way. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we have the “map” to this great treasure. We have the entire New Testament to point us in the right direction. We have instructions on how to get on the right path when we’ve taken a wrong turn. Jesus doesn’t want anyone to be lost forever. He wants you to enjoy His house!

 

Joy's Dollhouse 2 001mmmmJesus has invited us to join Him for the open house. Jesus invites us to come. There are more passages that reference this idea than I have time to mention, but here are a few. Matthew 11:28; Matthew 16:24-25; Matthew 19:21; Luke 5:32; Luke 6:47-49; Luke 9:23; Luke 14:15-24; John 6:35; and John 14:6.

 

There is one more invitation I’d like to mention from Revelation. Come is the repeated word. “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” (Revelation 22:17 – NIV)

 

The preparations are nearing completion. The invitations have been sent. The way is clear. Now it’s up to you accept. Come.

 

Are you weary? Are you hungry? Are you thirsty? Are you lost? Jesus is the Way. Come.

 

Come.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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JOY

December 28th, 2013 dsisler

The word “joy” has always been special to me. I grew up being reminded of this word when my parents used my full name. Donna Joy. Occasionally my dad still calls me by my first and middle name. It still sounds good.

 

JoyI passed the name Joy to my daughter. Her name is Bethany Joy. And she liked it so much she shared it with her daughter, my granddaughter, Joy Marie. Of all the names in our family, I never thought that Joy would be the name that would continue through generations.

 

But I’m also excited that it is. Mainly because of what this tiny, three-letter word means to the Christian. Joy is one of the characteristics that we are to possess, expose, create, and enjoy. Joy should be evident in our lives, regardless of what our circumstance. It’s in these moments that others are able to look at us and notice that something is different.

 

So what is joy?

 

According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, joy is “the happy state that results from knowing and serving God.”[i]

 

Holman goes on to say, that “joy is the fruit of a right relation with God. It is not something people can create by their own efforts.” No wonder we live in a world where possessions mean so much to people. No wonder folks are searching for the next big thing. If they aren’t looking to God for their joy, they will never find it any place else.

 

King David knew that his joy was found in God. Take a look at a couple of verses from the Book of Psalm.

 

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasure at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11 – NIV)

 

“The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” (Psalm 19:8 – NIV)

 

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12 – NIV)

 

David knew that being in God’s presence, following God’s precepts and living in God’s salvation is what brought joy to his life. Oh yes, there are plenty of passages in Psalm that take the reader into David’s joyous heart, but without this firm foundation of joy, nothing else would have mattered.

 

It’s the same for us. When we are secure in our relationship with God, when we know and follow God’s precepts, when we have accepted God’s salvation, it’s then that we can live lives filled with joy.

 

Earlier, the biblical definition of joy mentioned that it wasn’t something we could gain on our own. It was from God. In fact, it is a fruit of God’s Spirit. When we live by the Spirit, we will produce the following fruit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

 

And if you recall, Jesus mentioned in John 15 that the only way we can produce abundant fruit is by remaining in Him. And there is our tiny word again. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11 – NIV)

 

Here’s the tough part for people to understand. Just because we have joy, Jesus’ joy within us, doesn’t mean that we won’t face trials or troubles. It doesn’t mean that we won’t or can’t be sad. But what it does mean is that when we encounter such trials our joy cannot be shaken because we have a relationship with God, Jesus and His Spirit.

 

James tells us that we are to “consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2 – NIV) Not because of the trial, but because of what it produces. Perseverance and a closer relationship with God.

 

I’ve been through many of those trials and I’ve learned that when I allow God to be at the center of my being, others can see His joy within me and they note the difference.

 

I don’t know if the name Joy will continue to be passed down through our family, but I certainly hope so. If nothing else, I pray that God will continue to see His joy flow through the lives of my family. Because He brings me such joy.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna


[i] Holman Bible Dictionary, definition of joy, http://www.studylight.org/dic/hbd/view.cgi?number=T3512

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Fruit Tree or Christmas Tree?

December 27th, 2013 dsisler

I received an email asking to help take down Christmas decorations at church this coming Sunday afternoon. I find this portion of the season the most difficult. I understand that many are not like me who would leave Christmas décor up most of the year (if my family would allow it).

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI also understand that Christmas is about more than the decorations. It is about who I am because of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection. But I’m not near ready to remove the symbols of Christmas. They bring me joy and happiness. Peace and tranquility. Calm and serenity.

 

I found an interesting quote about a Christmas tree and our Christian walk that I want to share with you. “The Christian should resemble a fruit tree, not a Christmas tree! For the gaudy decorations of a Christmas tree are only tied on, wheras fruit grows on a fruit tree.”[i]

 

What I love about this statement is the truth it holds. In our Christian lives, fake fruit will always be found out. A close representation of God’s characteristics will never pass as the real thing. And yet another reason to dislike fake fruit.

 

From Romans 12 to see how we are to live a genuine, Christ-like life. A life where the fruit is real, not tied on.

 

Live sacrificially – Romans 12:1

Live humbly – Romans 12:3, 16

Live in unity – Romans 12:4-5

Live as gifted – Romans 12:6-8

Live lovingly – Romans 12:9-10

Live zealously – Romans 12:11

Live joyfully in hope – Romans 12:12

Live patiently in affliction – Romans 12:12

Live faithfully in prayer – Romans 12:12

Live generously – Romans 12:13

Live hospitably – Romans 12:13

Live harmoniously – Romans 12:16

Live fairly – Romans 12:17

Live peaceably – Romans 12:18

Live well – Romans 12:23

 

Now that is quite a list! As we fill our hearts with these words, we’re able to see how to live lives that are not fake. But we also know that without the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, living this way would be improbable. No, impossible.

 

As we allow God’s Spirit to produce good fruit in our lives, the guidelines in Romans 12 become doable. Our desire to live in such a way grows within us. It becomes imperative that our lives are no longer considered fake, but genuine.

 

There is another verse in this chapter that will help us as well. Romans 12:2 (NIV) says, “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.”

 

You see, if we live as the world lives and think as the world thinks, we will be fake. The evil one, the great deceiver, is the ruler of this world. There can be nothing genuine where he reigns. Think of his followers as those who have gaudy ornaments tied to their branches.

 

But when we are transformed into what God wants us to be, we are able to be genuine. We are genuine because our God is genuine. Then when we are transformed, our minds will be renewed. Renewed for genuineness.

 

I know eventually my Christmas décor will need to be removed. But this year, as I remove the few ornaments on my trees, I will think about how my life is to be. Genuine. Not fake. Not a life where gaudy ornaments are tied on my branches. I am to live my life as a fruit tree. With real growth and real fruit.

 

What’s happening with your fruit?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna


[i] Quote by John R. W. Stott

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Like Jesus

December 26th, 2013 dsisler

Oh my. Are you as tired as I am this morning? Two full days have me acting like a sloth. I don’t want to move, think, or think about moving. However, there are still dishes to wash and some last bits of Christmas still remain to clean up.

 

But what these past few days have been. Friends, family, loved ones all gathering to share their love with one another. To remember the birth of Jesus and to know how much God loved us.

 

Last night before the grandbabies left, we were occupying my grandson Percy. When he is told it’s time to go, he is usually ready. He wants to leave right then and doesn’t care for anything to stop him.

 

nativityHowever, his mom wasn’t quite ready to leave, so I showed him all of my nativities (I got a new one this year by the way). I ended with a small one with lights flickering through the figures. Then my daughter took over to keep him occupied. As he pulled the three characters off their pedestal, he would say, “Baby Jesus. Mommy Jesus. Daddy Jesus.”

 

I loved hearing him talk about Jesus and maybe he’s got it a little turned around, but then I thought of how that’s the way it’s supposed to be. People are to look at us and see Jesus. We are to resemble Jesus so much so that others would only see Jesus. So that people would say, “Donna Jesus. Baba Jesus.”

 

Take a look at some of these passages that lead me to this conclusion.

 

“But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:5-6 – NIV) That pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it? Well there’s more!

 

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:4 – NIV)

 

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 – NIV)

 

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothes yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27 – NIV)

 

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2 – NIV)

 

As I go through my day-to-day life, my prayer, my goal, my objective is to be like Christ. Oh there are times I show up, but when I can look to the Holy Spirit to help me through my day, then I can be clothed with the fruit He produces in me (Galatians 5:22-23).

 

That’s when others will look at me and know that I am different from the world. And they just might be confused by what to call me.

 

What do people call you?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Merry Christmas to You!

December 25th, 2013 dsisler

It’s quiet this morning. There is still much to be done for the day in anticipation of the grandkids, family and friends to arrive later. But in this moment, it’s still quiet.

 

I love to sit in quietness. When I am home alone, I nearly always turn off all the noise in the house. No TV. No music. An occasional conversation between me and myself, but usually it’s quiet.

 

DSC03935mIt’s during these times when I have the opportunity to reflect and remember. Remember what has happened most recently, what is foremost in my mind, or reflect on my relationship with God. They are precious moments that I value and cherish.

 

This morning is no different.

 

I am thinking of last night. Christmas Eve services at Rocky Mountain Christian Church. What a blessing it was (and is) to serve this group of people. Through three services at one of our campuses, I was able to answer questions, point people in a direction, pass out candles, light candles, wish each person a Merry Christmas and give them a special gift.

 

DSC03935DSC03935Last night alone, we gave away nearly 3,500 copies of “Love Does.” Each adult and teen walked away with their special copy of this book. All of this in preparation for the author, Bob Goff to speak at Rocky in February. These are exciting times for sure.

 

The book is about how we can live the life we secretly want to live. One filled with love for God and others. It’s a reminder that love is a verb. It’s an action word and we are to be doing something if we say we love.

 

I can’t help but mention the fact that God showed us how to love. He showed us that love does when He sent Jesus to be with us. Love does send a tiny baby to fulfill a promise. Love does announce to the world that the Messiah has arrived. Love does share the kingdom message with those He comes in contact with. Love does miraculous things to point people to God. Love does go to the cross and carry the burden mankind’s sin. Love does overcome death and the grave. Love does promise to return.

 

Love does.

 

So if we say we love God, we better be loving the way God loves. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8 – NIV)

 

So today, as you celebrate Christmas with those you love, remember Love. Think of what Love has done in your life and how He has changed you. Reflect on your relationship with Love. Be reminded that Love does. And then do likewise.

 

Because, Love does.

 

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.

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