A Good Neighbor

October 10th, 2013 dsisler

There’s a cute commercial on television now about a young lad having to give a speech. In his research he looks up all the great speeches of history. In the end, a gal catches his eye and he is off to do research for his next speech.

 

In his research of great speeches, I believe he missed a few. None of Jesus’ speeches are mentioned. Peter’s speech on the day the Church was founded was not mentioned. Paul’s speech to the Athenians was not mentioned. And this list could go on.

 

HomeI however, would love to talk about Paul’s speech in Athens to the Areopagus in Acts 17:16-34. The Greeks were philosophers and “spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.” (Acts 17:21 – NIV) They invited Paul to share with them this new idea.

 

Paul’s speech was brilliant. He knew exactly where to begin…with the altar to an unknown god. Paul then proclaimed to them the good news of Jesus.

 

There is one verse in Paul’s speech that I’d like to pull out. One that perhaps we’ve missed through the years or even overlooked. But with the renewed interest of showing love to our neighbors in our neighborhoods, this verse sticks out.

 

“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” (Acts 17:26 – NIV)

 

God has placed me in my neighborhood for a specific purpose. God has placed you in your neighborhood for a specific purpose. I believe this idea changes everything.

 

It’s my purpose to get to know my neighbors. Know their needs. Meet their needs when possible. Pray for my neighbors. Share God’s message with my neighbors.

 

But when I pull into my garage and put the door down before I even get out of my car, I have no opportunities to meet my neighbors, much less do life with them.

 

Our congregation has been challenged to meet our neighbors and begin praying for them over the next 3 months. I believe that when we pair prayer with the understanding that God placed us in the exact location for His purpose, we have the perfect combination for God to move in mighty ways.

 

Years ago my family lived next to a church which housed men who were sent by the court system to straighten their lives out. At the time, we had young children and I felt in order to keep us all safe, I needed to know the men who lived next door.

 

I sat on my front porch and spoke with these men. I learned their names. I shared conversation. I got to know their stories. In the three years that we lived there, not once did I ever feel threatened or in harm’s way.

 

Why? Because I was a good neighbor.

 

I challenge you to do the same. Meet your neighbors. Write their names down. Begin to pray for them. Don’t lock yourself up in your homes. Get out there. Be available. See what God has in store for your neighborhood.

 

Perhaps this isn’t possible for you. But what you can do is pray. If you don’t know the names of your neighbors, do the best you can. Describe them to God. He knows their names. Allow God’s Spirit to do the praying for you. You can still be a good neighbor without leaving your home.

 

I pray that you’ll come to understand the importance of Jesus’ words when He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27 – NIV)

 

Now, let’s get out there and be good neighbors!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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The Right Protection

October 9th, 2013 dsisler

Since the floods here in Colorado, we’ve had a massive amount of mosquitoes that just cannot seem to be squashed. The spraying has continued, we’ve dipped below freezing on at least one night, but these pesky critters seem to be thriving.

 

I mentioned to my daughter that I needed to get some bug spray before tomorrow night when our church is headed to a local farm for a church gathering. She reminded me to get the right spray this time.

 

sunflower-image-Vintage-GraphicsFairy (2)I got the right spray the last time. At the same time I also purchased sunscreen. I had volunteered to help with the local Vacation Bible School for the church I recently attended. We held it in a local park, so naturally, I needed bug spray.

 

When I arrived at the park with my purchase of bug spray and sunscreen, I sprayed myself with the bug spray…the sun wasn’t an issue. However, as the evening rolled on, mosquitoes seemed to be attracted to me instead of repelled. A few children seemed to have the same issue, so I volunteered my bug spray for them.

 

As it turns out, I was using the sunscreen instead of the bug spray…mosquitoes apparently like sunscreen.

 

The children and I were protected that evening. We just weren’t protected from the most harmful element. We were protected from something that wasn’t a threat.

 

I recently read the account of Samson in Judges 13-16. This man, sent from God was stronger than any Philistine or Hebrew had ever seen. His amazing strength, given to him by God, was used against the Philistine nation to bring revenge for himself and for Israel.

 

Samson was protected by God through his own strength. No man could subdue Samson. No animal stood a chance. However, there seemed to be one thing that Samson was not protected from. His own heart and the lure of Philistine women.

 

He fell in love with Philistine women who used his love toward them against him. They conspired and tricked Samson on numerous occasions until he finally gave in and shared his secrets.

 

After his marriage to a Philistine woman, Samson was nagged by her until he gave up the secret of his riddle (Judges 14:14-18). And then there is the account of Samson and Delilah in Judges 16:4-22 when Delilah also nags Samson into giving her the secret to his strength.

 

Samson was protected from the Philistine armies, but he was not protected from the Philistine women.

 

Each of us have weaknesses that when left unprotected will bring us down as easily as Samson was brought to his knees. When it comes to spiritual battles, we cannot assume that the evil one will not attack us through our weaknesses. So what are we to do?

 

We must prepare for this battle.

 

God has given us His weaponry to fight our spiritual battles. Just as the Spirit of the Lord was with Samson, the Holy Spirit is within us. We must utilize His strength and power to be overcomers in these battles.

 

God has also given us His armor (Ephesians 6:13-17). The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. These are all weapons we must understand and learn to use.

 

We also find that God has given us direct communication with Him to help us in the battle. In Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) we read, “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” I believe God is telling us that we need to pray and that He wants to be with us through each struggle.

 

God has given us encouragement when times of battle arise. Earlier in Ephesians 6 we find these words. “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11 – NIV)

 

And finally another encouragement from God is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV). “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” When your battle is against temptation, God is with you. He understands the struggle and He will provide a way of escape. It’s up to you to look for the way out and then to escape.

 

Through God, we have the right protection for the right circumstance. Crawl under the wing of the Almighty’s protection. There you will find safety, security, and ability to win the battle.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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Light

October 8th, 2013 dsisler

 

Yesterday I mentioned that during our worship service two weeks ago all the lights went off at the beginning of our first service. So here’s the rest of the story.

 

1340158443410As soon as the lights went off, my husband and I left the auditorium. I went out because of my role as executive assistant to the senior pastor (who was out of town with our elders on a retreat) and my husband left the room because he works for our local electric company.

 

As soon as we walked out of the auditorium he knew it was an internal problem…I wasn’t as quick to figure it out. But the lobby area still had lights and it certainly was an internal problem.

 

Before I had the chance to head back into worship, I was asked to do something in the office and my husband and I went our separate ways. While in the office, the lights suddenly went out again. I fumbled around trying to find light. I wasn’t in my office (which has a window), so it was very dark.

 

The lights finally came back on and we were able to finish the task at hand and the rest of the morning went along without any problems.

 

Later I learned that when the auditorium lights went off, they somehow fell into a cycle that would have brought them back on much later in the day. The team of experts determined that if they didn’t shut the entire building down, the lights in the auditorium wouldn’t come on until it was too late.

 

So they shut it all down. When the switch was flipped, all the building lights were on.

 

I was reminded of the scene in Jurassic Park when they had to shut down their whole system in order for it to return to normal. Well, without the dinosaurs.

 

I was also reminded of the time period between Jesus’ ascension and when the Apostles received the Holy Spirit.

 

The Apostles had been with Jesus for three years. They had listened to His teaching. Seen the miracles He performed. They had been blessed and disciplined by Jesus. They had seen Him die on the cross and rise from the grave. They had also seen Him leave.

 

Jesus told them to stay in Jerusalem and wait. Jesus’ words were cryptic. He mentioned they would receive the promised gift from the Father and that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

 

Perhaps this was a period of darkness for them, but not physical or even spiritual darkness. They simply didn’t have all the answers. They were in the dark about what was to come.

 

But when the lights came back on, everything suddenly became clear. They understood everything they had heard Jesus teach. They remembered every detail. They were able to speak in languages that they hadn’t studied. They became bold preachers of God’s message. When the Holy Spirit ascended upon them, they became great leaders of the Church of God.

 

I’m sure those who knew these men prior to the Gift wondered what had happened. Suddenly, this band of followers were confident in their message. They no longer questioned Jesus about His parables. They knew.

 

At the moment the Holy Spirit arrived and dwelt within these believers, the world changed. The Light was so bright on that day and has continued to shine throughout history.

 

When we follow Peter’s words in Acts 2:38 (NIV), we too are blessed to receive this same Gift. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

 

If you are living in darkness, today is the perfect day to let the Light in. Jesus will accept you just as you are. But the transformation He will make through the Holy Spirit will be remarkable. There is so much to see and learn within the Light. Why not take that step?

 

If you have received this great Light (the Holy Spirit), are you allowing Him to do His work within you? Are you being transformed each day? Do others see the Light within you? I pray that is the case.

 

I don’t care for darkness. I’d much rather be in the light. I’m thankful that when it comes to my spiritual life, I am living in the Light each day. Thank you Father for your Gift. Your Light. Your Holy Spirit.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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“It Is Well” – Monday Musical Musings

October 7th, 2013 dsisler

We live in an exciting era of music writing. Old hymns are being rebirthed with the addition of newer, updated choruses. This new look at the hymns many of us grew up singing is perfect for our children and grandchildren who are singing a different type of praise music to God. The resurgence is uplifting and satisfying.

 

0005030206R-849x565The song I’ve chosen to write about today is one such hymn. The songwriter, Todd Fields, has taken a beloved hymn of faith and added just a few lines that bring added meaning to the already great lyrics. They allow us to understand why all is well with our souls.

 

We all know that trials and disappointments come with the territory of life. There will be storms. Great storms. But when our soul is right with God, He will carry us through the storm and deliver us safely on the other side.

 

It’s during these times, like Horatio Spafford who lost so much on the Atlantic Sea, we are able to say, “It is Well.”

 

We sang this version two weeks ago in worship. In the middle of verse 2, the entire church building went dark. All power was gone. The worship leader sang a little louder, the congregation kept singing and at the end of the song, the auditorium erupted in applause.

 

I have many thoughts on that morning and I will share them at a later time, but for now, I’ll move along with today’s post. We sang this song again yesterday. Not because it wasn’t done well the week before, but because it’s message is truer than ever. When God is in the middle of our lives, whatever we go through, it is okay.

 

I pray that you can sing these words this morning. “It Is Well.”

 

VERSE 1
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, You have taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul

CHORUS 1
It is well, it is well;
through the storm I am held;
It is well, it is well with my soul

VERSE 2
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul

CHORUS 2
It is well, it is well;
through the storm I am held;
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well, it is well;
God has won, Christ prevailed;
It is well, it is well with my soul

VERSE 3
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
Even so, it is well with my soul[i]

 

Click here to listen to Todd Fields at Northpoint Church sing his version of “It Is Well.”

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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[i] “It Is Well With My Soul,” Words: Horatio G. Spafford, 1873, Music: Philip Bliss. “It Is Well,” Todd Fields, Album: Rise Above, 2012

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God’s Plan

October 6th, 2013 dsisler

Once again we’ve landed on the first day of the week on the calendar. You’ll be reading about the doll house again today and the plan we had to build it.

 

But I’d like for you to remember that God has a plan for our lives. I don’t use this verse often because I believe it is overused. I also believe there are important verses around it that are ignored. But they fit in with God’s plan for us. So today, I’ll share Jeremiah 29:10-14 – NIV)

 

“This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you to exile.’”

 

God’s plan for us is so much more than what we find in Jeremiah 29:11. His desire is that we seek Him with all our hearts. His desire is for us to be removed from the captivity of sin. His desire is that we come back to Him.

 

His plan for us does include good things, but He will discipline when necessary and He will wait while we wander about in exile. But when we call upon His name and come to Him in prayer, He will listen. Now that’s a great plan!

 

Building a Doll House: The Plan – Chapter 2

 

We had a kit. We had supplies. We had a plan. We had nearly four months to complete the project for Joy’s Christmas gift. We got started immediately. Mason pulled out every piece and placed a “sticky note” on it with the part number and the number of pieces.

 

He read through the directions and felt they weren’t adequate, so he found a great website that had step-by-step instructions (with photos) on how to build this particular house. We found this resource to be extremely useful throughout the project.

 

My project was to design each room. The color scheme, wall paper, flooring, and décor of each room was especially exciting to work on. I spent hours looking for the perfect items.

 

In addition to this, I also searched the Bible to find a verse to write on each surface that related to the purpose of each room. Each verse is hand-written under the wall paper, flooring, or shingles. My prayer is that when the wall paper or shingles fall off of this house, my great-grandchildren will see a message from me (and God).

 

Mason gathered tools and supplies. Lots of tools and supplies. Here’s a list: rulers, squares, saws, clamps, air hammer, glue, pin nails, tape, paint, paint brushes, electrical tools, pencils, sandpaper, and tables. Pretty soon, the loft was overtaken by all things doll house related. Our work station and planning were complete. It was time to actually start building the doll house.

 

Joy's Dollhouse Assembly 031mWe used a lot, a lot of clamps. Of various shapes and sizes, these supports kept pieces in place while the glue dried or they served as extra “hands” when the task got a bit difficult. Without the clamps some of the work on the house would be impossible, difficult or perhaps delayed. Occasionally we’d come to a spot where none of the clamps would work and in those situations we’d simply hold a piece in place or hope the pin nails would keep it exactly where it was supposed to be until the glue dried. These were not fun times and it made us very thankful for the clamps when we were able to use them.

 

God gave us several tools to help us through difficult times. Times we might need an extra hand, an encouraging word, or a hug. Our fellow Christians can be the support we need at times. Remember Ecclesiastes 4:12?

 

God’s Holy Spirit can lead and guide us and God’s Word can give us encouragement when there is no encouragement to be found. Through the true foundation of God’s Word, Jesus as our Savior, and added strength of good Christian friends will we be able to handle the trials we encounter.

 

Proverbs 14:22b tells us, “Those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.” Love and faithfulness. Gifts from God. They may come in the form of friends, but most definitely from God.

 

Do you have a plan? A good plan? I pray that you do. If not, why not seek out the Planner of our salvation and begin the process of building a new life? His plans stand firm. Forever. Let’s use His plan!

 

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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