“More Than a Dead Letter” – Today’s Touch

June 9th, 2016 dsisler

 

Just a reminder that I’ve added a touch of poetry to my world. Not my poetry (but I would never rule out the possibility of sharing a poem I write…if I ever decide to write a poem), but others who are much more skilled at this form of writing.

 

Today’s piece of poetry is from Philips Brooks. Take a look at his words and I’ll meet you on the other side.

 

“More Than a Dead Letter”
By Phillips Brooks

The Bible is like a telescope.
If a man looks through his telescope,
Then he sees the worlds beyond;
But if he looks at his telescope,
Then he does not see anything but that.
The Bible is a thing to be looked through,
To see that which is beyond;
But most people only look at it;
And so they see only the dead letter.

 

DSC04480The Bible contains words that are to enhance our lives. We find encouragement, guidelines, conviction, love, grace and redemption to name a few. We find God’s character within the pages of this holy book. There are records of miracles and wondrous signs. We read of births and deaths. There are examples for us to follow. There are warnings against the evil in this world.

 

But if we never look deeply into the pages of God’s Word, we will have missed the best piece of literature known to mankind.

 

Today I would like to challenge you to read at least one chapter in the Bible today. However, I will choose the chapter. Colossians 3. That’s what I want you to read today. Then once you’ve read it, think about what you’ve read. What does it mean to live a holy life? This chapter provides a good start.

 

And then, determine to live this way today. Change your thought process. Control your desire to live the way the world lives. Show compassion to those around you. Allow God’s peace to dwell in your heart. Take it with you as you head to work or into the world and hold tightly to these ideas within your home.

 

Now, do you have a better understanding of how God’s Word can enhance your life? And all because you chose to dig a little deeper within the pages of Scripture.

 

I will be praying for you today!

 

Oh, and if you are a poet and would like to share your work with me, I’d love to use the work of someone I know! Have a blessed day!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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What Are Your Plans?

June 8th, 2016 dsisler

 

I have made some grand plans for the summer. I have two new Bible studies planned. One actually starts tomorrow, so local friends, if you want to get in on this fun, new way of exploring God’s Word called journaling, let me know and I can get the details to you.

 

DSC02411mI also will lead a study on Thursday’s during the month of July that will help us understand four women of the Bible. I’m excited about that study.

 

So I’ve made all these plans, but here’s the problem. I didn’t think about how these studies affect the things I’ve already got going in my life. I set up the journaling class to meet at a time when I should be in a staff meeting. Honest. I completely forgot about it.

 

And I already had a couple of trips to Ohio planned, but I didn’t consider these trips either…I don’t think that I use my planner or my calendar very well. LOL! I think I need some help! An assistant for the assistant!

 

And just when I thought I had my plans all set and ready to go, some personal things dropped in as if to say, “Hey! Do you really think you’re in control?”

 

All of this to say, plans change.

 

Yes, in life, sometimes plans change. Sometimes lives change. It was no different for the people who Jesus encountered. Think of the people whose plans changed because they met Jesus. Nicodemus. Zacchaeus. Mary Magdalene. The woman at the well. Peter, Andrew, James and John.

 

Perhaps the greatest plan-changed encounter was Jesus with Saul. I just finished writing Acts 9 (very powerful) and this chapter tells of a plan-changing moment. Saul heard a voice and saw a blinding light. Jesus spoke to Saul and from that moment on, all of Saul’s plans changed.

 

From the moment Jesus grasped hold of Saul’s heart, his plans, his life, his message changed, and even his name changed! He became totally sold into Jesus’ plan. Acts 9:22 (NIV) tells of this miraculous change in Saul’s plans. Take a look at what was said about Saul. “Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.”

 

You see, Saul had been sent to Damascus to squash this new sect of believers, but before he even arrived, Saul’s plans changed. Enraged, the Jewish leaders conspired to kill Saul. But another change in plans helped Saul escape (Acts 9:25).

 

Encountering Jesus is a plan changer. When we allow Jesus to do His work in our lives, things change. We change. Life changes.

 

There’s a song from the musical “The Witness” that I just love. It is a song about Peter’s encounter with Jesus and how he received life through Jesus. Click here to listen to the message.

 

This is my invitation to you today. Come to the Life Giver. Allow Jesus to make this change in your life and your plans. Then, you too can join the list mentioned above. Are you ready for a change?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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On Time

June 7th, 2016 dsisler

 

I have been telling time since early in my life. Perhaps first or second grade. I have a handle on analog and digital time-telling. But I must tell you that I get very frustrated when I’m in my husband’s car and want to know the time.

 

Why? Because he uses that 24-hour system. Once we’re past noon, I am never sure what time it is. Mason has tried to teach me how to read time, but I get so confused. Do I subtract and then add? Or do I just subtract? And do I subtract 10 hours or 12 hours or 2 hours? Do I need to stand on one foot while reading the clock? I just can’t remember the formula.

 

And then, if I do happen to remember how to figure out the time, it’s a matter of mathematics. And I’m not very good at it. So to subtract a double-digit number from another double-digit number in my head is very challenging.

 

Just change the clock to the normal way normal people read a clock!

 

Unfortunately, this is a habit my husband is sticking with. He’s been using this system his entire career. It’s not going to change.

 

WatchSo I found a solution that will help me tell time when I’m in his car. It’s a watch (a normal time-reading watch), but with an extra set of smaller numbers to help me figure out the time without much difficulty. The designer of this watch probably has had the same issue I’ve had. Phew!

 

I can’t help but think that I ask God to change His Word to make my life easier. “Surely You don’t really want me to love my neighbor…not that neighbor.” “Really? You want me to go on a mission trip?” “Why would You want that piece of my heart?” “This little sin isn’t hurting anyone.”

 

And if you will admit it, you’ve probably done the same thing.

 

News flash! God isn’t going to change just because it’s too difficult for us or because we are too selfish to make the commitment to stop going against Him. So we better shape up and figure out that He is standing firm on what He says. His Word is the Word.

 

King David loved God’s Word and believed that all he needed was within the pages of the Bible. If you’re looking for something to read today, read through Psalm 119 to gain insight into David’s heart and his desire to follow God’s commands. Here are a few verses to consider:

 

“Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statues as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” (Psalm 119:12-16 – NIV)

 

“Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; the n I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my lie according to your word.” (Psalm 119:33-37 – NIV)

 

“Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm I the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.” (Psalm 119:89-91 – NIV)

 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105 – NIV)

 

Have you asked God to change His statutes to make your life easier? If so, I pray that you will find a deeper understanding of God’s Word through David’s words today. And then, I pray that you will turn from worthless things this world offers to stick to God’s plan. What blessings we will receive when we do life God’s way.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“The People in the Line” – Monday Musical Musings

June 6th, 2016 dsisler

 

I am touched again by a song that helps me to put things in perspective, as well as reminds me of how focused I can be on myself.

 

As I listen to today’s piece of music, I am reminded of Jesus’ parable from Matthew 25:31-46 and His words from Matthew 7:12 and the words Jesus spoke in John 15:11-14.

 

I know I’m guilty of being impatient, or judgmental or unsympathetic at times, but after re-reading Jesus’ words and the lyrics to this song, I realize that I am far too selfish and busy and tired and blind to those who are hurting around me.

 

Now don’t think that I’m being too hard on myself. Maybe I’m “okay” at this, but I need to be better. I need to show Jesus’ love in all circumstances. So I am challenging myself to do so.

 

Perhaps you could try just a little harder to do the same. I can’t help but imagine what our lives would be like if we all thought about the people in the line, on the road or in the pew through Jesus’ eyes instead of our own.

 

“The People in the Line”

 

The people in the line, they make me pretty mad sometimes.

Days when I got a lot to do, they do something so the line won’t move.

But things being what they are,

Chances are good that there’s a broken heart

Standing in front of me or right behind

And I know it’s Jesus who brings that to my mind.

About the people in the line.

 

The people on the road, in the traffic everywhere I go;

Cut in front or pass me way too fast.

I go crazy when they drive right past.

But I wonder if it just might be there’s someone,

Somewhere that they need to reach;

They’re driving barely hanging on to hope.

So I pray to have more grace for things that I don’t know,

About the people on the road.

 

People all around me that I barely see in need of mercy, in need of peace;

Struggling underneath the heavy load.

Jesus died for people in the line and people on the road.

 

The people in the pew, the one sitting next to me and you.

The mom who’s face is frozen in a frown, her son is sitting in a cell downtown.

A man is crying as we sing the songs; a girl with needle tracks all down her arms;

We’ve all got something that we’re going through.

Surely we’d have more love if we only knew about the people in the pew.

 

People all around me that I tend to judge,

Jesus only sees that they need His love.

And here I’m asking what I’m gonna do;

For the people in the line;

And the people on the road;

And the people in the pew.

 

You won’t want to miss this song. Click here to listen to the Talley’s sing their newest hit.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

“The People in the Line,” The Talley’s

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Acts 3:1

June 5th, 2016 dsisler

 

Remember earlier this week I shared my thoughts on Acts 3? There is so much in that passage, but one piece I’d like to remind you of this morning is that Peter and John headed into the temple to pray…not on a Sunday or even in the morning. It was 3:00 pm.

 

CCYes, today is Sunday and we usually head off to church in the morning, but let’s remember to follow Peter and John’s example and spend time in worship and prayer throughout our day. I can’t help but believe the day will go much better with this in mind.

 

Today’s repeat blog post is about my husbands’ woodworking hobby. Have a great day!

 

Glue and a Stabilizer

 

My husband has been working on a new hobby. Wood working. Specifically puzzle boxes. Now he hasn’t actually built one yet. He’s still gathering all of the tools and supplies needed to actually make a puzzle box. And I must say his little workshop is looking mighty fine.

 

He has made one thing however. A tiny reindeer. I was certainly impressed and while he admits it’s not perfect, it is a start. After this attempt he realized there were two things he needed to make this work. A stabilizer and a different type of glue.

 

Of course, these are two things we need in our spiritual lives as well. A stabilizer and glue.

 

Obviously, the stabilizer must be the Holy Spirit. As we allow God’s Spirit to live within our hearts, we find that there are many other things the Holy Spirit is able to do within our lives. Let’s take a look at some of them.

 

The Holy Spirit is a Counselor (John 14:16).

 

The Holy Spirit shows truth (John 14:17; John 16:13).

 

The Holy Spirit comforts (John 14:18).

 

The Holy Spirit teaches and reminds of what we’ve learned (John 14:26).

 

The Holy Spirit is peace (John 14:27).

 

The Holy Spirit convicts of sin (John 16:8).

 

The Holy Spirit prays when we don’t know what to pray (Romans 8:26).

 

The Holy Spirit intercedes (Romans 8:27).

 

So if the Holy Spirit is our stabilizer, what is the glue? I believe it is my statement of faith. What I believe. As my faith grows deeper and stronger, I draw closer to God because I know that’s where I am at my best and where I should be.

 

Maybe you have a statement of faith. I know some who hold on to the Apostle’s Creed (all or part). Other may look to their church for a statement of faith. What I would suggest however, is to make a statement of faith for yourself. Make it your own. Oh, you can follow the guidelines from other statements, but put it in your own words.

 

For instance, this is the first line of my church’s statement of faith. “We believe there is one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”[i]

 

If I were to rephrase this line to make it a personal statement I might say, “I know with all that is in me that there is one true God. I believe in the trinity of God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and how each of them plays a unique role in my spiritual journey.”

 

While I know what I believe and can share my beliefs when asked, I’ve never written out a personal statement of faith. However, if it is the glue that holds my faith in tact, then maybe it’s time I write it out. I suspect you can look forward to reading it someday soon.

 

Sometimes our faith walk can get a little unbalanced. Sometimes we just need to get out the glue and allow the stabilizer to work in our lives. But what I really know is the importance of starting. There will be mistakes along the way, but when we can hold fast to what we believe and when we allow God’s Spirit to lead and guide us, we will be able to look at those mistakes and know we are a little closer to Jesus because of what we’ve learned.

 

Let’s get to work!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] http://www.rmcc.org/about/beliefs/

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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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    In September 2012 I went to SE Asia on a service trip. For more information, check out preachitclearly.blogspot.com.

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