Don’t Forget

May 30th, 2016 dsisler

 

One of my favorite blog posts is about Memorial Day, so thought I’d share again on this day of remembrance. I’m so thankful for the men and women who we were willing to give their life so that I might have the freedom I have. I pray that I will not take any of my freedoms for granted. I pray the same for you.

 

Memorial Day

 

flagToday is the day we Americans set aside to remember the men and women who fought and died in our military forces. From the Revolutionary War to the war against terrorism, those who have fallen are remembered on this particular day.

 

This day allows us to remember the bravery of those who have served in the armed forces. To reflect upon what their service meant. To ponder what America might have looked like had these men and women neglected their call to duty. To beam with pride for our America.

 

Patriotism in our early nation meant giving of oneself for the better of the whole. Sometimes it meant loss of livelihood. Sometimes it meant death. Today, we seem to believe we are patriotic if we fly our flag. But patriotism goes much deeper than that.

 

It is who we are as Americans. It is what we believe in. It is what we are willing to do to protect our values and our families. It is knowing that fighting for what is right is better than not fighting. But most of all, it is knowing that we live in a land where we are free.

 

Unfortunately, we take all of this for granted on most days of the year.

 

One of my favorite patriotic gospel songs is “Statue of Liberty.” In this song, a comparison is made between our American freedom and our freedom in Christ. Here are the lyrics to this song and if you’d like to listen and see a beautiful slide show, you can click here.

 

In New York Harbor stands a lady,
With a torch raised to the sky;
And all who see her know she stands for
Liberty for you and me.

 

I’m so proud to be called an American,
To be named with the brave and the free;
I will honor our flag and our trust in God,
And the Statue of Liberty.

 

On lonely Golgotha stood a cross,
With my Lord raised to the sky;
And all who kneel there live forever
As all the saved can testify.

 

I’m so glad to be called a Christian,
To be named with the ransomed and whole;
As the statue liberates the citizen,
So the cross liberates the soul.

 

Oh the cross is my Statue of Liberty,
It was there that my soul was set free;
Unashamed I’ll proclaim that a rugged cross
Is my Statue of Liberty![i]

 

I believe these lyrics show how our Christian faith is intertwined with our American lives. Where religious freedom meets political freedom. As a Christian, my faith must be seen in all areas of my life.

 

Holy Land Experience 038In Scripture we see that our spiritual freedom comes through living by God’s teachings. David knew how to be free. “I run in the path of your commands, or you have set my heart free.” (Psalm 119:32 – NIV) Isn’t this what we are all seeking? A heart set free? David shares the secret. It’s up to us to accept it.

 

Jesus also spoke of the freedom by following His teachings. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31b-32 – NIV) As we study and implement Jesus’ teachings, truth will become clear. It is the truth that will set us free.

 

And one more passage from 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) that tells us where freedom can be found. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” When the Spirit of the Lord resides within us, freedom is abundant.

 

I am called to live a life that honors God because of the freedom given in America and through the cross of Christ. I cannot take either lightly. Too great a sacrifice has been given for each.

 

Revolutionary War soldiers fought with great courage for what they believed in order to establish a nation that offered freedom and liberty to its citizens. Each military member since that time has fought for that same reason.

 

Jesus gave His life so that I might know true freedom and liberty. Spiritual freedom. Everlasting liberty.

 

Today I remember both. If you have not already enjoyed Christ’s freedom, why not do so today? It will be a day to remember!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Statue of Liberty,” © Words & Music by Neil Enloe, 1974

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Let’s Rejoice!

May 29th, 2016 dsisler

 

It’s Sunday morning! Time to get up and head to the house of the Lord!

 

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Sunday mornings are special (I pray they are for you as well). I understand King David’s words in Psalm 122:1 (NIV). “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” There is great rejoicing within my soul when I can join others in worshipping God my Creator and Jesus my Redeemer. To be in God’s presence is exciting.

 

So today I pray that you’re excited about heading to the house of the Lord. You will be blessed beyond measure when you approach God’s throne.

 

And today is also the day of the week that you will read an older post that I’ve written. I pray that you’ll enjoy reading about a clock or two. Have a wonderful day!

 

A Clock or Two

 

I found one last piece for my beachy office. A clock. I found that I struggled with finding the time while working away at my desk. Even though there is a tiny clock on my computer screen, I never could focus in on it.

 

My daughter and I were perusing Hobby Lobby last week and we saw this clock. A porthole replica that had been turned into a clock. Yesterday I decided it was time to get it. So now, I am the proud owner of this porthole clock. I’m sure it will help me with my time issues.

 

It just so happened that our bedroom alarm clock has decided to stop working as well. One or two mornings of not waking up on time will put a real damper on the day. So another clock was purchased yesterday and again, will help with time issues.

 

I don’t know about you, but there are occasions when I allow my time issues to push out the most important thing for me to do each day. Spend time with God. If you seem to be in the same boat, you know how disappointing it can be to stop one day and think, “when was the last time I picked up that devotion book or the Bible?”

 

It’s easy to get discouraged, but the good news is that God hasn’t moved. He’s still there in your special place waiting for you to join Him.

 

Even Jesus, our beloved Savior took time to be with God (Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12) and He encouraged His disciples to find quiet time (Mark 6:30-32).

 

So how can we find these opportunities when our clocks tell us we must get moving? Let me share a few helpful hints.

 

Make it a habit

Be consistent. Even if you only have a few moments, do it. Don’t let a day go by that you don’t spend a little time with God.

 

Set an alarm

I have found that when I set alarms or notifications to do specific things, I tend to do them. Whether it’s sending out a meeting agenda or a reminder to pick up a birthday card, it works for me.

 

If it works for you too, why not set an alarm to spend some quiet time with God. Find that perfect place, sit and read a little Scripture and then finish up with prayer time. I am positive it will make a difference in your daily life.

 

Keep a journal

I love writing down what I’ve learned from God each day. However, by keeping a journal I’ve come to see my inconsistencies. When I thought I was spending daily time with God, my journal told a different story.

 

Journal keeping has helped me to be more consistent with this time. It might just be exactly what you need to do as well.

 

Don’t get discouraged

I am encouraged by the fact that God’s mercies are new every day (Lamentations 3:22-23). When I forget to spend time with God, I have the opportunity to make it right. I can run to Him, ask forgiveness and He will sit and visit with me (and you).

 

James encouraged his readers to “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (James 4:8 – NIV) We can remember these words each day and see if it doesn’t make a difference.

 

What I’ve come to realize is that my time is God’s time. When I waste my time, I waste God’s time. When I run late, God is running late. When I don’t take the time to visit with God, I miss out on being in the presence of the One who gave His Son so that I might live. Kind of puts it in perspective, doesn’t it?

 

Time is easily squandered and wasted. I pray that you will take the time today to be with God. Enjoy His presence. Rejoice in your Savior. Find solace in His arms. Find peace in His Words.

 

Time is ticking!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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A Few Words From God

May 28th, 2016 dsisler

 

It’s a cool morning here in Colorado…my toes are cold! Who would have thought I’d need to wear slippers on Memorial Day weekend? In Colorado, it’s a possibility. As a matter of fact, the heat just came on. Guess we better switch that off today. Still snowing in the mountains.

 

Today I’d like to share some of favorite Pinterest finds. I still am drawn to beautiful artwork and when it includes God’s living Words in the brushstrokes, I find it even more lovely. Have a blessed weekend and remember what Memorial Day is truly about.

 

 

Ecc3.1

 

Jer 15.16

 

John8.12

 

John15.5

 

John 16.33

 

2Cor5.7

 

Eph4.29

 

Hebrews 10.23

 

1Peter3.15

 

1 Peter4.8

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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The Gate Called Beautiful

May 27th, 2016 dsisler

 

Writing from the Book of Acts again this morning and I came across the phrase, “the gate called Beautiful” in Acts 3:2. This was a gate leading into the temple and it was where Peter and John encountered a beggar.

 

the gate called beautifulAs soon as I wrote it, my thoughts went to the temple of God today. Scripture tells us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and that God dwells within us. So if the entrance to the temple of God is my heart, would I or God call it beautiful?

 

On many days I believe I can say that, but then there are days when I harbor ungodly feelings or desires within my heart (the gate to God’s temple). In those moments, I cannot call the gate to the temple of God beautiful.

 

It is my greatest desire for my heart to be more Christ-like and for my heart to be called beautiful. I pray that is your desire as well. So what is it that we need to do when we find our hearts leaning toward ugliness?

 

Repent. Seek forgiveness from God, as well as a person to whom the ugliness is directed.

 

Fill the void with something beautiful. The fruit of the Spirit is a good start.

 

Ask God’s Spirit to help your heart become more beautiful each day.

 

Spend time with God. The longer you are in God’s presence, the more like Him you will become. That leads to a beautiful heart.

 

Now I am sure there are more steps to this beautiful heart process, but don’t stay where you are because you think it’s an overwhelming journey. Take the first step and then take the next step and then the next. Before you and I know it, we are on our way to having a beautiful heart that is the gate to God’s temple.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Acts 2

May 26th, 2016 dsisler

 

I just finished writing Acts 2. What a powerful chapter of Scripture! There were a few things that caught my attention in this passage.

 

IMAG1501First, the whole pouring of the Holy Spirit happening must have been exhilarating and frightening all at the same time. But what power they must have felt once the Holy Spirit was moving and active in their lives. Sometimes I feel like I’ve allowed the Holy Spirit to be bound within me, but when I read (and write) this passage, I realize what I’m missing. My prayer must be for the Holy Spirit to move within me as He did in Acts 2.

 

I also was captured by Peter’s message. It’s been years since I read through this message in its entirety. What a message…with such power that nearly 3,000 souls were saved that day. I pray each day that my message would be clear, but after reading Acts 2, maybe my prayer should be that my message would be as powerful as Peter’s. That it might touch hearts and minds and that others would come to know the Lord through my message.

 

And then I wondered about Peter’s quote from King David. David prophesied about Jesus approximately 1,000 years before Jesus was born. So what must he have been thinking as he penned these words? For that matter, what did each prophet feel and think and know as they wrote their prophecies of Jesus? I don’t know, but I wonder if God didn’t allow them a glimpse into the future to see what Jesus would be for all of mankind. What a blessed moment that would have been. On the other hand, perhaps each of these men may have been satisfied with trusting that God had it all covered. Either way, this message in King David’s time and throughout those 1,000 years must have brought comfort to the people of Israel.

 

I just love that God’s Word is alive and active and that I can find great encouragement from each word I read, hear or write. I find myself wanting to learn more and go deeper with each day as I write these precious words. I pray that you find this same thirst and desire and urgency to know what God’s Word has to say to you. There is wonder-working power in His Word!

 

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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