Going Home

May 3rd, 2012 dsisler

There is something about that phrase that brings complete joy to my heart. Sometimes I get so excited just thinking of going home that I can hardly stand it.
For me, living across country from my entire family means trips to Ohio for special occasions, visits, or holidays. And then once I am there, I am just as excited at the thought of heading toward Colorado and my loved ones left behind.
Going home. Why is it so comforting? What makes it so special?
If we look at the definition of home according to Merriam-Webster, it is “the social unit formed by a family living together or a familiar or usual setting, a congenial environment, or the focus of one’s domestic attention.”[i]
This definition includes some important words. Family. Familiar. Usual. Congenial. Domestic.
That’s why the word home brings such warmth and comfort to our longing hearts.
When I come home to Ohio, there are a few things I enjoy. Some of my favorite foods are here. Some of my favorite places are here. Some of my favorite people are here. Some of my favorite memories are here. Going home allows me to enjoy of all of these.
I’m so grateful that God has something to say about our homes, because it is so important to us. His Word shows us how we should build our homes, how to maintain our homes, about our spiritual homes, and our eternal home.
Building a Home
Psalm 127:1 tells us, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.”
When the foundations of our homes have God as the source of strength, there will be greater success. Allowing God to be in the middle of everything that goes on in our homes will produce a useful family for His kingdom.
Righteous Home
When we’ve built our homes on God’s Word as the foundation, He offers promises that we can believe.
Proverbs 3:33 says, “The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.”
And Isaiah 32:18 tells us, “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.”
Following God’s commands and living holy lives leads to blessings within our homes.
Spiritual Home
We also have the calling to create a spiritual home within our physical bodies.
“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23)
“As you come to him, the living Stone —rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5)
Eternal Home
In 2 Samuel 7:10a, God promised Israel a home of their own. “And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.”
Just as God promised the Israelites that home in the Old Testament, He has promised us an eternal home. A place where we can go home and be with Him forever.
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2)
My parents have moved from the houses where my siblings and I grew up. I have no emotional attachments to where they live now. Although the houses are not the same, where they live is still “home” because of my family who live there. Because of the familiar, usual, congenial, domestic environment that exists there. Because at home, wherever it is, there is love.
I believe God created us with this longing for home so that we might have a deep desire to go home. Not just our physical homes, but our eternal home. It’s no wonder that we want to go home.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna

[i] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/home
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Pool of Bethesda

May 2nd, 2012 dsisler
Bethesda North Hospital has been my home base for the past week. There have been ups and downs, but I’ve been so blessed to be with my Mom through it all. 

So I’m here. At a hospital named after the famous pool in Scripture. So today, let’s talk about the pool and the man whose life was changed because of his encounter with Jesus at that spot.

In John 5, a detailed account of the Pool of Bethesda is given.

“Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’ ‘Sir,’ the invalid replied, ‘I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, ‘It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.’ But he replied, ‘The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ So they asked him, ‘Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?’ The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, ‘See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.’ The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.” (John 5:1-15)
I love John’s detail of the actual pool. Its location. Its name. Its design. Its use. The only real useful information in the first few verses of this passage is the use of the pool. For healing. And that is where Jesus wound up for an unusual healing moment.
The man Jesus encountered didn’t know who Jesus was. This man jumped on the chance to be healed, but he assumed that Jesus would stick around to lower him into the pool. But that wasn’t the case.
Jesus told the man to get up. At once the man was healed. And Jesus slipped away into the crowd. What a marvelous gift was given to this once crippled man. The ability to lead a normal life.
From this point forward, he wouldn’t need assistance for anything. He could become independent. He could do as he pleased. To do. To go. To be.
That was an important part of this story, but most definitely not the most important part. Jesus met up with the man later on and gave him an even greater gift. The gift of forgiveness. The gift of salvation. The gift of eternal life.
Once again, the man could do, go or be anything he wanted, but now with a greater purpose. To tell others of the man who had healed him and forgiven his sins.
If you are lying by the pool, just waiting for spiritual healing, look to Jesus. He’s standing there waiting for you to look to Him. Perhaps it’s time for you to say “yes” to the Great Physician.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Green

May 1st, 2012 dsisler

I am always amazed at how green Ohio is in the spring and early summer. Not just the grass, but the trees as well.
And speaking of trees, they are abundant! As I sit in my Mom’s hospital room, I can look out and only see the tree tops.
Trees of Colorado
As I move through the hospital, the view is the same. Tree tops. Green tree tops. Occasionally there is a water tower of cell phone tower, but very occasionally.
Although green is not near the top of my favorite color list, the abundance of green right now is encouraging. It is refreshing. It is inspiring. It is uplifting. It is reassuring.
We can also find encouragement, refreshment, inspiration, uplifting, and reassurance from God’s abundant blessings. Reflect on a few verses to be reminded of His abundances.
“They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.” (Psalm 145:7) Celebrate! You are covered abundantly by His goodness!
“You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.” (Psalm 68:9) There is nothing like a shower…inside or outside. It does bring great refreshment to us as it does the land.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 – NAS) When we accept the life that Jesus offers, everything changes. Our quality of life changes too. It moves from being mediocre to excellent. It moves from average to above average. It moves from ordinary to extraordinary. Now that is abundant!
“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17) We don’t just get a provision of grace, it is an abundant provision. I don’t know about you, but for this makes me very happy.
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8) God blesses us for a purpose. For His purpose. So that in each situation in our lives, we can be doing good.
“From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” (John 1:16 – NLT) God’s abundant blessings keep on coming. One after another. He certainly is a gracious Father.
The problem with abundance is that we sometimes take it for granted. We don’t acknowledge it. We just expect it to always be there. If we take God’s blessings and gifts for granted, we are certainly not showing our heavenly Father an attitude of gratitude.
Please don’t let a day go by that you don’t thank or praise God for His abundant blessings upon your life. That in itself will bring abundant joy to your life.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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My Little Garden

April 30th, 2012 dsisler

I gave up gardening years ago. I just don’t enjoy it like I used to.
I’ve tried to raise a few vegetable plants since living in Colorado. With the dry, desert climate, my plants simply didn’t survive.
An AeroGarden seemed to be the perfect solution. I could grow a few plants next to my kitchen sink and I could gather the goods as needed.
It was the perfect solution.
Except that I couldn’t grow everything I wanted. It wasn’t big enough to grow large tomatoes. I could only grow a small variety. I couldn’t grow green beans. There simply wasn’t enough room.
It was a good solution.
Until the novelty wore off. After growing tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and flowers, I was finished with it. The need to grow my own produce was fulfilled. I no longer needed to use my AeroGarden.
How many times have you thought you found the perfect solution to a spiritual situation? I know I’ve done it plenty of times.
I think I know a passage of Scripture and upon studying it, find that my conclusion had been wrong.
Believing I know a certain phrase or idea can be found in Scripture and upon studying it, find that once again my conclusion was wrong.
Therefore, I’ve come to the correct conclusion that I must study Scripture for myself and I must study regularly and deeply. I cannot rely on what others feel, think or believe. I must know what Scripture says. I must know what God says.
So first I must study to gain knowledge. If you look for yourself, you’ll find passages like:
“For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” Proverbs 2:10
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
“This is good and pleases God our Savior who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3-4
These verses lead us to the conclusion that we are to gain knowledge for ourselves, for God, and for others. Using what we know to lead others to God should be our greatest desire.
And my knowledge will then lead me to obedience. If I don’t use this knowledge for my own good, it is useless.
“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:17
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Ephesians 1:17
Knowing God better and obeying His commands bring blessings to my life.
Then I must study to become mature. Again, knowledge without any growth on my part is useless. It must transform. It must make me a better person.
“Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:14
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.” James 1:2-4
Mature. Complete. These are goals of those who study God’s Word. God’s Word is life-changing. God’s Word convicts. God’s Word leads me to being a better person, but only if I know what God’s Word says.
My AeroGarden sits in my basement. Waiting for a renewed interest in its purpose. If you haven’t picked up your copy of God’s Word in a while, why not do so today? You’ll be amazed at what God has in store for you!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Windshield Wiper

April 29th, 2012 dsisler

I had seen my Dad do this more times than I could possibly count. When a windshield wiper blade became crusted with snow or ice, he’d roll down the driver’s side window, wait until the wiper was near the edge, lift the wiper, and then release it.
The wiper would be free of debris and visibility through the windshield was once more restored.
I was driving in near blizzard conditions. Heading to work after dropping the kids off at school. The buildup on my windshield was making it difficult to see, so I thought of my Dad’s trick.
I opened the window, waited for the perfect moment to grab the wiper blade, picked it up, and released the blade.
The problem? The wiper blade released from the wiper arm and flew into a snow bank.
I had made my problem even worse. Now there was nothing on my vehicle to clear the windshield directly in front of the driver’s side window.
I slowly crept along until I came to a small auto repair shop. I had forgotten it was there. But at that moment, I was thankful for the small business.
I asked if they could help me, and yes, they had the wiper blade for my car. The gentleman fixed it and within minutes, I was on my way yet again.
I was thankful for the mechanic at the little shop. He was a master at fixing messes…at least my mess. My God can do that same thing. He is the Master at fixing the messes in our lives.
What does He fix?
He fixes our hearts
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” Colossians 3:15
“May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” 1 Thessalonians 3:13
He fixes our souls
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes ne lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” Psalm 23:2-3a
He fixes our lives
“I am 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
He fixes our joy
“You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Psalm 45:7
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12
He fixes our attitude
“To be made new in the attitude of your minds.” Ephesians 4:23
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5
He fixes our broken hearts
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”Psalm 147:3
God is with us to heal us. God is with us to care for us. God is with us to strengthen us. God is with us to fix us. Allowing Him to do so will be the greatest step you’ll ever take.
Obviously, my Dad had mastered the “windshield wiper flick.” I certainly had not. Because I have no desire to be wiperless, I haven’t tried this since then. To be honest, I don’t know that I ever will.
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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