Spring Break

March 29th, 2012 dsisler

It is Spring Break for most schools around this area. My granddaughter, Joy’s, is no exception. She is in her second year of preschool. And apparently, Spring Break is a pretty big deal.
Last year when Spring Break came around, all she could talk about was coming to spend the week with me. I was thrilled. I couldn’t wait for her to come.
This year is no different. She is planning to spend two nights with me this week. We are looking forward to it and are trying to decide what fun things to do while she’s here.
I have to chuckle when I think of a preschooler getting excited about Spring Break. What is she getting a break from? She doesn’t have home work. There isn’t a term paper due in a few weeks. There are no final projects to get rested up to tackle. It’s preschool!
But it’s what she knows. It is school to her and this little break is fun. This little break gives her a change of pace and scenery. This little break is just exactly what she needs. She will return to school next week refreshed. Ready to see her friends again. Ready to get back into that routine because she wasn’t this week.
This is actually her third year of preschool. She attended and graduated Baba’s preschool before entering Miss Lisa and Miss Sandy’s world. And she was my prize pupil.
I would transform my living and dining room area into Baba’s preschool. The alphabet stretched out around the room. There was a little reading station set up where we introduced the day of the week, the weather, the topic of discussion for the day, and much more.
We had arts and crafts (Joy called it “arts and craps”) each day, we sang songs, we studied different units, we read books, we went on field trips, learned about God, and the list could go on.
I spent hours on lesson plans. Hours working toward the next day Joy would come to Baba’s preschool. It was like a real preschool!
But it wasn’t.
I don’t know about you, but there are times when I’ve gotten pretty tangled up in the details that I missed the “real” purpose. Missed people who have needed me to stop and comfort or help them.
I’ve often said that when I’m at my busiest, I put blinders over my eyes. I don’t have time to stop and see those who are hurting. Isn’t that sad! What opportunities I’ve missed! And all because I was too busy.
I heard something years ago that has stuck with me. I don’t remember who said, so I’m grieved to say that I can’t give credit where credit is due…perhaps you’ve heard it. It goes something like this. “Satan keeps us so busy that we don’t have time to think about the most important things in life.”
Yeah, that’s it! When we are so busy that we miss people, we’re too busy.
I’m going to bring out a little verse in the book of Haggai. The Israelites had returned from captivity and started to rebuild the temple, but then got busy rebuilding their own homes. They left the temple in ruins.
There is a lot going on here, but life wasn’t going the way the Israelites thought it should and so God tells them why. He says, “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.” (Haggai 1:9)
Are you so busy with your life that you don’t see the ruin in others? If so, we need to stop. We need to take the blinders off and see what is happening around us. All too quickly, the opportunity will be gone and our sphere of influence will be gone.
Joy is a bright, young girl. I pray that I will be able to teach her much more through the coming years. Especially about God and the gifts He wants to lavish upon her.
I’m sure there were things she was supposed to learn that I neglected to teach her. It’s a good thing there is “real” preschool.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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My 60th

March 28th, 2012 dsisler

This is my 60th blog post. I’ve learned quite a bit about this process. I’ve even made some mistakes! I’m not certain that you will see any real change in my writing style or what my message continues to be, but you might notice the difference in the way the blog looks.

Apparently, most people don’t like a color background while reading. They like white with black print. My previous design went against that completely. Also, most people don’t like longer paragraphs. Short paragraphs, and even single sentences will gain attention more than a traditional paragraph.
But some things are not any different than the way we’ve been writing for centuries. People still like to get hooked into a blog. That first line or paragraph is the catcher. If you get their attention there, they will probably read the post.
And then there is the title. It must be short, unique, and one that will grab the reader’s attention.
So much to remember as my fingers swiftly fly across the keyboard!
I don’t exactly know what my audience is seeking. What those who stop by my little blog hope to find. But as I’ve said, my message will not change. The message that God loves us and He desires to be part, or all of our lives.
Yes, God desires and invites us to come into His presence. He draws us to Himself, so that we might be called His children. So that we might know that we are loved.
Psalm 91:1 says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” By dwelling with God, it is understood that we are to linger, to remain for a while. He doesn’t want us to show up occasionally. He wants us to stay!
We also find in Psalm 16:11 that God wants to give us joy in His presence. “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” We know that God is a gift-giver. This is just one more gift He desires for us. Joy can be found in His presence.
And in 1 John 3:18-19 we find these words. “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongues but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.” Yet another gift found in God’s presence is rest. Rest for our hearts.
As we remain in God, we have Jesus’ promise. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) We remain in God’s presence and Jesus is with us…always.
Many years ago I directed the choirs in several local congregations. At each location, the choir performed cantatas for Easter and Christmas each year. These were some of my favorite memories of those times. I still can recall much of the music we sang.
One of my favorite cantatas was “Into His Presence.” The chorus to the opening song says:
“We come into His presence through the mercy of His grace;
To worship at His feet and gaze upon His face.
Christ has torn the veil of sin;
Was crucified but rose again.
Justified we enter in to His presence;
The holy presence of the Lord.”[i]
Once I understood the idea that God desired a relationship with me and wanted me to be in His presence, my world changed. Knowing that God wants me to be in His presence on a daily basis is such a blessing to me. The world may not want me, but my God does. What a privilege to worship at His feet and gaze upon His face!
So, happy 60th to me…blog that is.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna

[i] Into His Presence, Copyright 1989 Brentwood Music, Brentwood, TN
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My “To Do” List

March 27th, 2012 dsisler

Last week I went to lunch with my best friend, Lori. We went to a local Chinese restaurant and had a delicious and pleasant meal. At the end, as usual, we received fortune cookies. This is what mine said:

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”
Of course, I kept mine. I knew it would wind up in my blog at some point. And here it is. The idea that if I do something, I am more apt to get it. To understand what it is I’m doing.
This got me to thinking about the things that we are to be “doing” as a Christian. I’ve compiled a list…not an exhaustive one by any means, but still something we can check to see how we are doing with these.
So what are we to be doing?
Make Disciples
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Good
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10)
Be Holy
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
Stand Firm
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13) [don’t overlook the others in this short verse]
Encourage
“Encourageone another daily, as long as it is call Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13)
Sing
“Singand make music in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19b)
Rejoice!
“Rejoicein the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
Shine
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Love
“Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)
As I said earlier, this is not an exhaustive “to do” list…there are still many, many more to add. But this was a good start. Maybe you could start your own “to do” list. What you are to be doing.
Most of the fortunes I’ve received at Chinese restaurants aren’t worth reading, much less something to take to heart. I was surprised by this one and was thankful it could be used to bring glory to God. Now if I could only say “Mother’s Day” in Chinese! Mŭ qīn jié?
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Car Seats

March 26th, 2012 dsisler

I have two car seats in the back seat of my car. One for my granddaughter Joy who is 5 years old and one for my grandson Percy who is 1 year old. Those car seats certainly fill the back seat!

Before I needed two, I used to remove Joy’s seat from the car after each visit and replace it as needed. That got to be a little tiresome, so eventually I began leaving it in the car until I absolutely had to take it out.
I then realized something. Each time I looked into my back seat and saw that car seat, I knew someone loved me. I knew that regardless of what happened or what I did, someone loved me.
Now I have two car seats in my car! That means double the love! My heart is filled with love and joy when I look at those seats.
I’m sure you understand. There is probably something that you see that reminds you of how someone loves you. Perhaps your wedding band. Or a picture. Or maybe it is a location. Whatever it might be, when you see it, you know that someone loves you.
There are a few things that remind me that God loves me as well. Each time I see one, I know how much God loves me and what He was willing to do to so that I might be His child. I’ll share a few, but perhaps you have some of your own.
The Bible
I’ve had many through my lifetime, and in fact, have several sitting on my shelf right now. I’ve had leather and hard cover. Large and small. Small print and large print. I’ve even had different colors. But they have all meant the same thing. That God’s love for mankind was so great that He wanted to share His love with us. We read about His plan and His love in His Book.
The Lord’s Supper
As I sit with the emblems of the Lord’s Supper in my hands each week, I am reminded of God’s great love for me. What He was willing to do for me. That He would offer His Son as the sacrifice for the world. The representation of His shed blood and broken body bring me back to that point each week. To remember His love.
The Cross
In recent years, I was given a gold cross necklace by a dear friend. I couldn’t recall ever having one before. It has come to be an important piece of jewelry for me and I wear it quite often. As I put it on, I am reminded once again of God’s love for me. That Jesus suffered through it all, for me. I wear this symbol for all to see what great love the Father has for His children.
Maybe there are other things that bring your thoughts to God during the day. I pray that you do. I know that if my thoughts are directed to Jesus just a few more times each day, there will be less thoughts of this world in my head. More thoughts of God’s love will push out my own selfish thoughts.
I’m only sharing one verse of Scripture today. But it covers so much. It shows us how much God loves us.
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)
Car seats and love. For me, it’s what it’s all about…well at least part of it. What about you? What do you see that reminds you that someone loves you? I’d love to hear about it!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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My Big Ole Foot

March 25th, 2012 dsisler

If you are anything like me, you’ve opened your mouth and put your extra large foot inside one too many times. Yes, I can say that I’ve done that. I’ve said things that as soon as they left my mouth, I wished I could drag those words back, stuff them inside my mouth, and swallow them to where no one would ever hear them again.
With those words, several things can occur. 1) I can hurt someone with my harsh, uncaring words. 2) My reputation can be tarnished or at least dented with little hope of salvage. 3) The realization that I’ve done a horrible thing and that I must do something to repair the damage.
If you have ever been in this situation, you know how miserable you can feel. You know how desperate you are to make things right. You know what you must do. Seek forgiveness, even though it might be one of the most difficult thing you’ve ever done.
If you have ever been on the other end of the harsh words, you know how belittled you felt. You know how hurt feelings can completely overwhelm you. You know how difficult it can be to forgive someone who has harmed you.
Regardless of the side you are on, we are called to forgive. Here is a verse from God’s Word that leads us in that direction.
In Luke 17:3-4, Jesus has this to say about forgiveness. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”
For certain if we are asked for forgive a brother, we must forgive. But most Scripture talks about forgiveness as a whole, much larger picture. Here are more examples.
Before the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant in Matthew 18, Peter asks Jesus the question, “How many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Peter felt he was being generous, but Jesus had more to say on this issue.
“I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-times.” I heard at some point that Jesus wants us to forgive until we can’t recall the number of times we’ve forgiven. Until we lose track. Just keep on forgiving.
After this same parable, Jesus says, “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:35)
And if these still aren’t enough, here are a few more. “Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.” (2 Corinthians 2:7)
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”Colossians 3:13)
And just how has the Lord forgiven you? Well, this is how much.
Psalm 103:11-12 says, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:18-19)
And as we jump to the New Testament, forgiveness through Jesus Christ is just as wide and deep and complete.
As Peter spoke about Jesus in Acts 10:43, he says, “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
And this message is carried on through Ephesians 1:7-8. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”
And there are plenty more where these came from. God’s Word is filled with forgiveness. Him forgiving us and we forgiving others. We don’t have to search long before we find this message loud and clear within its pages.
I pray that as you go through your day today that you allow God’s Holy Spirit to lead and guide you. That His words would be your words. That your actions would be pleasing to your heavenly Father. That is my prayer each day. To keep my feet on the ground and my mouth filled with God’s goodness.
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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