My Song

February 24th, 2012 dsisler

I was a music major throughout high school and college. Singing has been a great form of expression for me for so long, I can’t remember when I actually first started singing. Songwriting, however, has eluded me. I have attempted to write four songs in my lifetime.

The first was a tune I added to a poem my sister, Tammy, wrote. It was more of a social awareness song that ended with the two of us belting out, “We’ve got to do something, there’s much we can do. But we must…” Okay, I can’t remember all of it.
The second was a ballad for the Empire State Games. There was a contest for any Upstate New York high school music major students to write the theme song. Needless to say, it wasn’t successful. My melody was not heard at the late 70’s Empire State Games.
The third song was a love song. To my boyfriend, Randy, of two years in high school. It was my Valentine’s Day present to him in 1978. Again, I couldn’t sing a note of that tune or recount any of the words.
You would have thought by this point, I would have given up on the song writing thing, but alas, in Bible College, it was a requirement! Write a song. Now I don’t mean to name drop, but I was in music theory class with Rich Mullins! The Rich Mullins! Did I really think I could produce anything of value or worth? Mrs. Cartwright thought I could.
I scoured the Bible, looking for the perfect words to which music would improve the message. After much searching, I found the perfect words in the book of Psalm. Naturally, David’s words would be far better than my own.
I wrote a melody line, a harmony line, and an accompaniment to this newest praise song. It was performed in front of the class, and I suspect it wasn’t the hit that I thought it should or could be. I only performed it one other time, by myself, a cappella.
No, I’m not a songwriter. And at this point in my life, I don’t think I would want to try again. But, the melody and the lyrics to that praise song still jingle around in my head. It’s the one song I remember. It’s the most important one to remember. Thank you Mrs. Cartwright for pushing me and giving me a song that has stayed with me through the years.
One Thing
by Donna Howard
One thing I have asked of the Lord, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.
For in the day of trouble He’ll conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
Then my head will be lifted up above my enemies,
I will offer sacrifices of joy;
I will sing, yes, I’ll sing. Sing praises to the Lord.
(adapted from Psalm 27:4-6)
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Ukrainian Eggs

February 23rd, 2012 dsisler

I am so blessed to be able to babysit my two grand kids each week. It’s only for a day, but still, to hear their laughter and see their smiles makes the week fly until I can see them again. On one particular day, Percy was napping and I was able to spend some one-on-one time with Joy. She wanted to look at my Ukrainian Eggs. One by one, she held an egg and told me why she liked it or didn’t like it. She decided upon her favorites and then sat and listened to my explanation.

Some of my Ukrainian Eggs
You see, I love creating. Anything. When I had the opportunity to learn how to make Ukrainian Eggs, well, it was just meant to be! My husband’s grandparents came to the United States from Russia. This was a chance for me to add a bit of his heritage and culture into our home. I learned the process and began making these lovely creations and still have a deep desire to continue this craft.
Everything about a Ukrainian Egg is representative of something else. The color, the symbol, and even the egg itself. And the best part is that each symbol leads to God! Yes, they are an evangelistic tool. So, I was once again given the opportunity to share with Joy the great news of the Gospel.
Symbols were very important to God throughout the Bible and we’ve carried that importance throughout the history of the world. You may be thinking of some, but I’ll give you a few here.
  • The Rainbow – represents God’s promise to never destroy the earth by flood again (Genesis 9:12-17)
  • Baptism – represents the death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:1-4)
  • The Dove – represents the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:21-22)
  • The Lord’s Supper – represents the body and blood of Christ (1Corinthians 11:17-26)
  • The Bride and Bridegroom – represents the Church, God’s people and Jesus (Ephesians 5:22-33)
  • The Empty Tomb – represents hope, eternal life, victory (1 Peter 1:3-5)
As I said, each symbol on a Ukrainian Egg means something. I was delighted to find that the symbol for “joy” was the red poppy. Each time I see a red poppy, I think of my granddaughter, as well as the joy in my life because Jesus is my personal savior. What about you? Do you see something and automatically think of someone or Jesus? I pray that you do.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Building a Doll House: The Plan – Chapter 2

February 22nd, 2012 dsisler

NOTE: If you missed Chapter 1, Building a Doll House: And So It Begins – Chapter 1, you can find it in the column under “blog archive” to the right.

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.
We 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, or 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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Three Weeks

February 21st, 2012 dsisler

Three weeks and over 500 page views later, this blog thing continues. But I have to ask myself, “Why? Why am I writing and posting daily?” For me, it is a sense of purpose. Maybe I don’t have a lot to say, but maybe, just maybe, someone who reads one of my posts will be blessed in some way. But, what about you? Does it make any difference in your daily walk with Jesus? Do you take the time to ponder the thoughts and biblical principles that I write about? Are they just “good stories” to read? I’ve received a few responses from people, several “likes” on Facebook, and a comment or two on the blog itself, but is it really making a difference?

I guess I would have to look once again to the Bible for an answer to this question. I believe that we are to share the Gospel and make disciples throughout our lives and in our realm of influence. So, this is where I might plant a seed and point the way to Jesus. I also know that probably most, if not all of my audience here are already believers. My desire is that someone might stumble upon this blog and see how Jesus cares for them. That His desire for them would be to become a follower. My prayer must be for those who are lost to be found.
And if only a seed is planted, then all the more reason to continue with this blog. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 3:6, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” That’s what it’s all about. Planting the seeds that will lead others to Jesus. God will do the rest.
Paul also encouraged Timothy to “devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” That is exactly what this blog is about. God’s Word and teaching what it is saying to this world and to me! What a tool we as Christians have. There has never been a more public way of getting the message out there than the Internet.
So you may be silent. You may never post a comment here or on one of the other social medias, but know that I’ll be here daily. Writing and posting. Because if I cannot share what God has done in my life, who will? Let’s not leave it to the “stones to cry out” praise to God. Won’t you join me?
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Memories

February 20th, 2012 dsisler
When my granddaughter Joy was younger, bath time for the two of us was special and so enjoyable. A couple times a week, I’d get the chance to sit with her while she splashed, laughed, colored, and many other memorable types of play in the tub. One of which was singing. We would sing all kinds of music. Mostly children’s music, but still, it was so much fun to hear a child sing about Jesus or the alphabet.
When it came time to wash her hair, we’d jump to my favorite musical, “South Pacific,” and sing, “I’m gonna wash that man right out of my hair. I’m gonna wash that man right out of my hair. I’m gonna wash that man right out of my hair and send him on his way.” Then I’d let Joy take the floor and she’d say, “Get the picture?” It always brought a smile to my face to hear that phrase in her little voice.
It’s been a long time since I’ve given Joy a bath and with that, haven’t sung this song in quite a while. The other night, out of the blue, I decided to sing this song. I started and when I got to her part, she didn’t say anything. So I filled in for her. I repeated the words again, and again, she didn’t respond, so I did once more. Then she asked, “Why do you keep saying that?” She didn’t remember. None of it. I don’t even know if she remembered any of the bath times we had shared. Needless to say, I was disappointed. These moments were special, very precious to me and it wasn’t even a memory to her.
I suspect this is exactly the reason God gave us a particular command in Deuteronomy 6:6-9. “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
God knew that we’d forget. Forget His commandments and His promises. Life would get in the way or maybe we’d simply grow up and forget all that He has given us. Forget and take for granted the promises He made to us. Oh, how I want to remember. All of it. Peter writes a tiny verse in 2 Peter 1:13. He says, “I think it is right to refresh your memory…”Yes! It is right to refresh our memories of some of God’s promises. They are too numerous to recount here, but a few might jolt your memory to dig a little deeper.
  • “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
  • “Peter replied, ‘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.’” (Acts 2:38)
  •  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
  •  “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
  • “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
  • “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1)
These are just a few, but maybe these are a few that can be memorized, kept in our hearts, impressed upon our children, or written on our doorframes. God doesn’t want us to forget. “Get the picture?”
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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