Wedding Music – Day 6

March 16th, 2016 dsisler

 

I am heading to my son’s wedding and will be pretty busy over the next week or so. I ask that you extend a few things on my behalf:

 

  • The ability to re-post some music that I’ve shared in the past.
  • Prayer for safe travel.
  • Prayer for my son, Philip and his bride, Heather.
  • Joy and presence in each moment.

 

I’ll remember you and pray for you each day. Until we meet again…

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

“Sweeter as the Years Go By” – Musical Musings in March

 

IMAG1492I’m sure you’ve heard people say that time flies by…especially as you get older. I never really believed it until I got older. It seems that it was just yesterday when I held my oldest granddaughter as a baby. She’s now in first grade! Where did that time go?

 

My youngest child turned 27 this year. I asked her older sister how old she was going to be (14 months separate these two). When she said “27,” I was stunned. In my mind she was still a 20-year-old. Now granted, she has been married for eight years and has a beautiful 7-year-old little girl, but I just couldn’t believe the years had gone by so quickly.

 

Perhaps you’ve also heard the line, “time flies when you’re having fun.” Maybe as we get older we find that we’re having more fun! Whatever the reason, time has a way of slipping past us and if we aren’t aware of it, we’ll have missed some of the best things in life.

 

Jesus just might be one of the things you’ve allowed to be missed through your life. For me, He’s grown sweeter and sweeter as the years have gone by. As my relationship with Him as grown deeper, Jesus has become sweeter. And if you’re too young to remember, there is a hymn that expresses these sentiments.

 

In the hymn “Sweeter as the Years Go By,” the songwriter states that he was lost, but found in Jesus. He states that grace, mercy and love claimed his soul and that he would forever sing of Jesus’ redemption.

 

You see, Jesus’ love is sweeter, richer, fuller, and deeper as our relationship with Him develops. The more we learn about Jesus, the more we want to know. And as we truly understand the depth of His sacrifice, we can’t help but fall in love with Him over and over.

 

So let’s sing about the sweet love Jesus has lavished upon us. Let’s praise Him for the healing of our broken hearts. Let’s worship His Name because of His pursuing. Let’s sing praises to our Redeemer with angels and saints. And let’s join today’s songwriter in saying Jesus’ love is “sweeter as the years go by.”

 

“Sweeter as the Years Go By”

 

Of Jesus’ love that sought me, when I was lost in sin;
Of wondrous grace that brought me back to His fold again;
Of heights and depths of mercy, far deeper than the sea,
And higher than the heavens, my theme shall ever be. [Refrain]

 

Refrain:

Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by;
Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter,
Sweeter as the years go by.

 

He trod in old Judea life’s pathway long ago;
The people thronged about Him, his saving grace to know.
He healed the broken-hearted, and caused the blind to see;
And still His great heart yearneth in love for even me. [Refrain]

 

’Twas wondrous love which led Him for us to suffer loss,
To bear without a murmur the anguish of the cross;
With saints redeemed in glory, let us our voices raise,
Till Heav’n and earth re-echo with our Redeemer’s praise. [Refrain][i]

 

You’ll enjoy this melody through a beautiful arrangement by clicking here.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Sweeter as the Years Go By,” Words and Music by Mrs. Leila Naylor Morris, 1912.

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Wedding Music – Day 5

March 15th, 2016 dsisler

 

I am heading to my son’s wedding and will be pretty busy over the next week or so. I ask that you extend a few things on my behalf:

 

  • The ability to re-post some music that I’ve shared in the past.
  • Prayer for safe travel.
  • Prayer for my son, Philip and his bride, Heather.
  • Joy and presence in each moment.

 

I’ll remember you and pray for you each day. Until we meet again…

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

“The Lord’s Prayer” – Musical Musings in March

 

cool-sheet-music-background-pq3wplniYears ago, my sister Tammy picked up an interest in American Sign Language. She spent hours learning and practicing this beautiful language.

 

At one point, she offered a class at our church so that we could learn this language as well. The hope was to find several who would be able to join her in deaf ministry at the church. Of course, I took the class.

 

I did alright and still have a few words that I can pull out of my back pocket if needed. But I would almost guarantee that if my skills were needed to interpret, the poor person trying to read my sign language would wonder what I was saying.

 

Music is a beautiful way to share and express sign language. Its flow naturally plays well with the rhythm of music and music creates a delightful backdrop to the language itself.

 

One piece of music we learned in sign language class was “The Lord’s Prayer.” So today, I share this piece of music with you and have searched to find this song with sign language added. I’m sure you’ll agree, it is all the more beautiful with these movements.

 

“The Lord’s Prayer”

 

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

 

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil;

For Thine is the kingdom,

And the power,

And the glory,

Forever, Amen.[i]

 

Click here for a beautiful version of this classic song.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “The Lord’s Prayer,” Text found in Matthew 6:9-13, Music by Albert Hay Malotte, G. Schirmer, Inc., 1935

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Wedding Music – Day 4

March 14th, 2016 dsisler

 

I am heading to my son’s wedding and will be pretty busy over the next week or so. I ask that you extend a few things on my behalf:

 

  • The ability to re-post some music that I’ve shared in the past.
  • Prayer for safe travel.
  • Prayer for my son, Philip and his bride, Heather.
  • Joy and presence in each moment.

 

I’ll remember you and pray for you each day. Until we meet again…

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

“My Savior’s Love” – Musical Musings in March

 

DSCN0582Sometimes words are not sufficient. The adjectives we use in day-to-day living just don’t seem to fully envelope the grace and love that our God has for mankind. And yet, some of the most beautiful hymns have been written that use such adjectives.

 

Wonderful and marvelous are two such words.

 

I do believe that from the beginning of time, mankind has had a difficult time in describing God’s love.

 

King David’s descriptions included “unfailing love” (Psalm 6:4), “great love” (Psalm 17:7), “wonderful love” (Psalm 31:21), “abounding in love” (Psalm 86:5), and “enduring love” (Psalm 136).

 

Our New Testament writers had similar problems. We read Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV). “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

 

John followed suit in 1 John 3:1a (NIV). “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”

 

And sometimes, the biblical writers went beyond description and stated what God did because of His great love for us.

 

“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 – NIV)

 

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 – NIV)

 

Perhaps it is difficult to understand the length to which God will go to show us His love. Maybe, as we see in Ephesians 3:17-21 (NIV), that the only way we can understand God’s great love for us is through Him.

 

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his powers that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

 

Today, our songwriter expressed his amazement at God’s love. And do you know what? I believe it is okay to just say it’s wonderful and marvelous. So enjoy “My Savior’s Love” today. Bask in His love. Allow God’s love to cover you. And you too will stand amazed.

 

“My Savior’s Love”

 

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

 

Refrain:
Oh, how marvelous! Oh, how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
Oh, how marvelous! Oh, how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

 

For me it was in the garden
He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

 

In pity angels beheld Him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night.

 

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calv’ry,
And suffered and died alone.

 

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.[i]

 

Click here to hear this beautiful song.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “My Savior’s Love”, Words and Music by Charles H. Gabriel, Public Domain, 1905

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Wedding Music – Day 3

March 13th, 2016 dsisler

 

I am heading to my son’s wedding and will be pretty busy over the next week or so. I ask that you extend a few things on my behalf:

 

  • The ability to re-post some music that I’ve shared in the past.
  • Prayer for safe travel.
  • Prayer for my son, Philip and his bride, Heather.
  • Joy and presence in each moment.

 

I’ll remember you and pray for you each day. Until we meet again…

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

“Cry Out to Jesus” – Musical Musings in March

 

???????????????????????????????The song I share with you today was helpful during a difficult period just a few years ago. At times the pain seems just as fresh as it was three years ago. At other times, it feels like it’s been an eternity. However, whatever I’m feeling, I know that Jesus is right there with me.

 

Three years ago today marks the day I said goodbye to my precious grandson Archer. Today’s post is in memory of him.

 

Life had been thrown into turmoil. 19 days earlier, my twin grandsons arrived prematurely. While they were very small, Archer and Percy were doing well. Each day passed with great improvement and we were very optimistic that all would be fine.

 

Archer got an infection. One the doctors called a “super bug.” His little body just couldn’t fight any longer and all too quickly, he left us behind.

 

In the days that followed, I was only certain of one thing. That Jesus would be my tower of strength, that His would be the everlasting arms that would uphold me, and that His peace and understanding would be all that I could comprehend.

 

I wrote these words to share my thoughts after Archer’s death:

 

“God will lead and guide us through the times ahead. He must be our compass, for we know not where we’re headed. He must be our focus, for we know not what we’re looking for. He must be our strength, for our own strength is greatly diminished. He must be our victory, for we failed to win this battle. He must be our everything, for without Him we are nothing.”

 

I’ve held out these words when I was lost or confused. I’ve lifted my hands to seek Jesus’ face in the midst of my sorrow. I’ve drawn great strength to put one foot in front of the other as I’ve needed it. And above all, I’ve held to the victory that I find in Him.

 

Of course there are a few songs that were very special during this time. Today’s melody is one of them.

 

“Cry Out to Jesus” touched my heart. The very first section said it all. Yes, I had lost someone very dear, long before his time and the days simply weren’t enough. And in Archer’s case it was days. But God doesn’t leave us in our time of sorrow. He asks that we draw near to Him. As we draw near to Him, He comes closer to us (James 4:8).

 

We read in Scripture that God is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). If you are in a situation where you have been crushed in spirit or are brokenhearted, draw near to God. He would love nothing more than to be your compass. To be your strength. To be your focus. To be your victory. To be your everything.

 

So today, I share with you my thoughts on Archer and the song “Cry Out to Jesus.” The words are below as well as a link to listen to this song as recorded by Third Day. Today just may be the day you need to cry out to Him.

 

“Cry Out to Jesus”

 

To everyone who’s lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

 

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there’s nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

 

Chorus:

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He’ll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

 

For the marriage that’s struggling just to hang on
They’ve lost all of their faith in love
They’ve done all they can to make it right again
Still it’s not enough

 

For the ones who can’t break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you’re not alone in your shame
And your suffering

(Chorus)

 

When you’re lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

 

To the widow who struggles with being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight[i]

(Chorus)

 

Click here to listen to this comforting song.

 

Without Jesus and my trust and faith in Him, I would have crumbled through this difficult time. Oh, there are times my heart cries out and aches beyond expression, but I know to Whom I can cry out. I know Who has carried me through. I know Who I believe. My Precious Jesus.

 

In loving memory of Archer Thurmon Storm

February 22, 2011 – March 13, 2011

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Cry Out to Jesus,” Words and Music by Mac Powell, Recorded by Third Day, Consuming Fire Music, 2005.

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Wedding Music – Day 2

March 12th, 2016 dsisler

 

I am heading to my son’s wedding and will be pretty busy over the next week or so. I ask that you extend a few things on my behalf:

 

  • The ability to re-post some music that I’ve shared in the past.
  • Prayer for safe travel.
  • Prayer for my son, Philip and his bride, Heather.
  • Joy and presence in each moment.

 

I’ll remember you and pray for you each day. Until we meet again…

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

“Shout to the Lord” – Musical Musings in March

 

DSC00374It’s hard to believe that I haven’t written about today’s praise song. But to be honest, I probably thought I’d already done so. I have sung to the King, blessed the Lord, and even shouted for joy to the Lord, but have not used these words, “Shout to the Lord.”

 

So today, let’s shout to the Lord!

 

We would be in good company. In Luke 19:37 (NIV), we see Jesus’ disciples shouting praises to Jesus. “When he (Jesus) came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.”

 

This is Luke’s account of the triumphal entry. Jesus’ disciples had borrowed a colt, threw their cloaks over the back of the colt and put Jesus on the colt. This passage goes on to say that as Jesus went along, those who were around threw their cloaks onto the ground, signifying a person of royalty was passing by.

 

I’ve thought about what I might do in this situation and I’ve really believed that I would be a follower of Jesus. A faithful disciple.

 

But in reality I’ve had to rethink it. You see, if I were to place myself in that time period under all of the same situations, I would have been raised in a Pharisee’s home (I was raised in a minister’s home…I’m a PK). I would have gone to religious school (I went to Cincinnati Bible College). I would have even married a Pharisee (I married a minister out of Bible College). I would have looked at Jesus through the eyes of a Pharisee.

 

Knowing myself, I’m not sure that I would have been any different than the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. I believe I would have found it difficult to accept that Jesus was the Messiah.

 

So I applaud this group of disciples who were willing to go against the religious leaders of their day to see and believe Jesus as the Messiah. I appreciate what it took for them to step out and worship Jesus. I am thankful that I am living in my world today, for I may have missed the greatest gift God has given to mankind. Jesus.

 

“Shout to the Lord

 

My Jesus, My Savior,
Lord, there is none like You;
All of my days
I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love.

My comfort, my shelter,
Tower of refuge and strength;
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
Let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand,
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
Nothing compares to the promise I have
Nothing compares to the promise I have in you[i]

 

You know you have to listen to it…so enjoy this beautiful worship song by clicking here.

 

This reality check has brought me closer to Jesus. He’s all the more precious to me because of who I am in the world today. Not just a Christian, but a follower of Jesus who is shouting praises to the Lord.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] [i] “Shout to the Lord,” words and music by Darlene Zschech, Hillsongs Australia, Integrity Music, Inc., 1993.

 

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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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