“One” – Blogging from A to Z (Sabbatical Post)

December 28th, 2015 dsisler

 

In high school, I was part of a wonderful choral group. It was exciting and we had some great performances. I remember a specific concert when we performed a montage of music from the musical “A Chorus Line.”

 

One of the snippets was from the song “One.” At the time, this tune didn’t mean a great deal to me, but as I look at it through spiritual lenses, I can see my Heavenly Father in each line. Take a look at the words and see if you don’t agree.

 

“One”[io]

 
One singular sensation
Every little step he takes.
One thrilling combination
Every move that he makes.
One smile and suddenly nobody else will do;
You know you’ll never be lonely with you know who.

One moment in his presence
And you can forget the rest.
For the guy is second best
To none, Son.

Ooooh! Sigh! Give him your attention.
Do I really have to mention?
He’s the One!

 

Yes, God is the One! The One who created our world and universe. The One who created mankind in His image. The One who performed mighty acts throughout Scripture. The One who exhibited gentle deeds through the ages. The One who offers forgiveness and grace to those who accept Him. The One who seeks to strengthen those who are fully committed to Him.

 

He is the One! The One who sees us. The Mighty One of Jacob. The One who is our Mediator. The One who is the Lord. The One who is the true God. The One who is our Redeemer. The One who is the Lawgiver. The One who is seated on the Throne. The One who holds all authority and power. The One who is God and Father over all. The One who is over all and through all and in all.

 

The One who leads and guides. The One who offers eternal life. The One who is faithful and true. The One who is the Good Shepherd. The One who is the Head of the Church. The One who is truth. The One who is an Advocate. The One who heals. The One who is Messiah. The One who is Jehovah. The One who brings comfort.

 

There is no doubt about it, He is the One!

 

Shall I go on?

 

The One who is the Ancient of Days. The One who is the consuming fire. The One who is the fountain of living waters. The One who is my salvation. The One who is my husband. The One who is the keeper. The One who sanctifies. The One who is anointed. The One who is the Bread of Life. The One who is the Bridegroom. The One who is the Living Stone. The One who is life.

 

The One who is the Messenger. The One who is the great Physician. The One who is the King of kings and Lord of lords. The One who is the hope of glory. The One who is Immanuel. The one who is our deliverer. The One who is faithful. The One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The One who is the power of the Highest. The One who provides wisdom.

 

He is the One!

 

Isaiah 44:6 (NIV) tells us what God says about Himself. “This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.” God Himself tells us that He is the One!

 

I am so thankful that my God is able to help me through the difficulties of life through His Holy Spirit and that I have found abundant grace through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Through His Oneness with His Son and Spirit, I am able to receive all that I need through Him. He is the One!

 

I am certain I haven’t listed all of the descriptions of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit above. But what I can tell you is that I believe each one that I’ve listed. God is all of these and so much more. He is the One!

 

Perhaps one of these descriptions has touched you today. If so, why not tell me about it? I’d love to hear from you (click here to leave a comment).

 

Perhaps I’ve missed one that really helps you through your day. If so, I’d love to hear from you too (click here to leave a comment).

 

Give Him your attention. One moment in His presence will change you forever. Because, He is the One!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] One, A Chorus Line, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, 1975.

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Neighbor – Blogging from A to Z (Sabbatical Post)

December 27th, 2015 dsisler

 

Last Monday we were hit with a storm. It was called a “blizzard” and in some ways it was. There was little snow, but the winds that accompanied this storm were devastating. I wrote about this storm when the A to Z challenge letter was “H.” You can read about it here.

 

nSo during the storm last week, a portion of our fence blew down into the neighbor’s yard. The plan was to work on it over the weekend to repair the fence.

 

Fortunately, most of the fencing could be reused, so only two four-by-fours and some cement were needed for the repair job. As the weekend progressed, the two men worked side-by-side to complete the project. While there is still just a little more to do, the fence has been mended.

 

I’ve had some wonderful neighbors through the years and I’ve had some difficult ones. But the one thing that each of these people have in common is what my attitude toward them is to be.

 

Jesus spoke of how we are to treat our neighbors. We are to love them (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-31). Regardless of how well we get along with them, we are to love them.

 

And then Jesus took it one step further. Our neighbor isn’t just the person or family to the right, left, or back of our homes. Our neighbor can be anyone we come in contact with.

 

Jesus’ example of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) gave us some guidelines. Our neighbor could be someone who hates us. Our neighbor could be someone who is different from us. Our neighbor could be someone who is in need. Our neighbor could be someone who doesn’t follow our religious beliefs.

 

Our neighbor could be and should be and must be anyone we encounter.

 

Jesus’ final words to those listening to the parable of the Good Samaritan were these. “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37b – NIV)

 

We are called to love our neighbors, so what does loving your neighbor look like?

 

I’d like to suggest that we must tear down the fences.

 

In our American society, we tend to pull into our garages and close the door. We never see our neighbors in the front yards and certainly we cannot see them in our back yards because our fences are built for privacy. But does that build community? Perhaps we need to break down the physical barriers so that we can get to know our neighbors.

 

I’ve found with some of my neighbors there is also a cultural and language barrier. I cannot speak their language and they cannot speak mine. A smile or a wave is about all I can do. But is it enough? There must be a way to break down these social barriers so that I can love my neighbors.

 

I attend a large church and they’ve divided our area into neighborhoods and have placed a minister over each section. These pastors are meeting with those connected with the church and working out ways to break down some of the barriers in each neighborhood to reach others for Christ. Sounds like a great plan doesn’t it?

 

I spent some time yesterday speaking with my Neighborhood Pastor. It was a good visit and yet there are many questions still unanswered. But with get-togethers being planned, we are at least working toward the goal of loving our neighbors.

 

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:38b – NIV) How are you loving your neighbor? I’d love to hear about it. If you’d like to leave a comment, please click here.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Miskit – Blogging from A to Z (Sabbatical Post)

December 26th, 2015 dsisler

 

Recently I took a water color painting class and learned so much about myself and the medium itself. Actually, I was pretty impressed with the different ways water colors can be used to gain different effects.

 

One of the items we used during our water color painting session is called Miskit. It’s a product that when placed onto the water color paper before using any paint, will keep paint from adhering to the paper below the Miskit. It is like a mask.

 

I’ve used this concept with my Ukrainian Eggs. The wax is laid over top of a color and that color remains to the completion of the egg. The finished product will produce a colorful egg because the wax masked certain areas of the egg.

 

Now back to water color painting. Once the Miskit is removed, it is completely white below and it is a clean slate. Pure white paper surrounded by color. Ready for the artist to complete the picture.

 

I may not have explained this as well as I could, so here is a description of this product from art-made-easy.com. “Miskit is a combination of latex and ammonia that is used by artists to temporarily block out a portion of a painting until the areas surrounding it has been completed. It can then be gently removed so that portion can be painted or left white.”

 

As I think about Miskit in relation to my spiritual life, I see how there have been times when I have worn a mask. Perhaps trying to be something that I wasn’t or hide the fact that I was a follower of Jesus. Either way, once the “miskit” was removed, the real me was there. Under it all, I am who I am. Not on my own, but by God’s grace.

 

A while back I watched an episode of the Gaither Gospel Hour. I enjoy watching this show because of the musical talent combined on the stage. The music they sing brings joy to my soul, because they are about my loving Father, my gracious Savior, and my guide, the Holy Spirit.

 

As this program ended, the closed by singing “I Then Shall Live.”

 

I was captured by the lyrics of the last verse of “I Then Shall Live.”

 

Your kingdom come around and through and in me;

Your power and glory let them shine through me.

Your Hallowed name, oh may I bear with honor;

And may Your living Kingdom come in me.

The Bread of Life, O’ may I share with honor;

And may You feed a hungry world through me.[i]

 

Wow! Those are words to live by. Living a life in which God’s Kingdom is visible. Living a life of honor. Living a life so that others might see God within me and desire the same.

 

Oh, I know I don’t live like this all the time. And to be honest, I couldn’t live as I do without God’s Spirit leading me. Without God’s Words resonating within my heart and head daily. Without knowing that Jesus was willing to take my sin and pay my debt.

 

I believe it all comes down to a willingness to allow God to work in me and on me. If I continually choose to be drawn into sin, I couldn’t possibly hope to live a life described in this song. If I continually choose to put my needs and desires above God’s, I would never be able to read these lyrics with honesty. If I continually choose to turn my back on those in need, my words would be gibberish without meaning.

 

I’m convicted by the lyrics. I’m pressed to see what is missing in my life. I must be willing to make the necessary changes to live a life of honor.

 

Galatians 2:20 (NIV) tells me how to do this. “I have been 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.” I must crucify myself and all that goes along with me. My selfishness, my pride, my earthly nature, my busyness…me.

 

I pray that you’ll be encouraged by these words. I may not be where I need to be, but I am in a better place than when I started this journey. May I live an honorable life. May others see Jesus in me. May God’s Kingdom receive all the glory. Amen.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] I Then Shall Live (Finlandia), Composer Jean Sibeius (1899), Copyright: Music © Breitkopf & Härtel; Lyricist Gloria Gaither (1981), Copyright: Words © 1981 Gaither Music Company.

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Merry Christmas!

December 25th, 2015 dsisler

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace

to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:14

wheel barrel

Merry Christmas!

Donna & Mason

 

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Tradition (Sabbatical Post)

December 24th, 2015 dsisler

 

Today is Christmas Eve, and if you’re like most of the world celebrating Christmas, you have traditions. You may have already enjoyed some of these traditions, but there are probably many more coming your way in the next two days.

 

DSC03873mI started a tradition a couple of years ago that I am enjoying now. Once women’s Bible study ends for the semester, I allow myself to read for pleasure. But in recent years, I’ve enjoyed reading books about the birth of Jesus.

 

Several years ago I read through Francine Rivers novella’s about the women in Jesus’ lineage. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and of course, Mary. I probably could read all of these during Bible study break, but I chose to read just one. The book about Mary.

 

In Unafraid, Francine Rivers paints a beautiful picture of Jesus’ parents, their relationship and the events leading up to His birth. Ms. Rivers herself states, “This is a work of historical fiction. The outline of the story is provided by the Bible, and I have started with the facts provided there. Building on that foundation, I have created action, dialogue, internal motivations, and in some cases, additional characters.”[i]

 

While it is difficult to imagine the emotions that Mary experienced, I do believe Ms. Rivers got one thing right. Mary was confident of God’s words. She knew, maybe the only person who truly knew that the baby she carried was indeed the Messiah. Mary had no doubt that Jesus was God’s Son. Mary knew that God would protect her. She indeed was unafraid.

 

The second little book I’ve enjoyed reading through again is Hugs from Heaven: The Christmas Story by G. A. Myers. This little book takes a look at each group of people and individuals in the Christmas story. Including the angels view! It’s just a fun way to look at Jesus’ story through a fresh view.

 

In one section of the book, Ms. Myers writes of the encounter between Mary and the angel. She says, “Assurance quickly replaced her fear as she (Mary) listened intently.”[ii] Mary’s confidence was in God. There was no room for doubt.

 

We too can have confidence and assurance in God’s words. There is no reason for us to live in fear. Remember, over and over in the Christmas story we hear the words, “Do not be afraid.” And we shouldn’t forget the last words the angel said to Mary. “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 – NIV)

 

I pray that as you go through this Christmas Eve that you are able to find the confidence and assurance in Jesus. Not just the baby Jesus lying in a manger, but in the adult Jesus who fulfilled the role of Savior of the world. Through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection all fear is cast out. And for that, we have reason to rejoice today.

 

Have a blessed Christmas!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Unafraid,” Francine Rivers, Tyndale House Publishers, 2001, introduction.

[ii] “Hugs from Heaven: The Christmas Story,” G.A. Myers with personalized Scripture by LeAnn Weiss, Howard Publishing Co., West Monroe, LA, 1999, pg. 10.

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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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