Off Again

November 7th, 2016 dsisler

 

I’m heading to Ohio in a few hours, so I decided to share an old post of a song that I have loved for a long time. Have a blessed day and week…I’ll be seeing you!

 

“How Long Has It Been” – Monday Musical Musings

 

Good morning!

 

IMAG1492It’s Monday morning and many of us are preparing to head to work this morning. It has been a great weekend at our home and I look forward to a great week.

 

And since it is Monday, why not talk a little about music and how it’s blessed me through the years?

 

This song has been in my heart for a very long time. I recall my Dad singing this song when I was a young girl. I’m certain this is not the case, but I only remember my Mom or my Dad singing one solo each in a church service. This is the song my Dad sang.

 

The question asked is “How Long Has It Been?” Have long has it been since you’ve been with Jesus? Since you’ve prayed to Him? Since you’ve poured your heart out to Him? Since you felt that your life is worthwhile? Since you called Him your Friend?

 

This old gospel tune draws us to the throne of grace. If it’s been a while, perhaps you should take a few moments to communicate with God and let Him know how it’s going in your life. He would love to hear from you.

 

If you connect to the lyrics of this song and they resonate through your heart and mind, let’s continue to enter God’s presence and share our thoughts and hearts with Him. Let’s continue to call Him our Friend.

 

For encouragement, just read through these verses that speak to being in God’s presence and the benefits we receive as we choose to be with Him.

 

“Honor and majesty are in his presence; strength and joy are in his sanctuary.” (1 Chronicles 16:27 – AMP)

 

“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6 – NIV)

 

“In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.” (Psalm 31:20 – NIV)

 

“How Long Has It Been?”

 

How long has it been since you talked with the Lord
And told him your heart’s hid in secrets?
How long since you prayed?
How long since you stayed on your knees till the light shone through?

How long has it been since your mind felt at ease?
How long since your heart knew no burden?
Can you call him your friend?
How long has it been since you knew that he cared for you?

How long has it been since you knelt by your bed
And prayed to the Lord up in heaven?
How long since you knew that he’d answer you
And would keep you the long night through?

How long has it been since you woke with the dawn
And felt this day is worth living?
Can you call him your friend?
How long has it been since you knew that he cared for you?[i]

 

If you want to listen to this beautiful tune, click here.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “How Long Has It Been?” Words and Music by Mosie Lister, 1956.

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Luke

November 2nd, 2016 dsisler

 

Don’t you love when you accomplish something? Whether its finishing a craft project or raking a yard full of leaves or completing a daunting task or reading “the end” to a book, when its finished, there is such a sense of accomplishment. It’s a “feel good” moment.

 

Sept. 22, 2004 018Well I finished a big task this morning. I completed the handwriting of the Book of Luke. This is just one of the many books I’ve handwritten, but for some reason, this one touched my heart in a way I wasn’t expecting.

 

From the Christmas story to the Easter story, the words throughout the Gospel of Luke filled my heart and mind, and each mention of Jesus allowed me to meet Him there through the words on those pages.

 

What do you experience when you read a story about Jesus? What emotions are stirred as you meet Jesus in Scripture? What draws you to the accounts of Him in the Gospels?

 

For me, I find His authenticity there. The encounters, the teachings and the personal touches I see throughout the Gospels help me see how genuinely concerned Jesus was for those He met and interacted with. And if He could show this same kind of compassion for the people of His day, I believe He can do the same for me today.

 

In the last chapter of this book, Jesus encounters the men on the road to Emmaus. After Jesus revealed Himself to them and left them, these men said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32 – NIV)

 

Has Scripture been opened for you to understand? Is your heart burning? Friends, I pray that our time in Scripture leads us to a better understanding of its words, but also that our hearts would burn with a desire to be changed by its words. Transformation. Sanctification. Becoming a little more like Jesus each day. That’s what our faith walk is about.

 

If you haven’t read through the Gospel of Luke recently, why not venture into its pages and allow Jesus to show up as you do. I pray that as you read about our precious Lord and Savior, that you will be moved.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“I’ve Got Joy” – Monday Musical Musings

October 31st, 2016 dsisler

 

Monday’s seem to be a difficult time for us, doesn’t it? I woke up a bit tired and weary from the weekend, but then I jumped into God’s Word. It’s been a productive morning for me and I can only attribute that to God. He has led and guided me this morning to a new attitude and revitalized my joy!

 

IMAG1492So yes, it’s Monday and I will probably be pretty busy at work today, but I’ve got joy. God’s joy. And because of that truth, I can get through this day.

 

I heard this song last week and loved the lyrics. What a great message I need to hear today and perhaps you do too. Today, let’s hold on the joy that we receive through Jesus our Savior. Now say it with me, “I’ve Got Joy!”

 

“I’ve Got Joy”[i]

 

Jesus washed away my sin
Paid the price and now I’m his
Promised us, in his Holy pages
He’d walk with us through endless ages

 

And I’ve got Joy that makes me laugh
Joy that makes the angels sing
Joy that is alive
Joy that changes everything

 

Joy like a rushing water
Joy like a flowing fountain
Joy unspeakable Joy
Hallelujah I got Joy
Like a children’s laughter
Joy for ever after
Joy unspeakable Joy

 

Hallelujah I got Joy
Hallelujah I got Joy

 

I once was lost but now I’m found
My feet are set on solid ground
He leads me through the darkest dawn
His Joy’s a light down in my heart

 

Joy that makes me laugh
Joy that makes the Angels sing
Joy that is alive
Joy that changes everything

 

Joy like a rushing water
Joy like a flowing fountain
Joy unspeakable Joy
Hallelujah I got Joy
Like a children’s laughter
Joy for ever after
Joy unspeakable Joy

 

Hallelujah I got Joy
Hallelujah I got Joy

 

Now that’s you’ve read through the lyrics, click here to listen to this uplifting song.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “I’ve Got Joy,” written by Marshall Hall, Rebecca Issacs Bowman and Sonya Issacs.

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An Awesome Day

October 28th, 2016 dsisler

 

Perhaps this is a bit strange…I’m listening to Christmas music, it’s 62 degrees outside, there is a robin singing outside my window and its October 28. What an awesome day!

 

Holy Land Experience 004mI can think of some specific awesome days in my lifetime…weddings, births of babies and grandbabies, baptisms, graduations and many more. But what made these days awesome were the people who were involved in these special days. It’s the relationships on these days that made them so awesome.

 

So as I think of the awesome days that must have occurred in Scripture, these are just a few for you to remember with me today.

 

How about the day the sun stood still (Joshua 10:13)? Or the day the first drop of rain touched the earth (Genesis 7:12)? Or the day the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-16) received a miracle from the Lord and was given flour and oil to keep her son alive?

 

The day Hannah gave birth to her son (1 Samuel 1:20) was an awesome day. And I suspect King David thought it was an awesome day when he was chosen to be the next king of Israel (1 Samuel 16). And who wouldn’t think it was an awesome day if you were saved from the lion’s den (Daniel 6)?

 

The conversion of Paul (Acts 9) and the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-44) were awesome days. The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) was super awesome. And the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:18-25 or Luke 2)? Now that was a pretty awesome day!

 

Of course, the most awesome of all awesomest days (I know, this isn’t really a word) in all of the history of the world was the day that Jesus Christ rose from the dead (Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-9).

 

And friends, we have one more awesome day to look forward to. It is the day Jesus returns in all His glory to take His Church to be with Him for eternity…then each and every day will be awesome.

 

If you aren’t ready for Jesus’ return, I pray that you will click on the tab at the top of my blog titled, “God’s Plan of Salvation.” Read through it, spend some time in prayer with God and then talk to someone about your next step. I’ll be praying.

 

And if you have already accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, what can you do to make this an awesome day for yourself or for another? Who can you share this Gospel message with today? I pray that your awesome day will spill over into your world.

 

Okay, that’s enough talk. Let’s get out in our world and make it an awesome day!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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A Little Surprise

October 26th, 2016 dsisler

 

When I arrived home yesterday, there was a large package on my kitchen table. I asked Mason what it was and he said, “I don’t know. You ordered something.”

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI was surprised. I had ordered some items, but they weren’t supposed to arrive until today.

 

Later in the evening I had the opportunity to open my surprise box. Inside was filled with Christmas. There were little booklets about the beauty of the Christmas season. There were hidden picture Christmas books for the grandkids. But I was most excited for the new Christmas music tucked away in this box.

 

I have a Sandi Patty album on a cassette tape that I can’t listen to any longer for obvious reasons. But some of the songs on that album aren’t on any other Christmas album. I am excited to say that one of these Christmas music treasures contains a portion of those songs.

 

Now there were a couple of items that weren’t Christmas related…a new bag. Oh, if there were a support group for women obsessed with pretty bags, I’d need to attend. My life is compartmentalized by bags. On a side note, my husband is building me a bag tree. I’ll show you a picture when it’s complete.

 

So, as I type this morning, I’m importing my new music. And before the week is over, I will have listened to my new treasures.

 

You know how exciting surprises are, right? That unexpected phone call. That package at your door. That word of encouragement. That party in your honor. That unexpected visit in the grocery store with someone you haven’t seen for a while. That precious bundle of joy. And you could probably fill in this space with surprises you’ve had.

 

Surprises are awesome.

 

While I know that God’s plan was laid out long before the creation of the world, you and I can find beautiful surprises in our day-to-day walk with the Lord. That special verse of Scripture that feeds your soul. That beautiful sunrise or sunset that melts your heart. That praise song that leads you to worship in an unexpected place. That spiritual giant who offers words of wisdom and encouragement.

 

As you go through your day today, I pray that you will search for the surprises that God places before you. Savor the moments. Allow them to seep into your soul and fill your heart with joy.

 

And never ever forget how much your heavenly Father loves you. Never ever forget that He wants your life to be filled with His “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23 – NIV)

 

And while it isn’t a surprise, it is amazing that “God so loved the world (you and me) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 – NIV) Now that is really awesome.

 

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.

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