When the National Anthem Sounds Like Noise

August 29th, 2026 dsisler

Mark and I live a mile from a naval station. There are so many wonderful things that come with living this close. Mark doesn’t have to travel far to work. There is a beautiful beach just minutes away. We have access to the navy exchange and commissary, including gas pumps!

But my favorite thing about living this close is that there are two things that happen every single day…without fail, regardless of the day of the week, holidays are not exempt. Morning colors and evening colors happen every single day. Five minutes before the National Anthem in the morning and evening colors at night, a little melody calls attention to what is about to happen. And I can hear the melodies wafting through the air each time.

So, at 8:00 am every morning, the National Anthem plays. I can be drinking coffee, unloading the dishwasher, working at my computer, or standing on the balcony watching the world wake up. But when those familiar first notes begin, for a moment, whatever I am doing seems a little less important.

Some days however, instead of that familiar melody sweeping my direction, several speakers are just enough out of sync that the National Anthem becomes an almost unrecognizable jumble. But I still know what the song is. Why? Because…

I know the melody.

Boy, can we think about this idea in several areas of our lives. Each day we’re surrounded by voices telling us what America means, what the Constitution means, what freedom means, what our founders intended. Some voices are accurate. Some are distorted. Some are simply louder. If we don’t know the underlying principles ourselves, we’re left trying to determine the melody from the noise.

And when it comes to our spiritual journey, well it becomes a matter of life after death. There are thousands of Christian denominations and traditions throughout our world. That alone should remind us how many different voices are telling us what Christianity means. And each comes with its own understanding of what Scripture teaches.

So how can we sift through all the distortion and jumble? We study God’s Word. Period. God’s Word is our final authority for faith and life. If you are willing to spend an hour 2-3 times a week on physical activity, shouldn’t you spend at least that much time studying God’s Word? If you watch television 10 hours a week, do you think God deserves less?

We’re surrounded by voices telling us what God said, what Jesus meant, what Christianity should look like, what this verse supposedly promises. Sometimes there’s enough truth in it to sound familiar—but the timing is off. A note has been changed. Something has been removed from its context.

If I know only what someone told me the Bible says, I may not recognize the distortion.

But if I’ve spent years reading it, studying it, writing it, hearing it and hiding it in my heart…

I know the melody.

Friend, we must not become so complacent in our walk with Jesus that we believe we’ve reached spiritual maturity. I have been a student of God’s Word for over 50 years and I still find nuggets of truth and joy when I dig into Scripture. That is the exciting part of my faith walk…God’s Word is living and active! (Hebrews 4:12) There is dynamic power in God’s Word. It is a weapon for every spiritual battle. It will cut through every lie and will judge me so that I might become more like Jesus each day.

Today, let’s spend a little more time in God’s Word. And here are two important verses to consider memorizing (if you haven’t already). “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 – NIV) “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” (John 10:27 – NIV)

And maybe consider a few questions. Have we heard the National Anthem so many times that we’ve stopped listening to it? Have we truly come to an understanding of the principles America was built upon? But most importantly, what is your relationship with Jesus like?

I pray that you and I can sing these glorious tunes together…

I know the melody!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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Waves

June 3rd, 2026 Donna Sisler

Well, here we are again! I know there are many years to catch up with you, my readers, and I promise I will update you on all things that have happened in my life. But today I want to share an experience that happened yesterday.

I had been discharged from PT after total knee replacement and it was a beautiful day in Jacksonville, so I headed to Hannah Park to enjoy the beach. I love being near the beach. It feeds my soul.

I sunbathed for a while, then decided to visit the ocean. The water was the perfect temp. The weather was perfect. I sat in the shallow water for quite some time, basking in the warmth of the sun, the rush of the breaking waves and swirling of sand beneath me.

I wanted to get the sand out of my suit, so I headed to deeper water. That’s when things took a turn.  I was fine until one wave knocked me off my feet. I couldn’t get a firm footing. The sand beneath me shifted repeatedly. The tide was stronger than I expected. I was floundering. And then I got hit again with another wave. I went under and was even more precarious than before. And the waves didn’t stop. Over and again, I found myself underwater with no sense of control.

I know there have been times in my life when I felt this way. A failed marriage. My sweet, precious mama passing away. A second marriage ended with me being a widow. The loss of my sister and business partner. Financial instability. Depression. Memory loss. I could go on, but I think you understand.

Sometimes life crashes over us so deeply that we don’t think we will ever be able to stand firm and catch our breath. But then, we remember some of the promises and encouraging words in Scripture that we hold close to our hearts. Here are just a few.

Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 77:19 “Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.”

Psalm 89:9 “You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.”

Psalm 93:4 “Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty.”

Psalm 107:29-30 “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the seawere hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.”

Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Isaiah 51:15 “For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord Almighty is his name.”

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

John 16:33“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Do you see the pattern? God is in control. God will never leave you. God will give you comfort and rest. God will give us peace in times of trouble.

So how did I get out of my wild situation yesterday? I asked for help. Guess what? No one was around except the God who controls the wind and waves. Somehow, a wave picked me up and pushed me toward shore. Not all the way, but enough for me to find a way to get steady on my feet again. Honestly, I was exhausted and wasn’t sure I could make it to shore. But I did!

Lessons:

  1. I am not nearly strong enough to head into the ocean on my own. AND I am nowhere near strong enough to go through this life alone (reference 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
  2. Troubles will come, but we know the One who has overcome the world!
  3. Life is short. Don’t allow opportunities to pass us by. Any opportunity to help someone, or to share the Gospel or to offer a word of encouragement.

I pray that as you go through your day today, that you will find encouragement in these words. It means so much to me that you are reading them. Thank you and I will be back soon.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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Pivotal Moments

July 22nd, 2024 dsisler

There are pivotal moments in each of our lives. Baptism. Graduation. Marriage. Babies. New careers. Moves. Divorce. Business ventures. Mission trips. Death.

I have experienced all of these moments. Some have been joyful, some sorrowful and some downright difficult.

In recent years these experiences have been magnified in my life. A major move from Colorado to Ohio. The passing of my sweet Mama. A business purchase. My husband’s major illness. Home dialysis. Being a care giver. My husband’s death. My sister’s diagnosis and prognosis and eventual death. Children and grandchildren. Precious great nieces and nephews.

For five months now, I have been trying to figure out how to be a widow. With my husband’s passing in February, EVERYTHING is on me at this point. And I have found myself overwhelmed on many occasions with no solutions or answers. I have also found myself isolated from others. It is easier to sit in my “compound” and eat ramen soup than to push myself to be with friends and family.

For almost two months now, I have been trying to figure out how to be the oldest child in our family since my sister’ passing in May. There is a great deal of responsibility in this new role. So far, I haven’t felt like I’ve lived up to how my sister filled this role. Mainly because our personalities were so different. She could plan a family gathering or Vacation Bible School with very little effort. While I can do these things too, it takes me a little longer to get the desired result.

For almost two months now, I have been trying to figure out how to run a business without my business partner and sister. Again, our personalities complimented one another in our business venture. Our motto was that she was the brawn, and I was the brain of the business. She was the go-getter, and I was the cautious one. She costumed plays that I had no idea where to begin and I would keep track of the bookkeeping and HR. Trying to fill both roles has been a challenge.

I would love to tell you that I have leaned into God during these past five months, and to some degree I have, but it has been hard. Grief can sometimes grip in a way that doesn’t allow for reaching out to others and to God. Grief can consume our thoughts and paralyze us. Grief can be so powerful that you don’t believe you can take another breath or step.

So how have I managed these months? By remembering God’s promises.

Psalm 34:18 (NIV) tells us that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

Matthew 5:4 (NIV) says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Psalm 56:8 (NLT) reminds me that “You (God) keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my ears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”

These are beautiful promises, but still, are there practical things I have done to navigate the grief journey? Yes.

I spent time with Jesus. I found my favorite spot with Him. I told Him all that was going on. I cried. I asked for guidance and reassurance of His promises. I allowed myself to lean into Him as much as I could.

I spent time with family and friends. Whether it was in person, over the phone or by text, this was a lifeline for me on many occasions. And the friends and family that continue to reach out to me are the most precious.

I allowed myself to grieve. I needed to be at home alone. I needed to be at the Castle alone. And in those moments, I would allow myself to remember and grieve my losses.

I used my tools. My experiences in life have provided me with the tools to grieve well. Stephen Ministry training, Women’s Ministry, Funeral Services position, working with Hospice, employment at a Nursing Home. All of these positions have given me exactly what I needed to process grief.

Perhaps you too are dealing with grief beyond your wildest imagination. If so, I would encourage you to follow in my steps. Reach out to Jesus. Remember God’s promises. Don’t isolate yourself from friends and family. Find a GriefShare program near you and get into it. Find a good therapist or Stephen Minister and allow their words of wisdom to penetrate your heart and mind.

We all grieve differently, so please don’t ever allow someone to tell you you’re doing it wrong. It is a personal journey and one that you can move through.

I am not finished with my grieving process, but I am a stronger person today than I was five months ago. My desire is to live each day without hesitation and to the full. I am not guaranteed tomorrow, so I strive to find glimpses of peace and joy in each and every day. I pray that you will be able to do the same.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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A24

August 10th, 2023 dsisler

It’s usually quiet. When the dialysis system is set up with care and precision, it is a few quiet hours. However, just recently, the A24 alarm blared every 15 minutes or so. I would stop what I was doing and go check what was happening. As per the manual, I would mute the alarm, identify the probable cause, check the arterial access flow to make sure there were no kinked lines. I would then reposition the access line, stop the cycler and then resume treatment. This process continued throughout the 3-hour treatment period.

Nothing had changed. I had been sure of each step along the way to prepare for this treatment. I did everything the same way I always did, so what was different and what was the cause of this A24 alarm?

Megan. My sweet housekeeper had been in to clean. In the process she moved Mason’s chair just enough to create a strain on the lines between the machine and Mason. Of course, as soon as he was finished, we moved the chair to the correct position, and we haven’t had an A24 alarm since.

How many times in my life has the A24 alarm sounded to get my attention. Plenty I’d say. The smallest misalignment from God’s plan or direction in my life has set off the warning alarm. Sometimes I’ve corrected it immediately. Other times I’ve been a little slower to redirect my steps.

And honestly, it all comes down to the heart. Why does my heart want more than what God has to offer? He is good. He is faithful. He always wants what is best for me. God reminds us in Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” He knew our hearts would and could lead us astray.

In those moments when my heart is prone to wander, I must remember King David’s words in Psalm 119:10-11 (NIV). “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” God’s Word is the only guide we need to keep us from wandering off the path. He has given us all that we need.

The one thing I know is that God is constant and doesn’t change. Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8 assure us of that. I may wander and move away from God, but He will always be there when I am ready to return.

Have you wandered? Take that first step. He is waiting for you.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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Grace

July 18th, 2023 dsisler

Oh my. It has been so long since I’ve been with you all. So much has happened and life has just been, well, life. I have missed two things through this past couple of years. First is writing. Sometimes my brain just doesn’t want to shut down. I have had the desire but not the time. Second is painting. I began watercolor painting several years ago. Each Saturday I would meet up with a couple of friends and we would paint, laugh, cry, discuss Scripture and pray. It has been two years now since I picked up a paint brush and palette.

You may be asking what I have been doing. My last post was June 8, 2020. Wow. Over 3 years! Well let me give you an overview today. As time allows, I will dig into each of these events and share more of the reasons behind the events and how God showed up while all of this was happening.

June 2020 – changed jobs.

April 2021 – visited Ohio family for the first time in 14 months.

April 2021 – we decided to move to Ohio.

June 2021 – home in Colorado was put on the market…sold in one day.

June 2021 – I moved to Ohio and Mason stayed in Colorado to finish packing.

June 2021 – started new job in Ohio…quit said job.

June 2021 – started looking for home in Ohio.

July 2021 – back to Colorado to finalize packing and move.

August 2021 – moved into home in Ohio.

August 2021 – started new (better) job in Ohio.

December 2021 – Mom passed away. 🙁

February 2022 – Mason in hospital with chronic congestive heart failure.

April 2022 – quit better job.

June 2022 – bought a business with my sister…Costume Castle!

July 2022 – remodeled Costume Castle.

August 2022-February 2023 – worked like crazy at the Castle…Mason continued to have health issues (hospital stays and diagnoses).

May 2023 – Mason began dialysis 4 days a week…I began training to do his dialysis at home.

June-July 2023 – home dialysis 5 days a week.

So, here’s the thing. I am at home 5 days a week while Mason is on dialysis. His treatments last between 3 to 3 1/2 hours. I need to be in the house to hear alarms, but now I have flexibility and time. As I thought of what I would want to do with these hours, I knew I wanted to get back to writing. You will be hearing from me more often. And I will be painting! I can’t wait to share some of my artwork with you.

As I look back at this timeline, I can only say “phew”. A lot has happened in 3 years. I have said it before and I will say it again, I have only been able to do what I’ve done with God’s help and provision. I have been weak. I have been weary. I have failed. I have struggled. But through it all, God’s grace has been sufficient. The Apostle Paul knew of God’s grace and said it so eloquently. “Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9b-10 – NIV)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna PS – I forgot how much I loved my blog design! Thank you Maria Hauser

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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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