Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Look up! Manna comes from Heaven

Each of the forty devotions in Getting Out of Bed in the Morning end with a section called When You Walk. I encourage my readers to walk because of the many benefits walking holds, but even if you don't, you can practice the art of looking up to receive blessings.





"Look up! Manna comes from Heaven, not by your scouring the ground for leftover crumbs. Keep your head up! Be encouraged!

Fill your mind with the characteristics of God. In the psalms He is known as my rock (Ps. 28), my light and my salvation (Ps. 27), my shepherd (Ps. 23), and my strength,
my fortress, and my deliverer, as well as my shield and the horn of my salvation (Ps. 18).

Make a list of these and other references to the character of God. Read and recall them each day."
~ From Getting Out of Bed in the Morning, chapter 15


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Walking to discover beauty

As many of you know from my new book, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning, I walk each day. For the most part, I enjoy my walks as long as it's not too cold or rainy and I'm feeling well. Often I take my camera with me to capture some of God's beauty in His creation. Here are some recent autumn shots taken during a few of my walks.









Plan a walk in your local park. Take a souvenir home with you---a leaf, a blade of grass, a pinecone. Let this token remind you of how God delights in His creation and in you. ~ From Getting Out of Bed in the Morning


As you walk, think of your strengths. What do others find attractive about you? Ask God what He finds delightful about you. Listen. How can you use your strengths to reach others today? ~From Getting Out of Bed in the Morning

Order Getting Out of Bed in the Morning from The Rivers of Life Gift Shop.









Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A tree ornament of peace and hope

Special Deal


We often lose sight of hope and peace when we are in turmoil or discouraged. Let this season remind us that hope and peace came into the world with the birth of Jesus. We are not finished yet, we have a ways to go, we are a work of art in progress and we can trust a God who is for us.

Order a copy of the new devotional, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning and an ornament for your tree. The ornament looks like glass, but is made of clear, durable plastic and decorated with colorful sequins, gold swirls, and the words peace and hope. Each ornament hangs onto the Christmas tree limb by a blue ribbon.




Order a copy of Getting Out of Bed in the Morning (retails for $13.99) plus a tree ornament for $20.99. Order by December 15th. Want two books and two ornaments? The cost is $33.99. For three books and three ornaments, the cost is just $47.99 (all prices include shipping/handling).

Choose the amount of books and tree ornaments you'd like from the PayPal menu below.

OR
Send a check for your selected amount to Alice at:
Daniel's House Publications
201 Monticello Avenue
Durham, NC 27707 USA

USA orders only!



Getting Out of Bed and Tree Ornament



A taste of Getting Out of Bed in the Morning




Each of my chapters in my devotional come with scripture, reflections, and prayers, as well as things to do if you walk. Below is an excerpt from page 118.


Prayer
Dear Lord, may I choose to be disciplined to seek
the good, the excellent, the praise-worthy in this
day. Help me to lift my head and my arms up so
that my spirit may be lifted.

When You Walk
Carry a note pad or recording device with you on your
walk today so that you can jot down or record ideas that
come to you about ways to celebrate life. These can be
simple things, such as inviting a friend over for coffee, or
more involved, like redecorating a room in your home.
Think of things that give you joy.

Paint a picture, grow an herb garden, take a class and
learn something new. There are dozens of possibilities to
add some zest to your life as you find ways to celebrate
who you are.
~ Alice J. Wisler
Copyright 2012

Friday, November 16, 2012

The Arrival of Getting Out of Bed (GOOB)

"You are a work of art in progress."

Yesterday, I was the happy recipient of a box of books titled Getting Out of Bed in the Morning. My two daughters (my son was at work) and husband were able to share in some of my excitement over the contents with me. My daughters breathed in the aroma of the pages, something I've taught them to do. There is nothing like the special scent of a newly-published book. Especially when your name is on the cover as the author.

Holding a copy of my devotional was a dream come true. I savored the feel of both the book and my heart. This book is compiled of forty devotions and a large piece of my broken heart.




In 1997 my son Daniel died after eight months of cancer treatments. He was four. I was thirty-six. I was angry with God for not healing him. The cancer hadn't killed him; it was the severe treatments that compromised his body. A staph infection took over and eventually his heart stopped. He died in my arms.

I was pregnant at the time. While my baby kicked inside the womb, my son gritted his teeth and left this earth. Three months to the day of his death, my fourth child, Elizabeth was born.

Getting out of bed each morning after Daniel's death was surreal. How could my son be gone? How could I still be alive? What was wrong with God? Why hadn't he saved my little boy from death? How would I live now? What was the point of going on?


I wrestled with questions, primarily to God. Why? How come? How could you? Why?

I wanted to die.

I didn't get to.

Instead, I put one foot in front of the other. And at the end of each day, I went to bed and woke to try again the next morning. One foot in front of the other. One day at a time. Deep breaths.

I would never ask God for anything again.

I knew too well that He could say, No.

Journaling was a lifeline. So was the support of the Wake County, North Carolina Compassionate Friends group. Some books helped. I wrote articles that made it into print magazines. I founded Daniel's House Publications and through it, compiled two cookbooks of recipes and memories in memory of children, who like my Daniel, had died way too soon. Slices of Sunlight came out in 1999 and two years later, Down the Cereal Aisle followed. I had an online newsletter.

I cried and missed my son. Birthdays came and I sent balloons up to him in Heaven. Christmases made me hollow and I was glad when the season ended.

I spoke at conferences. I taught on the benefits of writing through grief. I met some wonderful people---real people----the kind that know they are broken and that life is not for wimps.

I wanted to write a book on how God fit into my struggle. Believe me, I tried. I had agents and editors interested, but nothing stuck.

Until . . .

Last year, Leafwood Publishers said, Yes! This publisher took my fragile mother's heart and said, We believe in you. We read your words. You do have something to say.

I wrote Getting Out of Bed in the Morning to offer a morsel of hope to those without. I want to share with others that although they are weak and struggle, they aren't alone. God is the provider of the daily bread, the wisdom, the cup of cold water, the balm of healing, the hope of tomorrow. He has this awesome thing called sustaining grace. He supplies it. And He loves us, no matter how battered we might feel.

God is for the broken hearted.

God is for you.


To order an autographed copy of Getting Out of Bed in the Morning , head over to my Broken Psalms blog (join it, if you'd like) and visit the Rivers of Life Gift Shop.

[This post also appears on my Broken Psalms blog and my Writing the Heartache blog.]


Sunday, November 11, 2012

Looking Forward to Getting Out of Bed in the Morning

I am grateful to all who pre-ordered Getting Out of Bed in the Morning! While the special pre-order price offer has ended, books can still be purchased at the regular retail price. To order from this blog, go to the Rivers of Life Gift Shop. The link is right above this post. Or you can order from Leafwood Publishers.

I am looking forward to this devotional and hope it will be a comfort for all who walk the path of grief and loss.


Monday, November 5, 2012

Join this blog to enter to win a copy of Getting Out of Bed in the Morning!

That's right; join this blog, become a follower. Your name will then be entered in the hat to win an autographed copy of my new devotional, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning. The devotional comes out next month. Here's what others are saying about it:

* Believe me, you will be changed as you read this book, a book of grief and comfort. Written without easy answers but with gritty, courageous prayer, wrestling like Jacob with God's angel. ~ Eugene H Peterson, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Recent College, Vancouver, B.C.; translator of The Message



* In Getting Out of Bed in the Morning: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache, Alice speaks to the heart from the heart! I found myself in many of the verses. Run, don’t walk and get this book. Peace and comfort are only a page away.
~Debby Stephenson, Founder/Director of Courageous Kidz- A Safe Haven for Kids with Cancer


* Truly wonderful book. Practical yet poignant. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is experiencing grief. Through her suggested prayers, insights, and walking exercises, Wisler guides the grieving soul to the Great Physician's healing.
~Linda Rondeau, author of The Other Side of Darkness


* Getting Out of Bed in the Morning brings a beautiful blend of practical steps with powerful messages from God’s Word. The invitation to action at the end of each chapter provides vibrant hope for the reader. Each stage of the book brings back the confidence that indeed we will wake up tomorrow—renewed and filled with God’s grace—so the day will be shining with a new peace and a sweet kind of joy. ~ Janet Perez Eckles, author of Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta




* Writing with hard-won wisdom, understanding and compassion, Alice J. Wisler walks us gently through the valley of the shadow, turning the “holes in our hearts” into hope and softening grief’s pain. ~Margaret Brownley, author of Grieving God’s Way: the Lasting Path to Hope and Healing


* As I walk along my own journey through grief, there are many paths ahead of me that I could choose. The author shares wisdom gained through her own heart’s wrestle with God and gently encourages me onto a path that leads to healing, wholeness, and eternal hope. ~Elaine Howlett, bereaved mom, grief educator and speaker, author of “Lazarus, Come Out!”

* Hope stirs fresh in Getting Out of Bed in the Morning as Alice Wisler tenderly challenges the remnants of our grieving hearts to a healing journey. This book is a safe place to reconcile painful losses; a graceful guide through the uncharted and often complex landscape of grief and loss. Alice’s heart whispers an understanding that comes only from one who has tasted consuming heartache yet uncovered the hope of God’s sustaining grace. ~ Jo Ann Fore, Author, Founder of WriteWhereItHurts.org


* Alice Wisler has made a noble effort to put into devotional form a journey from deep sorrow, anger, and grief to one of trust and knowing God still loves you despite the tribulations of severe loss. Not everyone has lost a beloved child to disease, a car wreck, or murder, but those who have can connect with what Alice communicates in her new devotional, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning. ~ Dr. Linda B. Greer, Writer, Blogger, Bereaved Mother

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Getting Out of Bed is at the printer's!


Believe me, you will be changed as you read this book, a book of grief and comfort. Written without easy answers but with gritty, courageous prayer, wrestling like Jacob with God's angel. ~ Eugene H Peterson, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Recent College, Vancouver, B.C.; translator of The Message


My devotional, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning, is at the printer's today! I can't wait to get my copy, hold it, and breathe in the pages.

Pr-orders are still going on at the Rivers of Life Gift Shop, so order a copy today.

I'll also be glad to send an autographed copy to a friend for you.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Getting Out of Bed in the Morning!


My new devotional is nearly here! Getting Out of Bed in the Morning: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache is due in December. Here's a bit about this book from the publishers' catalogue:



Getting Out of Bed in the Morning motivates readers who are facing grief and loss to get out of bed and face a life which, although diminished by unfathomable sadness, still holds purpose and beauty.

Written in devotional format, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning is a companion for those going through sorrow associated with loss—whether brought to the journey through the death of a loved one, failing health, job loss, broken relationships, or weakened family ties. Losses are real and raw; they often make people want to give up, quit trying. Yet, as readers discover how their circumstances can be used to lift hands to God, and in time reach others, they will see how God can use them to be people of encouragement and find beauty once again in a life worth living.

These forty devotionals address the painful hardships realistically, as well as the doubt, worry, and fear that come with them. The pages are packed with tips on how readers should take care of themselves and draw near to God so that healing is possible. Each devotional includes reflection, prayer, and suggestions for those who want to integrate walks into their daily routine.

1. AUDIENCE: All who feel bogged down and beaten by life, and who are looking for
renewed strength through their journey with God.

2. ESTABLISHED AUTHOR: Alice is the author of five novels: Rain Song (Christy Finalist), How Sweet It Is (Christy Finalist), Hatteras Girl, A Wedding Invitation, and Still Life in Shadows.

3. KNOWLEDGEABLE AUTHOR: Alice has a unique understanding of relying on God through
loss, having lost her four-year-old son, Daniel, to cancer.

Praise for author/title
“Getting Out of Bed in the Morning is a safe place to reconcile painful losses; a graceful guide through the uncharted and often complex landscape of grief and loss. Alice’s heart whispers an understanding that comes only from one who has tasted consuming heartache yet uncovered the hope of God’s sustaining grace.”
—Jo Ann Fore, author, founder of WriteWhereItHurts.org

Pre-order today! Head here to get a special price.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Beyond the Dismay

In my brokenness,
in my anguish,
withered leaves
strewn across
the back alleys
as despondent
as I've become.

Let me hear Your words
let them carry me
beyond the dismay

let them embrace my
weary frame
and lift me beyond
what I see.

"Child, you are mine
and you are so loved."

Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me.

Psalm 66:20 (NIV)

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Walking over your work

Do you ever find yourself inside a writing spiral?

Sometimes we are so busy at being productive, that we lose sight of what is really important, our goals, our hopes, and how to obtain them. We are operating in a literary fog. There are times we need to take a step back and view our writing in a new light.

A great way to do this is to walk over your work.

Yes, you read that right. I am an advocate for walking on a daily basis. Now, before you stop reading and think, this is not for me, give me another chance. I’m not talking about doing a marathon. A simple short walk can benefit your writing.

Let me tell you why you benefit.

As you walk, your endorphins burst open like little rays of feel-good bubbles, causing you to feel better about yourself. When you feel better about yourself, you are more productive. When you’re more productive, you are able to create stronger prose.

But that’s not the only thing about walking that can help your muse. Walking is a great way to exercise (I know, I used to loathe that word once) and tone up those wayward muscles. Studies prove how healthy walking briskly is. But wait, there is more!

There is a spiritual side to taking a daily walk that can bring value to your writing. When you pray as you walk—prayers for yourself and for others—your world opens up. As you talk with God, you feel his presence. And what could be more affirming than to be in the presence of the Creator of Creativity?

To make your walk more effective, here are some tips.

Feet—Start your walk with a good pair of tennis shoes that fit. If they are too small or large, the discomfort of your feet will steal from your experience. Since your feet are doing the work, make sure they are happy.

Clothing—Perhaps, like me, you’ve been inside pounding on your computer all morning and have not been outside. Since yesterday was cool, you dress for your walk in a jacket and long-sleeved T-shirt. You head outside and immediately feel hot. Check the weather before walking so that you are wearing clothing suited for the temperature. Loose clothing works well.

Thanks and Praise—Once you have your pace set, and filled your lungs with fresh air, look around you. Hopefully, there are some trees or flowers, and you can start by thanking God for the beauty he has created. Move on to praise him for who he is. Thank him for giving you the desire to create and inspire through the written word.

Ask—Of course, you have questions you want to pose to him. They could consist of Why can’t I be published more? Or why can’t my writing make more money? If you are in the middle of a project, you might want to ask him to help you think clearly, come up with a new idea, a fresh market to pitch your work to, etc.

Expect—I was once praying over a sticky situation that involved my agent and lo and behold, right there on my walk, my agent called! The conversation went well, clearing up the situation. Never doubt that God will answer your prayers either on your walk or later. Expect God to bring you solutions for a difficult scene or plot, realistic dialogue, and a vibrant and renewed joy in your writing.

If you’ve read this far, I hope it’s because you are ready to embark on allowing a daily walk to benefit your creativity. You can start with walking three times a week for about twenty minutes and then increase to walking five to seven days a week over the course of the next months. Increase your time as well, building up so you walk about forty-five minutes (three miles) every day.

I also hope that your time of walking and praying over your work will make you a more prolific writer!

Until next time,
Alice

[First published at Christian Work at Home Moms]

Sunday, September 16, 2012

God of Silence

There are days when we see you, God, in all that surrounds us----flowering gardens, gentle breezes, and the warmth of sunshine.




Other days, we walk without the awe of creation at all. Overpowering circumstances clutch us. Despair and fear make us blind to any grain of truth. Like being trapped inside a dark box, we grope for a way out. Bleakness is our food. We've forgotten how to smile, how to even praise with hope.

Although we long to be back in the sunshine, we are stumped because each day uncertainty blocks our steps.

On our bruised knees, we cry out. Why is there no answer, no respite from these tears of anguish? We look back on days gone by and wish for them.

Surely, you are working even in the silence. Surely, you will hear our cries for mercy, and we will be helped.

To you I call, O Lord, my Rock;
do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
I will be like those who have gone
down to the pit.

Hear my cry fo mercy
as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
toward your Most Holy Place.


Psalm 28: 1-2 (NIV)

Speak to all our broken places.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Are You Brokenhearted?

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." ~Psalm 34:18 (NIV)




I am brokenhearted today, God. I can feel my heart caving with each breath I take.

The rivers of life seem too swift for me and I fear losing my footing. And my sanity.

My cries sound dull to my ears because I've repeated them so often. You must be tired of hearing me.

And yet, you are close. You see my pain and hurt. You read my muddled thoughts. You know my frailty.

You want to rescue me.

In my weakness I gain strength from knowing that I have no one but you.

And you are enough.

God of creation, God of resurrection. God of my core.

Amen.



Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Welcome!

Welcome to each of you for coming here and as we say in the South, "Bless your heart!"

You might not be feeling Southern or blessed, happy or content with life. You might be aching and pondering and wondering how you will live to see tomorrow.

I've been there. I've known and know anguish and all its many faces.

I've wrestled with God, doubted and cried out. My son Daniel was four when he died from cancer treatments. Losing him has impacted my life.

Since then I've traveled on rocky paths. I've been through many heartaches. I've spent time seeking God and finding him to be mysterious, yet faithful and merciful.

Broken Psalms is a place where we'll be looking at grief and loss through the lens of the biblical psalms. We'll acknowledge anguish and joy, suffering and salvation.

Join me! Sign up to be a "follower" and share this page with others.

May you be sustained on your journey.