Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 7.17- Do the right thing. Do not be concerned that most people will not. That is not our business. We must finish our race running in our lane, not the race of others. Two major influences on our lives have finished strong and we rejoice in their victories. Lynn Anderson and Paul Faulkner. Paul taught Sheila and I how to have a better marriage in an early marriage enrichment seminar at the Skillman Ave. Church in the 1974-1979 time frame. Paul also preached a sermon on the prodigal son which reminded me that Jesus loves sinners of all kinds. Elder brother sinners and prodigal sinners. The Father wants all to get real and come home to real life. Jesus came and picked up Paul this week and though I sorrow for his family's loss, I rejoice with him. 2 Timothy 4. 6  For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.   7  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;   8  in the future there is reserved

 7.16- If you are reading this and you believe your Creator knows how you work best, then let us remember that He teaches us to pray rather than worry and petition Him rather than give up. Luke 18. 18  Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged,   2  saying,  “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect  any  person.   3  Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my  [ a ] opponent.’   4  For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect  any  person,   5  yet because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise  [ b ] by continually coming she will wear me out.’”   6  And the Lord said,  “Listen to what the unrighteous judge *said;   7  now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day  [ c ] and night, and will He delay long for them?   8  I

 7.15- The is "us" Versus "them" attitudes that includes dangerous things for our democracy. Our country's freedom of religion and press requires the ability to be able to discuss things together in a civil way without hating each other. To pray a blessing on someone who doesn't see things as we do becomes important. In our town where I grew up there were people of different religious beliefs and some without any religion. We came together to vote, go to sports events and Christmas parades but there was not hate generated toward each other. When your leader is teaching you to be a peacemaker and to not retaliate but rather reconcile then unity and peace is possible. Religion that teaches us to care for those in need is good. Religion that teaches hate toward others is not good. We need to move beyond hating "them". We need "us" to pray a blessing on "them.". Romans 15  Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of th

 7.14- There have been several days in my life when a new thing was put in front of me that seemed a bit like a raging river. I had to move forward because it was impossible to stay where I was. I didn’t want to move forward because it appeared different, inconvenient, challenging or impossible. I had to move forward into this new zone. For a time, I was completely still. Not moving forward or backward emotionally or spiritually. Then I would hear and see some more things. I would feel this inner cry for support from my Creator and from friends who had survived something similar. After some time, i would explain to my close family and friends what I was going through and ask for their prayers for me. Next I would get an idea of how to get through the rest of the day. The next morning I would look at the trouble I had to try to get through to the best of my ability. I would work on the difficulty. I would move away from the engagement with the trouble and rest a bit with somethi

 7.13- I'm slowly learning to be present to those who need and want my help. A space cadet with a mind somewhere else is not that helpful. It discounts the person I am with. I notice that excellent people helpers connect with the person they are helping. They might ask, "How are you today?" and listen and respond. They might say, "Enjoying our oven temperature?" They might see my sports cap and comment. Each of these ways shows a person sees us and is actually present. Have been to a doctor who tried to treat you without acknowledging you? To be helped we need a connection where we are seen, heard and our presence felt. Lord help me to be fully present with those you send to me. Amen. Jesus saw this man and others might overlook him. John 5. 5  After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2  Now in Jerusalem, by the Sheep  Gate , there is a pool which in  [ a ] Hebrew is called  [ b ] Bethesda, having five  [ c ] porti

 7.12- Who you are and who you can become is set by your creator and no one else. No one else. Not your family of origin. Not by public school systems that wrongly classify you. Not the category the media culture places you in. Not some label put on you by men's religion. It is your best imagination with your creator that sets your sails. Psalm 8. 8  Lord , our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, You who have  [ a ] displayed Your splendor above the heavens! 2  From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have established  [ b ] strength Because of Your enemies, To do away with the enemy and the revengeful. 3  When I  [ c ] consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have set in place; 4  What is man that You think of him, And a son of man that You are concerned about him? 5  Yet You have made him a little lower than  [ d ] God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! 6  You have him rule over the works of Your hands; You

 7.11- Roe Overturned by Supreme Court in the USA. Jesus said to his followers that they were the light of the world and the salt of the earth. They do not focus on quarreling in the streets. They focus on protecting people in trouble. They focus on fostering and adopting children. They focus on supporting women in hardship pregnancy situations. They work to provide for poor children. Are we focused today on asking our Father to help us spread the news of His love and healing the nation where we live by humble service? God help us to reflect the love of Jesus today. Matthew 25. 31  “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.   32  And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;   33  and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left. 34  “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who