Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 12.25- Christmas. Jesus was born into this world in very humble, common circumstances without any earthly wealth or power evident. This is the entrance into the world that the maker of the universe chose to make. All are welcome to come to Him. Joy to the world. Luke 2. 2  In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.   2  (This was the first census that took place while [ a ]  Quirinius was governor of Syria.)   3  And everyone went to their own town to register. 4  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.   5  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.   6  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,   7  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room availab

 1.24- Today it is Christmas Eve, the first in 56 years that I have been without Sheila. The gift I want to give myself is to write a few words about Sheila Lynn Self Wishard. She passed on 9.4.22. I started by reflecting on things that the friends and family and children and grandchildren said about her that I knew to be true, 24/7/365 for 56 years. She was one who spoke the truth or nothing at all. She was an excellent editor with high standards for things being done right when it came to writing and especially writing about spiritual things. She loved to use good writing that she found to build up the down and out. I was blessed to meet a man at our church whose life was preserved by well written materials that our church sent to him during months of solitary confinement. He especially mentioned the material that Sheila had helped put together to give the prisoners joy and laughter though mail. She could make you think deeper about what you just said with an “eye roll”. Three we

 12.24- I was watching a program showing a couple being used in an elephant restoration an health clinic. It said that there were only some things a human could train them in. For some training it required elephants to train each other. In order for man to learn to love deep and with infinite mercy.God had to be made into human flesh. He came and they named Him Immanuel, God with us. He shows us the perfect way to love all people, even our enemies. If humans could become elephants it would not be as big a step as God to human. The shepherds heard the good news.and rejoiced. Do we? Merry Christmas. Phillippians 2. 2  Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,   2  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.   3  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value oth

 12.23- Bethlehem is the place of the big event 2022 years ago. He grew up to be a reliable teacher. Two billion people call Him their leader. Those things that were not actually so He said so. He said let not your heart be troubled. Today we will celebrate the life of my wonderful sister in law, Gene Wishard. Her old worn out Bible by her chair includes words from the bread of our life. Let not your heart be troubled. If this were not so I would have told you. In my Father's house there are many rooms. I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you I will come back and take you to be with me. Luke 2. 2  In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.   2  (This was the first census that took place while [ a ]  Quirinius was governor of Syria.)   3  And everyone went to their own town to register. 4  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, bec

 12.22- Today I returned to have breakfast with a group of guys I have had breakfast with since 2013. They are good friends and doing what they can to help their companies succeed.  They also want to keep their heart, mind and soul focused on helping their family and friends in any way they can.  The group is only five guys for the last few years and some of us have been out of pocket quite a bit since March of 2020 when COVID 19 hit, but the friendship and fellowship and fun of the Thursday Men’s Group remains.  Enjoyed the fun time together this morning and much laughter about being follower of Jesus in this crazy year. 2022.  Finding a good way to finish the year.  One of the guys brought us a beautiful coffee mug. When it was over about 7am they had to go to work but I remained to stay put and reflect.  Watched a Keller Texas sunrise from 7.24AM to 7.34Am.  It was brilliant and glorious. Justin, the helper at the Chic Fila offered to help me carry my gift and stuff and sponsor me w

 12.21- I'm thankful for great teachers and coaches at this time of year. When many people are taking a holiday to travel and rest with family there are teachers and coaches involved in basketball tournaments. They might get a day off, but their passion is for building up kids. They go to practice and push for the best in attitude and actions. The reality is that these people get tired and broken also. These people according to their own words are tempted to be workaholics. Egomaniac. Alcoholics, overdrink, overeat misplace their priorities. We all, coaches, teachers, Preachers, writers need grace and space. We need a God who is merciful to all us broken people who on a good day are trying to help each other get up and try again. When I think of what I need is someone like a friend who reminded me yesterday to not be overly self-righteous and judging people by mere appearances. Jesus reminded Peter when he thought he was stronger than others that after he fell and the rooster cr

 12.20- Many tornados in DFW yesterday. Five right around me here in NRH. Thankful for weather alerts on radio, phones, TV, I remember when Dale Milford, Harold Taft?, and David Finfrock were doing it. Oh yes David Finfrock still is. Perseverance at work is amazing. 2,500 years ago a wise man wrote, "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other." When we pray for wisdom, guidance and strength for success with these things at work we know this is God's will for our success at work. Zechariah 8. 14  This is what the  Lord  Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,” says the  Lord  Almighty,   15  “so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid.   16  These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and s

 12.19- FB,Facebook, has become a place of sharing important thoughts among friends. For about ten years I have tried to write a daily devo of sorts for me and my "friends" and deep, beloved and long term personal friends. This is includes very personal "life processing" for some of us. At 7.36am on Tuesday, 12.13.22,in DFW we a tornado warning going near us. Horns going off in NRH. Get in your shelter, cellar, lowest floor, inner room closest away from windows. Mike Leach is a well known college football coach, impacting, Kentucky, Texas Tech and Mississippi and all of football from high school to pro. People either loved or despised him it seems. He was a lawyer and coffee shop philosopher. At 61 he had a heart attack Saturday and passed away. Praying for his family today. A storm in their lives. He said in one interview that what mattered most was family, friends and spiritual things. He said wins come and go but the process of being the best person you can be i