Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 1.15- There is a lightness in being self forgetful. Find people who are your kind of "crazy". These do jobs that are impossible. Most men I know consider being a mom as impossible. They say fear of death in the only thing more frightening than public speaking. I made four or more public presentions per week as a part of my job for many years. I didn't play football but six years but in year seven I found it enjoyable. There is blessing in strange places according to the best teacher in the last 2023 years. There is a blessing in hard financial times. Being able to cry freely and deeply. Being humble. Being hungry and desperate to learn something or to get a job. Being forgiving of someone who wronged you. Being pure in heart. Peacemakers Persecuted. These things like the pain of playing football demand self forgetfulness. The teacher was considered "insane" because of His teaching. 2 billion are a minority of the world's population. But for a powerless car

 1.14- The cross as a shadow in the background. We like the Christmas season. Here is a new baby. Landing on earth in humble circumstances. Overcoming all odds and gaining improvements in life. Then a single boy or girl has visions of someday finding a soul mate or life mate. The church building is a place where they might be wedding showers and then a wedding. The couple prays for a child. There is a baby shower held there in the building. The Christmas story is true. We can find someone who loves us and wants to have a family with us. Life is good. Then death comes and judgement. But there is a shadow. There is a cross. When baby Jesus grew up He became a teacher. The first chapter of one of His biography in John said, “The Lamb of God”. What does that mean? Lambs are sacrificed for sins. Lambs are slaughtered. The shadow of the cross is there in the entire three years of Jesus ministry. Jesus said I’m going to Jerusalem. There the leaders of my religion will reject, i

 1.13- The reality is that healthy people keep their priorities in order.   Life itself. Family. Friends. Sport. Demar Hamlin reminds us of this reality. He is a football player who collapsed on the field in front of millions of NFL viewers last night about 9pm. Millions watched Football this past month and especially at this time of the year. I am one of those in my slowed down, state of life. This morning at 4.56 am I want to use my voice or writing to thank all of you my friends for support for me and my family going through hard times.   This has been a blessing. Today my mind and heart are with my family and friends who are involved and engaged in sports as their hobby and entertainment and work. I have a couple of family members who have made their living in jobs related to sports and the entertainment/hospitality industry.   These family members and friends are on my mind this morning. I have already contacted them through text to try to do what I can to support them. I

1.12- A .more grateful me in 23. Eat and drink the Christmas gifts. Trash the tissue paper. Never throw away the spirit of gratefulness. Luke 12. 11  Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.   12  As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy [ b ]  met him. They stood at a distance   13  and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14  When he saw them, he said,  “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”  And as they went, they were cleansed. 15  One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.   16  He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17  Jesus asked,  “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?   18  Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”   19  Then he said to him,  “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Eat and drink the Christmas gifts. Trash the tissue paper. Never throw away the spirit of gratef

 1.11- My grandmother Wishard lost her husband at a bad time. Her eight, yes eight children were not raised. One was in her womb. She made an important decision. She would gather with people to worship Jesus as often as she could. She would lead them to pray a prayer of thanks for their food and other blessings three times a day. She would teach her children and grandchildren to forgive others and keep loving others regardless of the mess they were in. 100's of her family are followers of Jesus still trying do do the same thing decades later. Fallen, broken and imperfect people.Why? Because It's true as Jesus said. "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." "I have come that they may have life and that abundantly." Most of my extended family enjoy good friends and fellowship during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. It is an abundant life. Does it include grief? Yes but we do not grieve as those who have so hope. We don't say goodbye forever but so