Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 7.16- Do you remember a time when you moved out of a house where you had lived for thirty or more years? I remember when my mom moved out of her house where she had lived all of her life. As we walked out of the door she said that she remembered walkinlg out this door on her way to her wedding. Now she was moving to the nursing home. She was praying to move to heaven every day after that I suspect. I remember the night of the ninth of July in 2013, ten years ago. Sheila stayed up all night working through the night for the movers were to arrive on the 10th. She had so much she wanted to get done and she was the most committed worker so such projects as anyone I ever met. I was not so strong, but did get a few hours sleep. Then the next morning the movers came for our move to North Richland Hills to begin a new phase of our life together. We had enjoyed 30 amazing years in this house that had stairs everwhere that didn't fit our life in our leg and ankle challenges. We need

 7.15- Once upon a time about 2000 years ago a man was trying to be succinct, specific and helpful to some people claimed to believe in prayer and he wrote this,"You have not because you ask not. When you do ask, you ask selfishly." I needed to remember that this morning. James 4  [ bi ] What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you?  [ bj ] Is the source not your pleasures that wage war in  [ bk ] your body’s parts?   2  You lust and do not have,  so  you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain,  so  you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.   3  You ask and do not receive, because you ask  [ bl ] with the wrong motives, so that you may spend  what you request   [ bm ] on your pleasures.   4  You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.   5  Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose, “ [ bn ] He

 7.14- There is a promise from our maker that.if we let go and let Him direct our path we will have A more gracious, merciful and peaceful life here on earth. This a type of life before death that is full of good friends. After death there is a promise of life with Him that is free of pain, suffering and death. Our maker is always true to His promises. What a life! Mark 10 13  And they were bringing children to Him so that He would touch them; but the disciples rebuked them.   14  But when Jesus saw  this , He was indignant and said to them,  “Allow the children to come to Me; do not  [ h ] forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.   15  Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”   16  And He took them in His arms and  began  blessing them, laying His hands on them. The Rich Young Ruler 17  As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shal

 7/13- I can imagine a father who had a son who had wasted the family money being willing to sit and wait for a son to return and apologize and allow him to work for the family business. What I cannot imagine is a father who released money to a son and then look down the road for him. Then as he sees him far away to run down the road and hug and kiss him profusely. To hear the father say put on the tbone steaks. Get some clothes and shoes and a ring from this son of mine. Get a band and we are going to have a party. I can imagine a religious self righteous son saying that I never did anything wrong and you never did anything for me. I can bearely imagine a father who said, "Heaven parties when people come home and we had to party becomes one who was dead is now alive. When we move away from a wasteful rebellion to come back home to live in love, that is what makes heeaven happy. This I am trying to bring into heart and mind. Luke 15 11  And He said,  “A man had two sons.   12

 7.12- There are some older Americans that have had more years to love our country. I'm only 76. There are men and women who have sacrificed much more than I have for our country. Many have traveled visit more other countries than I have. But there have been no Americans more blessed by this country than I have. Rich love from family, community and friends. Opportunity for a good education and freedom to engage in the political process to make it a better country. I am sad but not surprised that 1,000s have died trying to get here. The freedom of religion, press, speech, assemby and rule of law is unmatched. 247 years ago the founders said let's shape a set of documents which set up a balance of power. "Oh beautiful for spacious and amber waves of grain" "God bless America land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her." Happy birthday America. Romans 13. 13  Every  [ a ] person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority excep

 7.11- One of the greatest writers of all time is someone who saw himself as the worst of people who had become followers of Jesus. He wrote almost half of the new testament. These words he wrote have been printed in billions for many, many decades. He thought that God had called him to this work because if God could use him, then God could use anyone. Humility is thinking more about God's power and thinking less about human power. Before God called him he might be described as an enemy of Christianity. He was on the way to kill Christians when he "saw the light". What an amazing change. When Jesus was dying on the cross he prayed that His Father would forgive the people killing Him because they didn't know what they were doing. That forgiving spirit of God is what has the power to turn darkness into light. I have read of many stories where a mother had a son killed by man and she forgive him and he was adopted into her own family. Can you believe it? I do. A

 7.10- We know there are no perfect people. If people say that never do anything wrong that they are lying and that in itself is wrong. There people who do things that are so wrong that they don't want their children or grandchildren to follow in their path. This way of life has destroyed them and they don't want this for any of their family. There are people who have come to know a way of life that is such a good way of life that they want this and even better for their children. I was sitting today near a family at church that appeared to be at least three generations. This group had to clear out two rows of seats for their clan. They appeared to be peaceful and happy and enjoying each other. I'm not sure if they were visiting from out of town for the July 4th holiday or not. What I do know is that when you have discovered a way of life that gives you joy in the hard times and stability in the turbulent times it is common for you to want this blessing for your childr