Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 8.6- I am not responsible for the version of me that exists in other people’s minds.   This includes family and beloved friends who love me deeply on out to family, extended family, deeply beloved friends and long distance once a year friends. What matters is what my designer and spiritual companion in life and what He thinks of me and my thoughts and actions.   I might be thought of as a “nice” person and hope they are wrong.   I might be thought of as a arrogant little troublemaker and they might be right and I need to repent.   I might be thought of as a rebel against the culture and they might be right and I’m glad they think of me that way. Larry Wishard 7.26.23 1 Cor. 4. 4  This is the way  any  person is to regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.   2  In this case, moreover, it is required  [ a ] of stewards that one be found trustworthy.   3  But to me it is an insignificant matter that I would be examined by you, or by  any  human  [ b ] c

 8.5- I do best when i refuse to allow people to "pigeon hole" me. Job's friend said that humans are "maggots". No. Job maintained that he was a child of God and could communicate and converse and even argue his case with God. Human beings have a fleshly body and a soul. They are designed with eternity in their hearts. They are not maggots. They were created in the image of God. I watched my brother and father use a cane and walker and was thankful I didn't have to use these. I watched them keep their positive attitude and dignity as they did this. They did not expect to do less than they could but they enjoyed any help and companionship they received.. Now my flesh my flesh is weak in my lower body and a cane or walker is currently necessary though I am still "rehabbing" my knees and legs. I must keep a positive view of who I am. I am able to live alone in my home. Shop and cook and enjoy my life. I still think, write and teach as i always have. T

 8.4- I am not sure about the word "Luck" anymore. I know I was born into and was raised by a loving family, I consider that a blessing. I was unlike my dad because I had he and mom with me all my almost all of my adult like. Dad lost his dad when dad was twelve. I am blessed. I have heard it said, " The harder I work, the luckier I get." I believe there is chemistry when preparation meets opportunity. There have been coincidences my life that could not have been a coincidence. I don't know. Luke 12 Luke 12:48 but the one who did not know  it , and committed acts deserving of a beating, will receive  only  a few blows. From everyone who has been  given   much ,  much  will be demanded; and  to   whom  they entrusted  much , of him they will ask all the more.

 8.3- I find I am tempted to lock in to a method of the best way of doing something that is out of date by the time I locked down on it. In 1964 I learned typing. By 1968 I had learned shorthand and how to teach it. What is "typing?" What is "shorthand"? When we are fighting alligators remember that our job is to drain the swamp. My mission in life is to communicate the love of God and God of love to my family, friends and future family and friends. Methods of communication will change. Last week I had a chat with my co-worker who was working in Warsaw, Poland. It took 3 minutes for him to respond. We must not worship our methods of communicating. Matthew 5 13  “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how  [ d ] can it be made salty  again ? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people. 14  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a  [ e ] hill cannot be hidden;   15  nor do  people

 8.2- Human beings. All designed to be so different. Some have an inside and outside voice. Others of us us seem to only have an outside voice. ...very quiet and solemn all the the time and every day is the same. ...have big and bigger holidays and all days are days to celebrated. ...think the designer made food and drink to be enjoyed with moderation and self control. ...think almost all food and drink are to be avoided. Aren't you glad the designer made us all different. Romans 12. 3  For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.   4  For just as we have many parts in one body and all  [ f ] the body’s parts do not have the same function,   5  so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another.   6  However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,  each of

 8.1- Father your mercy overflows our hearts on a good day. He us to lean on your mercy.   Help us to trust and obey for indeed there is no other way.   To often we are fearful and run from your when we need to be running to you. We need strength to overcome our love for money and pursue love, godliness and gentleness. Your kindness is felt in the air we breathe and the water we drink and the break we eat.   Indeed your mercy never fails. We live and move in your universe of love of all kinds.   Help us to pass it on to each other. Genesis 3. 3  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the  Lord  God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4  And the serpent said

 7.31- You can do good things after you pray but you cannot do anything before a prayer for alertness and humility that is more important than prayer. 1 Peter 4 7  The end of all things  [ bq ] is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober  spirit  for the purpose of  [ br ] prayer.   8  Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.   9  Be hospitable to one another without complaint.   10  As each one has received a  special  gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the  [ bs ] multifaceted grace of God.   11  Whoever speaks  is to do so  as  one who is speaking  actual words of God; whoever serves  is to do so  as  one who is serving   [ bt ] by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and  [ bu ] dominion forever and ever. Amen.