Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 10.1- When you enter into a peaceful friendship it is important to not take it for granted. As long as you can add to the order and succes of each other's lives that is a good thing. At times these may end because of a change in vocation or location, but sometimes they continue regardless of these changes. I have a friendship of this type that has been ongoing for 55 years and a couple of others for 46 years. We chat weekly or monthly and use the time to help each other to reach our goals. When there is peace, joy and a challenge to grow and be creative together I try to keep these friendships going. At times there is a need for some of these to move forward without my close friendship and this also can be a time to be thankful for all the blessings it brought to me. Matthew 10.   13  If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.   14  If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the

 9.30- Are you tired before you get out of bed? Burned out? Down in the dumps? My best friend has told me that is the perfect .moment to call him. To go over to where he is hang out with him. We can go for a walk to look at fall leaves together. We can let down our guard down and mellow out. He has invited me to work with him doing something that gives us both joy. We can have our favorite music playing or silence and locusts and birdsong. Nothing heavy. We will have on clothes that are comfortable and do work that fits also. He has told me that the more we work together the less it feels like work. Matthew 11. 28  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.   29  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.   30  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

 9.29- Yesterday Jeff was over here bringing me my groceries because I asked him to do so. I still get out and get my groceries, but at times I am slowed down and Jeff is willing to do anything he can to help me. He fixes my computer set up when adjustments are needed. He keeps my radio, television and excercise equipment at its peak. He keeps me informed of the statistices of the lastest Dallas Cowboy team. Great season for now. He and I have bonded over the Cowboy games and watch each week and text with Amy during the game. Jeff can do anything for me from arrange an excel sheet to organize my office more efficiently. Last year he and his wife, Donna, helped Amy, Jared, Jordan and me with the transition of His mom to heaven. If you know Jeff well then you are quite aware of how thankful I am that he is my son. Happy BD Jeff.

 9.28- Real life is about relationships. With God. With family and friends. Real friends. Who build us up. We build them up. Mutual support. And encourage us. Motivate us. Stimulate us to great things. Stimulate us to creativity. Support us when weary. Defend us.Forgive us. Love us unconditionally. Accept us. Confront us. Warn us. Serve us. Are patient with us. These are our most valuable resources. Micah 6.      And what does the  Lord  require of you? To act justly and to love mercy      and to walk humbly [ a ]  with your God.

 9.27 Thursday morning I awoke at 5am. feeling refreshed and energized. Good ideas were flowing through my mind so fast that I could hardly capture them. What had caused this unusual surge? Yes the twenty days of house arrest because because of over 100 degrees was broken. Yes I had gone out for a chicken lunch on Wednesday. Yes. football season is back and the Cowboys played well but that was not it. I had asked my closest three prayer warriors to give extra time to praying for me because I had hit the one year grief wall. Yes, it worked. Prayer works. Feeling great for the second day. So I formed the Old Mill Road Prayer Support Group. It's a public group. Join if you like. I will give Prayer results there. James 4. 4  What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?   2  You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.   3 

 9.26- 1993 was an eye opening year for me. I was completely blind regarding the beautiful people of Russia. In my vision I saw 50 year old factory workers and grandmother's wearing scarfs sweeping the streets. What we found were young ladies in the college library who were wearing no headscarfs but radiant faces translating our English and Texican into Russian. One named Sonia Rhodes (Happy Birthday) married an Amercan,Joseph Rhodes, and they have been a powerful couple to bless Russia and America. This fall 30 years ago I was blessed to visit there and found many people of all ages and educational levels ready to learn and welcome Americans to visit them and learn from each other. In these changing times we must not look down on any of God's children. Female, Russian, young or old. God seeks to bless all His children. We are accept all and cause all to rejoice. Now I have good friends who live 14 time zones away. I hate wars that kill innocent children. I love the peacemake

 9.25- When I am asked to be critical of the behavior or decisions of others I will refuse unless I'm sure I can be helpful. I will try to protect others from toxic attitudes of false religion. I will not be afraid to speak with courage to get people to stop harming themselves and others. I will focus on loving not judging. I will notice beautiful attitudes and learn a little about the nature of the designer of the universe. I will enjoy the freedom of trying to only speak and listen to the truth. I will remember that my value is not set by who people think I am but who I know I am. I will love to be guided by the loving, sincere words and even hard words of those who have invested in me. I will rememder that true love never dies. John 8. 31  To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said,  “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.   32  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33  They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have neve