Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 12.17- I have tried to teach my family and friends to surround themselves with people who are looking for the best in us. They don't look for reasons to accuse us, but rather pray for us to have strength and wisdom to overcome any set back. They refuse to let anyone or anything steal their joy. We celebrated our 50th anniversary with Ben and Denise Cross. John 8. 15  You judge  [ d ] according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone.   16  But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone  in it , but I and the Father who sent Me.   17  Even in your Law it has been written that the testimony of two people is  [ e ] true.   18  I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.”   19  So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered,  “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.”   20  These words He spoke  [ f ] in the treasury, as He taught in the temple  area ; and no one arrested

 12.16- Making a positive impact for the good requires reflection on the timing when someone is ready to hear hard words. We all need someone or even more than one person to tell us what we need to hear that we don't want to hear. But timing is important. When the best conversations happen someone is able to get this message across to us and deep into our hearts. Where we came from. Where we are going. What we were cut out to do by our maker who is in heaven. We came to earth from there. We go back there. Our best work here on earth is to help people to get to know him. He cares more about our character and competence than about our comfort. So some of us, fortunately, married people who said words that made us uncomfortable, but helped us. I miss her today. John 7 25  So some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Is this man not the one whom they are seeking to kill?   26  And  yet  look, He is speaking publicly, and they are saying nothing to Him. The rulers do not really kno

 12.15- My 88 year old teacher spent two hours in my home yesterday. I was reminded of life lessons being with her Our creator and designer has left tests in our lives because stress stetches us to be the best we can be. No stress is not healthy. Too much stress is not healthy. We as humans need something to drink and eat to keep us going. To obtain these as well as shelter it is important to have a job. The job contains tests. The master leaves these tests in our lives even though he knows what the ultimate answer is going to be. Why? Because in the struggle we learn important lessons. That we need to listen. That we need to look deeply at what we have to give. That we need give our best every day at work. That we need to settle down, calm down and sit down. That we need to trust the one who provides for the birds to provide for us. That we need to remember that earthly food spoils but spiritual food that guides us through life never spoils but gets richer in every stage of life. T

 12.14- The pursuit of happiness is the pursuit of the truth. Truth is necessary to know the correct temperature of your body. If your fever reading device is not correct then there is a giant problem to get the right kind of treatment. If someone does not pursue truth then they will be absorbing lies. When a public figure makes a mistake in their actions and words it is not abnormal. What is important is that they own it when it happens. They admit they were wrong. They apologize and move forward. They can even become stronger in their resolve to do the right thing and stronger in the trust level people have with them. Buy the truth and do not sell it. 2 Thessalonians 2. 7  For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only  [ f ] He who now restrains  will do so  until  [ g ] He is  [ h ] removed.   8  Then that lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will eliminate with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His  [ i ] coming;   9  that is ,

 12.13- I want us think about how we can improve rather how other groups need to improve. As a family we get into job tests that seem so strong. It's the boss. No it's the business climate. No it's the completion. If we win we're good. If we lose they cheated. Once the teacher said to not focus on getting sawdust out of others eyes when you have plank in your own eye. We love to watch competitive sports. We don't want players or refs gambling and cheating but that is not something we can control. Life is like that. There is really one thing we can control on good days. Our own thoughts, attitudes and actions. Self control. We can make each day good by choosing to think on things that are true, noble, beautiful and pure. Philippians 4. 8  Finally, brothers  and sisters , whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is  [ g ] lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think ab

 12.12- Carpenters, computer repairmen, ministrrs, truck drivers and a beloved grandson learn how to live life together over saturday breakfast. Don't let anyone look down on you. God doesn't make any junk. What burns down the spirit is a low personal assessment of yourself and your work. People try to put us down because of being born to people who are farmers or carpenters or even doctors. They have found burn out in the medical community among E.R doctors is because they start to view themselves as money focused instead of patient focused. We cannot allow people looking down on us as too young or too uneducated or too "small town" to have the wisdom to serve and help people. We get our self image from God and those who know God is love to set our point of view. My parents taught me to look everyone in the eye. No one is above you or below you. You are better than no one and no one is better than you. My dad's dad passed when he was twelve and he covered the g