Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 9.15- Love wins. A man was reaching out in love and grace and kindness to a gang leader in New York who was carrying a switchblade knife. The gang leader said, "I will cut you into a 100 pieces." He said to the gang leader, "and all 100 pieces will keep on loving you." The gang member became a friend of the man who was reaching out in love and who stayed with love and kindness. Romans 12 14  Bless those who persecute  [ q ] you; bless and do not curse.   15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.   16  Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be  [ r ] haughty in mind, but  [ s ] associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.   17  Never repay evil for evil to anyone.  [ t ] Respect what is right in the sight of all people.   18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people.   19  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but  [ u ] leave room for the wrath  of God , for it is written: “ Vengeance

 9.14- 9/11 manners. 23 years ago today was the beginning of a few months even years of very kind manners in America. People didn't have much road rage. They let people cut in line coming out of driveways and in the grocery store. Why? We had all lost 2,977 people in the twin towers in New York.. Kindness. A genuine, sincere eye to eye good morning. A firm eye to eye "I see you" hand shake. It communicates love and affirmation. I'm praying for you. This kindness prevailed because we were all in grief at what was happening in our country. What if all Christians in America decided to pray God's blessings over our country for the next 60 days. Prayers that God would bless our nation with love and kindness toward all people regardless of their political opinion. We don't want what Gaza, Israel and Ukraine and Russia have where innocent babies in hospitals are killed or maimed. Let's try 9/11 Kindness and prayer and manners for the next 60 days. Ephesians 4

 9.13- There is joy in being able to breath good air. If you have legs and ankles and feet that work well without pain that truly something to be grateful for. If you have plenty of good. Tasty, nutritious food is great to have around. Now if you have shelter from the elements that is cool in the summer and warm in the winter and dry it is not to be taken for granted. If you have family and friends who laugh and cry with you then you are over the top even if your electronics is not working today. Philippians 4. 4  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!   5  Let your gentle  spirit  be known to all people. The Lord is  [ d ] near.   6  Do not  [ e ] be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.   7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all  [ f ] comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

 9.12- Regarding family Choices have consequences. .They show priorities. If you don't listen to your spouse, someone else will. Regarding work. Show up. Be there. Really be there. Stay off your phone except for work. Tell the truth or nothing at all. Be a bit early or on time and work hard and smart and be willing to go the second mile. You will have good chance to succeed with the American dream. Colossians 4 4  Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. 2  Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with  an attitude of  thanksgiving;   3  praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;   4  that I may make it clear in the way that I ought to proclaim  it . 5  [ a ] Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders,  [ b ] making the most of the opportunity.   6  Your speech  must  always  be   [

 9.11- Leave your crown in the garage. Self pity is more deadly than cancer. Self centeredness kills relationships. Pride is going to cause a fall. Godly people who humble themselves will be uplifted. Keith Luttrell was illustrating this and used this great story from the life of Indra Nooyi, CEO of Pepsico. She had been trained by her mother to envision being great by reading great speeches and making them first person to her. On the day she was appointed CEO of Pepsico, she couldn't wait to get home and tell her mother. She walked in the door excited with the news. Her mother was visiting and as she started to tell her. Her mother interrupted her saying, "The family is out of milk. You need to go get milk now." She went to the store. Came home and couldn't wait to tell her mother. She ran to the store and got the milk. With the milk delivered she couldn't wait to tell her this big news. "Mom, today I was appointed CEO of Pepsi." Her mother said, &qu

 9.10- The household. Grandparents. Parents. Grandkids. Nephews. Great nephews. Good food. Thousands of cars parked in Frisco, Allen and Plano at early of 3 or 4 services of 4,000 each. Silicon Valley of North Texas. Long drive through green rolling North Texas hills with 50 mile Vistas. Horses. Cows and sheep and goats. Driving by small church buildings with 40 members having been a community since 1879. The Church of my youth and old age, Oak Ridge.. Cousins. Beth Norwood still a working tax expert. Her son, Clint Norwood, teacher who cares for his kids and other kids 24/7. Ruth Ann Milton Jones teaching for nearly 50 years and Beta club sponsor. Jackie Sheldon, Stan Smith, Cindy Smith Kueckelhan, Marty Kueckelhan, Scott Munger, Rhonda Cunningham Shinpaugh. Members of the Oak Ridge church family welcomed Amy, Jeff, Jared, Sharon and I. Victor Ellison delivered a great lesson on God being with us in our low times of life. We were there to celebrate the resurrection hope prior to our c