Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 4.4 There is nothing wrong with being short or small. In fact if you are wise you can be useful in places that require discretion. I saw a small chameleon yesterday because I had a day of quietness and concentration. My lawn guys came Tuesday. Lawn is soaking up God's rain he gave us. My back porch has such beautiful lessons. I saw a green chameleon turn from pink/brown to green right in front of my eyes. He stays with me as one of my teachers along with the squirrels, birds and opossums. This chameleon can change and be flexible to meet the need of the moment. Can I be unnoticed and discete in the background in order to get where we can serve and meet urgent needs? I hope to be more discrete and servant oriented. The Bible says a chameleon is small but can get into kings palaces. Amazing where you can go if your purpose is to be small and quiet and not a distraction. Proverbs 30 24  Four things are small on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise: 25  The ants...

 4.3- Things happen. Big. Life breaking. The earthquake the crashes the buildings in you life. The world tade towers can't fall down but they do. Things happen. A beloved child or grandchild gets addicted. A marriage starts falling apart. A daughter has a surprise marriage and baby. A house burns and the family is in a trailer for years. A company folds. An investment company with my retirement funds is pondicherry scheme. A cancer doctor calls and says, "I'm sorry to tell you that the cancer has spread. Things happen. If you believe there is an all wise, all powerful God, you have been talking to him. Crying. Pleading. Asking for healing. Things happen. The Teacher said his amazing work was only done he was watching what His Father was doing when God was on the move in life shattering moments and in quiet, still moments God was on the move. Things happen. These things are allowed to happen so we learn not to rely on ourselves but on God. 2 Cor 1. 8  For we do not want yo...

 4.2- Discipline means different things to at different ages. As a child for me I got a belt to the bottom. At times we gave our children a sit in the corner and be quiet order until you have control. Later we learn it is something of an intense learning time. We learn from suffering. A boot camp of sorts. Ideally, we feel honored to be loved by God to engage us in this unique process. So we are armed with purpose during this phase of our lives and have no time for distractive nonsense. Joy is on the other side of the phase. Joy in it with proper reflection and thought. Sitting in a corner does not mean I am not loved by my parents but that indeed I have parents that love me as I am, but too much to leave me as I am. Hebrews 12. 12  Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us,   2...

 4.1- Springtime. Hopetime. My trees are budding. Longer afternoons to sit on my porch and watch bluebirds and squirrels playing jumping around. Then the spiritual hope of Easter. My grandmother's both knew that beyond this life was life with our heavenly father. They both taught their children how to live harmoniously with their family. My mother sponsored eggs hunts and celebrated all holidays with excitement and joy. She a roomother rarely missed healing all my classmates have a good time. Both my grandmother's had a hard life and were in no way bitter about their journey. They had plenty fire and strength to render their opinion and were not afraid to speak up. But were not cynical and sarcastic. They took their children to schools and churches that trained them in hopeful answers to complicated problems. They were strong but sympathetic and compassionate. Training how to build up a family was essential to them. I have seen them swing and rock on a porch while they shell...

 3.31- We don't know who we are helping. When we help the poor. When we stand up for justice for those who cannot stand up for justice for themselves it is not them we are helping, but beyond them we are helping God.  God has placed himself with the poor.  His heart is with the poor.  He has provided that extra crops be given to them.  He has said that if you cheat the poor you will eventually give account to God.  He has said that when you helped the poor you were actually helping God. How can you help them?  You can be generous with them in their times they work for you.  You provide clothing that you don't need anymore.  You can share food.  You can make sure they feel seen and respected by you.  You can refuse to take advantage of them.  I was watching a television program where a man made his money by ripping people off through scams.  He made millions per year and was asked while on his yacht if he felt guilty. ...

 3.30- Some things that we see cause us to believe that this life is not all there is. It can be events around the death of a loved one. The disciples of the teacher ran to the tomb after his death and looked at the linen wrappings lying there. They saw these and believed. What did they see? At the death scene of loved one's I have seen them stretching toward a curtain that they were stretching to open where they mentioned the name of their loved one they seemed to see on the other side. These scences caused my belief in the reality of life beyond life to be very real. I have also seen the trust and peace people had as they surrendered this life over with a peace that passes understanding that I could not explain apart from our Father in heaven. What have you seen that convinces you that there is life beyond this life? John 20 20  Now on the first  day  of the week Mary Magdalene *came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and *saw the stone...