Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

9.30- Happy Anniversary to Wayne and Cora Sue Wishard , 9.30.34 Mom and Dad’s Anniversary They were married on 9.30.1934 in the back of a meat market where hamburger meat was probably selling for about twelve cents a pound. Mom wrote in her diary that several things were a bit unusual about their wedding and honeymoon. The only dress she could find that she liked was bought for twelve dollars, but it was not white, but black. They did not have anyone present at their wedding from their family and friends. The minister lived in the back of a meat market and that is where they were married. Somewhat interesting that many of their years were spent, raising beef, cutting beef, wrapping and selling beef and eating beef around the table with family, kids, grandkids, great grandkids and their friends. In a way they had nothing. According to mom’s diary, “We bought at bedroom suit for $35, two pair of springs and Mrs. Wishard bought us a mattress. The wedding was o...

9.30- In the middle of the night there is a bad dream.  I killed a cat.  My family is under some kind of attack.  I can't sleep.  I get up and look at the clock.  I go back to bed.  I listen to the radio.  I get some Christian music helping me to drift back to sleep. At 5 am I get out of bed. I open up the words of Jesus.  I write down some of my favorite Chapters.  Matthew 18, Luke 7, Luke 15, Luke 18, John 3, John 8 and John 21. I decided on Matthew 18 I will see myself as a humble child depending upon God and His promises and He cannot lie. I will trust God instead of myself or anyone else. I will see myself as the sheep in God's flock that He watches over and seeks when I stray. I will make God happy by returning to Him. I will enjoy being forgiven by God and forgiving others as I have been forgiven. 18  At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2...

9.28- What is truth? What is the truth? Who is the truth? What is my truth? Jesus. Period. End stop. Have we spent as much time mediating on what WWJD (what would Jesus do?) as meditating on what is wrong with our culture? John 14. 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. Matthew 7. 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 1 Corinthians 11. 11 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

9.29- Have you ever had this happen to you?   You were busy working hard and trying to succeed at work and then your daily life came to a complete stop. It could be a doctor’s report when you thought the problem was just a headache from stress and you take your daughter in for a check up and blood test.   The doctor’s nurse calls and says on your recorder, please give us a call back, you need to come in for follow up.   You go in and the doctor is seriously concerned and upset.   He says, you need to take your daughter in to a brain specialist for further testing.   You go to the doctor and get an MRI and something is there in her brain.   Then a surgery.   Then chemo.   Then surgery. Then things keep getting worse.   Finally, the doctor says, we have done all we can do.   After five years of fighting for the life of your daughter she passes in trauma and pain. Your world is crashed. Smashed. Your view of life has changed....

9.27- Which part of society are you in right now?   Are you strong and healthy?   Can you give some help to the elderly and the lame?   Good. Are you older and need some help?   There is a blessing even in this. Some will be the organizers of benevolent giving and charity and some will be the givers and some will be receivers from time to time.   All have a part to play.   Those who feel they aren’t the popular ones should not feel they don’t belong because they do.   Those who feel that they are not the most presentable and beautiful and strong should not feel they don’t belong.    Sometimes the weakest members of a group of people give the other people are mission and a reason to live and be inspired.    It is more blessed to be able to give than receive.   We pray for healing and sometimes we are healed without intervention by doctors and nurses.   Often it takes the help of surgeries and such.  ...

9.26- 25 years ago yesterday, 1992, 9.24.17 I bought my first home P.C. It was an IBM 486 with a printer. I thought this was really handy and useful and it was. Now I carry in my pocket a computer with more functions and power than that computer and I am able to constantly communicate wherever I am with my friends in Moscow from wherever I might be. Social media has opened the possibility for us to do great good to build up people, but has also opened the door for many horrible things to be said and we can use these tools to spread love or spread hate. Let's spread love. Followers of Jesus have always used the best technology to spread His love from the printing press to the lastest gadgets. I have heard of some colleges using solar powered radios to teach people in Africa without any other power source. Wow! 1 Corinthians 9. 19  Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20  To the ...

9.25- What do do in terrible times? These are terrible times.   Christians shot in Antioch Tennessee church.   Controversy over our American flag and national anthem at football games.   Racial division.   Political division.   Leaders who divide rather than unify.   There have been these for the last 2,000 years. Terrible Times. Jesus lived when the different religions hated each other.   The political leaders hated anyone who challenged their power. His message was different.   He promoted love and unity. His followers wrote for the new testament and said that in difficult times we need to remember the people who have taught you life in a good way.   Remember Scriptures.   Remember Jesus Christ as our example. Matthew 5. 43  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor [ i ] and hate your enemy.’ 44  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45  that you may ...