Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 11.12- Advice from my mom and dad: "Be humble and kind but always speak the truth or nothing at all." A man named Sam was convicted yesterday of stealing millions of people's retirement savings. He was rich, powerful and smart but not above the laws. All nations have laws against stealing. God put to not lie and not steal in his top ten. God; "Forgive us our sins as we forgive others. Help us to be honest and sincere today." Matthew 5. 33  “Again, you have heard that  [ z ] the ancients were told, ‘ [ aa ] You shall not   [ ab ] make false vows, but shall fulfill your   [ ac ] vows to the Lord .’   34  But I say to you, take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God,   35  nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, nor  [ ad ] by Jerusalem, for it is  the city of the great King .   36  Nor shall you take an oath by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or...

 11.11 Happy Heavenly Birthday Sheila Sheila was my traveling companion for 56 years. We met in September, 1966, and she was moved to heaven on September 4, 2022. One year we courted and 55 of marriage. We traveled regularly to California and constantly in Colorado and made it to about 30 states I think. I looked through a lot of pictures today to capture the essence of Sheila. I chose this one from Estes Park. A buddy on life’s journey’s with me must be fairly conservative with finances. We quickly agreed where we would and would not stay. We often stayed with family and friends, but if not them it was Hampton Inn, not a luxury hotel and not a tent. She did not have unrealistic expectations in life. On many birthdays it was a lunch at Bent Noodle Italian in Aurora Co. Her close friend from church and her job was Carol Hines who had the same birthday. Our friend, Dan Colvin, took us out there many times and Bob Hines and I got to tag along. I liked Amy’s card which I asked her ...

 11.11- All people are influenced and effected by other people. Some are more quickly and deeply connected with others. These, on a good day, Can help to uplift. To these types it is critical that they are coupled with good companions. If they drift into coworkers with low standards they can become loose in their own life. "You sleep with dogs you wake up with fleas." "Bad companions corrupt good morals." I have been blessed to be surrounded by great partners all my life. God has been so gracious to me. I have seen close friends drift then choose things that totally wrecked their life. I try to pray for them and say, "There but for the grace of God go I" Today is Sheila's birthday. She is the companion that I needed in my life. She was a woman of great great grace and purity of heart. She pushed me to have a more consistent life from the public to the private life I lived. She was willing to ask for forgiveness of God and others when she messed up ...

11.10- Blessed are the peacemakers. This week I was reminded that if someone has that gift then it should be appreciated and not overlooked. To begin with we must make peace with our maker. One man I read about had big flaws in his life but he said he was wonderfully made. He had made peace within himself with his creator. There was a man who had been a killer of Christians because they were Christians. He changed and became a peacemaker. He wrote, "As much as lies within you, be at peace with all people." Romans 12. 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 is Mine , I  will repay ,” says the Lord.   20  “ But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head .”   21  Do not be overcome by evil, but...

 11.9- People do outrageous things for those they love. It leads to deep partnership and amazing impact over generations. This lifestyle increases joy and Contentment and reduces regrets. Mark 2. 2  When  Jesus  came back to Capernaum a few days later, it was heard that He was at home.   2  And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer space, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them.   3  And  some people  *came, bringing to Him a man who was paralyzed, carried by four  men .   4  And when they were unable to  [ a ] get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof  [ b ] above Him; and after digging an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralyzed man was lying.   5  And Jesus, seeing their faith, *said to the paralyzed man,  “Son, your sins are forgiven.”   6  But some of the scribes were sitting there and thi...

 11.8- When is the best time to correct something you said wrong? As soon as you know that is the truth. Delay at straightening out somethine always makes it worse. The hardest things to do each day shouild be done when you first start they day and then the rest of the day is not ruined by thinking about the hard thing that has to be done. You expect the worst and get to it and it's really okay. I had a job one summer of selling Bible and health books door to do. Knock a 100 doors a day and 90 of them would be "not interested." That first door was the worst. Then when someone was friendly and offered a drink of water or was just kind the rest of the day was a breeze. An ancient wisdom book says this Give no sleep to your eyes, get to the correction of things today. Save yourself a lot of wasted energy. Proverbs 6. My son, if you have become a guarantor for your neighbor, Or  have given a handshake for a stranger, 2  If  you have been ensnared by the words ...

 11.7- What do good hospitals, doctors offices, schools, counseling offices, churches have in common? At their best they take in those who have problems and difficulties and make things better.  They have upbest, postive, optomistic workers there who believe in God as a healer and helper of people. They consider that since they are made in His image they too can be healers and a helpers.  There is a mixture of all kinds of people in these places. Poor. Rich. Men. Women. Young and old.  The irrepressible joy of children always makes me smile.  They rejoice with those experiencing victories and comfort those going through hard times.  There are also many places of business where this atmosphere is also there.  I observed some of these great things going on today and it made me thankful that our nation has tried to support these places to help their citizens.  As we enter the holiday season I will be especially thankful for the USA.  Mark 1 29...

 11.6- Dennis Perkins, leadership teacher, wrote about the importance of sharing burdens in hard times with this story from the life of Sir Earnest Shackleton, who led a team on an expedition to Antarctica in 1914. It turned into a journey of several years. The men were almost completely out of food. They had started to eat the waste meat that was usually fed to the dogs. They examined the bones for any meat left. They had a little milk left. There was an argument among four crew members. “Caught in the middle, Greenstreet, the First Officer, spilled his tiny ration of powdered milk. They were on the verge of starvation and it was a tragic moment. The loss was so monumental, he seemed almost at the point of weeping. Without speaking, one by one, each crew member reached over and poured some of his milk into Greenstreet’s mug. They finished in silence.” About 2023 years ago a wise man wrote: So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassi...