Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 11.19- Do you celebrate the reality that people get a do over? There are people I know who allowed a good marriage to drift off course. Love got cold. Almost had a separation and divorce. Then they got good, wise counsel and changed in a positive direction. You heard the couple had come back together, more centered on the right things and totally in love again. Great relationship with each other and their kids and grandkids. Can you rejoice with them? Or do you resent the love they enjoy? The Master told the story of the elder brother. His lost, homeless, pig smelling brother came to his senses and admitted he was missing out on food that came from good,, clean hard work. The boy's dad saw him coming home a long way off and ran to him and hugged and kissed him. Dad said to the servants "fire up the grill, crank up the music and let's party". Everyone is happy? Right? No. The older brother resented that fact that other son got a do over. I will celebrate do overs. H...

 11.19- When something happens in our lives at a time we did not expect it there is a disorientation. If we lose our jobs or a spouse dies. A son is the father of a child. The spouse was caught in a life of lies showing he was not what I thought he was. I have cancer. Everything I had hoped for is gone. My money, power, respect, security and reputation I relied on is gone. I trusted my school, church or nation is gone. Get back to the work you have been given. Stay clear of hate, resentment and revenge. Do not allow the wickedness and lawlessness of others cause your love and compassion to grow cold. Go back to our priorities. First things first. First day of the week, stay on course to keep your habit of going to church to fellowship with God and warm hearted people. If we don't have that habit start it. Second day of the week get busy serving at our jobs, honor our peers and work for our clients. Avoid the self destruction of too much trust in political and religious big shots. G...

 11.18- If we put our hope and security in things remaining the same we will worry a lot. If we place our hope in the word of God and spiritual laws of gravity we can be steady and content in all circumstances. Mark 13. 28  “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: as soon as its branch has become tender and sprouts its leaves, you know that summer is near.   29  So you too, when you see these things happening,  [ r ] recognize that  [ s ] He is near,  right  at the  [ t ] door.   30  Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.   31  Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.   32  But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father  alone .

 11.17- Work. Productive work where you can help people is important. Adam and Eve had beautiful work to do without thorns and thistles. Before they rebelled. Restful work. How can you rest and work at the same time? We all have had moments when we we doing complicated, stressful work but we in a zone of being at peace because it demanded total surrender of the job to the guidance of our creator. This is work when we yoked up with gentle fellow yoke mate, our brother,Jesus. I'm praying today for two friends who are unemployed. One is a family man with a high income job he lost. The other is at the beginning of his career. Both men were created to be fruitful workers, but for now they are in a wilderness. They will be sustained by the faith they have in God. No job. No income from job. Hard time spiritual growth. I have been there and remember how it hurt. If you have a job it is proper Thanksgiving theme. Pray for the unemployed. Pray for them and call and support and share a gi...

 11.16- People with an adventurous faith do amazing things.They believe God is there in the day but also in the dark stormy night. They believe He is nearby in the calm but also in the thrashing sea. They know they are not alone even though they feel alone. They see amazing things happen because of their focus is on God. When they are commanded by God to walk on a storm He makes it possible for them.to do whatever he asks them to do. They don't do foolish things to test God. They take one step at a time and with God's help. They build amazing works one brick at time. Mark 6 45  And immediately Jesus had His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of  Him  to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He Himself *dismissed the crowd.   46  And after saying goodbye to them, He left for the mountain to pray. 47  When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land.   48  Seeing them  [ bk ] ...

 11.20- Spent time yesterday with people age 88 down to 6 months old. All made in the image of God and loved by God. On good days, their mothers and fathers, if still on earth and coherent, are loving them and refusing to be harsh and unkind to them. The active teachers and semi retired teachers are cherishing them. Their grandparents see their good points and rave about them. They live in a nation where Wise people make positive changes by persuasion, education and legal transparent elections.and not bullying, fighting and wars that kill innocent babies. I had a beautiful bike scooter ride around during the day. Genesis 1. 27  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.   28  God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that  [ ak ] moves on t...

 11.15- I am remembering my visit to Great Clips on Saturday. Two different boys (about 12) were there. A father of one and the mother of the other. These parents seemed respectful of their sons. The two boys were quiet and contented. If a child is cherished it sets up a life of being able to give and receive love. I heard an eighty year old man say that he brought home six blue ribbons winning every track event he entered. He brought them home to show his mother. All his mother could do was to humiliate him for being proud. He had truly forgiven her. She was doing the best she knew he said. Still, he remembered this for 70 years. I am reminded to cherish my children and grandchildren. Celebrate the victory without put downs. Their life with us is like a vapor or morning mist. Let us sow seeds of affirmation. Ephesians 6 6  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.   2  Honor your father and mother  (which is the first commandment with a prom...

 11.14- S.W.O.B.M. There are moments when we wish for for things that we know are not meant to be. On the other hand there are things we mention that would be great to have but don't expect to have because to get them is probably impossible. Think of times that your family or friends provided you with something that so sweet it was at the edge of your imagination. S.W.O.B.M. Once David wished for some sweet water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem. Not probably possible because it was surrounded by enemy soldiers. David's mighty men took their lives into their own hands to get a drink of water for their beloved leader. They did it. When David got it, he was moved to not drink it but to pour it out as a gift to God. Sweet Water Of Bethlehem Moment. Was there a moment like this for you? A wedding. A birth. A honored vocational recognition. A few friends did for you what seemed impossible. Your surgery and rehab worked. Your transplant worked. S.W.O.B.M. 2 Samuel 23. 13  T...

 11,13- There are times when we are disappointed, but we must be careful not to allow this to lead to a state of constant discouragement. We want and need encouragement from family, friends and God. There are times when our relationship with God feeds and nourishes our bond with family and friends. There are other times when no one can be there to strengthen us but God. I have found he never fails to encourage us when we ask him and give him time and rest in his grace, mercy and peace. Once David had everyone turn against him and Scripture says he strengthened himself in God. 2 Timothy 4. 16  At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.   17  But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might  [ g ] be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.   18  The Lord will rescue...