Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 5.12- People who say they never make mistakes are making the mistake of lying to themselves and others. 1 John 1. 8  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.   9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.   10  If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

 5.11- 1913, 1915, 1932, 1938, 1941, 1946 were years that the designer of my family made some big moves to change my life forever. Life has some troubles and many joys. This surprises no on who reads this. Beyond the time of trouble there is confidence in our resilience. We all get hurt from time to time. Hurt people hurt people. Ideally we will not overreact to these moments and destroy our support system. We can refuse to respond in kind. To bless others when we have been hurt is a sign that things don't have to escalate. There a peace I have seen in my family. It does not come from us being perfect. No. I have messed up many times. It is giving and getting grace and space. Just because there is trouble I don't have to be a troublesome meddler in things not my business. My relationship with my family is a pearl of great price to me. Lord help me to keep my eyes on my own paper and my nose out of other people's business. Amen. 1 Peter 4 12  Dear friends, do not be surpris...

 5.10- My power washer experience. It was good. It was a surprise benefit. I like it's long term benefit. Suffering is like that. I hired a friend to do several jobs around my house. He saw that there was gunk and moss and such on my driveway. A friend of his owed him so money or barter work. He told him to come my house and powerwash my driveway. He worked with his heavy power washer for hours. When he was finished it looked great and I was very happy. When suffering comes our way it is a thing we did not order up. It can wash foolish behaviors out of our lives. It hits hard and changes the looks of our life. After deep suffering we will never be the same. We will get better or bitter. It can make us a more wise, kind and gentle person. It can open new doors of helpfulness. I look at my driveway and remember the gunk is gone. Thank you God for suffering which powerwashes and sandblasts changes for the long term good but short term pressure. James 1. 2  Consider it pure joy, ...

 5.9 If you are blessed in life make sure others are blessed. Ephesians 4 32  Be kind and compassionate to one another,  forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

 5.8- Lord Hold on to me when it's too dark to see you. Thank you. 2 Timothy 1 6  For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.   7  For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.   8  So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.   9  He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,   10  but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.   11  And of this gospel I was appointed a herald ...

 5.7- If you reject the words of your designer you will not function as you were designed to function. Romans 1. 18  The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,   19  since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.   20  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21  For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.   22  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools   23  and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. 24  T...

 5.6= One of the realities of creation is that when God designed people to look different. The plan included the beauty of reconciliation. Making up. Sheila and were together 56 years. Our most wonderful days together was making up. Reconciliation. I have had days and much longer of radio silence with my own family. Then we made up. We came back together. Free choice is how we are made. Some have pierced ears and some don't. We are all different. We have some who like big holidays and many of them and some like to celebrate all the time. These are minor differences. We should not divide over them. Let's make up and love each other. Today is the 26th birthday of my oldest grandson, Jared Avery Dale Wishard. Both of my grandsons feel more like sons to me than grandsons. Jared spent every possible day with us in Colorado while going to school in Atlanta. He works hard and does his share and more. He tries hard to get along with everyone. He honors his family and friends. He uses h...