Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 1.17- God does not want unnecessary trouble put into the life of people.  Jewish people were given guidance that males in their family must be circucised.  The gospel of Jesus was to go out to show that Jews and Gentiles were meant to be children of God.  These wanted to become children of God, but the path to becoming a child of God did not demand circumcision in the New Covenant that God had planned when the gospel went forth to the whold world. The leaders of the family of God and got together and decided that circumcision for Gentiles as an uncedessary burden.  They sent out this message to the church and it brough much relief and joy. Acts 15 15  Some men came down from Judea and  began  teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”   2  And after Paul and Barnabas had  [ a ] a heated argument and debate with them,  the brothers  determi...

 11.16- All people need hope. When there is no hope there is depression and a lack of fuel for thriving. Wise men have written that human beings were created and designed with something in their hearts that us unique to them. Hope for eternity. Life beyond this life. One dark night there were some shepherds, some of the most humble and common of workers who were watching over their sheep and the most dramatic birth announcement ever given on earth came to them. They were told to not be afraid at the amazing angels who came to announce the arrival of a baby that would change the direction and history of the world. His path was one of humility. Born and layed in a manger. This would be sign of God coming into the world for all people. Not just the rich, but also the poor. Not just the powerful and wise, but also for the lowly and powerless. If you live in a house built of random boards or of cardboard. If you house has expensive tile roof or a blue tarp you house is not f...

 11.15- Fruitful, successful, fulfilling life and long life. Both are important. Humans were designed to be workers. Certain Blue Zones around the world have been studied where it is common for people to live to be 90 to 100 years old. These elements were noticed. 1.Active natural physical moment for daily life. Active not passive. 2. Eat wisely. 3. Clear sense of purpose for why you live. 4. Connected. Surrounded by people who support healthy behavior. People you enjoy and enjoy you. 5. Loving the local place and people where you live. 6. Sense of purpose. Passions. Talents. Values. 7. Work. Find a way to be useful. 8. Belong. Be in a group who helps you put others before yourself. Many of my friends are helping me with these very goals. So thankful for all of you. Psalm 90 Lord, You have been our   [ b ] dwelling place in all generations. 2  Before the mountains were born [ c ] Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everl...

 11.14- Great teachers cause their students to know themselves better and to feel useful to the community. They catch people doing something right and tell them. They are genuine in their words without flattery. They turn a downside day rightside up. Ephesians 4 25  Therefore, ridding yourselves of falsehood,  speak truth each one  of you  with his neighbor , because we are parts of one another.   26  Be angry, and  yet  do not sin ; do not let the sun go down on your anger,   27  and do not give the devil  [ t ] an opportunity.   28  The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather he must labor, producing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have  something  to share with the one who has need.   29  Let no  [ u ] unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if  there is  any good  word  for edification  [ v ] accordin...

 11.13- Nothing could be better than a life without suffering? Yes there is. It is learning how to keep our joy in times of suffering And learning to empathize and encourage others in their suferring. And realizing there is no such thing as a life without suffering. Suffering can be reframed as the accelerator of growth in wisdom. Hebrews 4 8  For if  [ d ] Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that.   9  Consequently, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.   10  For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.   11  Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by  following  the same example of disobedience.   12  For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and...

 11.12= Sheila's birthday in heaven is today. One hour talks about what a great joy we have in the ability of or our kids to reach the point where they say to themselves, ""I gotta get out of here." I heard a story from my nephew, Keith Luttrell, that when his son, Lane, was about four years old they couldn't find him. He was behind the couch and curtains up next to a picture window saying to himself on a lovely fall day . "I gotta get out of here." I miss her perfume. Her beautiful red hair. Her perfectly smooth skin. Her eyes. Her smile. Her ability to laugh and make me laugh. Her joy over Frioles cheese enchildas. Her frustration at an unnesessary Bronoco or Cowboy loss. Her joy when the Christmas tree was up and all decorations in place. Her joy at our annual Christmas party finished except for a few friends going on with deep, fun stories of the year till 1am. By her attention to detail I was blessed with knowledge of how to run the dishwasher, wa...