Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 4.7- Today there are disciples who can walk on good, healthy, pain free legs and ankles and carry good news of encouragement to some who cannot walk or talk because they went to war for their country. If you love your nation, please pray for leaders to have wisdom to guide the nation to peace. Matthew 6 6  “Take care not to practice your righteousness in the sight of people, to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2  “So when you  [ a ] give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, so that they will be praised by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.   3  But when you  [ b ] give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,   4  so that your charitable giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees  what is done  in secret will reward you.

 4.6- "Wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important has nothing to do with the Father." Eugene Peterson For a Christmas gift this year I received comfort in an amazing cardboard box. There was Christmas card. A comforter /lap blanket and soothing cream lotion for dry cracked skin and some peppermints. I was thankful them, but exactly who did this for me. As far as their individual names it was a secret between them and God. They did not do it so their name would be recognized. They did it for me and God. A little secret between us. Heaven comes down and lies with us in secret acts of mercy. This cool morning I'm celebrating this heavenly comfort. I'm warm and my cracked skin is healing. My teacher says Blessed are the poor in spirit. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 6 6  “Take care not to practice your righteousness in the sight of people, to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2  “So when you...

 4,5- That list i made of the blessings in an anticipated life change/move turned out to be a flaw, not a feature. But the thing i wrote down as a possible downside turned to be a most wonderful feature. God is good. Hebrews 11. 8  By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed  [ h ] by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going.   9  By faith he lived as a stranger in the land of promise, as  in  a foreign  land , living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;   10  for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.   11  By faith even Sarah herself received  [ i ] ability to conceive, even beyond  the  proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.   12  Therefore even from one man, and one who...

 4.4 There is nothing wrong with being short or small. In fact if you are wise you can be useful in places that require discretion. I saw a small chameleon yesterday because I had a day of quietness and concentration. My lawn guys came Tuesday. Lawn is soaking up God's rain he gave us. My back porch has such beautiful lessons. I saw a green chameleon turn from pink/brown to green right in front of my eyes. He stays with me as one of my teachers along with the squirrels, birds and opossums. This chameleon can change and be flexible to meet the need of the moment. Can I be unnoticed and discete in the background in order to get where we can serve and meet urgent needs? I hope to be more discrete and servant oriented. The Bible says a chameleon is small but can get into kings palaces. Amazing where you can go if your purpose is to be small and quiet and not a distraction. Proverbs 30 24  Four things are small on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise: 25  The ants...

 4.3- Things happen. Big. Life breaking. The earthquake the crashes the buildings in you life. The world tade towers can't fall down but they do. Things happen. A beloved child or grandchild gets addicted. A marriage starts falling apart. A daughter has a surprise marriage and baby. A house burns and the family is in a trailer for years. A company folds. An investment company with my retirement funds is pondicherry scheme. A cancer doctor calls and says, "I'm sorry to tell you that the cancer has spread. Things happen. If you believe there is an all wise, all powerful God, you have been talking to him. Crying. Pleading. Asking for healing. Things happen. The Teacher said his amazing work was only done he was watching what His Father was doing when God was on the move in life shattering moments and in quiet, still moments God was on the move. Things happen. These things are allowed to happen so we learn not to rely on ourselves but on God. 2 Cor 1. 8  For we do not want yo...

 4.2- Discipline means different things to at different ages. As a child for me I got a belt to the bottom. At times we gave our children a sit in the corner and be quiet order until you have control. Later we learn it is something of an intense learning time. We learn from suffering. A boot camp of sorts. Ideally, we feel honored to be loved by God to engage us in this unique process. So we are armed with purpose during this phase of our lives and have no time for distractive nonsense. Joy is on the other side of the phase. Joy in it with proper reflection and thought. Sitting in a corner does not mean I am not loved by my parents but that indeed I have parents that love me as I am, but too much to leave me as I am. Hebrews 12. 12  Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us,   2...

 4.1- Springtime. Hopetime. My trees are budding. Longer afternoons to sit on my porch and watch bluebirds and squirrels playing jumping around. Then the spiritual hope of Easter. My grandmother's both knew that beyond this life was life with our heavenly father. They both taught their children how to live harmoniously with their family. My mother sponsored eggs hunts and celebrated all holidays with excitement and joy. She a roomother rarely missed healing all my classmates have a good time. Both my grandmother's had a hard life and were in no way bitter about their journey. They had plenty fire and strength to render their opinion and were not afraid to speak up. But were not cynical and sarcastic. They took their children to schools and churches that trained them in hopeful answers to complicated problems. They were strong but sympathetic and compassionate. Training how to build up a family was essential to them. I have seen them swing and rock on a porch while they shell...