Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 2.2- The joy of being loved and accepted as an odd person might be difficult for all you normal people to understand. There are places like being a smiling news anchor where we don't fit. But down at the coffee shop they accept odd people. Katherine Wolfe was a normal maybe beautiful lady and then a stroke paralyzed te right side of her face and model photo opportunities stopped. Who kept loving her the same and even more was her husband, her boys and God and those who know God. I know people who understand about being accepted and even celebrated as a odd, unique person. They just keep on believing that God built a loving universe. Even after they lose someone they love. Even if some mock as they walk away. They get their security from knowing who they are and whose they are. They, we are (on good days) not trying odd or normal but just being themselves. God is love. He loves both the odd and the normal (if such exists). He wants us to expand our ability to love a wider range o...

 2.1- He fell down carrying that cross. A man was forced to help him and that was his connection with Simon. He needed help to carry that cross. When the teacher needs to teach our grandchildren, he calls us to help him teach them when the door is open. Our connection to our family and church family at times can be through our weakness. I sit in my scooter or recliner and people come to me. They try to encourage me. When I first started my work with the teacher it was my honor to drive over and visit Bro. Johnson. I was strong enough be a on the go, go go type of person. I went to Baylor hospital to read a verse of scripture with Sister Ecricson who was dying too young at 65. She was weak but I could be strong for her. For many years I thought the only way to connect with people was with my strength and mobility. Now I am seeing connection with people through my lack of mobility and weakness. "Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength... Isaiah 40 28  Do you not...

 1.31- Freeman Parish. One of my amazing teachers in high school. Short and dynamite powerful history teacher in Fannindel High School. State champion girls basketball coach. Funny, able to make us interested in civics and history. We are salt and light. The culture we are in can seem very dark. Hate and rudeness and bad manners wins elections now days and modesty and marriage vows are totally mocked. In history, 30 A.D., you find that the Roman kings were heartless, crude and inhumane when the teacher started his work on earth. In only 30 years Paul could be respected and protected as a Roman citizen. He appealed to Caesar as a citizen and he would be able to use their legal system get to Rome. When people use their influence things can change. In a few years In England and America slavery moved from being normal to being illegal. If asked to go one mile go two with joy. Stand for the dignity and honor of all humans. History shows how we treat people can change. Freeman Parish was...

 1.30- I had this dream. I was walking along the sandy beach. Headed to a sunset communion service. There were tracks labeled "the little mistakes", envy, coveting, white lies, deceit, slander, arrogance and pride. I knew we would gather and break bread and drink some wine and read about the body and blood. My tracks also included some "big messes" in my life. Weak will to resist lusts in various forms, self righteousness, deceit, immorality, low standards, lack of a pure heart. These tracks to me seemed bigger and deeper than the "nice church sins." The sun was setting the speaker had no long sermon. He asked us to close our eyes and with our bread and wine take as we carried ourselves to the foot of the cross. Those three men dying but one saying to a criminal," today you will go with me to Paradise" and saying in prayer "Father forgive them for they don't know what their doing." He said "it's finished." Righteous, p...

1.29- There is a sweet spot on a tennis racquet where the most effective power can be put into the stroke. As I have looked at many young people trying to decide what to do with their life, I remind them to find something that people need and that you can well and do it. Do a lot of it and do it to the best of your ability. This gives them and yourself great joy. "Each of us has been put on earth with the ability to do something well. We cheat ourselves and the world if we don't use that ability as best we can." George Allen, Sr. Romans 12 3  For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.   4  For just as we have many parts in one body and all  [ f ] the body’s parts do not have the same function,   5  so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individual...

1.28- Funerals. Burial practices. This week I was reading an account of the burial of a man who was named Jacob who gave some specific instructions about his burial. Respect for the body of human beings and remembering their life in a good way is a very important part of life. One of my good friends in Oklahoma recently moved into a new neighborhood for him and he was needed to help with the funeral of the lady who lived next door. He was willing to do what he could to comfort and help the family remember their mother. Times of death are times we can support and comfort people in a way that they may not be open to need and receive comfort at other times. All of a sudden there a chance for a bridge of friendship to be built that is important. When we go to funeral of someone whom we don't know well we discover what a positive impact they had on the community that we had not been aware of. Let us not overlook the importance of taking advantage of each opportunity to serve each...

 1.27.25- Real friends meet real needs. No greater need than to show what love looks like. Love never gives up. Love cares for others more than the self. Love doesn't force itself on others. Love isn't always me first. Love doesn't fly off the handle. Love doesn't keep score of the sins of others. Love trusts God always. Love always looks for the best. Love keeps going to the end. All reactions: 6 Amy Wishard Goggins, Tom Wishard and 4 others