Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

6.15- Memorial Day Better To Go To War and Die Than Live With Those Without Appreciation For Good Values I honor our country that honors the value of life of a person regardless if they are rich or poor. Regardless of the color of their skin. Regardless of where they were born. Regardless of their religion or no religion. That is a country worth dying for. First Amendment says: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Sheila and I have one friend who died in Viet Nam and one of the reasons he reenlisted was that he felt many of his contemporaries did not fully appreciate the price that was being paid by those serving. On this Memorial Day I am thankful for the freedom to teach about Jesus without interference from government...

7.14 I have had many fun learning experiences with my kids and grandkids. Sheila and I often took them to Estes Park, Colorado. They have to move me into a fun place for me to learn with them. As long as I am in a redundant and boring environment we don’t have new learning experiences, just rest. Work is good and rest is good, but the very best is a fun and exciting learning atmosphere. Seven years ago today my grandson, Jared, moved me to go to Dallas Cowboy stadium to take some pictures and look over the territory there in Arlington. There were some lovely clouds in the background on this hot day and our car a/c was not working so we had to move along quickly, but we did enjoy the ride and the learning atmosphere. As March 11, 2020, arrived the atmosphere for learning moved from an exciting social environment of school moved to a very restrained, limited learning location. No school friends, no athletics, no fun with friends and a focus in learning alone. Not bad for the fi...

6.14- I have a friend who lived a life that was quite divided. On the one hand he tried to be a good husband, father and Christian worker in a "Christian Business". He went to church regularly and his family looked like a lovely, near perfect family. On the other hand his life like many of us who follow Jesus, was a big "mess". His family was actually falling apart. Then he had a near death accident. I went to the hospital to see him as soon as I heard. I was the first one there to arrive even before the family. He looked completely broken up. One leg was completely crushed and his face looked like raw meat. I couldn't believe he survived the crash. He had pain killers when I saw him just prior to going into surgery.  I waited with his family and the surgeon came out and said that all had gone well. He believed there was a good chance he would recover to have a "normal" life. Later, I got involved to help him have tra...

7.3- Faith gets us through the tribulations that are so necessary. Acts 14. 22  strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying , “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” 23  When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Acts 14. 14  But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their [ k ] robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15  and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these [ l ] vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them . 16 [ m ] In the generations gone by He permitted all the [ n ] nations to go their own ways; 17  and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good a...

6.13- Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things. Kay Warren There are two parts to thinking like Jesus. The first half of this mental shift is to stop thinking immature thoughts, which are self-centered and self-seeking. The second half is to start thinking maturely, which focuses on others, not yourself. Thinking of others is the heart of Christlikeness, and the goal of spiritual growth. This kind of thinking is unnatural, counter- cultural, and rare. The only way we will learn to think this way is by filling our minds with the Word of God. Rick Warren The Purpose Driven Life Journal

6.12- Fiery Trials James 1:2-12 Bill Crowder Fire can be one of the worst enemies of trees. But it can also be helpful. Experts say that small, frequent fires called “cool” fires clean the forest floor of dead leaves and branches but don’t destroy the trees. They leave behind ashes, which are perfect for seeds to grow in. Surprisingly, low-intensity fires are necessary for healthy growth of trees. Similarly, trials – pictured as fires in the Bible – are necessary for our spiritual health and growth (I Peter 1:7, 4:12). James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James l:2-4). It is in the season of trial that God’s purposes are often realized, for there the conditions are right for us to grow into spiritual maturity. This gr...

6.11- Ruler of the Waves Job 38:1-18 Sheridan Voysey King Canute was one of the most powerful men on earth in the eleventh century. In a now-famous tale, it is said that he ordered his chair to be placed on the shore as the tide was rising. “You are subject to me,” he said to the sea. “I command you, therefore, not to rise on to my land, not to wet the clothing or limbs of your master.” But the tide continued to rise, drenching the king’s feet. The story is often told to draw attention to Canute’s pride. Actually, it’s a story about humility. “Let all the world know that the power of kings is empty,” Canute says next, “save Him by whose will heaven, earth and sea obey.” Canute’s story makes a point: God is the only all-powerful One. Job discovered the same. Compared to the One who laid Earth’s foundations (Job 38:47), who commands morning to appear and night to end (verses 12-13), who stocks the storehouses of the snow and directs the st...

6.10- Keep on Asking Luke 11:1-13 Jonie Yoder I heard a woman say that she never prayed more than once for anything. She didn’t want to weary God with her repeated requests. The Lord’s teaching on prayer in Luke 13 contradicts this notion. He told a parable about a man who went to his friend’s house at midnight and asked for some bread to feed his unexpected visitors. At first the friend refused, for he and his family were in bed. Finally he got up and gave him the bread – not out of friendship but because the caller was so persistent (verses 5-10). Jesus used this parable to contrast this reluctant friend with our generous heavenly Father. If an irritated neighbor will give in to his friend’s persistence and grant his request, how much more readily will our heavenly Father give us what we need! It’s true that God, in His great wisdom, may sometimes delay His answers to prayer. It’s also true that we must pray in harmony with God’s will. But...

6.9- Grandmother Wishard’s work principles. It’s okay to be poor. Most of God's children around the world are poor. Many of them have more joy in life than the rich who don't know how to enjoy life. It’s important to work hard and be careful not to waste resources. When we mess up or famines and crop failures come we must change and work harder and think smarter and live cheaper. We must get a better education for our heart, mind and soul. If we can get a high school, college or graduate education that is good, but the emphasis must be on the excellent, useful work skills and not the letters after our names. We must be more grateful and worship God more consistently to have more joy in life. Resources will be entrusted to us because of our success. We must use our opportunities well and as we advance in our financial freedom we must keep associating with those who are not free. This encourages them and helps us to stay humble and grounded. If an inheritance comes to us i...