W.I.S.E. Bible Study

 My wisteria, honeysuckle, roses, and lavender are in bloom in my grotto. Fragrant perfume for my Marion statues and prayer time. As the morning begins, this Psalm can lead the way: “Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make your way straight before me.” Psalm 5:8. Soft rain greeted me this morning, along with the blooming flowers. Yesterday, a hummingbird buzzed my head, reminding me of God’s beauty. Today, prayer starts with the words “leads me…” Each morning, we face many different paths to travel on. Sure, we have our routine, but within that routine, and as the day unfolds, we make choices. Each day should start with “lead me Lord” so that we make good choices each step of the way. Welcome the morning, and welcome God to your day on the path…

  “ Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?   Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.” 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 We share the one loaf so that we can be one with Christ. Our very cells become linked with Christ. The world is our family, with all its messiness. Yet to God, there is beauty; there is love, and there is order (hope). Participating in the “cup of thanksgiving” and the bread of Christ’s body is the link that binds us to each other and God. The link is our strength, our yes. There is no division; only the focus of salvation through God, not through man nor woman. All are welcome. All are called to live as a Christian. This means participating in the cup of thanksgiving and the body of Christ. When we do so, we realize that our “yes” means “no” to worldly ways. Give thanks today. Fi...

 Renewal. I can’t believe school's been out for two weeks. Summer is a time of renewal. Yet it can be fast-paced with lots of fun activities. I try to remember this scripture verse: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2. Even amongst summer fun, it is important to remember to do God’s will. What is God’s plan for me? God has given me another day to continue the work He/She has started in me. I need to light another candle in my grotto and pray for those who need prayer. I hope to renew my mind by resting, reading, and spending time with family on the path….

 Today we will receive some much-needed rain. Rainy days are good days for reading. They are also good days to do a quick check-in on our habits. My family is having a rummage sale, and this reminds me of how important it is to get rid of the clutter in our lives. We sift through items that no longer are important or needed and put them out in a rummage sale. Our lives also need sorting to make room for the important things. On this rainy, stormy day, perhaps remember this: 2 Timothy 3: 16 *  ‘All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” Spend time with Scripture. If you don’t know where to start, start with a gospel or letter. Nowadays you can listen to the bible through an app. Make room for this habit.  Challenge yourself to set aside time to hear God’s word today on the path…

 Yesterday our Taos had to go into the shop for a factory recall. It had something to do with the computer system. As I sat waiting, I wondered what it would be like if we humans had a factory recall.  2 Timothy 15-17a tells us what we should be, and what will happen if we go down the wrong path: “Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation. Avoid profane, idle talk, for such people will become more and more godless, and their teaching will spread like gangrene.” Find yourself gossiping…factory recall; find yourself talking profanely…. factory recall. I think for Christians, in a way, we do have a recall when we go to confession; that is, when we take a knee before the Lord and ask for forgiveness, guidance, and help when we stray. Luckily for humans, we have a moral compass that should provide us with a sense that we are becoming more and more godless. I am lucky that when I am less than wh...

 As the Sun’s rays reach my backyard and heats it, I look for refuge. During April’s tornadoes, my basement provided refuge. However, I don’t think we think about a refuge for our faith. Psalm 90:1-2 states: “Lord, you have been our refuge through all generations. Before the mountains were born, the earth and the world brought forth, for eternity to eternity you are God.” God provides a refuge during difficult times, but most importantly, God provides refuge during all times. He provides shelter to keep us full of hope, faith, and love. Being with God is like having our family and friends with, they act like an umbrella protecting us from all the elements of the world that give us stress and anxiety. This morning we ask God to continue to be our refuge as we journey today on the path….