W.I.S.E. Bible Study

“It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society: If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 This weekend my husband took the littles out to the soccer field which has some berms on it. They are just high enough to have the littles experience sledding. I went out to watch and lend a hand if needed. I ended up falling, of course. The last time as my husband looked at me flat on my back he said, “Well you might as well make a snow angel while you are down there.” We of course we laughed. My autistic granddaughter had already started hers. She knows how much I love making snow angels. Yet it was nice to have someone to help me up when I fell. What are friends for? (Other than sharing head-colds with!) Having friends, whether family or friends to help you up is important. Sometimes we get caught up in our lives we forget to re...

 “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35 Happy Sunday. To never be hungry or thirsty, what a promise! I do believe that God can provide for physical needs because there are people out there who are the hands and feet of God. However, there is more to physical needs to satisfying a person's hunger and thirst. How many people out there are hungry for companionship and thirst for community? How many are hungry for answers and thirst for healing? How many hunger for peace and thirst for justice? Look at the person next to you and see what they hunger and thirst for. Look at your community and see what hunger there is and who are the thirsty. Then put on the hands and feet of the Lord and go out, bring to those who are hungry and thirsty the food and drink they need on the path…

    “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 In the winter I spend time making sure my fishing gear is set. I hate getting out on the lake and having problems with my line or pole. I go through my lures seeing if I need to replace anything. In the winter, I do this for planning other projects. I have time and it gives me something to look forward to. The trouble of this world is just that trouble of this world. I know that with faith I can walk as someone who could overcome. It is like winter planning for future adventures. Strengthening my faith provides me with security on future troubles. Jesus has over come this world. Today think about ways to know what you believe and why. Like I tell my students, you must know why to your believes…not because Dr. Beth says so..but what do you believe and tell me why you believe that on the path…

  Some people suffer from a specific form of depression in the winter months. Winter can be a difficult time. I like winter because I find solace with the sleeping land. Wintry weather reminds me of summer days and this too shall pass. Mostly though, I find beauty in the contrasting colors of snow and the barren landscape. Winter, though is a time when I need to coach myself to get outside, brave the elements. It is a time when I have to remember to exercise and eat right. People liken life to seasons and the winter of someone’s life is the end and brings up negative thoughts. However, it doesn’t have to. Winter brings wisdom, and pure realization that we do not need to hide under layers, we are who we are. Don’t liken your life to seasons. For I have found that in any given time, the seasons are present and cycle through a day. Today, I wanted to remind everyone of Isaiah 40:29: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” The diseases are inevitable to sp...

“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.” John 21:3 This time of year, I look out my window at work, close my eyes for a couple of minutes. There I am, on the water. I stand and target where I want my cast to land amongst the reeds. An eagle over head, and loons swimming near by. I feel the tug, and the fight is on…yes, sometimes to refocus I think about being on the water, whether just paddling a canoe or fishing. Even though the apostles didn’t catch a fish, they knew the activity would reset them. The verse goes on to find Jesus there that morning. He tells them to put the net out again, they catch fish. When we do Jesus’ will, we will be productive…we will catch fish. For me the image of water and fish takes me to lakes I have fished on and can’t wait to get back to…remember if you cast your bait or set your net today, if it is Jesus’ will for you, then you will be...

  “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God” Matthew 5;9 Headlines of Hope. For me, news is giving me information that includes both sides of the story. The facts: who, what, when, where, why and how. I listen to my 84-year-old dad sometimes frustrated by what he hears, and he is misinformed and therefore confused or upset. Hope is found when fog is cleared, when cluttered is organized and truth is not one sided. What is at the heart of the issue? What has been misinformed or misinterpreted or even cloud? We have seen people being led down the rabbit hole by guru’s and leaders. We are all called to be peacemakers. We can by making sure we get to the core of the issue, not just outcomes. We can make sure that we know both sides of a story. We don’t have to agree with either side, but we need to learn what makes each side tick. Today, be a peacemaker by finding facts, not distortions; by finding the cores of issues, by finding ways that will bring about cha...