W.I.S.E. Bible Study

 John 20:18 “Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.” Have you seen the Lord? Have you seen the Lord’s handiwork in your life? Like Mary of Magdala you need to announce it. Growing up, the Lord was my golden thread to pull me up and out of anything that came my way. I knew God didn’t make junk. I knew there was a reason for me. Looking back, it might have been that one person I made feel welcome. That one student that needs someone to stand up for them or work extra hard to reach. Like Mary, I can hear the whisper “Don’t weep,” at times. At times with my autistic granddaughter sitting on my lap “helping” me sew, I see God in the joy of a little girl who loves crafting and wearing dresses that she helps me make. She made me a beaded necklace the other day. I love it. I see the Lord in those moments. I have been going over my writing and sitting with it. My work is the Lords. My day is the Lord’s and like Mary of Magdala I ...

  Hebrews 11:1  ~ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. My mom would always say, “I’m from Missouri, the show me state: I have to see it to believe it.” I always thought this was strange because she was a woman of faith. Faith isn’t about concrete facts. The catch is that you have to believe without proof or seeing. Thank is faith.  A leap of faith is just that: taking a step into the unknown. Retirement is a lot like that. So far, I am on summer teacher mode, so not really into retirement. I have been sorting through all my sewing/crafting items. I also am getting ready for painting the kitchen. All fun stuff. What are “things hoped for” for you? Today send them to the Lord with assurance on the path…

 Yesterday a crop of mint was picked and put in the dehydrator. I also had some green beans. However, my plants are not as healthy as I would like to see. Gardening can be tricky. You can have summer squash and zucchini plants with tons of blossoms and no fruit. Apples are being raided by beetles. The joys of gardening. Faith can be tricky as curve balls, decisions and events can challenge the soul. Micah 6:8 helps to guide: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Justly, mercy and humility are part of the garden of faith. Justly: exactly, precisely, fairly, correctly, properly, rightly, fittingly, accurately are all synonyms of Justly. Look at each word carefully and fill your soul’s garden with them. They will grow properly fertilized, with enough light and water.  Morning light, use it to further justly, mercy and humility in your heart on the path…

  Sometimes we don’t want to pray because we feel our prayers are inadequate or we don’t know what to say. I like Romans 8:26-27 as it reminds us that as we pray, and perhaps our words fall short it is the Spirit who knows the heart and will. The Spirit will take your hearts longings to God, just open your heart and pray. “In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.” The day has just begun. Find personal time for the Lord. Don’t hide behind people or crowds, meet God alone. God will be happy, loving and embrace you. Your needs, desires will become Gods on the path…

 Proverbs 16:9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Plans. We all make plans. Yet as we do, we must remember that at the end of the day, the Lord will establish our steps. First breath, first thankfulness for another day. Second breath, the prayer, and then breaths to focus on the steps of the day. I can’t believe it’s mid-July. I haven’t done much writing as I planned. Instead, life just unfolds. Littles who love sprinklers, pool, and summer play. I think life should unfold organically, yet I am a planner. I need to pick green beans and peppers. Spending time with family and always remembering that the Lord establishes all the steps I take today on the path…

 Job 33:4 “   The Spirit of God has made me;  the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”  The breath…I think everyone can appreciate breathing during the recent smoky air. As a person with asthma, I am always acutely aware of breathing. Being on the rescue squad gave me an insight into the breath of life. It is profound. We all need to cherish our breath of life. The best way to do this is to pay homage and express thankfulness to the creator who breathes that breath into us and receives it back at the end of life. Today, take care of the precious gift; don’t think you are invincible… wear the mask, as caution is a way to acknowledge the sacredness of the gift of breathing on the path…