W.I.S.E. Bible Study

“Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” Jeremiah 33:6 I think all of us have remnants of wounds that need healing. Even if you don’t think you do, today’s scripture verse is about hope. They say laughter is the best medicine, but I think hope should fill our lives as a medicine that reigns supreme. My garden is growing, weeds and plants but it is growing. It is wonderful to see damselflies, bees and kids filled with joy catching lightning bugs. Gus will announce that the lightning bugs are out like an alarm going off. The littles gather their nets and jars and off they go! From flowers to weeds, the yard is a haven for wild life. We filled an old boot tray for water for the birds. Hopefully today the littles can paint rocks for the boot tray. Hope. Hope is something that fills our hearts and enables us to look at weeds and see a purpose for them too. Today, latch onto hope, bring it into your hear...

 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12. Today’s whisper is a reminder of hope, affliction, and prayer. Two verbs and a noun. The action words are hope and prayer, which we need to be doing. I think afflictions plague all of us, yet should not be our focus. I think God wants us to be doers. Lord, we hope in you that our day will be what it needs to be for your will to be exposed. We pray for those who have lost hope through their afflictions. May they feel your presence, know your love, and be surrounded by support. Guide our day; walk with us, guiding our walk today, on the path….

 All the lectionary readings today speak of growing and planting. As a gardener, they speak to me. Yesterday we finally put the cables on the posts and tied up the apple branches. Our horizontal orchard is really taking shape. Part of the reason we had to do it yesterday is that some of the branches were drooping as they were laden with apples. As pulling weeds, picking raspberries, and making jelly fill the days, I do look to the fall. I like efficiency and want to put more boxes in for gardening and do some bucket gardening. I am reminded of Isaiah 55:10-11 as I know as much as my garden needs attention at all seasons, so does my faith. The word of God becomes like the food I grow. Nourishment and a way to continue to do God’s will as I journey. Isaiah 55:10-11: “   As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the Sower and bread for the eater,   so...

  “  And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21. Isaiah reminds us that when we walk, we need to listen to the whisper behind us, calling out to walk a certain way. I once had a woman tell me she thought I had worked at the place forever. She stated that she thought I was a cornerstone at the place. I asked her what gave her that idea. She said it was because I walked like I owned and ran the place. The walk, for me, is about just living out the words of faith. We need to be doers, get in the game, kick the ball…block, support, assist…just do by walking. The woman noticed the walk. One of the biggest complaints I hear from people at church is about the “parking lot parishioners.” You know the ones…they go to Mass then cut you off…Even if you don’t go to church, the point is: do we talk the talk and walk the walk? Isaiah is reminding us today that each moment is a...

  “Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.” Matthew 10:14 I have used this passage many times to guide my decisions on whether to stay or go. “Not receive you or listen to your words,” are not about an ego trip. This passage is talking about whether the company you are keeping is of Christ or not. Actions, words, decisions and the direction people are heading might not be ones that are of the same virtues and values of a Christian. I would have to say that this decision to “shake the dust from your feet,” can be the hardest decision a person makes. I know for me it has been. The ripple affect can be even harder and one might feel they are caught in the after waves ready to consume them. Yet, God is there and knowing the right decision will always come to comfort and guide. Today is a good day to think about where you are at. Hopefully you are where you feel received and listened to. If not, think about s...

Today God’s whisper to you: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) God is sending out a call to those who will answer to continue to live Gods word and spread it through the world. Even though baptism was your answer to the call, we need to answer each day. Just like in any healthy relationship we communicate our answers. Today spend time with God, note where God might be calling you to spread Gods word through actions, deeds, thoughts, and prayers on the path…