W.I.S.E. Bible Study

 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….

 My five-year-old grandson loves to plant and water the garden. Now comes the hardest part of gardening. Waiting. It requires patience. Life has many moments where we have planted seeds and must wait for them to grow, mature, and have their product ripen to pick and enjoy. A lesson for a five-year-old. Yet we have times of finding ourselves in places with no paths. Where do I go next? I can’t see my way through or out of the mess in my life.   Isaiah 43:19 states: “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth, shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Let God sow a new path for you. Discern, and He will make a way through your wilderness, river, or desert. I started creating a path in my Marion garden that leads to a back garden that is now planted with watermelon, cucumbers, melon, and squash. The path is made of old stones and bricks I had lying around. It isn’t that pretty, but it is functional. Hopefully, it...

I am encouraged by all the social media that speaks of faith. As one who taught world religions, I find expressions of true faith pleasing. My students found that one core thread through all religions was kindness. I think that points to a core human need. We need kindness in this world. With so many having this core, it is a wonder that we still have division in the world. Jude speaks of this. “But you, beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, for they told you, “In [the] last time there will be scoffers who will live according to their own godless desires.” These are the ones who cause divisions; they live on the natural plane, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life”.  Jude 1:17-21. Jude expresses the importance of the Holy Spirit. Today, continue to r...

Walking with God. As I have mentioned before, summer is a time for me when my routine changes. No longer is my alarm set. Yet every day is a day to walk with God. My husband and I have been making changes to my Marion grotto. I will admit I am a little sore. I was fortunate that my dad had plants, and my husband’s cousin has a piece of a rose from my husband's grandma. I love the fact that my plants are from loved ones, as it reminds me of their love and support. Collecting rocks along the water is a meditative time. I use the rocks to write names I am praying for on them. The walk with God each day includes prayer time, listening to the Mass, and praying the rosary. Colossians 2:6 states– “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.” Walking with God is a daily, ongoing process of living in Christ.” Living my life in him also includes the choices I make. What am I filling my mind with? Who do I choose to hang out with? Am I using my gif...

 Everyone has a gift. It might be your smile. It might be your organizational skills. It might be your leadership style. Some people have the gift of always being positive or seeing the best in any situation, good or bad. Today, I want you to think about the blessing you are. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10. One of the greatest things we possess is to remember we are children of God, we are loved, and we are worthy. You are counted amongst HIS children for whom He is proud. No, we might not always make the best choices, perhaps our lives are a mess… but you are still His, loved and worthy. Think of your gifts and extend them to others today on the path….

One thing I love doing is research. There is something about digging in books and finding the treasure you are looking for. The act of manual research provides me with more knowledge than I started digging for, and sometimes leads me down a different direction than I thought possible. Reading scripture reminds me that faith is the way I live, and not just reading documents. “For we live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:7. I spend a lot of time reading scripture and other religious documents. They do help to affirm my faith, but I know it isn’t in what I see as much as what my heart is filled with. I live out that love through actions, words, and deeds. You won’t find any of that on Google. Take time to read today. The Pope has asked us to reread the Vatican II documents, and he has written a new encyclical. These documents help us to live our faith, and we will also find the treasures through these documents that God has hidden on the path…