W.I.S.E. Bible Study

  Be strong. There are times when we think we just can’t do this. Or we might think how much longer. I know I’ve had these times. Yet I try to remember Deut. 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” ( https://biblehub.com ) God walks with me, and yes I get tired. Sometimes like a little kid I might ask, “How much further?” Life has its difficulties but also its joys. My life is good. No complaints. Yet there are aspects where I know change is coming. Instead of worrying about it, or dwelling on it, I try to remember that God never forsakes me. I don’t know how many times my husband and I have said “God always provides.” Not material things, yes God does that, but direction in life, answer to difficult questions. Being strong means knowing who to rely on. Being strong means surrendering to our weakness and allowing for help to come in. On this Friday, I think about b...

Bird watching. Yes, I am a bird watcher. The finches will soon start getting brighter. Robins are in, and soon other birds that I watch for will be filling my feeders. There are birds I enjoy and birds not so much. I call them bully birds because they are big and pushy. They push out my chickadees from the feeders. I do send Molly out to get them out of there! My grandson announced the other day that he likes to watch birds. He has “noculars” (binoculars) to do so—joy to my heart. In days of old, the sages who taught royalty watched nature. Their wisdom came from watching animals, the seasons, and all that nature shown them. We have sayings from this: the early bird gets the worm. My point today is that nature watching helps to give us joy in God, and know God and God’s wisdom. Today add to your wisdom of God by spending time enjoying nature on the path….    I do have a friend whose art shows her study of nature. If you are ever in the Milwaukee area, you can find her art at...

 This morning, I woke to rain. This time of year one worries about ice, not rain. I know we need water, but with snow melting the earth is saturated. Messiness. Like life, there are days of messiness. One can see rain as tears, or cleansing. How do you see life? Walking with Christ doesn't mean life won't be messy. Life is messy. I know I have said that before, but sometimes ads or slogans can illude to products that make life less messy or no mess at all. Jesus doesn't guarantee a mess-free life. Jesus guarantees he will always walk it with us, help us carry our cross and even pick us up when we are down. Next Wednesday starts the season of Lent. What vice do I have that keeps giving me a messy life? Something I will need to think about so that Jesus and I can work on my messy life on the path....

  Who is the greatest? In Mark 9:30-37 we hear the apostles arguing who was the greatest. Do we hitch our wagon to those who we feel are the greatest? Do we follow those who are the greatest? Who is the greatest in your eyes? My autistic granddaughter would be counted in, and my grandson, yep he’d be there too for Jesus. Greatness, for me, is being there when needed. Greatness is a kind word or action. Greatness is not wanting the limelight, but doing without fanfare. Greatness. I am surrounded by greatness….a God who loves me unconditionally, and my husband who does the same. My children, all are counted in greatness. I have family, friends, “others” and people I haven’t even met that are great. My students, even though my hair gets whiter, they too try for greatness. Jesus’ definition of greatness is not what society defines it as. Define greatness, then look around and you will see it isn’t who made the headlines, but the person standing next to you on the path….

A good weekend. When you have a good weekend, Monday morning doesn’t seem that bad. Joy comes in family meals. This Sunday we were able to gather and have a meal together. Our house can be a little crazy. Molly the puppy loves to greet everyone. She barks, and the noise level can be a little much. Yet in the chaos there is joy. Today in the readings I am reminded that sometimes all we can do is pray. I pray a prayer of thanksgiving for family gatherings. I pray for those suffering, in need of healing, lonely, and lost. Mark 9:29 *  He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.” In today’s readings, we are reminded that prayer is the strongest way to help our loved ones. From family gatherings to Monday mornings, we are reminded that prayer needs to be with us. Never doubt the power of prayer on the path…  

Yeah, but. I will admit that it can be hard to treat others as you would want them to treat you. Why? Mainly, because they aren’t you. They don’t have the same behaviors, beliefs, or live like you. The other person can be obnoxious, (you never are), they can be arrogant (you never are), they can be…. Fill in the blank. So why treat them like you would want them to treat you? They don’t deserve it. Luke 6:31 states: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Sometimes I feel there is a “yeah, but” clause because we have judged the person unworthy of such good treatment. However, Jesus didn’t include any clauses. That is what makes this practice so very difficult. My mom would always say, “but for the grace of God, that could be you.” I try to remember that when I feel a “yeah, but” coming on. The path isn’t easy, because we are not alone, sure God is with us, but so are other humans with all the challenges that brings. As we walk the path today, push aside the “yeah, buts” and try...

 Pre-planning. Yep, my mind is already thinking of camping and fishing trips, projects I want to start, and places to hike. Gardens need organizing and so is the yard. I know it's only February, but it's a great time for pre-planning.  Lent starts March 5th and here too I have been doing some pre-planning. This year I have decided not to fast and feast but to try to get up every morning with an attitude of JOY. I am choosing to see joy each day. I have created a reflection booklet for Ash Wednesday, and each Sunday of Lent. I am using it with my Spirituality class, but if you would like a copy email me. wisebiblestudy@gmail.com. Pre-plan your next steps on the path....

  Jesus asks Peter, who Peter thinks he is. Mark 8:29 “And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Messiah.” If Jesus asked me, I’d say my friend. Yes, I believe Jesus is human and divine, but I don’t keep Jesus around because you can do something for me or because he heals the sick, feeds the hungry, forgives the contrite of heart. I enjoy Jesus' company. As a friend, Jesus, you challenge me. You show me a world I won't have seen. You help me be a better person and not let myself get the better of me. I have friends I haven’t seen for a while, but when I do, we can pick up where we left off, no awkwardness. To me that’s friendship. I know they are they. I know they will come running if I call. They know me for me, don’t try to change me, accept me as me. Friendship. Today, ask yourself who Jesus is to you, and as you walk together remember friendship is an amazing gift on the path….

  Painting. I have found when painting, many times the wall or item needs more than one coat of paint to bring about the desired results. In today’s gospel, we see that even Jesus sometimes has to do something twice for the desired results. Mark 8:22-26 When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked, “Do you see anything?” Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.” Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”  I find comfort in this gospel because I know sometimes God isn’t done. Sometimes I get a taste of and if I keep at it, God will complete what is needed. Fast food, fast cars, readily av...

  Have you heard or said “You still don’t get it!” Today we hear Jesus saying something like that. Mark 8:21” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” I can see how he would be frustrated with the Apostles. They were witness to his many miracles. They had a front-row seat in his teachings. Yet, they didn’t always comprehend what he was saying or doing. As a parent or teacher, you need a lot of patience. I know I don’t always “get it” nor do I pay head to what I should. Human nature. I don’t change my lenses a lot of times. I don’t see what the other is seeing. Is there something God wants you to know? God is patient, be even God will ask “Do you still not understand.” What is it that you need to see? Ask God to clean your lens, open your eyes, and help you to clearly understand what it is that you must understand on the path….

  Be still. Sometimes, I admit, I get wrapped up in life and all the events it holds. I was watching the USA vs Canada hockey game. I consider Canada a good neighbor. Within the first three minutes, there were three fights. I guess that’s hockey. I am amazed at the agility of the hockey player. They are fast, hit a puck around with a stick-on while gliding on skates, and sometimes even fight on skates. Getting caught up in the world can be dangerous. We begin to get anxious, or fearful. There is one scripture passage I call up when I feel out of control: Psalm 46:10a “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;” My point? Today take time to Be still. Today take time to know that God is…on the path…  

  Positivity. This week has been different. Monday was a professional development day. There were no students. Wednesday was a snow day. Since I was sick last week, yesterday I saw my B-day students for the first time in a while. Their cries of joy to see me and making sure I was feeling better were touching. I reflect mostly on the positivity that can carry one through all they go through. Knowing when a reprieve is most needed a reprieve will come. Psalm 34:4:  I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. The Psalm reminds me to go through life knowing God will deliver me from fears so instead of focusing on the fears, one should focus on the goodness on the path…

  Happy Valentine's Day! I am amazed that in my lifetime how many saints have walked the earth. There has been Mother Theresa, Pope Paul II, Padro Pio, Blessed Solanus Casey, and others. Ghamdi, the Dali Lama, and others have walked the earth. In the Gospel, we see Jesus as he walked the earth. Mark 7:7 “They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and [the] mute speak.” Even when God walked the earth many did not listen, to nor cherish the moments of the divine. If humanity and divinity hang in the balance here on earth, we need to ask ourselves if we recognize the divine, and do we reveal divinity or humanity in our words and actions? Pray, read the scriptures, give alms, and find the needs around you so that you to can be counted as a saint amongst humanity on the path…

  It has it all. Today’s gospel reading has a person willing to break barriers of culture, race, gender, and religion…yes, Jesus breaks the boundaries. Mark 7:24-30 tells us about a woman who is not someone Jesus should listen to, talk to, or even be in the same room with. Jesus was a Jewish person who lived within his religious bounds but found ways to go beyond without breaking any limitations. Today’s gospel illustrates this. A Syrophoenician woman asks Jesus to heal her daughter. She was bold because she knew she should not talk to him. She should have feared the ramifications of her doing so yet because of her love of her daughter she found courage to do what she felt could heal her. Jesus’ response was one of the days, the woman is referred to as a dog, which in those times was anyone who wasn’t Jewish…Jesus challenges her with the view of society. The women's response was to come right back with a witty response that broke any limitations that might bind others because of c...

  Snow. I love snow. Today big flakes are falling, and the white is covering the ground. A timeless tradition of a snow day has been invoked. Time to slow down and wait for some depth so I can go make a snow angel. As I wait, I am pondering today’s verse from Mark. Mark 7: 14-15 states: “He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” Jesus is telling the people how they focus on foods being unclean and clean. He wants them to think about the other things we “put in” our minds, and more importantly our hearts. What we fill our minds, our mental, physical, emotional, and intellectual self comes out in our thoughts and actions. Jesus is cautioning the people to watch for who they are listening to, or what they are listening to. What are they reading, what are they doing for mental health? The point on this snowy day is to fi...

Sometimes scripture brings a word that is harsh and calls a person out. Sometimes, I admit, I pass over those words not ready to face them. In Mark’s Gospel today the word is Hypocrisy. Hypocrisy: a synonym of hypocrisy is two-faced. In Mark’s Gospel we hear of some hypocrisy: Mark 7:6-8 “He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.’ You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” The phrase that strikes me is “disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition. Ah, the world today. I do have a pet peeve I’d like to share. When Christians do something in the name of Christianity, you must shake your head and ask: Is that what God wants? The core of most healthy religions is kindness, the sacredness of life in that we treat each other as we would want to be treated. Love in the sense of trying...

 Love letters when received can keep a relationship going. Somehow, when written well a person feel's present and there with the other person. God has written each of us a love letter. Scripture. It's not just a book; it's not just a library, but an intimate personal love letter to each of us. How can I say that? Because each of us will read scripture and connect it to our own lives. The letter will help us to see God in us, and what we do, because it is personal. Love letters. I know that when you have received them, you read them over and over until your loved one is with you. Heck, we should leave our families with love letters not just wills. My point? Read your love letter from God, over and over until you come face to face with God on the path....

  What would you do if you knew someone could heal a loved one? In Mark's gospel, we see people “scurrying” to bring the sick to Jesus. Jesus didn’t even have to touch them, the tassel of his cloak! Mark 6:55 states: “They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.” When we have a loved one that is sick, we would do anything. Yet not everyone receives a healing tassel. There is more healing than just illness. Healing comes in the shape of values, such as diplomacy. Perhaps a border summit would produce a united front against the issues. Unity. I am not opposed to sending any criminal to jail, or sending them back if they are illegal. However, I think that there is a broken system. I am not sure what it is when it comes ...

  Mantras. As I have stated in the past, I find it helpful to have scripture handy as a mantra. I can access it at any time to remind me of the wisdom I should be living. Hebrews 13:1-2 states: “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.” This passage always comes to mind when I am having difficulty with someone or I just don’t feel like being social. Sometimes a person acts in a way that would not be considered angelic. However, I am reminded of this passage. It is not always easy to be hospitable. Patients running thin, tired, or just wanting their own time can all be reasons to skip the hospitality. Yet it helps to take a deep breath in the world today, we need more hospitality. How are you hospitable? Sometimes you can be with a group of people and your views differ and you want to be right because they are wrong of course! Yet I find that even if my views differ or I want it my way, I need to remember the core...

  Jeremiah 17:14: "Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." Hope is a positive light that can guide one through any storm. Hope can get lost amongst the negative comments and thoughts. It is time to reclaim hope, push aside darkness. Where do I find hope? Light? In family and friends who choose to spread positivity. I find it in students who want to help others and change the world. They don’t want the world their way, no they are passionate about inclusion, making sure no one feels less than. They understand dignity of a human person and how difference makes us stronger as they challenge us to see the world through a lens of our culture, gender, age and circumstances Hope. We each need to be a light, share hope for we can make. A difference. We can be part of the healing of the Lord and we can be saved together on the path…

  Gifts. Who doesn’t like gifts? I have been thinking a lot about Valentine’s Day. I feel like every day with my husband is a day to celebrate. I’ve been thinking about Valentine’s Day because of the gifts given. This year I announced to my husband that instead of gifts to each other, perhaps, we could find a worthy person or family to gift to. As I was about to leave this morning, I saw on our kitchen table a note about a little boy at Gifford school, where my granddaughter attends, who has an aggressive tumor on his brainstem. There will be a fundraiser for him on Feb.12 th at Culver’s in Sturtevant. Gifts. I have three beautiful children and their spouses, roommates, and two beautiful grandchildren. A wonderful gift. A husband who has stood by me through thick and thin. I am employed. I have a house, clothes, and food. The Psalm today reminded me to reflect on the gifts I have.   Psalm 103:2 “Bless the LORD, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts” I have been truly bless...

  Psalm 22 is famous. It has the words Jesus spoke from the cross “My God, My God why have you abandoned me. (Ps 22:2) The verse goes on to say “My God, I call by day, but you do not answer; by night, but I have no relief.” Ps 22:3. As a family we do a “par check” every now and again. A par check in the fire world is to make sure everyone in a large scene is accounted for. If I haven’t heard from one of my children, or there has been an accident on a road they traveled, all I have to text is par check. Today the Psalmist was doing a par check with God. Where are you God, I called you by day, no answer. I called you at night, no answer. I think it is ok to par check God. Sometimes we are listening, but we can’t feel, hear, or know God’s presence. It’s okay to be persistent with God. Scripture is full of passages that have persistent people. Today I am reminded to be persistent, and call a par check on God, I do sometimes, “speak louder God” but it’s ok for God is with you on the pat...

  Have you ever gotten upset because you have tried to explain something to someone, to no avail? Or you are arguing, and at some point you point you ask: What more can I tell you? Today we hear that in the readings from Hebrews 11:32 “What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel, and the prophets,” The reading gives testament to what God has done and goes on for many verses giving examples to the reader. I think, when it comes to giving testament to God, we ask ourselves “What more shall I say?” because showing someone the love of God is worth the perseverance of faith. Sometimes all it takes is the right example or right time, right place to reach someone. As you go on today, give joy that God is with you, and ask God how you can persevere as a disciple on the path…

  Today is the presentation of the Lord. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus go to the temple to purify Mary. Yet this is the first time that Jesus goes to the temple. While there the little family encounters two people: Simeon and Anna. Both people had been waiting to see the salvation and redemption of Israel. Upon seeing Jesus, they realize who and what this baby will do. They told the parents. Seeing someone’s potential is not always easy. Seeing a person as God sees them can be difficult. Both Simeon and Anna had spent a good portion of their lives at the temple and in prayer. As I teach, my goal is to help students realize their potential and be who God created them to be. No, it is not always easy. Yes, I spend a great deal of time in prayer so I can see them through God’s eyes. Mary and Joseph did as was the custom. They were open to hearing the words of Simeon and Anna. Simeon and Anna were strangers to the family, yet Mary and Joseph listened and kept the words of the strangers and k...

  Who do you put your faith in? I want to start with a definition of faith found in Hebrews 11:1: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” The writer of Hebrews goes on at length to show how all these Old Testament characters had to have faith and what faith did for them. I have faith that my family is there for me. I have faith that my husband always wants the best for me. I have faith that summer will come. My faith in God means I seek that which is not apparent. I want to discover God in my life and the workings of others. , When someone shares a moment of something prayed for that has come true, I share the joy of God being there. When someone comes to me in pain or broken, I ask God for wisdom so I can be the light. Yesterday I had multiple students come to me seeking the light for their tangled lives. I was glad I prayed in the morning, but I also prayed while asking God to work through me. As the author says, “Faith is the realization ...