W.I.S.E. Bible Study

“ Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.” James 1:22 Doers. If you spend time in scripture, you understand what God calls each of us to do. God wants people who are doers. Not just people who do good, but people who live out scripture. Scripture, at its core, is about a relationship between God and humanity. We are a living scripture through our relationship with God. If your life were written, would it include a relationship with God that leads your choices, your actions? To be a living scripture, one must study scripture. Take time today to find a place to begin studying scripture. I like to start with the letters as they remind me of the fledgling people trying to live out what Jesus taught them. Pack your bible as you head out today on the path…  

  “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”  – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better. I do believe the above scripture verse and advice. Yet, I pondered today how often I say I can do something myself. I can be stubborn and like to be self-sufficient. I have experienced trying to go it alone, or with a “second.” I try to remember that Jesus sent the disciples out two by two. Jesus even had twelve around him. As I go about my day (putting the canoe on the Acadia, wood chips in the grotto…) I will remember that all is done better with two. Many times my husband and I travel together, even if one of us doesn’t need to be there. It allows us time alone to chat. He balances me, and I balance him when shopping. We both see things differently at times, and so when we each express our views, we have a fuller vision. As you go about your day, remember to include another on the path…

  “ Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always. What a hard statement to live out. Today, we can rejoice in Fatherhood, which has blessed the world with such a unique population! Pray without ceasing, knowing that prayer isn’t just about sitting or kneeling somewhere and talking to God, but about our actions that also reflect a prayer to God. Today, I feel the blessed Mother weeps for her children. Guadeloupe is distraught over her children's fighting and inability to rejoice in each other and be thankful for the uniqueness of each other. I am reminded of Cain, who kills his brother and asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Yes, we are a community and we are to help each other, rejoice in each other, pray for each other…through our words and actions on the path…

    “ I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” John 16:33 (NABRE) The Light. Yesterday, I spent a good portion of time sewing. My sewing area is in the basement, which isn’t ideal. I like the light. It brings me happiness, and my patio doors provide light but also a view of the yard. My happy place is creating. Peace is found in a task taking form. Yesterday, I had the news on and reminded myself that Jesus conquered the world, and as humanity's ugly head rears, God is always strong when we seek God out. I have not perfected making ice cream yet, but I know where peace is found and my courage is in Him, who conquered the world, the light on the path….

Yesterday wasn't a writing day. I spent the day antiquing with my husband and my dad. Today, I wanted to reflect not on a scripture verse but on Fathers. Ever-present God, our Father, has many biblical qualities. Each of us has a father. Some, I know, don't think much of their fathers. I happen to think I have a good father. I like to go to antique shops with my dad. I find antique stores a sort of history lesson. Luckily for me, my dad or my husband usually knows what something was used for. Yesterday, my dad reflected on how the treasures found now are starting to come from the 50s and 60s, where before we would see items much earlier. Yesterday, we laughed when we found items that we still actually own. I guess we are antiques! Scripture is about relationships. It starts with us and God the Father. The relationship expressed in scripture was rocky at times, but it always gets worked out. I am thankful for my dad and for my husband. As Father's Day approaches, take time t...

“ Perfume  and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend     springs from their heartfelt advice.” Proverbs 27:9 Friends. At work, I have people I can go to for advice. In life, I also have people to whom I treasure their advice. Today, I am thinking about friends and how you know a good friend because of their advice. When they listen, they don’t do it to tell you about themselves. They may use an experience they had to explain their advice, but the advice isn’t about them, but what they have learned. I tell my students you were born because of a relationship and into relationships. God is part of those relationships. It is our goal to form healthy relationships because we were created for and into communities. One way to do so is by listening to a person’s advice to you or their response, or comments when you are chatting. Are they positive? Do they point out the best for you? Do they help you to grow in the right ways? Sometimes advi...

Yesterday was the Feast of Pentecost. Jesus ascends, and the Holy Spirit fills followers. I decided to look for the Holy Spirit in my life. I spent some time at a church festival and on the Patio before all the rain. So far, summer is proving to be different. Normally, summer is steeped in gardening. This year, I put a few plants and seeds in and haven't weeded my strawberry patch, which desperately needs it! Right now, I am trying to perfect making homemade ice cream. Yet each day starts with finding a scripture passage to guide my day. Today I am reminded of one of my favorites: Micah 6:8 " You have been told, O mortal, what is good,   and that the  Lord  requires of you:  Only to do justice and to love goodness, and  to walk humbly with your God" If I live by these words, I believe I am striving to what God would have me to do. Back to my original question, where do I find the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit guides me to be just, love goodness, and with God...

“There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25 Written. John’s gospel ends with the above passage. Interestingly, books have been written about what Jesus has done, songs have been written, and stories are shared every day about what Jesus has done for people. So why hasn’t the world changed? I think because when one professes Christ, one must do so daily. I, as a professed Christian, stumble and fall. I am not perfect, and my choices are less than revealing of Christ and more revealing of my human nature at times. I write this blog to remind myself that I need to study the word of God each day and apply it to my life. Even when I stumble, God is with me, picking me up and carrying me until I am ready to give life as a Christian a try again. I am reminded of this each time my grandson does something and gets a scrap and needs to sit in my lap, n...

  For I know well the plans I have in mind for you- oracle of the Lord-plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 Free Will. Mixed in with my free will, that is, my ability to make choices is the fact that God has plans for me and those plans are to give me a future of hope. God’s plans, I know because they bring out the best in me. This best is one that brings hope to others, joy to others and brings light of God’s presence in the world. God’s plans allows for or, perhaps insist that I dream big, go outside my comfort zone and know that hope is found in letting go and being all that I can be. I reflect on this today, as I get into a summer break routine and know that I must not get caught up in things that distract me from “God’s plans,” and continue to dream big with God on the path…

  “You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.” Psalm 16:11 The Path. I want to live the best life possible. Most people want that. My faith teaches me that God will show me a path. God created me, and each person for this. The path of life, “abounding joy in your presence and God grants the delights at your right hand forever.” This is not about monetary riches, but joy of contentment. Delights of trivial things. Last night was one of those dream nights. God was reminding me to be that person I am created to be. That might mean going against the grain and looking outside the box. It might mean writing more, sewing more, and trying different activities that will lead me to new possibilities. Joy starts with being in God’s presence and allowing God to walk with us on the path…

  “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” Ecclesiastes 3:1 Seasons. As I watch the rain fall on my patio, I remind myself that I am on summer break. A season to relax and refresh. I say this because I am not good at relaxing. I have to remind myself to put away the checklists, and planing of a day. Naps are good, walks are great, fishing is expected… The gentle rain soothes my soul. I am grateful that scripture gives me permission and reminds me to relax, take the day as it comes, do not count what you have achieved, but who you have enjoyed the day with! A reminder today, to check on your season and remember to add some relaxing and good times with family and friends on the path…

  “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 11:19 NIV Heart of Stone. I actually collect heart shape stones when I go rock collections. These stones become part of my grotto. They are also a reminder that even though these stones are beautiful and unique, they are stone. To me a heart of stone is someone who does not go far enough beyond themselves. They are cyclical, frozen with fear, hardened do to things that have happened to them. God can give a person an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them when they allow themselves to be vulnerable and open to the love of God. A heart of flesh is one that can get hurt but God is always walking with them and will help in mending it. Today, do a check in with your heart, any stone there? Any areas that need to be soften allowing God to turn to flesh? Allow God to help you be the unique heart of flesh you were created to be on...

“ The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” Proverbs 18:15 NABRE Misunderstandings. I have found that a lot of misunderstandings come from someone not listening or listening to others and not acquiring knowledge from the source. Jumping to conclusions or believing information without really knowing gets people in trouble. On this Sunday morning why am I quoting from Proverbs? As summer begins it is useful to remember to keep everything in perspective. Enjoying life means we do take time to acquire knowledge and we use our ears to listen. Life is too short to be angry or upset, especially when we might have a different outlook if we find the source and seek the knowledge of truth on the path…