W.I.S.E. Bible Study

  “Come, children, ]  listen to me;   I will teach you fear of the Lord.” Psalm 34:12 Reverence. Wisconsin weather is perfect right now. Cool evenings and seventies during the day. Fear of the Lord, is asking a person to be reverent. It is easy on perfect days to praise the Lord, to be kind to others, for everything is going right. Yet, God calls us to be part in his teaching of the the fear of the Lord, or reverence to God. We do this by our words and actions. Our attitude becomes one of the Lords. When I was in college the big phrase was “what would Jesus do?” Or WWJD. I think this simple phrase can help guide us on imperfect days. Not how I would like to respond, but how I am called as a child of God to do so. We need to teach each other to fear the Lord through our voices, prophet (crying out towards injustice), priestly (praying for others, and being there for others) and kingly (serve, protect and lead). Walk with me today, and help me to teach others to fear t...

  After today it starts a long weekend. Which means, next week is a four day week. Both I must admit I am looking forward to. I know that I must watch my step…you know when we are eager for something we are looking ahead not watching where we are going. This morning started with seeing two owls, a rabbit crossing the road and a deer. I am trying to focus on the needs of the day, but sometimes I do wander to this weekend. My students are just as tired as I am, and I think trying to stay focused as much as I am. I am reminded of the Israelites traveling the dessert wondering when and if they would ever make it to the promised land. Yes, we wander, yes we get impatient, but we need to remember that with each step there can be something good for us. Living in the moment is hard, and days like today really difficult, but I pray, try to stay awake and watch my steps on the path…

To find the light in darkness, chaos, disbelief: Just Breathe and “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)    On the path…

 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh, rather, serve  another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13  Serve. I have seen great love through service. A husband by the side of a wife fighting illness. Children helping parents. Freedom can come in and through service when one realizes there is more than themselves. Why? Getting caught up in ourselves, our wants, our way, etc., is a way to create bondage on ourselves. To remove the chains of selfishness, pride etc. one must go beyond oneself. I am thinking about that today as the church celebrates St. Monica. She was the mother of Augustine and kept praying. She knew two important things. 1. There may be “lost boys,” but there are no lost causes. 2. Perseverance in prayer, especially for others, is joy to God’s heart. Today, go beyond your needs and wants and pray for others in need on the path…..

Awesome Deeds. Look around, you can see awesome deeds being done. Unexpected Tomatoes from someone. Cooler temperatures after hot and humid days. An autistic granddaughter who gets up at 5 so she can get a car ride and drop you off at work. Of course, anything for “squishy 7.” So many things. Psalm 66:5 states: “Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!” So much of the news is negative. Don’t be a bad news monger; instead, find the good news. The good that is all around us, just keep looking on the path….

 Finding Hope. I have been thinking a lot about hope. Sometimes we pray and our prayers aren’t answered the way we want, so does that mean God isn’t listening or there is no hope? I think prayer is a conversation with God. We talk, God listens. God talks we listen. Like a conversation with my husband “We should….”, “No, it’s not the right time or we can’t right now….” Hope is in the knowing that as events of life unfold, God is walking with us and in the no’s; in the silence, God is still there hugging us, holding us, carrying us or celebrating with us. Hope is in the Golden threads; the positive attitude; in finding joy in simple things. Like an autistic granddaughter being joyful to see me on the path….

  Sunflowers. This time of year, I appreciate sunflowers. The birds enjoy the sunflowers now and into winter. Yet my hibiscus are absolutely gorgeous. Ah, my garden. I appreciate each flower in bloom and those resting. Luke states: “  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Jesus is reminding us how much God values every one of us. Each of us is beautiful in God’s eyes. In God’s Garden, we each have a place, and each is valued and loved. Look in the mirror and say, “You are valued and loved.” God’s flower garden is beautiful and abundantly full of unique flowers like you on the path…

  “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”  – Nehemiah 8:10 Strength. I finished the first week with students. I am exhausted but hopeful, as my students were equally tired. They put in a good week, and we all should be exhausted. This time of year, a person notices the little changes: cooler mornings, leaves on trees, and flowers losing bloom. Yet there is joy in the air. I find joy in these changes. The Lord has given me strength in meeting new students and in seeing the changing seasons peeking through. Mostly, in daily challenges that were overcome. Draw strength from the joy of the Lord on the path…

 Today, as I traveled to work, I was stopped by one of those long, very long trains. I was first in line and could listen to the rhythm of the train clacking along. I had my mass app on so I was listening to mass, and realized how therapeutic a train crossing can be. It is a stopping point on our journey, which sometimes we forget is a good thing to slow down. The Mass Father preached on the reading which was about a king sending out invitations to a wedding, but the guests didn’t come. So, the king commands his troops to go out and gather up those in the streets, and those who had not been invited. One guest comes, not dressed right so he is sent out. Father talked about that it was not about the clothes he wore, but the attitude he had dressed himself in. “You’re not fully dressed unless you have a smile on.” I thought about that and I will remember how much an attitude must be part of my rhythm. Yet I do think in today’s day and age, there is something to say about how we dress ...

  Today I was thinking about how easy it is to get caught up in people’s actions and events or situations. We want to think our way is best, or control by being defensive or brutally honest. It is easy to judge, put things on trial and pronounce a judgement. Yet dealing with students or special needs, a person realizes that judgement is not the way to go. Matthew 7:1-2 states, “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.”  There are times I have had to shake my shoes and walk away. There are times I have closed the door. Yet, I try to turn over the whole situation before I act. I discern what is really going on and look at it from all angles. Mostly, I have come to realize that patience and stepping away help me to see things clearly. I say all this because as a person teaches, they meet their students from many different cultures, families, situations and accept th...

  Today I am sitting in my classroom, thinking about fishing. Teaching is a lot like fishing. To fish, you need the write bait, equipment and patience. The right bait requires you know the species of fish you are trying to catch. And, let’s face it, it’s called fishing, not catching. Many of those rules apply to teaching. I know I will catch some, and others will swim away or unhook for someone else to catch. Matthew 13:47 states, “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.” I hope to catch all kinds of fish in the classroom. In my personal life I also hope I catch what is right, kind, positive and reflecting God on the path…

  This morning, I am reviewing my class lists to ensure I am ready for the first day with students. I am reminded of Friday’s gospel reading, where Luke 1:41 stated: “ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” This year, I will “leap for joy when I see a student being a model of Christ. I will leap for joy when I remember to take the high road and be Christlike, modeling that to my students. Sometimes we must set intentional expectations. We need to name it, claim it, and be it. So, I’m claiming leaping for joy when I find Christ on the path…

Classrooms will be filled on Monday. New Beginnings. A family member who is sick and needs prayers. Compassion. Teachers who are aware of the demands of a school year.  Anxiety. All of these require us to pray, more importantly, to ask others to pray with us. Matthew 18:20 states, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Today, let us join together to pray for students entering a new year, family members who need God's healing touch, and for teachers to have the positive energy to sustain them. Together, our prayers will be heard. Like the book Horton hears a Who, even the smallest voice is needed, so I ask that you pray on the path....

 Sometimes it's hard to be positive. Schedules change, people get on your nerves and life happens. I'm trying to stay positive this year. It doesn't mean I don't vent or engage in other activities that help me release my frustration; it just means that I am going to focus on the positive or the silver lining. My granddaughter was still up at 2, so I got out of bed to help my husband put her to bed for the night. Autism can be difficult for the person when they can't communicate their needs and their body schedule is out of sync with the world. As I helped my granddaughter navigate, her frustrations amongst tears. As she is still mostly nonverbal, this can be challenging. Yet I thought of  “For we live by faith, not by sight.”  – 2 Corinthians 5:7 I knew it would be ok. I live by faith, and even if I couldn't see the positives, they were there as God was there. It was then I heard, "Yay, 7" The number seven is my name she uses. It warms my heart. and sh...

Walk this way… Years ago, there was a song that included the words, “walk this way.” My day began very early this morning due to my asthma. The house is still, and as everyone sleeps, I am relieved that the meds put my breathing right. As I wait for normal breathing, I have time to think about teaching and lessons. The model, that is, to walk in the way of Christ,  I want to be to students. Staying strong in my faith means I know that there is a right way to walk, and to avoid not walking a certain way. It’s not easy, and sometimes the lines are blurred. Sometimes I get sucked in and realize it was the wrong path. We don't model Christ to others. We all do. Those wrong paths help one to know and reinforce the right path. I think about: “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 God speaks to us in many ways; we just need to listen. I know today will seem a little ...

  “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”  – Proverbs 16:9 Detours. This morning, I set out for my first day back to work. I took a route that was fine yesterday; there was no flooding. This morning, I encountered a detour. As I drove before the detour, I thought about how I had not taken my favorite route because it had a culvert washed out, and sometimes new beginnings require new paths. Yet, I found myself confronting a detour that led me to my favorite route, which was after the washout. I guess detours can bring surprises and, at times, comforting sights. As I drove, the sky opened, and it poured. I had to smile; I decided God was blessing me and my new year. I walked into school drenched, but glad to be starting a new year with new possibilities…this year’s word is positive for I know it is the Lord who establishes my steps on the path….

  “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence *  of things not seen. Because of it, the ancients were well attested. By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God, *  so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.” Hebrews 11:1-3 Not Seen. What you can’t see can be scary. Yet God’s message this Sunday is to just trust. Take the steps, walk the path, begin new things, start or keep going because God is with you. There is comfort in knowing someone is with you. A spouse, close friend can bring you confidence as you travel, meeting hills, steep valleys, or flooding rivers. Sunday, for the Jewish, is the beginning of the new week. Sunday starts with the knowledge that something bigger than you, bigger than anything, is walking with you and carrying you when needed on the path….

  “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2 Confidence. I used the above scripture passage for my doctorate. My dissertation focused on the need to train fire chaplains and explored what that training would entail. One thing I learned when serving in the fire service as a chaplain or AEMT was that you never knew what type of situation you would find yourself in. The above verse reminds me of the confidence I can have, knowing that God will always be there, no matter what. The school year will start shortly, and with it, there is some anxiety. Know that God is walking with you and will continue to help you through waters and fires on the path…

 So, as we got ready to depart, from our camping trip at Cliff Side,  I thought about standing on that cliff looking out with Christ by my side. Christ pointed out that the gulf between me and the land ahead is my past, fears and being stuck. I need to build a bridge of hope and get past the abyss and more forward to new land, new adventures and new beginnings. Life is like a cliff side. We stand there not ready for summer to be over, not ready for the new things we face or just being stuck on the cliff looking down instead of ahead on the path….  As Miss Frizzle would say, “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!” Just do it with Christ by your side…

“  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 Cliffside. Yesterday we ventured out to Cliffside Park which is only about 15 minutes from the house. We have two great camping areas that are close, which makes little get always nice. Today’s scripture verse reminds me how important it is to find moments of Christ’s peace in our busy lives. For me camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking….well just being in nature is my sacred space of rejuvenation. Cliff sides can be a remote places to get away and recharge yourself. I believe we all need to break the hectic cycles we find ourselves in and find cliff sides. They can be taking pizza to go and going to a beach, or camping just for a couple of days even if it isn’t far away. Have some fun and make a list of “cliff sides” you can go to when the mundane cycle of life is getting to you on the path…

  “ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 Simplicity. When my husband and I were planning our wedding, I picked Matthew 6:25-34 as the gospel reading. It was not a reading in the selection, so I had to explain to the priest why I chose those specific verses. I knew married life would bring its ups and downs, including financial struggles, worries, and concerns about everyday needs. Yet, if we truly believed God walked with us, then all would be set right. As I think about returning to work (summer adult recess is almost over), it isn’t the money that draws me to continue, but the fact that I can walk with students and share my love of Christ with them, and it reminds me of the simple things in life on the path…

  “ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:4 Others. I think many of us hope that one of the qualities we pass on is the ability to help others. The perspective of considering another person's interests can be challenging. Another’s interest might not be interesting, or something that stretches our boundaries.   A good marriage includes looking at the spouses’ interests. I learn many interesting things by being interested in my husband’s interests. Sunday is a day of rest, a day to reconnect after a busy week. Today, reconnect by seeing what your loved ones' interests are, who knows, it might lead to a new direction on the path…

  “You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your towns.”  – Deuteronomy 16:14 Rejoicing. Coming together for meals with family and friends can be a time of joy and celebration. Funerals usually have a time of gathering after to share stories about the deceased - they rejoice in the life that has been lived . The cool part about the stories is that they fill in the dash of a person’s life.  They lived from 1900-2000, the dash, that is their life.  Growing up, my dad came home from work and at the supper table told stories of his day at work. After hunting trips, etc., he told stories. My dad is a great storyteller. When we gather as a family, the stories are told. People share stories as a way to communicate what has been going on in their lives. Rejoicing for me is found in these stories. Today, feast and share stories o...