W.I.S.E. Bible Study

  Isaiah 38:16 “Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live.” Our path is a winding trail. There are times we don’t realize that we need healing but then life happens and healing takes place through the grace of God. This past weekend my husband, daughter and I took a day trip to Galena. We had fun tasting wines, eating Gluten free pasta and finding excellent cheese. Mostly though, it was a time to reconnect, and reenergize, that is to heal. God created each of us with a piece of Gods created image in us. Only we can reflect that. God’s big plan for us is to be ourselves so others can know God. That requires a healthy self. Today do a self check in, what needs healing, physically, mentally, emotionally, intellectually and relationally? Take time to heal so you can be the created image of God you were meant to be on the path…

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 Finding peace. In a busy day, or amongst worries, difficulties it is hard to find peace. Sometimes we are just restless. Breathe. For God will give you support to live in peace. Support may come from a friend, coworker, stranger or an event…Support is all around. Today as you travel know that peace is there, just accept the support on the path…

  1 John 3:18  - Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. Deeds and Truth. I do believe actions speak louder than words. I do believe that truth is found in the core of an action. Why did they do what they did? What is the motivation? At times I have asked myself: “Why am I doing this? Or Why am I not doing this?” Pausing helps us to see what is at the core of our actions. Am I a do gooder or someone who does good for Christ, to reveal his presence on earth? When Jesus for gave sins, healed the sick and preformed miracles he did so not for himself to show how powerful he was, but to show us who God is. He wanted us to know God and God’s love and grace for all of us. I personally thing Scripture is one of the most proof texted there is. Many use it to justify their actions instead of reading it to know God and God’s individual love God has for each of us, and the longing for a relationship God wants with us. If you use scripture to justify an ...

Repayment “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9 The easy way is to “eye for an eye” which is scriptural. It is found in the Old Testament. Jesus, came to say instead of evil for evil we need to be a blessing to those around us. I find this difficult. People can and do drive me crazy at times. I know I am to find the created image of God in them. I know I am to treat them as sacred…but…. To be a blessing might be to walk away. To be a blessing might be to be silent. Our respond ability is to be a blessing and a blessing in action can be to take a deep breath and say “I need a moment.” Think about how you can be a blessing to those around you and remind yourself you are BLESSED on the path…

      “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 One way to say hope is to be optimistic. Is your glass half-empty or half-full? A hopeful person isn’t one who doesn’t acknowledge the bad or difficult things in life. No, they are someone who sees the value in them. They know passing through negativity or darkness will define them; they will grow and learn from experience. They will find the light. It isn’t surprising that one of the symbols for hope is an anchor. Hope should be our anchor. How can you fill your life with hope today and always as you wander on the path…

  Matthew 6:21 “ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” My granddaughter while camping picked up acorns, leaves etc. and called them her treasures. I retrieved the fish bag from the back of the vehicle so she had something to hold her treasures in. When we got home she started decorating the pine tree with all her treasures. Most would look at what she gathered as junk. She saw Christmas ornaments. Where is your treasure? Do you hide it or use it to “decorate” your life? Do people know what your treasure is?  Today, take your treasures out, re-examine them and the ones worthy display on the path…

  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,”  ( 1 Peter 1:3–4 , NASB95) Why is it good news that Christ has paved the way for us to be reunited to the Father in heaven? True love, acceptance, and kindness do exist. We are to reflect the heaven to which we long to go here on earth. The good news is that Jesus has shown us how to do this. During Lent we have a cross placed on our foreheads with the words “turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” That is, stop living as if you are in charge. Sin is the absence of God, the declaration you do not need God nor want God. Void of what true love is. The Good News is that we can all be joined together here on earth and receive our inheritance when the time comes, ...

 Fog. For many who suffer from PTSD there is a type of fog we go through. There are times we don’t realize our actions are directed by anxiety, depression and PTSD filling our minds. Today as I drove in the fog to work, I think about all those who took their lives because of the fog they lived in. Please reach out today, tell people you love them, or just support people with kindness as you don’t know if they are traveling in the fog on the path… Matthew 5:44 “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  Love not hate, tolerance and kindness should be your today and always. Hugs to all.  PS I’m am good, and hugs to all of you, as my sign says at school: You are worthy, you are valued, you are enough and you are loved.

  9/11: There are times in one’s life that one never forgets. A first kiss. Giving Birth. The death of a loved one. And yes, national tragedies. There is something beyond the death of so many on and after 9/11 that I want you to "never to forget." Not one of those who died stopped to ask what race a person was, what creed, what political affiliation they had; no, they rushed in to save human beings. I am very humbled by the men and women I have served with, for they are much like those who died on 9/11. I can guarantee they won’t stop to ask who you voted for, or what type of car you drive or if you are gay or straight, rich or poor…no they will not ask if you have done bad things in your life or if you are a really good person or if you volunteer or if you are selfish…no they will help you because they know true love and valor. Never forget they will leave a meal, stay up all night, and serve when it’s not comfortable or convenient. I, for one, remember every man and woman I...

  Surprises. Last night, as my husband took my granddaughter out the front door to go for a car ride, they were greeted with a praying mantis. Joy filled my granddaughter and she loved the bug. I will admit all of us adults also loved that there was this bug gracing our house. Surprises. Many times we don’t see the surprises that fill our lives. We are busy. We are tired. Yet, to some seeing a bug like the praying mantis would bring a shriek of terror, discuss. Psalm 145’s refrain today is: The Lord is compassionate toward all his works. Today I am reminded of the night surprise and will continue to look for the surprise in my students…in what God has in store for me. Surprises can bring joy, and they can remind us to be compassionate towards all of God’s work. Give someone a chance today, they may surprise you on the path….

  Complete Joy. What would complete joy look like to you? I can be a very persistent person. I am persistent with God also. If I ask God for something I do so with a commitment that what I am asking is for good. I know when I pray, I can struggle to hear God’s answer. When I finally get an answer, I might not like it, but I remember what John 16:24 states, “Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” Complete joy comes from knowing that others have my back, and God does also. Complete joy means that when I did receive, I’m not, it is enough. It is complete. I challenge you to think about what you need to ask God about, and when you receive, no matter what remember it is complete on the path…

 This year is a Jubilee year of hope. Pope Francis has asked that we bring hope to others around us. Where do you find hope? How do you fill up on hope so that you can share it with others. For me, I find hope in simple things: a roof over my head, food on the table, and clothes to wear. I also find hope in others. A smile comes my way or a kind word. Romans 15:13 states: “ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” It is my faith I find hope, even on those days that seem hopeless. I don’t put my trust in myself or others but in God alone. It is then that hope springs forth from the realization that it is in the smallest of things that I can find hope and bring hope to other on the path…

Think before… Today I picked part of Sunday’s readings. It’s rather long, but I think it points to something that is lacking in the world today.   I think more people need to realize they need to think before they do, and they need to plan it out before acting. Luke 14:28-32 states: “Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.” Lately, I have watched many different people spout scripture and do things or relate scriptur...

Putting out Fires. Have you ever had one of those weeks where you need to help others, but your own work doesn't get done? The end of my week was what I call “putting out fires.” That is, for me, helping those who need help. I know part of the reason I am where I am is to help those around me. Yet, I admit, I can be exhausted, and my own goals, work, and items get put aside. I am reminded of Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” I know that what needs to get done will get done, and I will get the much-needed rest on the path…  

  “Making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16 I like words, play on words, finding words within words. I rock at word search and finding words not listed. One word I find interesting is the word evil. Flip the word and you get live. Perhaps “making the most of the opportunity” is living. I think sometimes we get caught up in evil being bad people or demons etc. Not that they cannot be evil, but most of us face evil in the sense of complacency or routine. I am working on spontaneity and living in the moment because I believe moments should be about stepping outside the box and  “getting messy, making mistakes and learning from them.” I believe that our days are full of routine, but we need to be open to possibilities within the routine, mundane and not become complacent. Today make it a point to make the most of your opportunities as you wander on the path…

  1  Peter 4:8 -11. "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." My favorite time of day is with family. Yesterday my son did a par check to make sure we were all ok. Loved. I pray my children and family members and (others) know how loved they are. How proud I am to be included in family. It’s good that we go out, share ourselves with others, do our jobs, but at the end of the day if family isn’t the primary, or isn’t healthy, that should be what we work on and focus on. At times, I have had to step out, or step back to make sure family was good. I appreciate them letting me go out, do things etc. But there is nothing better than hugs and welcome homes. Today, think about your treasure of family whether biological or not…your family and sit with their love for you on the path…

 I grew up during a time when Labor Day was marked by the Jerry Lewis telethon for MDA. Yesterday there were fire fighters out with fill the boot. Many come in on their off time to do this for MDA. We drove out to Rochester to donate. My daughter and I were part of the department at one time. Since we all can’t be volunteers on fire departments I ask that we pray for those who give service to the community. Police, fire, dispatchers, security guards, those who teach in these fields and people in emergency management. Prayer is powerful and needed as these men and women serve when people are in crisis mode. They sacrifice a lot. Our work of serve, or as the students learning about baptism today will find out  is prayer and doing what we can to support these entities. We are baptized into the priestly (praying for others), kingly (serving others and protecting) and prophetic (being a voice for God and others). Thank you for those who filled the boot, those who serve and teach th...

  Work. I am at that age where I have a lot of retired friends. The one thing they all say is that they are busier retired than when they worked. Today is a break from work. A day off. I think it should also be a day to remember those who are out of work, can’t work, or need work. I feel blessed to have work, the ability to work, and find value in work.   More importantly, I find what Proverbs 16:3 states: “Entrust your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed,” to be true. Whether a formal job/career or volunteer roles, today can be a time to remind us that whatever we do, we should entrust it to the Lord on the path…