W.I.S.E. Bible Study

  “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 As we think about the New Year, consider how you will dress yourself in 2026. I like words. I like to write them on my mirrors. I enjoy painting them on boards. Perhaps this year’s words to live by are compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Each word is worthy of striving for. However, it's 2026, so heck, let's keep all five on our radar, label our compass with them, and continue on the path…

 “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:25 Since the break, the people in my house have been sick. The flu has struck and is still with us. We are waiting patiently for health to return. The advantage of being ill is that you really slow down and rest. Patience and hope. Two words that fill our lives. There were things I wanted to do during my two weeks off. Instead, I must reboot. Luckily, I have the time to do so. Hope and Patience. Living our lives with hope-for what we do not yet have, and waiting patiently can bring a sense of calm on the path…

“ and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,” Luke 8:2 Mary Magdalene was sent by Jesus to tell the followers he had risen. Yet I think that one of the important reasons that Mary could be given this task was that she modeled the power of Christ through his cure of her seven demons. The seven demons were overcome through Jesus. These are the seven deadly sins: pride, greed, wrath, lust, envy, gluttony, and sloth. The deadly sins are replaced with the seven heavenly virtues: prudence, justice, temperance, courage, faith, hope, and charity. As we come to New Year's and think about how we want to change the path we are on, let's make 2026 a great year. Think about replacing one of the demons that might plague you. Christ is there to help each of us with something we need to work on and replace. Who knows the tasks we will be given when we are cured?  Pray on it, reflect, then ask Christ to cure ...

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8a Recently, I read something like this: “We are all innkeepers, would you let Mary and Joseph in?”   I have been thinking about the yeses and the no’s that we make along the way in our journey. First, in the story of Christ, there were many yeses and no’s that took place. A story is written with multiple characters and multiple responses. The inn was full, and the “no” was a response to that. Perhaps we all need to ensure our inn isn’t too full so that Christ can enter. Yet, the place of a stable for a vulnerable baby to be born warms my heart. I worked on a farm, and there was nothing like early morning going into a barn to milk cows. There is nothing like a barn at night when animals are settling, and the barn itself is settling. The work is done, and a sense of peace and accomplishment for the day's work can fill you. Today, I asked myself: Am I Mary who said yes? Am I Joseph, who said no, but believing an angel, said ...

“Many say, “May we see better times! Lord, show us the light of your face!” (Selah) But you have given my heart more joy than they have when grain and wine abound. In peace I will lie down and fall asleep, for you alone, Lord, make me secure.” Romans 8:38-39 Yesterday I was informed that one of my aunts died. The thing about this aunt is that she lived for Jesus. She took her final sleep knowing that the Lord would make it secure and come to take her home. There are many times when a person can cry to the Lord that they need to see better times or ask to see the Lord. Joy comes from knowing that we can peacefully lie down and fall asleep, for the Lord does make our lives secure. The difficulties in my life have deepened my faith. They have assured me of God’s presence. Material things come and go…but NO ONE can take your faith from you. Stay strong, know He is there comforting you, working for you, and will guide you through troubled times and joyous times. We all need a guide; won’t...

  “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 The day after. We are now in the season of Christmas, liturgically. We celebrate Christmas through Epiphany. Love takes time to celebrate. Working as a Pastoral Associate, Hospice Chaplain, and Nursing Home Chaplain, I was privy to those who say their earthly goodbyes to someone and go on to adjust to their love not being physically present. It is a challenging and painful transition. Time allows for the proper adjustment of a new normal and realization that, through memories, stories, and keeping some traditions alive, their loved ones are still with them. The day after Christmas, we must remember that the love found at Christmas can be year-round. We are given this “season” to adjust, reflect,...

 Psalm 66:5 – “Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!” We celebrate the birth of a child while we wait for the second coming. These deeds from God testify to a love deeper than humanity can comprehend, but we try. This year, we should dedicate our lives to deepening our love for God. We should pledge to be an extension of God’s hand in the world. A smile, a moment, a gesture, and a kind word can do more for this world than riches.   Come and see, kneel before the babe and pledge your year to him on the path…

   “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 Recently, I read that Dick Van Dyke commented on longevity. “The beloved actor credits his  remarkable longevity  to his  positive outlook  and  never getting angry .”   (Burke, 2025) Today’s verse also emphasizes a cheerful heart as a form of good medicine. I think of all the Christmas shows on and know the true spirit of Christmas is found in a cheerful heart. A cheerful heart can find something to be thankful for even in dark times. A cheerful heart knows that there is more to life than just themselves, and it doesn’t revolve around the “me” and “mine” syndrome. Today, let us be filled with what we have, not what we don’t have. Let us bring a cheerful heart to all that we come in contact with on the path…

                                                                                My Christmas Poem to You It is in the string of lights, You come to me so bright. Evergreen the Christmas tree Green: Forever here you shall be. A child born, a sign of love Connecting you, thine above. Humanity saved, through a yes Making order of the mess A world to take a knee For a baby that comes for thee. Merry Christmas to all Follow the light, answer the call.

  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 My oldest son can find himself in very difficult situations. He deals with people who are not at their best. One of his gifts is deescalation. He can bring about a sense of resolution that brings a sense of peace. I am starting the holidays with a sick household. Yesterday I found out that an aunt and an uncle are in their last moments. Yet I can find peace knowing that those dying with be home with Christ. I know sickness is part of life, and this time of year. I am thankful for illness now when I don’t have to take off work. I have the freedom to do proper self care. Yesterday the pot of homemade chicken soup was made. Jesus ends this verse with “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Isn’t that where we can find peace on the path?…

 “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” Matthew 1:24 I love angels. I’ve already made two snow angels. I have a small angel collection, among which is my original tree topper that’s 42 years old. I have a big angel outside that I keep lit year-round. I started A Wing & A Prayer Ministries because I believe our prayers can be carried on the wings of Angels. I believe we need to be those wings for others. Joseph had an angel appear to him in a dream. Angels still appear to those who open themselves to hearing God’s word. The angel reassured Joseph that even though he found himself in a very difficult situation, God was with him and God will help him through the situation. God is always with us and will help us through any situation we face, and yes, God will send God’s angels so that we can rest in their wings on the path….

  James 1:17 :  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change I am feeling blessed as I have two weeks to work on writing and spending time with family. This is the best gift I could receive. Today’s scripture talks about the perfect gift and who can give it. I love that God is referred to as the father of lights. As I look out upon my Christmas lights it reminds me of the light of Christ. White Christmas’ are awesome but it is the joy of the lights and each person’s creativity that touches my Christmas spirit. What would your perfect gift look like? Talk with the Father of lights today, reveal your hearts desires. As you are out and about and you view the sparkling lights say a pray and enjoy the light in the darkness on the path….

“ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 Mary, married to Joseph, yes married, had the power of the Holy Spirit come upon her and within her Christ grew. In Mary’s time a young girl was legally, in the eyes of everyone married “Betrothed” but could stay with her family for a year before she moved in with her husband. During that time they were not to have any relations. That is why Joseph was going to “divorce” her quietly before the angel stepped in. My point today is that Mary’s yes, allowed the Holy Spirit to come upon her. She knew what the yes could mean for her. She knew that Joseph could have her stoned. Yet, the yes was more important than any of the things that could happen.  We too can say “yes” and allow the Holy Spirit to come upon us to bring Christ within us, empowering us to be the best Christian possible and fulfill our image of God...

  “But, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, “Be holy because I [am] holy.” 1 Peter:15-16 To be holy. What does holy mean to you? I say it means I have set aside myself and my life for God. With that said, what it does not mean is that I am holier or better than anyone else. Why spend time on this? I think it is important to remind ourselves that all of us are holy, called to be holy. Your free will requires you to ask, to pledge to acknowledge this. On this Advent season I find it helpful to spend time in the sacredness, the wonder of holiness. As we begin the church’s new year start it with the process of reaffirming that you choose to to be numbered as God’s. You choose a to do God’s will and a line your life with that choice. Christ’s Mass: One Body, One Bread for all on the path…

  “ He guides the humble in righteousness, and teaches the humble his way.” Psalm 25:9   What does humble mean to you? For me, it means that I don’t exaggerate my abilities. I am honest about them, and do not use them to “lord it over” others. I learn from constructive and righteous criticism. I find humbleness hard as I do want to be right! I do want to be the best! Yet, I want to do so, with my humility intact. This week of Joy during Advent is to remind us of the Roses given to us in our lives. Our gifts and talents, our blessings, and purposes. These are to be used with humility to help others, not just to benefit ourselves. This week shower other with roses, by using what has been given to you to help others, or just to bring a smile to their faces. This will help to remind people that the darkness is almost over, and the light will soon be here on the path….  

 Psalm 37:16-22 “  Better the meagerness of the righteous one than the plenty of the wicked.” Psalm 37:16 I have been going through my closet and purging the excess. This is part of my Advent ritual, and I do this again during Lent. My goal is not to have too much “stuff.” It’s okay to have things we want, not just things we need. Joy can be found in giving and uncluttering. A simple life, but filled with memories and people who care, is a treasure that is worth keeping on the path…

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.    If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?    So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.   But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” Matthew 6:28-34 Each year on this date I think back to when my husband asked me to marry him. Yesterday I received flowers at work from him. There is something about receiving flowers w...

  “I am the Lord, your God, who grasp your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 Fear not, I will help you. When I was in 8 th grade I wrote a poem entitled Fear not about God always being with me. Eight grade was a particularly rough year for me. At that time, I did not know the verse from Isaiah, but now return to it in rough times. My life is good now, but the verse reminds me of those struggling and in need of the reminder. Our church presents us with seasons to remind us to do certain things to enrich, and deepen our faith. Today, in this advent season, pray for those who may need to be reminded of God’s promise. Or, send them Isaiah 41:13 with an I love you, and walk with you on the path…

  “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” Isaiah 66:13 I have been thinking a lot about being a mother lately. During this time of the year, when I was little my mom would warn us that Santa’s elves were watching us through the window. Mrs. Claus was baking cookies when the sunset was brilliant. All those unimportant things mothers do for us. Mothers did not receive a manual for raising a child. They weren’t given on/ off switches. Mothers were given as a gift compassion, love, and a giving heart. I think God is a lot like a good mother. God gives comfort and is there for us. This time of year I think of Mary, a very young girl, having a baby out of wedlock. She gave birth in a manger, and watched her son die on a cross. Christmas is about the fiat of Mary, her yes to God no matter the consequences she faced and endured. The love that sprung from that yes, was Christ and is Christ in us when we say yes to God and his plan ...

  “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived I your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” 2 Timothy 1:5 Today I wanted to talk about mothers, and grandmothers. My mom and my grandmother both had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother. They taught me the importance of the Rosary. When my grandmother was dying, I would stop by her house after work, and pray the rosary with her, even though she was in a coma. When my mother was dying, the family gathered around her and prayed the rosary. What love is greater than that? I pray to Mary because she was a mother. She watched her son be accused of being a criminal and die on a cross. She gets me. I ask her to come with me as I talk to her son and God the Father, and ask for the Holy Spirit to work within me. She is my companion along the way. Many religions have beads. The rhythm of praying using beads gives a calming effect and peace. If you never have prayed the rosary, perha...

  “Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth; break into song; sing praise.” Psalm98:4 Joy is a key component of peace, or so I think. Have you ever known someone joyful and singing not to have a small amount of joy and peace? Of course, some songs can be laments, but even when singing a lament, there is a release of anger. My students are making a playlist of songs (Christian or secular) that connect with Psalms of: Praise, Thanksgiving, Trust, Royal, Lament, and Wisdom.   I use music several times throughout the year, as I think music can connect lessons and life. This week, we focus on peace. Perhaps there are songs or music that can help you find inner peace. I enjoy musicals because characters are constantly “breaking into song.” I wonder what life would look like if we saw it in musical notes, and remember that each of us is living a musical on the path…

 “I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11 I wanted to talk to you today about the second candle of Advent. The candle of Peace. The word 'peace' is used a lot these days. The world is full of strife and discontent. As long as humans think they are in control, that will remain. Each of us needs, of course, to be part of bringing peace by remembering we are baptized with the Holy Spirit and by fire. That means the Holy Spirit is in us, with us, and ready for us to use. Today’s first reading, found in Isaiah 11, gives us a glimpse of this Spirit: “The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he de...

  “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” Romans 12:12 This week of Advent we focus on hope. What is it that you hope for? If Christ walks with you, then what is it that you are yearning for, and need to persevere in prayer for? I think of the baby Jesus in a manger, vulnerable and taking his first breaths with his parents and animals. My hope is that we can, kneel before the babe on Christmas and give of ourselves, our lives to the new born babe. It will be our pledge to be the hope for each other. Our pledge to bring peace, not strife. To help those who only hope is a warm place and a meal. What gift will you give the baby Jesus this Christmas? Will it be that of hope to the world? How will you contribute on the path….

  But Ruth said, “Do not press me to go back and abandon you! Wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die I will die, and there be buried.” Ruth 1:16-17 If you asked me why minister? Why do I do what I do? Why do I teach? Or chaplaincy? Or Church work? I would answer with the quote from Ruth. I say that to God…wherever God goes…I go, whoever are God’s people are my people. I will die for God and to that affect be buried where God walks with me. It is my creed. His people are my people, where He sends me, I go knowing he is walking with me. Some tasks have been difficult and I admit, am thankful when we move on. As a teacher it is helpful to remember that our students are God’s people, God has sent us, and we chose to go with God to do His work. Classrooms have changed, they are always trying new teaching methods, schedules, rubrics etc, but in the end…His children are my children. Yesterday, I was ...

  “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3 John 1:2 As I drove in this morning, the roads had a lot of blowing and drifting. At times cars came into my lane to navigate their lane. As you can imagine this was a little nerve wracking. It reminded me though about my soul’s path. At times there are drifts that I need to navigate, and at times, others who don’t stay in their on lane by telling me what I should do or what I should be. The thing about driving through snow drifts is that you can’t be on cruz control. You have to take the wheel and navigate yourself, feeling for the right path. This Advent is a great time to take the wheel, tell people to stay in their own lane and make sure your soul’s path is healthy. Now that you opened the door for Christ  won’t you intertwine your soul with His and begin to navigate snow drifting and drivers who are in your lane, with Him on the path…

  “ One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 Relationships can be tricky. My students are finishing their Old Testament course with the books of Wisdom. The quote from Proverbs reminds me of high school and how important friendships built there are. People seem to come and go in our lives. Relatives are there, but sometimes we seem closer to friends than family members. Advent is a great time to reach out and remind family and close friends how important they are. Relationships require time and communication. Send a Christmas card, make a phone call, but make sure you reach out and “stick closer than a brother” on the path…

  “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 Today, my students will be doing a prayer service. They have written letters asking for healing or forgiveness. They also have made affirmation bags and filled them with positive messages from classmate. Sometimes for me, in a classroom, I find we get caught up in vocabulary and tests and we forget the most important lesson. God is always with you, just open the door. We need to let God walk with us, and we need to really have a heart to heart with God. I think this is a great way to start the Advent season. Open the door, let God in and begin that heart to heart on the path…