W.I.S.E. Bible Study

 As I journey through this life, I am reminded to pick my companionship carefully. “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20 Jobs come and go. Events come and go, but true companionship sticks with you through “thick and thin.” At work, I have people I hope I can stay in contact with after I retire. I enjoy their company. They provide wisdom when I ask. The other day, I said to a fellow teacher, I am having a teaching moment. I need advice.  Another teacher, whom I find wise, had walked in, and we discussed my “teacher moment.” They were able to provide wisdom, so when I went home, I was de-stressed. Thank you. My point today is surrounding yourself with wise companions; heck, I even married one. Wisdom is something to strive for, and especially finding it in companionship on the path…

 Today was one of those long days. I was trying to listen for the whisper, yet today was a straight eight. Our normal days are a "block" schedule, (82 min.) but some Fridays we have all eight classes, plus a 20-minute homeroom. One of our duties is that we can be called on to substitute during a period. I was assigned to sub for a physics class. That is where I heard God. Students were engaged in the lab; they had to do. Some kind students explained what they were doing, which I greatly appreciated. A change of pace. Seeing engaged students...wanting to learn, talking together about torque and things I knew nothing about. Yet, they explained it to me. I smiled, just enjoying their enthusiasm. Yes, God spoke to me in a physics class, telling me to step outside my world, get out of my head. During the day, someone asked if I was a big baseball fan because I asked for a jersey day for opening day...My reply: I like the science behind the sports; for me, sports are physics in mot...

  Today I am talking about the Sermon on the Mount with my students. Blessed are…I love the first words: “Blessed are…” they remind me why I do what I do. Why do you help others? Blessed are. Why do seek forgiveness when you have stumbled? Blessed are… The list goes on and on. Yet, it is important that I realize that my call to action and living a life of grace starts with Blessed. Today, think about your call to action. Does it start with “Blessed are”? On the path…

  “My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.” Job 23:11 Today as I was driving to work, I was struck by the fact I like my familiar path. In storms, I can judge where I am going. However, I was reminded of the Wizard of Oz. It was a movie I never liked as a kid. Yet, today I was reminded of the yellow brick road. I wondered I I was on the right road to heaven. I hoped my bricks were paved in love. Love of God, father, son and spirit. Love of family. Love to help others. Love of nature and God creations. I don’t need gold bricks to pave my way, but that of God. Will I know my way to heaven? Will I recognize Christ/God? I pray I do. I know them through scripture, I know them through others I meet, situations and God’s beautiful world. Today, think about your road and what it is paved with on the path…

  “Another angel came and stood at the altar, *  holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne. The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel.” Revelation 8:3-4 As I walked pass the pipes of the furnace, sticking through the roof, I noticed a plume of steam. I was reminded of incense that is used during mass. It is a visual, and smell that reminds us that the prayers are being lifted on a cloud to heaven. Of course, I had to stop and say a prayer. I think it is important to live in the moment. When seeing smoke, say a prayer asking that they be lifted to heaven. The little moments help to connect this world with our heavenly world. Life is with God is good, all the time on the path…

  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 I do believe that Lent is about returning to balance…peace. There is something in the moments of sunrise and sunset that give pause. Pause. Today press pause on you life. A moment to catch your breath, to reset, to recalculate what is important and who is walking with you. What do you feed you mind? Your body? Your soul? Press pause. Find peace, His peace before you press play again on the path…

  Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35 Gentle snowflakes, each unique peppering the ground. Silence, with a hot cup of tea. Darkness slowly lifts; snow shakes free from the heavens as the earth becomes whiter. Sunday morning whispering in a solitary place to pray. Wind and snow speak of peace. About this time of year, many are looking forward to spring, yet on mornings like this, I am reminded to be patient for spring and Easter will come. We must go through with patience, knowing this to shall pass. Instead of wishing moments away enjoy them, be present, sip your coffee or tea and know He is present on the path…

 “And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, 'Why could we not cast it out?” (the demon) So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:28-29) Prayer and fasting. The business of life, messiness, can prevent us from prayer and fasting. Yet, if you really want, need, and believe one must include prayer and fasting to repeat healing. My husband and I went shopping today. We were looking at something that we didn’t need. As we discussed it, I found myself saying, “If it is something we really want, we will make it happen; we always do.” Faith: prayer and fasting are like that.    Healing isn’t always a cure from an illness; it is the recognition of God’s presence that provides peace. Today, add some time to fast from and pray, so that God is with you on the path…

  Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6 This Lent, I am letting God lead me. No set plan. No Lenten books. Only silence to listen for His whispering. The verse from Isaiah resonates with me…is it a whispering to search for injustice in my life? Is it a whisper to loose chains; untie the cords of the yoke? Is Lent about being sent free? A student posed this question: if God is all powerful then why is there pain and suffering? Why can’t God just make the world perfect? My reply shocked even me…Go back to Genesis …you are to be fruitful and multiply..not about procreation… but about the gifts, talent, grace He has given you …why? Because we are co-creators of this earth. We are to have dominion and subdue it. But because of human evolvement life is messy. We have the canvas…what a tremendous gift. So, yes, Lent is about getting rid of injustice, loos...

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. “Matthew 6:16 I have heard a lot of people talking about fasting as a way to cleanse their bodies. Fasting has become a buzz action. Yet I find it ironic that when the season to fast is upon us, there are complaints. Truly, during this time we should fast from a vice, a bad habit to feast on a virtue or a good habit. The goal is to have solidified the new habit as a life long character. This is not easy. Yet, I am joyful for the time to fast from something that is a stone in my path preventing the waters of life to flow. Today think about the stones in your path that prevent the water of life to flow in you on the path…

  Ash Wednesday I see you in the flashes of lightning In the darken sky over the lake, I hear you in the wind, Trees rustling, flags flapping all awake. I feel you in the warm breeze, A reprieve from the cold north winds. I start Lent knowing you are present And the journey now begins.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 Hope. Hope’s symbol is the anchor. I chose Romans 15:4 to remind us that scripture provides hope for our lives. I don’t think I could ever exhaust the study of scripture. In this Era there are so many commentaries and companions for one who wants to study scripture. Scripture provides us with hope, not so that we can hoard it, but so that we can provide it to others, on the path…

 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 Eros. What are your passions? Do they bring God closer or add distance? What’s in your blood? As we approach Lent, it is a good time to ask yourself these questions. As I watch the Olympics, I know their passions, especially when their sportsmanship comes out. I love creating items and trying to use that love of crafting to share with others. Guard your heart, but today make sure those things you put in your heart point towards God and allow God to walk with you on the path…

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 Today’s scripture verse is a quick reminder to guide your day. My day started at 2 am. Just one of those mornings. I fell asleep early, so I’m up early. Grading, writing, and just enjoying the quiet. Yesterday, I received a dozen long-stemmed roses at school. I thought it rather funny that people asked who they were from…my reply, “My husband, I hope.”  I spread the love by giving a few away. The best reaction was when I asked my granddaughter to be my Valentine and presented her with a rose. Her response, “Oh WOW.” Needless to say, even a girl of seven appreciates a rose! I always need to be on guard not to be selfish, not to be about me. Mental health is important to me, as I do struggle with anxiety and depression. Yet I find getting out of my head and thinking of others to help, yet I am always on guard. Today, remember together we can be on guard, stand firm in faith, be courageous, an...

Tomorrow, being Valentine’s Day has got me thinking about love. I know my husband loves me because…he runs to the restore to pick up specific tiles so my class can do a project or because supper is always ready…or because he will wake up and drive me to work even if he had just put the granddaughter to bed at three AM. However, I know he loves me deeply because he lives out this scripture passage: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8. I pray I show him the same deep love, and those around me on the path…

  Winter white snow, with the sun reflection off it, can make a path hard to see. Roads become questionable during snowstorms and sometimes we lose our way. Our faith journey can be like that. When events happen, and we need to start new paths we are hesitant because the road isn’t quite passable. Take heart today. Set your direction for the Lord states: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8) So take that leap of faith, or keep traveling knowing God is always there on the path…

  “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:2 What is your passion? What matters most to you? “Everything you do flows from it.” That is, a person knows what matters most to you because of how your life unfolds… your passions. What matters most to you is your heart revealed. We have physicals for a heart check-up, but do we do a personal check-up on our hearts' desires? February is a great time to do a heart check and get rid of those excess desires and passions that cloud true heart desires. I admit, I love God, and my desire is always to do God’s will. However, there are times I lose focus and replace my love for God with other desires. This week we will celebrate Valentine’s Day. It is a good time to remember to send God a “will you be my valentine” message on the path…

  And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 I have been thinking a lot about my Lenten journey this year. Mainly because of all the adds to get this or that Lenten reflection booklets. I’ll admit, I’m tired of others words. This year I wanted to hear God. So I have decided to try something different. Each day of lent I am going to try to get rid of excess so that I can see, hear, and feel God in my life. I might take a picture that helps me to see God. I might talk with a friend and the conversation was like talking with God. I might just sit and silence…sit by a campfire, or have a glass of wine with a “sister”. So, stay tune as I chip away the excess in my life to reveal God, and who God has created me to be on the path…

 This year’s reflections during lent will be: Chipping Away The Excess  Stay tune as Lent starts February 18th!

  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 Sometimes, finding moments with God is difficult. Business gets in our way, or for me, sometimes I just have a lot of stuff in my head. That is why it is important to have reminders, even if it is to gaze upon it and remember to give your day to God. This photo is my desk. I have these to remind me who I really work for, or walk with. I have placed other reminders so that through out the day, I have little moments with God. Today, think of ways you can have little moments by placing scripture quotes, pictures, etc. to remind you of you journey of faith on the 

  Blessed the one concerned for the poor; on a day of misfortune, the Lord delivers him. The Lord keeps and preserves him, makes him blessed in the land, and does not betray him to his enemies.” Psalm 41:2-3 Blessed. Today’s scripture verse talks about someone who is blessed. Yesterday, in one of my classes I ask my students why they believe what they do. Their answer, we were raised that way. I told them that wasn’t good enough. It was time to dig deep and be able to articulate to others they why of their beliefs. There will be those who will question and challenge, there will be times when events happen that will make them search the depth of their souls…reach deep and be able to, in your own words tell your why…no plagiarizing…know your why… why do you believe what you believe on the path…

“It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society: If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 This weekend my husband took the littles out to the soccer field which has some berms on it. They are just high enough to have the littles experience sledding. I went out to watch and lend a hand if needed. I ended up falling, of course. The last time as my husband looked at me flat on my back he said, “Well you might as well make a snow angel while you are down there.” We of course we laughed. My autistic granddaughter had already started hers. She knows how much I love making snow angels. Yet it was nice to have someone to help me up when I fell. What are friends for? (Other than sharing head-colds with!) Having friends, whether family or friends to help you up is important. Sometimes we get caught up in our lives we forget to re...

 “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35 Happy Sunday. To never be hungry or thirsty, what a promise! I do believe that God can provide for physical needs because there are people out there who are the hands and feet of God. However, there is more to physical needs to satisfying a person's hunger and thirst. How many people out there are hungry for companionship and thirst for community? How many are hungry for answers and thirst for healing? How many hunger for peace and thirst for justice? Look at the person next to you and see what they hunger and thirst for. Look at your community and see what hunger there is and who are the thirsty. Then put on the hands and feet of the Lord and go out, bring to those who are hungry and thirsty the food and drink they need on the path…