W.I.S.E. Bible Study

  “ Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out, and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:17 New beginnings. Looking out the window of a winery, tasting wine, I am reminded of new wineskins. Yes, new wineskins. As a child of God, I am constantly striving to be worthy of my new wineskin. Scripture guides us when we want to be a child of God. The life of a Christian is about keeping our wineskins new in Christ. To do so, we need to read scripture and have a conversation with God. Sometimes people want you to return to the old wineskins, but persistence can prevail. A new wineskin for the new wine; that is, the blood of Christ to live by. In my new wineskins, both I and the way of Christ are preserved. The rain, heavy at times, accompanied our day of wine tasting. Blessings as we explore the path…

  “And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.” 1Kings 8:61 Committed. Sometimes we must realign. To be committed to one thing means letting go of another. When I was in school, carrying 21 credits and raising three children, my sewing was put away. Being committed means finding what is important and eliminating anything that deters from what you want to be committed to. Commitment to God is hard. First, I need to spend time studying scripture and praying. Knowing what God expects of me is my priority.   I am committed to God and my family. This summer I have cleaned clutter, and will continue to reflect, pray in order to stay committed on the path….

  “Many are the plans of the human heart, but it is the decision of the Lord that endures.” Proverbs 19:21 Garden in blossom. As I watch the bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators feed on nectar from my blossoming garden, I am reminded that it is essential to be patient and allow God’s plans to unfold. I don’t know how many times I thought I knew what I should be doing, or where God is taking me, but I find that when I truly listen and let God’s plans unfold, it is more than I had ever hoped for.   I never had visions of being a High School teacher, but I have found that I have a teacher’s heart, and I am exactly where I belong. My husband started as a farmer and ended up being a firefighter, enjoying a good career where he was often in the right place at the right time. There is a saying about not trying to put a round peg in a square hole, and sometimes I think life is like that when we force our way and do not allow God’s way to prevail. I have learned as a g...

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 Cleaning House. This summer, we have had a renovation project. You know how it goes. You do something in one room, then you have stuff to go through and decide if you are going to keep it or not. The last cleaning project I had to do was part of the basement. Thirty years of totes to go through, including my sewing area. I am happy to say that I finished and had time for a date night with my husband. Jesus tells us to come to him because he knows a secret in life. Life is better when two or more people work together. Today, think about those people who help you shoulder burdens, starting with Christ, and thank God for them. Think about how Jesus’ yoke is easy, and his burdens are light, and know that finding those w...

Growth. Today’s Gospel is from Matthew 13:1-9. “But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.” (Mt. 13:8-9) How is your garden growing? Mine is a menagerie of flowering weeds, flowers, and a few garden vegetables. I don’t mind because the weeds I kept were for insects. The bees, dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies love the plants.   At night, the lightning bugs flicker their light in the darkness. The rich soil can produce both weeds and plants that are dubbed desirable. The analogy of seeds being shown that Jesus uses is to remind us that for us to grow, seeds must be planted in good soil. Plants also need nutrients, sun (or light), and water. The weeds will also grow, but it is up to us to see the beauty in what people have determined to be a weed. I love Queen Anne’s lace. Even a few thistles are good for the soil, and the insects love them. The care comes in not letting them overrun the garden. The...

  “Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord,' and what he told her.” John 20:18 Today is the feast of Mary of Magdala. There is much to be said about her. John’s gospel begins her conversation, where others, like Mary herself, tell of what Jesus told her. Other Gospels, not found in the Bible, discuss Mary and her connections and conversations with Jesus. We must hear the truth and the extent of women’s voices, because Jesus was inclusive, not exclusive. I think this is needed more than ever. I will be posting quotes from Pope Francis. Women, and all marginalized stories, must be heard on the path...   “The organization of societies worldwide is still far from reflecting clearly that women possess the same dignity and identical rights as men. We say one thing with words, but our decisions and reality tell another story. Indeed, “doubly poor are those women who endure situations of exclusion, mistreatment and violence, since they are freque...

  “ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3 Hope in Christ. Why is hope in Christ so important? For me, it is a reminder that nothing is impossible. It also reminds me that God loves me and is walking with me as that living hope. Hope is important. Life without hope is darkness and despair. Last night, my husband, family, and I went to a restaurant on the lake. I was unsure as a person with food allergies, as it can be challenging to find a restaurant to eat at. However, they had a great menu. Yet the hope found was in spending time with family, the beautiful lake view, and running into old friends.   Hope is found in the little things in life that are big. Family members to share time with, friends that are tried and true, and beautiful scenery and good eats. Life is too short not to find hope, and it sta...