The scripture for today, April 7 (4/7, is Proverbs 4:7 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:
“Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
The verse just before this says, “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.” And the verse just after today’s says, “Esteem her and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.”
How do we get wisdom? The Bible is full of it. Proverbs was written by Solomon, the wisest man in the world. Just reading and applying Proverbs would give a person Wisdom. And the entire Old Testament gives examples of numerous people through the centuries who did or did not do right, and the result of their decisions.
Many religious people neglect the Old Testament. It is not always pleasant reading. But by reading it, we can avoid the mistakes made by many, and perhaps gain courage to imitate the courageous ones who made the right choices.
How about reading the Bible through every year? To read both the Old and New Testament through in a year would take about 20 minutes a day. Some people have read the entire Bible front to back forty or fifty times. Make this a priority and you may be surprised how much is absorbed into your being, your life.
High school students ‘walk up’ to spread messages of joy and love during national school walkout
By KELLY MCCARTHY
Mar 15, 2018, 2:51 PM ET
Courtesy Danielle Carlson
One Michigan high school came up with a positive way to have students and faculty participate in Wednesday’s National School Walkout by spreading joy and love within the school’s walls.
“The idea for walkups was to encourage each other and we wanted everyone to be proactive, but take the opportunity to strengthen our educational community” Aquan Grant, principal at Arbor Preparatory High School, told ABC News.
Courtesy Chandler Lach
Students and faculty at Arbor Preparatory High School in Michigan filled the halls of their campus with post-it notes that had words of love and encouragement.more +
Grant brainstormed with other administrators about Wednesday’s event to honor the 17 lives lost one month prior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. They ultimately decided that the notion of having students and teachers walk up to their peers and share positive messages, quotes and other uplifting notions would be more powerful than a moment of silence.
“We thought about doing 17 seconds of silence, but realized that’s not enough,” Grant said. “One of our math teachers suggested going around the school and leaving post-it notes with uplifting messages.”
Courtesy Danielle Carlson
One of the notes left by faculty and students at Arbor Preparatory High School in Michigan that filled the halls of their campus with words of love and encouragement.more +
When class started at 9:25 a.m. all 313 students received 17 post-its to write their uplifting notes — 14 to put on student lockers and another three to give to teachers. The notes included a range of messages from famous inspirational quotes to compliments for specific students and teachers.
Courtesy Danielle Carlson
A door at Arbor Preparatory High School in Michigan covered with post-it notes that had words of love and encouragement.
Principal Grant made an announcement over the loudspeaker at 10 a.m., the time of the nationwide walkout, saying they would take that time to acknowledge the event and spread their words of encouragement on the lockers and classroom doors.
“Going around and doing the walk ups is going to sit with them and those messages will create lasting impressions,” Grant said. “It was such an amazing day. All the students, teachers and parents loved it and our assistant principal Danielle Carlson was able to capture it in such an amazing way.”
Many of the teachers and students told Grant they “feel encouraged to continue to lift each other up during hard times.”
“It was an overwhelmingly powerful and positive experience for everyone involved.”
Fellow teacher Heather Snoeberger told Grant “[I] was overly impressed with how the students embraced the activity both in the classroom and in the hallways.”
“It was a huge morale boost that we all needed,” Snoeberger added. “It seemed to successfully turn a very negative fixation on a horrific situation into a team building, family time.”
The scripture for today, April 2 (4/2), isExodus 4:2f as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:
“Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he replied.”
God had just called Moses to go into Egypt and free his people from their slavery ~ one man against an entire nation. Moses objected that he couldn’t do it. Five times In Exodus 3 and 4 he argued with God. “BUT I’m not famous,” “BUT they won’t believe I come from the God of their ancestors,” “BUT they won’t believe God sent me, “BUT I’m not a good speaker,” “JUST send someone else.”
Then God replied, “What is that in your hand?”.
Moses had a staff. God showed him how to use it to perform miracles. Today, are you using excuses to claim there is nothing you can do to show the love of God? “What is that in your hand?” It is a steering wheel, a shovel, thread, a computer, a spoon, a wrench, a cookbook, a band-aid. Whatever is in your hand, God can use to bless people through you.
God does not take ‘no’ for an answer. God challenges you. He wants to stretch you to do what you think you cannot do. You are God’s hands and feet. Go ahead. Use them. Today.
Chap. 9 ~ Lebbeus Thaddeus: Quest to the Great Beyond
Chap. 10 ~ Sinners & Saints: Come Unto Me
His apostles refused to believe, while Thomas declared him God. Jesus dared and prepared his apostles to conquer the world. He interrupted his own memorial service And renewed five hundred of his closest friendships. He helped his brother, James, over the last faith hurdle, Turned the movement over to his apostles, Then returned at last to the outstretched arms of his heavenly Father. Religious leaders fought in vain to put out the new church’s torch, And Jesus invited the last apostle to visit him in heaven.
The scripture for today, March 31 (3/31), is Mark 3:31ffas found in the New Testament of the Bible:
“Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him andthey told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.’ ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ he asked. Then helooked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is mybrother and sister and mother.’ “
Do we need a mediator between Jesus and ourselves? Jesus said his followers are his brothers, sisters, and mother. We do not need anyone to intercede and beg Jesus to give us special attention. He already gives us special attention. After all, we are his family.
Chap. 10 ~ Big Little James & Alphaeus: Desert of Sighs
Pilate was cornered by the people, Simon was cornered by the executioners. Jesus writhed in pain on the cross that should have been ours And invaded hell to provide escape for us. The thieves struggled with their mortality, Joseph struggled with religiosity, the guards struggled with impossibility. Jesus saw the women, pursued Peter, And enlightened the depressed.
Chap. 3 ~Citizens of Kingdom Earth: Day Extraordinaire
Chap. 4 ~ Grecians: Shores of a Broader World
Chap. 5 ~ Sacrificial Lamb: God Essence
Chap. 6 ~ Judas II: Fallen Star
Chap. 7 ~ Angel & the Devil: Citadel of Shadows
Chap. 8 ~Deserters: Power in the Breaking
Chap. 9 ~ Annus & Caiaphas: High and Unmighty
Chap. 10 ~ Herod Antipas: Shadow Boxing
A traitor praised him, a woman crowned him, foreigners sought him. The world ran after him, Judas ran from him, his apostles deserted him. He held his own funeral service, then begged God to free him of his promise. The religious leaders were unmasked, And Herod wrestled with just who he was.
“Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
