It occurred to me near the end of August that I was eating far too much chocolate. Again. At times of excess there is time for cutting out stuff that should only be taken in moderation. As the chocolate intake had risen, so the fruit intake had decreased. In itself the two are not really […]
Read More Fruit Reflections (The Fruit Series 29)In a previous entry I wrote about self-control. As is often the case, when I write about something, not only is it something that connects with past experience, it also says something about what I am about to experience. Over the course of the day with the various challenges presented to test the capacity of […]
Read More My Dad and MeeknessSelf-control is one of the most fascinating aspects of the fruit of the Spirit. Paul is insistent in telling the church in Galatia that there are two forces at war with each other: the flesh and the Spirit. He outlines what the works of the flesh are – so we know what marks out people […]
Read More Fruit of the Spirit: Self Control (The Fruit Series 28)The fruit of gentleness is a worthy way of knowing that God lives in you. It is difficult to be gentle when aggravating factors are around. It is difficult to be gentle when disappointment, dismay and disaster strikes. It is difficult to be gentle when there’s a great sense of jubilation at a wrong made right. […]
Read More Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness (The Fruit Series 27)Shoes are an interesting part of my family life. My Dad trusted his shoes. He ensured that whatever shoes he wore would last him a long time. Part of that was about his maintenance, but a big part of that was about the choice of shoes he wore. He could rely on them to take […]
Read More Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness (The Fruit Series 26)Never underestimate something useful. One understanding of the word goodness is usefulness. There is a word that is not given the kudos it deserves at times. It’s taken for granted because a number of useful things are considered to be standard fare for the life we live. Clothing, food, utensils, devices, systems, methods and techniques […]
Read More Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness (The Fruit Series 25)Qualities that emerge because of the indwelling Holy Spirit have a beautiful flow to them. Such is the flow that it makes sense that they are not seen as fruits of the Spirit, but fruit. Love, joy, peace and patience are complimentary and for that to then be followed by kindness (or gentleness) further supports […]
Read More Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness (The Fruit Series 24)Do you know how to play to win the waiting game? When I was a child, along with my two siblings, there were times where we had the ‘joy’ of accompanying my parents to one of the homes of their friends. Their friends didn’t have children our age. This was the time before electronic devices […]
Read More Playing the Waiting GameThe fruit of the Spirit express the character of Christ. God in us through His Spirit reveals God to others in how we are. This is seen particularly in the characteristic of patience. Considering patience is fascinating in a world that promotes speed as a great quality. In that kind of world something that takes […]
Read More Fruit of the Spirit: Patience (The Fruit Series 23)A great benefit of singing certain songs is that there is within them fundamental truths that can resonate in a way that reading them may not impact. There’s a line in one song that in particular is appropriate for the reflection on peace. That lyric simply states: the world didn’t give it, the world can’t […]
Read More Fruit of the Spirit: Peace (The Fruit Series 22)
Life With CD 