There’s something about scripture that the more I read it and appreciate the more I’m aware that I need to understand how I can bridge the gap between what it says and how I live. That’s not just an individual consideration. It affects how I view the nature of how we gather as the called […]
Read More Exploring Ephesians: Opening NotesLately I have found certain activities to be grounding. By that I mean they give me a sense of purpose and definition for the day ahead. These activities can take place on a daily basis or on a weekly basis. I haven’t got round to set activities on a monthly or quarterly basis, but I’m […]
Read More Exploring Ephesians: A PreludeMy friend would not feel comfortable sitting in on a church gathering that I’ve attended from time to time. It can come across as formulaic, the programme and structure appears to demand a certain formality. The way people dress doesn’t look too relaxed and being talked at for half an hour to 45 minutes is […]
Read More Intentional Investments in IntimacyI have to admit it. I am prone to rather loud and exuberant expressions of praise. It will sometimes come out like a roar. It can sometimes emit from me like a euphoric cry. This is often backed up with heaps of tears and dramatic body movements. I am not ashamed of it. It’s a […]
Read More A Breathtaking ContemplationI love me some October. It’s a great month. It’s the official end of any hope of summer lingering. It’s the beginning of the cold coming in big time, meaning more warm clothes and reasons to stay inside in the company of good friends and family. It’s the beginning of the last quarter of the […]
Read More Hello October: Dryden Thinks Out LoudIt 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)
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