The Fruit of Kindness. “The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23. “Beloved children, our love can’t be an abstract theory we only talk about, but a way of life demonstrated through our loving deeds. We know that truth lives within us because we demonstrate …
The Fruit of Patience. “The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23. “The Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each …
The Fruit of the Spirit in the Garden of the Heart (Introduction). “You must think of yourself as of one setting out to make a garden in which the Lord is to take his delight.” (Teresa of Avila). “The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Gal. …
The Fruit of Peace. “The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23). The Fruit is Love. The “fruit” of the Spirit in Galatians 5 is stated in the singular, not the plural “fruits.” This implies that the first and primary virtue noted, Love, is the …
The Fruit of Joy. “From frowning saints, good Lord, deliver us! (Theresa of Avila). “The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). The Fruit is Love. The “fruit” of the Spirit in Galatians 5 is stated in the singular, not the plural “fruits.” This implies …
A Rabbi Looks at Faith and Justice. I have been drawn to social activism for most of my life, especially as I started to see things more widely in the world in college. I have focused on racial reconciliation, civil rights, and pro-life activities for the most part. Rabbi Heschel has meant a lot to …
To begin the House Blessing, everyone present gathers in the living room. An official leader, eg., a priest or a pastor, can be invited if desired. It is often recommended that you alternate leadership and reading from room to room. That way, more people can participate and take ownership as you pray through the house. …
On Worship as Lifestyle. “Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? With eyes wide open to His mercies, here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: I encourage you, as a act of sensible, intelligent worship, to surrender yourselves to God to be His sacred, living sacrifice. Make …
Living the Bible. Why did so many of the Pharisees get straight A’s in Old Testament Survey classes but flunked the Messiah course? After all, they were scholars of Scripture, they knew every word intimately. Yet they somehow missed the prophesied Messiah when He was staring them in the face. Maybe they were more interested …
Icons – Windows to Heaven Icon is the Greek word for image or likeness. All of us are living icons, made in the image of God. Jesus is also a living icon, since “He is the image, the exact likeness of the unseen God.” (Colossians 1:15). An icon is not an object to study or …
The Just War. Many of you know that I declared as a conscientious objector during the Viet Nam war. I was a pacifist, because I had a difficult time imagining myself aiming a gun at another human being and pulling the trigger, especially during an unjust. immoral war like Viet Nam. Through the years I have …
Goofy Dad Stories (11) – The Danger of Elastic Waistbands. This story goes way back, to when I was a mere lad of four. So, it’s ancient history, 64 years ago and counting. But it’s still funny. We were of course living in Rockford, Illinois. My parents had many friends from church, and often invited …