“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness,…
And The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Patience… Part III
“This is what the Lord Almighty God of Israel says to those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too will have…
And the Fruit of the Spirit is… Patience, Part II
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” Isaiah 49: 15 Monday evening was rushed, many things happening all at once. Two of my girls were arguing and needed disciplined, my workload for the day…
And the Fruit of The Spirit is… Patience, Part I
“Love is patient,” I Corinthians 13:4 I asked my girls what might be a topic for my blog this week. One suggested patience. It’s been our busiest summer in quite a few years, and the first summer mom’s been busy writing during the day. (I half-wondered if she were trying to point out something to me!)…
Growing Guidance, Part V
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls down and has no one to help him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Staked for the Storms When planting larger plants we often stake them. We want…
Growing Guidance, Part IV
“You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” Luke 10:41b- 42a “Sonshine” Plants can grow, but won’t thrive without light. A few years ago, one of our daughters tested an interesting science project. She planted a seed in soil within a jar covered with aluminum foil. After several weeks, she…
Growing Guidance, Part III
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 Frequent Feedings Great soil and proper watering provide a great foundation for a garden. Fertilization helps plants thrive and produce more. How do we “fertilize” our spiritual lives? Some examples include: reading a book on a newer subject…
Growing Guidance, Part II
Frequent Watering “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 Once you’ve established your plants in good soil, you must water them frequently to help them thrive. If you water a plant with too little water, the roots are stretching, searching for more. Best case scenario, these…
Growing Guidance: Part I
Planted in Fertile Soil I’m not a great gardener. Every spring I attempt to coax forth a beautiful array of blooms proclaiming my green thumb. But my garden tends to shout “I’m neglected!” as its loudest proclamation. As I gazed out into the garden this weekend I was excited to see many vegetable plants growing…
Desperate for Distraction
“Fix your eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,” Hebrews 12:2a I organized a Moms Bible Study this summer. We meet at a park every week, and the children play while we focus on Scripture. Or, we try to focus on Scripture. The last day we met, we settled at our picnic…