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![]() I am about to visit my 104 year old friend Ruth and then head on into Cambridge for a silent retreat at the monastery of Society of St. John the Evangelist. For four days I will follow the daily office along with the brothers in the chapel, eat with them in silence, and have spiritual direction with one of them. I will sit in silence, praying and meditating in the chapel; I will walk along the Charles River. The only reading material I am taking with me is a small journal and my Bible. Jesus tells me only to take what I need.
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![]() Sometimes I have to make a big reach in choosing a photo to accompany the quotes or messages on my blogs. I consider not adding one at all, and leaving it only to words. But that feels to cerebral, defying the mood and message I want to convey. Today is definitely one of those days. And so I have chosen photos from my July 2022 visit to Iona, photos that I included in the little booklet I created about Hope. When times are challenging, let us remember Emily Dickinson's message- “Hope” is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all - ![]() As a Christian, self-control means following Jesus. Believing that I can't do this alone means giving up my own self-control so I can release God's self-control. I did as promised, I had self-control, and commente on each fruit of the spirit as listed in Paul's letter to the Galatians. … the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, patience, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. Galatians 5:22-23. ![]() #8 Gentleness. I am gentle except when I am not. Enough said: BE GENTLE! May my teaching drop like the rain, my speech condense like the dew, like gentle rain on grass, like showers on new growth. Deuteronomy 32:2 After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a quiet, gentle sound. Kings 19:12 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29 ….gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. Galatians 5:23 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5 Who is wise and knowledgeable among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. James 3:13 ![]() #7 Faithfulness. Faithfulness is often associated with religion, but we can be faithful in other ways. We can be faithful to people--a spouse, family, friends. We can be faithful to a job, a pet, a commitment for our wellbeing. I try to be faithful in going to bed at a usual time, to emailing a friend every week, to walking every day. I am very faithful in getting the coffee ready before I go to bed. Faithfulness can be trivial, but when it is profound, we know it and do our best to stay faithful. And that is when faithfulness slips over to that spiritual realm and we hear someone say, "I'm spiritual but not religious," or go even further, confessing that they are religious. And with that, the spiritual becoming implicit. That is the piece I posted today in cottagebythesea.net. As a Christian I try to be faithful in following Jesus. Being spiritual and religious is all encompassing and consuming. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1-2 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Mark 10:52 ![]() #6 Generosity Christians are called to be generous. We know that. Although scripture doesn't use the word often, the implication is there for us. Love suggests generosity. We reap what we sow, so if we want generosity for ourselves, we must be generous to others. Generosity is positive, abundance for the good. I suppose I can be generous with vitriolic words or deeds, but that isn't the point here. I don't need to do that; you know what I'm getting at. Be generous in thought, word, and deed. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Psalm 112:5 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. Luke 12:33 ![]() #5 Kindness Kindness is not some lofty ideal to work toward; rather we can practice it throughout the day, not just with the big things but with the little things. We all know that we should be kind. We were taught that as kids, sometimes as a correction to some not-so-kind behavior. As adults, however, our kindness is more proactive, more positive, often acknowledging the kindness of others. Scripture is replete with the word: kind as a verb, kindness as a noun. Take your pick. However we read it, we know the implication, BE Kind. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 Love is patient and kind. 1 Corinthians 13: 4 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Luke 6:35 ![]() # 4 Patience Those of us brought up in a Christian home may remember our mother saying to us, "Patience in a virtue." I can picture my mom doing so and can even recall her intonation. For sure patience is a fruit of the spirit. When I lack patience, when impatience bubbles from within me, God is nowhere to be seen or heard. I do not sense God's spirit; it does not exist in my consciousness. By your [patient] endurance [empowered by the Holy Spirit] you will gain your souls. Luck 21:19 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:25 With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…. Psalm 37:7 ![]() # 3 Peace Peace seems to be the key to attaining each of the other fruits of the spirit. When I feel peace, I feel all the others: love, joy I express them, I live them: patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, patience, gentleness, and self-control Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:18 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 ![]() # 2 Joy, the second fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23) Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, "Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. Philippians 4: 4-5. But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11 Joy is a noun, something I feel, long for and try to reach. But joy comes to life as a verb; it becomes transactional as I rejoice in the Lord. I rejoice when I thank God, when I feel the joy God has given me. In receiving this gift of the spirit, I respond to God's grace and mercy, joyful. |
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