Thursday, September 21, 2017

The Fruit of the Spirit!

Let's get right down to business.  What ARE the fruits of the Spirit that we are to live by?  

LOVE
JOY
PEACE
PATIENCE
KINDNESS
GOODNESS
FAITHFULNESS
GENTLENESS
SELF-CONTROL

I would love to just take the time to encourage everyone to think about these 9 acts that we should be living by.  

Often times this topic is discussed with Sunday School classes and children.  There are catchy songs, bright colors, and seemingly child-like activities centered around this verse.

 But why can we not apply these awesome Fruits to our own lives?!  We absolutely can!  

Ask yourself this: How can I bring more joy into this world? In what ways can I have peace within and bring it to the outside?  Can I be more patient with others? What acts of kindness can I do for others?  Am I behaving in a way that provides goodness to others?  You get the idea.  These 9 Fruits are so simple on paper, but can be very complicated to execute on a day to day basis.  

I ask you to write down those 9 Fruits, stick it in your wallet, and look at them often. 
 Sometimes it just takes a simple reminder!  




Friday, September 8, 2017

September 11, 2001: Sixteen years after

September 11, 2001: It was early morning when every television channel was taken over by horrific news... a commercial jet had struck the twin towers in New York City, then a second plane.  Then there was a third plane that hit the Pentagon, and the fourth plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania.  Most of us remember every detail from that scary morning: what we were doing at the time we heard the news, how scared and confused we felt, and what our plan of action was going to be.  


Almost 3,000 people were killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and it was the deadliest day in history for New York City firefighters: 343 were killed.

Sixteen years later, our country is still at war with Islamic extremist groups and countries.  The aftermath of 9/11 bleeds into the present state and future of America.  

Genesis 9:11 (the irony!) says, "...And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth."  


With everything going on in this world today- Floods, nuclear arms race, deadly fires, terrorist acts, division of country- we can find peace in knowing that our God knows all things, loves all of His people, and will protect them.  Let us take some time to contemplate today, and over the weekend, to think of all the different ways that our Lord lifts us up during our trials and tribulations.  Let us thank Him, trust him, and use his love and wisdom to help others who may not know Him. "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds,". (Psalms 147:3)

God Bless, and see you at Celebration Services this weekend!