Humble, Gentle, Patient



Fruit of the Spirit

 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,

bearing with one another in love.”

Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)


We can’t turn on and off humility and gentleness as we do a water spigot. We shouldn’t choose to be humble one day and haughty the next.

Gentleness should be worn every day. Once we ask Jesus into our hearts, we belong to God at all times. We are to model Him before those in our lives.

When we feel ourselves getting worked up over an issue, we have to ask ourselves if God would be angry over the situation. If He would, then we should carefully conduct ourselves according to His instruction and guidance.

When we exercise patience, we tell those around us that we still love them-in spite of the circumstances.

I, for one, need to work on this in one area of my life.

A Humbling Thought

God's Calming Watchfulness

Sunday, March 13, 2011, as I was getting ready for church, my mind kept focusing on the items I had that the people in the northern part of Japan no longer had.

Things like hot water, water coming from a faucet, clean drinking water, electricity, heat, food, clean clothes, transportation, and housing came to mind. Items we usually take for granted or don’t even think about.

The next day, I thought of hair brushes, toothbrushes, drinking glasses, plates, silverware, blankets, telephones, cell phones, computers, grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, and newspapers.

Several years ago I wrote about how blessed we were if we had the basics. At that time I made a replica of a solar cooking stove to as a visual aid for a mission project for Haiti. The women there cooked on a small structure made from cardboard and covered with aluminum foil.

As people living in the 21st Century, we have to be more mindful of the basic items needed for living. Our church participated in putting together hygiene kits for the arm of our denomination that reaches out to those in disaster-torn areas. Most of us may never have to go through something like the earthquake, tsunami, and the nuclear catastrophe but we should have the tenderness of heart to find a way to help, in a small way, to alleviate the need. Our community gathered at our church for Chicken Noodle dinner and a concert on the late afternoon and evening of Palm Sunday with the proceeds going to help alleviate the needs in Japan.

Humble Ourselves

“If my people, who are called by my name

will humble themselves and pray. . . .”

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

“If my people . . .”God speaks through Solomon, the wisest man in the world, to communicate to us what we must do in order for us to find resolution to our nation’s problems.

“. . . who are called by my name . . .” God further defines about whom he speaks. He calls for the church-going Christians to listen. The Lord has a message for us. That’s right He’s talking about us, you and me.

“. . . will humble themselves . . .” What do we have to do to do this? Might we have to put into practice the words of Paul in Philippians 2: 2-4? According to Paul, we are to put the needs of others before our own. If we look at the passage from 2 Chronicles, we see that God tells us to humble ourselves before we begin to pray. God expects us to push our wants and needs aside and focus on Him.

       I have had times when I start to pray and all I can do is sit and listen. During these times, I feel His presence with me. We receive His blessings when we empty our minds of ourselves and wait for God’ presence to enfold us.

“. . . and pray . . . .” Our God, the creator of the universe wants us to talk to Him. I can’t imagine a more humbling thought. He wants to hear from us; God, from whom all blessing flow, waits to hear from little you and me.


It is my desire to see this scripture verse lived out. I want to apply these words of God to my heart and see the promised outcome that He will “hear from heaven” and heal our land.

Taking a Break

For the first time since I started this blog, I am going to unplug from blogging for two weeks.

        * I have been taking an online class and I need to focus on the information I have received.

        *Also, I am trying to do some research on a topic for this blog for the month of October. 

        *My house needs some TLC.
        * I want to get my writing room in better shape.
       * Our son is wanting to come home for Thanksgiving and I need to spruce things up for that.

I believe God is in this. I have to obey. Please keep me in your prayers. 

In Perfect Peace

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind

is steadfast because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)



“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isa 26:3 (KJV)



As we go through life, we have times of uncertainty, uneasiness, and depression. We begin to feel that we are alone in our walk with God.

It is when we find ourselves feeling as though we have been painted into a corner that we find out certain things about life. We realize what’s important. We discover Who can help us and wants to help us. We learn exactly how precious relationships are to us.

When we proceed through a time of difficulty or an illness, our own or that of a family member, we can get through it if we keep our eyes on the Lord.

People have been striving for peace since God cast Adam and Eve out of Eden. When mankind forges a peace with each other, the world greets is with favor but it is always short lived.

From time to time in my generation, there have been movements promoting peace. They fade from the forefront of the scene whenever an act of war occurs. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus. When He comes again to Earth; we will have lasting peace because He is the Prince of Peace.

God’s Peace

“The Lord gives strength to his people;

the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

Psalms 29:11 (NIV)



This verse describes what I believe has happened in my one friend’s life. God has made her strong. She and her sister were in worship service two days after being told she had Cancer. She smiled and responded when I reached across my pew to shake hands with her sister and her.

As I made my way back to my seat at the end of the time of greeting one another, I stopped to give her a hug. (Yes, we hug at my church.) She told me she would know more sometime the upcoming week.

As the congregation began a time of intercessory prayer, another friend came across the back of the Sanctuary, sat down beside this lady and held her hand. I reached around in back me to join in prayer for the one who faces this fearful diagnosis.

As I reflect on that day’s service, I am reminded of the peace she had in her smile and her eyes- a peace that only comes from the Lord.

I believe my friend is at peace with all this. I know she believes we serve an awesome God.



______

 Glenna H, who received this diagnosis, went to be with the Lord on August 11, 2011. She received divine healing-the best healing. My tribute to her is posted on .August 18, 2011

Perfect Peace

“And the peace of God which transcends all understanding

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7 (NIV)



God’s peace-the serenity we experience when we know He is in control- is

difficult to comprehend until we fully trust in Him.

Even when we know God is in charge, we have times where events of life press in on us. Sometimes these stressors come in waves. A friend of mine recently said, “If it’s not one thing, it’s three.” I knew exactly what she meant.

We all have had times when everything looked bleak without any let up in sight. When this happens, we have the choice of complaining about our ‘lot in life’ or we can turn to God and give the situation to Him.

Several years ago I had to step in and take care of my dad’s affairs. This would, again, preclude me from having extra time to work in the church we were in and any writing I had started doing again. As Hubby and I were driving back to Dad’s home from a business meeting, I looked up to heaven and said, “Lord, this is my life.” I wanted God to help me to do what He wanted in order to make this situation align with His plan for my life.

The next few years were not especially easy. But God was there for me even when the times were tough. At times, I felt I was doing this with no help from anyone.

When we received word that Dad had died in his sleep, God was there for us. The Lord took care of the ‘iffy’ things and kept us close to Him. He allowed me to heal from all the hurts and pain caused by the difference in how Dad and I looked at life.

Without God and His peace, I wouldn’t have been able to heal from all we had to go through.