Fruits of the Spirit

 

Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control... this is what we need to strive for.

 

Can you imagine how life would be if everyone lived their lives with the Fruit of the Spirit within them?  This world would be a much better place.

 

I think of our world now and to be honest I do not like what I see.  I hate all the violence, the wars, the famine, the lack of respect; I hate the way many people strive for things that please themselves more than working at helping others; I hate the way the Earth groans in earth quakes, tsunamis, floods and tornados killing thousands and thousands of people - so I hate that we are killing the world with pollution, with overuse of resources pulled from the core of the Earth.

 

When I look around at people I see anxiety, strife, anger and frustration with others; I see a world where we do not know our neighbours and most of our conversations are by text or email.  This world is striving for self ambition and I am not a big fan.

 

That is why the Fruit of the Spirit is within me and I strive everyday to produce good fruit out into the world.  Placing goodness out there, well, can only be good.  So today, I choose to put forth these good thoughts...

 

Joy

 

Peace

 

Patience

 

Kindness

 

Goodness

 

Faithfulness

 

Gentleness

 

and Self-control

 

What will you put out into the world today?

 

I wish you all these things and more.  Many hugs and many blessings.

 

~Kelly~

In This World

 

 

In This world we will have trouble,

but take heart, I have overcome the world... Jesus.

 

It saddens my heart to realize that no matter how much we let our lights shine out to the world, how ever nice we are, how ever much we try, try and try again to be Jesus to those in and of the world... there will always be those who take advantage, who hurt us and who deny us goodwill.

 

It hurts deeply when this happens, cutting to the heart.  Sometimes that pain lasts for a long time, however, we must be strong and believe in the Lord that He will heal our wounds; He will and does as we rely on Him.

 

There are also times when this pain comes back, triggered by events out of our control, or people... then once again we turn to the Father, the only One who can heal us.

 

This might seem like an arduous task because it is almost a guarantee that as long as we live in this world there will always be people who hurt, disappoint or attack our hearts... but take heart dear friends...

 

God is waiting, He will never leave us nor forsake us.

 

Today, tomorrow, and always allow Jesus to take our pain.

 

Hugs and blessings to you.

 

 

 

 

A Friend Loves At All Times



My new piece "Friendship" The verse on this piece means a lot to me, it truly describes how real friendships should be; they should love at all times; they should be there for you at the beginning, middle and end of your troubles; you should be confident in knowing that your friend would lay down their lives for you. God's idea of real friendship, someone who will be there no matter the circumstances.

 

Friendship is loving someone and it goes very well with 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

⁴ Love is PATIENT, love is KIND. It does NOT ENVY, it does NOT BOAST, it is NOT PROUD. ⁵ It does NOT DISHONER OTHERS, it is NOT SELF SEEKING, it is NOT EASILY ANGERED, it keeps NO RECORD OF WRONGS. ⁶ Love does NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL but REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH. ⁷ It  ALWAYS PROTECTS, ALWAYS TRUSTS, ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES.  ⁸ Love NEVER FAILS.

 

In all my friendships I try to be all these things; patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not dishonoring them, not self seeking, not easily angered (forgiving), not remembering wrongs they have done.  Not delighting in evil, so letting my light shine always and making our friendship based on pure truth.  I protect my friends and trust goes both ways, I hope for my friend and believe for them that they are under God's protection, I also pray for them.  I persevere with them in all circumstances... and by doing these things my love for them never fails.

 

Sometimes a friend comes a long that does not do all the things I try to do for them... I continue to let my light shine and am all those things to them regardless.  However, sometimes you have to determine if a friend is a real 'friend' or they are an acquaintance... if you have done all that you can do for them and still they are not there for you... then maybe it is time to dust your feet off at the door and leave your friendship to God.  If it is meant to be then it will be and they will come back ready to build a true friendship based on the foundation of God.  Continue to pray for them if they do not.

 

I have had to set up many boundaries in my friendships in order to protect myself from painful emotions that arise from 'friends' using me.  I believe this is important so that you do not have an emotional burn out and so that you realize that the friendship is not good for you to maintain.  Never stop believing that one day they will SEE, and never stop praying for them.

 

Remember, FRIENDSHIP takes two people loving from both ends to blossom.

 

I pray that all of your friendships are blessed.

 

Many hugs and blessings to you.