“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12, ESV) Can you remember a time when someone showed kindness to you? It happened to me today. While driving down the interstate, traffic slowed as we approached some road construction. Another…
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1, NKJV) A quiet dinner out with a friend ended suddenly as a family of four was seated in an adjoining booth. No, it wasn’t the children who disturbed our peace. They were quiet and seemed…
Have you ever heard someone say, “Dressed to the nines”? I first heard my mother say it when reflecting on a dress or outfit someone had worn for a special event. The colors were beautiful, and the style complemented her figure marvelously. Her hairstyle was magnificent, and her shoes matched…
“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus” (Romans 15:5). All of us have “triggers”—things that easily push us over the edge with our patience. It can be people cutting ahead of us in line, a difficult person, a long…
“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives” (Romans 12:6, Christian Standard Bible). It was a bright, sunny Saturday morning, and a friend and I were on vacation at a beautiful spot near the shore. What better way to start our morning than to…
“Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel” (Proverbs 11:17, New Living Translation). Everyone needs a little kindness in their life—to give some and to receive some. But what is kindness? Or is it even easily definable? Urbandictionary.com says it is…
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23, KJV) When God fills you with his spirit you are called to a higher level of living. In order for your life to produce good fruit you…