In keeping with our theme --AWAKEN--I’ve asked Maranda Hoefs to join me today to chat about what it means to live wide awake to the things of God, both spiritually and physically. (Shereen) Perhaps we should identify what we mean by the things of God--what can you identify as Godly? (Maranda) – The first thing …
A Portrait of the Father
Today marks the last week in our series on the fruit of the Spirit. Hasn’t it been great having so many guest bloggers join us for the summer? I’ve loved hearing all the unique voices as each individual dove deep into a single characteristic, but this week I want to bring it all together again. …
Fruit of the Spirit: GENTLENESS
Shortly after meeting Jesus as a college student, I learned that Christian women were expected, above all, to be gentle. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and …
Fruit of the Spirit: KINDNESS
By Sheryl Murray “She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26 Be kind to your sister! Commit random acts of kindness! Thank you for your kindness! Kindness, like its more formal cousin, politeness, is the oil that makes a society run smoothly. To the modern ears …
Fruit of the Spirit: PATIENCE
By Julie Luse A brutally honest look at patience, and my lack thereof. I looked up some quotes on patience before writing this. Thought it would be a nice way to start. I was curious what ancient gurus and prolific writers have to say about it. I noted millions of quotes on patience. Everyone, from Saadi …
Fruit of the Spirit: JOY
By Mary Wenzl “Joy unspeakable, joy unbelievable . . .” A remnant of a song runs through my head when I think of joy, but what do those words really mean? What is the definition of joy, specifically, Christian joy or divine /spiritual joy? Last week, Katie Kafka blogged about the first characteristic of spiritual …
Fruit of the Spirit: LOVE
By Katie Kafka At the top of a list of attributes there is love, followed by seven additional qualities that become the trademark of someone walking in freedom. Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; each one endearing qualities that this world needs more of and yet, love is at the forefront of …
Thoughts for the New Year
By Ashley Synowicki Another year over . . . another one beginning . . . There is something about starting a new year that gives me a sense of relief and the promise of new possibilities. I feel as though I can put off whatever old habits and situations held me back the previous year …
God’s Word, Weeds and Bearing Fruit
By Sara Eyster As I have listened to our speakers this semester, each one has remarked on the ways she has seen God speak to her. And in each one, I noticed the speaker had knowledge of scripture in order to recognize it was God who was speaking. As I re-read the book, The Windows of …
God Gives Fruit
Where are you today? Are you THRIVING or are you STRIVING? Because our striving tree is not real . . . alive . . . or free, it also will never be fruitful. It looks great on the outside, but has no future. God has made living things to reproduce themselves. He’s planned a future …
Equip Her 