But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; and here there is no conflict with Jewish laws.    Galatians 5:22-23 (Living Bible)

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14

As I was looking at the verse of the day on my Bible app, I saw that it was the verse above (Galatians 5:22-23). I have read that the fruit of the Spirit is really just one thing- love. The words that follow- joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control can be read as attributes that are the natural outgrowth of a person led by love.

Jesus came to give that very simple message. Indeed, he lived it out. He also said that he came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. So, the intent of the Law was to try to point people to an overwhelming love. That was later explained fully by the presence of Jesus, and then the enduring indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The end of the verse in Galatians (5:23) states that the fruits of the Spirit are consistent with Jewish laws. God’s plan all along has been to have people transformed into loving people- those who care for and nurture others. The Law is fulfilled in that way.

So, the Law is summed up in these words- Love One Another

Prayer: Lord, thank you for simple plans- plans that are simple, but not easy, Amen

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest, they don’t have storerooms or barns, but God feeds them. And you are worth much more than birds                                       Luke 12:24

I had a discussion recently with a client where we discussed her sense of how she loves herself and how she sees herself. This client is very insightful, and she could see the difference between self-worth and self-esteem.

We concluded that self-esteem is often based upon how others see us, while a sense of self- worth is more an internal self-evaluation. Valuing ourselves is about how much we can trust ourselves to keep promises to ourselves. It is more about character than performance. If we keep promises to ourselves- to do the right things, maintain disciplines, adhere to our values- our sense of self-worth improves.

Being esteemed by others is important and valuable, but it does not dictate our worth. Indeed, we have worth simply by being created in the image of God. But our own sense of worth is determined by how well we keep those promises to ourselves.

Prayer: Lord, you have made us in your image. What a marvelous and boggling concept that is! Amen

A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger,
    but an unkind answer will cause more anger.                                                      Proverbs 15:1

I recently spoke with a couple about their style of communication and we discussed some ideas of how to improve it. I suggested to them that it is often better to ask questions than make comments. Rather than speculating on the mood or intentions of a partner by saying something like “You look angry”, it might be more helpful to say “You look upset, are you OK?”

Often in the course of a conversation that seems to be getting a bit heated, there is a need to slow things down. Emotions can easily overtake cognitive reasoning in the course of defending oneself from a perceived attack. “Slowing the train down” at that point is important. Sometimes use of a fun code word can signal the need for a pause to regain composure. I have had clients come up with some great nonsense words to interject to make a pause in the growing heat of hurtful words. Use your imagination on this one!

All this to say, just one of the partners in the discussion can invoke the word, and a pause needs to take place to give time for a break. This made me think of the Proverb and the wisdom it contains – A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger, but an unkind answer will cause more anger.      

Prayer: Lord, help us to pause when we are moved to anger, Amen                                                                                                           

“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.  God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.                                                              John 3:16-17 (New Century Version)

As I write this blog, it is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is a celebration that commemorates the actual start of the Church. That is, on that day, 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit was sent in a visible way to the followers of Jesus, giving them the power of God through the indwelling of the Spirit. This was the start of the worldwide mandate to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.

This power was manifested immediately by the disciples who began to speak in the languages of those people assembled in Jerusalem for the Hebrew feast of Pentecost (Shavuot). That feast was celebrated 50 days after the Passover holy days. Jews from all around the known world came to the festival, and they were amazed that these rugged fishermen and untrained Galileans were able to speak foreign languages so that all present understood the Good News.

The message here is that ordinary people were empowered to spread the Good News that Jesus brought to earth. These new believers now were the only means to convey the greatest message in the world – that God so loved the world that He sent his only son to redeem it.

Prayer: Lord, you have entrusted us with a powerful message that all need to hear. Strengthen us to do it well, Amen

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light…                                                                                         Genesis 1:1-3

How about that catchy title today? You might have thought that you had stumbled onto a children’s story blog. Actually, maybe you have!

On my walk this morning, I was caught by the gorgeous blue colors of the sky. There was a deep blue, then gradients of color to almost pale blue. I kept looking up, ignoring my steps in front of me. Thankfully, I didn’t stumble.

The sky appears to be blue, I understand, because of the way light is scattered in the atmosphere. The blue, shorter waves of light remain visible while the longer rays of the reds, yellows and oranges pass through.

I think we can take for granted something as simple as the glory of our blue sky. We lose our child-like sense of awe and wonder as we grow older, and perhaps we become more cynical. So, the word today for good mental health is- appreciate the simple things all around us that we might take for granted.

Isn’t it great that the sky is blue?

Prayer: Thank you Lord for the simple things that give color to our world and reflect your glory, Amen.

I thank my God every time I remember you,always praying with joy for all of you.                         Philippians 1:3-4

I have two big brothers and a big sister. I am the youngest of four children, and now I am the only one in my seventies. Yeah, I am such a youngster they keep reminding me. I am so blessed to have these siblings in my life. We are a close-knit family, and that is a legacy to my parents and grandparents and beyond.

We do not have the luxury of picking our ancestors, obviously, but we do have the responsibility for carrying on family legacy and values. We try to pass those things down to our own children and grandchildren, and from what I see, we are in good shape on that front.

We are all getting older, and we never know how much time we have to tell those we love how important they are to us. So, to my dear siblings, I love you and I have been blessed to be your little brother.

To my brother Ed, whose birthday we celebrate today, you are my mentor, and the guy I always followed. Thanks for being a great big brother, and happy birthday!!

Love you, big brother!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of family, Amen

“The measure of a society is found in how they treat their weakest and most helpless citizens.”     Jimmy Carter

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his hometown and with his own people and in his own home.”                                                                                                                                               Mark 6:4 (NCV)

James Earl Carter Jr., better known as “Jimmy” Carter, was the 39^th President of the United States. He was elected in November, 1976, following Gerald R. Ford. His presidency was widely seen as ineffective, largely due to the Iran hostage crisis, and his failure to effect a plan to rescue the hostages. The military rescue operation he enacted ended in a disaster in the desert, and he was never able to overcome the negative blowback resulting from that.

He was able to engineer the Camp David Accords which was a major international accomplishment. Despite some successes in his presidency, his one term was not considered to be particularly remarkable. It was only after his presidency that he gained acclaim and honor as perhaps the most impactful ex-president in U.S history.

His work for Habitat for Humanity, the Carter Center, and his stature internationally as a trusted impartial mediator of elections attest to the trust and respect given to him throughout the world. His 2002 Nobel Peace Prize is just one validation of his legacy after he was president.  

He is now in Hospice care at age 99, and he has little time left on earth. By all measures, his life has been well lived and impactful. His Christian faith has been his beacon and standard, and in a time when Christians are seen as hypocritical and judgmental, he stands as a real follower of Jesus and a true model of character.

The quote of Carter, cited above may well sum up his view of life and his Christian faith. So as his time winds down, I salute the life of this man who served his God, his country, and the world.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the life and work of Jimmy Carter. Bless him on his journey home, Amen

 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”                                                                                                            Mark 9:33-36

So, I can just imagine the conversation among the twelve disciples before Jesus confronted them about their bickering. They were ashamed because they were trying to decide among themselves who was the greatest. Maybe, most likely, they argued about who was the favorite of Jesus. These are grown men mind you, and they had been around Jesus for a while, and they were arguing over who was his favorite. They had, of course, completely missed his message, and the irony was that they were, in effect, trying to decide who missed his message the worst!

Jesus had to call them out by showing them, again, the paradox of power- the ones who give it away most effectively, are the ones who are the most successful.

I think about religious denominations which essentially argue, “Who has the path to God?” In other words, “who are God’s favorites?” The answer is, those who most effectively serve others without worrying about who gets credit. Wars have been fought over which Christian denomination is “right”. Pretty ridiculous, right? Yet it is human nature to be competitive with “closeness to God”.

So, we shouldn’t be too hard on the disciples. They just wanted to be the closest to Jesus. Great goal. The way to do that is to do his will, and to serve his children.

Prayer: Lord, your message is so simple that we often miss it. Thank you for your plan to be childlike to be close to you, Amen.

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;                                                         I Corinthians 1:27 (KJV)

A favorite metaphor in many cultures is that of David and Goliath. This Biblical story seems to be known throughout the world as an example of the underdog who overcomes great odds to win. We love it when the unexpected happens, and especially when the little guy is facing long odds to win- better yet when the opponent is so vastly superior, or so it would seem.

The David and Goliath story used in the Bible explains that God seems to favor the weak over the strong. The dependent over the arrogant. The faithful over the haughty. David won the contest with Goliath through his skillful use of a sling as opposed to the brute force of Goliath.

But more than that, David was willing to face this giant because of his faith that God would protect him, and that he would somehow prevail, despite the obvious power of Goliath.

Malcolm Gladwell in his book David and Goliath gives numerous examples of the paradoxes that we find in life, and the reasons that we are confounded by them.

 I find that the essence of the Bible is about the unexpected. The apostle Paul said that “when I am weak, then I am strong”.  Jesus said “The meek shall inherit the earth”; James states “God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith”; and on it goes. Our usual thinking turned upside down.

There was nothing more unexpected than a savior coming from a little backwater village in Palestine to save a broken world from its own sin and failure.

Then again, maybe it makes all the sense in the world.

Prayer: Lord, you have challenged us to believe things that are upside down to our thinking. What an amazing plan, Amen.

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds                             Luke 12:24

As I have mentioned before, I feed birds- and secondarily squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, ducks, and possibly a whole phylum of animals. Who knows who eats in my yard? The point is, I find it to be fun and entertaining to feed God’s creatures. It makes me think of the fact that they have no idea where the food comes from, they just know to show up and eat it.

In some ways, we eat off the land too. The process of how food comes about – the intricate chemistry of photosynthesis, the habits of the animals that we eventually consume as protein, are in many ways still unknown to us. Yes, we can produce crops, raise domestic animals, and even hunt wild animals for food, but the intricacies of nutrition are still being uncovered by humans.

So, I take the provision of my daily sustenance, my “daily bread” if you will, as being produced by God in ways that I do not fully understand. That is what sort of levels the playing field for me with the animals I feed. We are all simply grateful consumers in many ways!

Prayer: Lord, you provide for your creation in marvelous ways, Amen