Fruit of the Spirit {a conclusion}

Against such things there is no law....

There is no law restraining you, when you are being led by the Spirit, {Galatians 5:18}

Dependency to bear fruit....

If we live by the Spirit, the fruit will be evident in our lives {Galatians 5:16, 25}

One final thought to conclude this series...

They are planted in the house of the LORD;

they flourish in the courts of our God.

They still bear fruit in old age;

they are ever full of sap and green,

to declare that the LORD is upright;

he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Psalm 92:13-15
(emphasis mine)

May my life produce fruit for His glory
all the days of my life.

~ Dorie

This post is the final in a series of posts pondering the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self control.  Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

a listing of all the posts in this series:
Fruit of the Spirit {an introduction}
Love Covers All
How He Expresses Love
The Secret to Joy
Clothed in Joy
When You Fear Chokes Peace
Sown in Peace
Bear Fruit with Patience
Waiting Patiently, Prepared and Ready to Go
When Your Help is Either Helpful or Not
The Purpose of Kindness
In All Goodness
His Goodness Awaits
Pulling Weeds on Our Knees
His Faithfulness Reaches to the Skies
Soft and Gentle Among the Spiky and Prickly
His Gentleness - Guiding and Growing
Sit Still, Don't Move
A Reason For Self Control

A Reason for Self Control

"Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.

They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."

I Corinthians 9:25

Though I know Paul was not referring to football,

these cleats reminded me of this particular verse.
After much preparation, self control, and endurance during practices,
athletes willingly undergo toil, exercise, and strain during a game.

Should we not approach our days with just as much 

preparation, endurance, and self control
that we may persue our callings in a manner worthy of the prize?

~ Dorie

This post is the eighteenth in a series of posts pondering the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Linked to Scripture & a Snapshot at Katie Lloyd Photography {the blog}.

Sit Still, Don't Move

"Now sit still.  Don't move," she instructs him.

He's tired of sitting still.  He's been sitting still the entire time she applied the braces.  Now, there was one more appliance to install.  His leg started to twitch, and his head swayed slightly.  He had no more self control.

"No, I said sit still."  She is losing patience.  I hear the strain in her voice, trying to maintain professional courtesy.  And, he's already lost his ability to stay still.

The situation is deteriorating quickly.

"Could he have a few minutes to get the wiggles out?" I plead, hoping to alleviate some tension for both of them.

He sighs.  She agrees. 

Stretching tall, he looks at me, shakes his head, and takes a few steps around the room.

He returns shortly, and so does she, but she isn't alone.  She has recruited a helper to restrain his fidgeting.  The helper wasn't harsh or mean.  In fact, she was gentle, but firm.  Acting to control his movements, she took up where his self control left off, and together the appliance was installed and he was done.

Through it all, I thought of how often I try to restrain my own actions or thoughts, and how ineffective I am alone.  I need a helper.  I need the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to produce self control.
~ Dorie





This post is the seventeenth in a series of posts pondering the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

His Gentleness - Guiding and Growing

"You have given me the shield of Your salvation,

And Your right hand upholds me;

And Your gentleness makes me great.

You enlarge my steps under me,

And my feet have not slipped."

Psalm 18:35-36

These verses are a comfort and an encouragement to me.  How protected I feel when I read these words.  I have the shield of His salvation, and  I am upheld by Him.  My feet do not slip, because He enlarges my steps under me.  I am steady.  But what captured my attention the most was the sentence in the very middle: "And Your gentleness makes me great."  His gentleness in guiding me, providing for me, and protecting me, enable me to grow. 
~ Dorie



This post is the sixteenth in a series of posts reflecting on the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Soft and Gentle Among the Spiky and Prickly

Among the spiky cacti we stand.  In this desert garden, plants glisten silver green in the sun light, masking their spikes.  It is their design.  Made to survive harsh temperatures and severe droughts these plants are strong.  The gardener has planted many varieties of prickly plants, interweaving their textures and shapes.  A pleasing appearance to look at, but not touch.  All except one.  It looks soft.  Gingerly, she touches it. 

Her hand skimming over the fuzzy felt like leaves of the plant called Lamb's Ears.  She laughs at the sensation.  "It tickles a bit."  She cups it in her hands.  "It's so soft!"

"Really?"  I bend down and press fingers around it.  I marvel at its texture.  Soft and strong, a gentle sturdy plant created to live in a harsh environment and endure extreme weather. 

Another day we enter the grocery store.  List in hand, cart in front of us, we walk the isles.  Bypassing other shoppers, waiting for crowds to move, and hoping to find our necessities.  The noise is a low tone of grunts and sighs just audible over the 10 year old songs playing on the intercom.  No one smiles.  All avoid eye contact.  One lady burst through the aisle, yelling, "I told you to sit down.  No, you can not have that cereal!  Now sit down!"  She pushes her cart and child through the masses.  I stare after her.  Others seem to not notice. 

A few minutes later, another girl screams, "Mom!  Mom!"  She is crying and yelling.  I search for the girl who belongs to the voice.  Turning a corner, I see her turning in place, searching for her mom. 

"Honey," I approach her, "are you looking for your mom?"

She peers at me through huge tears sliding down her cheeks.  Perhaps she's eight or nine?  "Yes," she chokes back another round of tears, "I can't find my mom."

She's a bit calmer.  Others start to gather, watching us, but not helping.  What do you do when you find a lost child?  Keep them calm.  It's all I can think to do.  I want to walk her to the store manager, but I am a stranger, and around here, no one really trusts a stranger.  "OK, honey," I start a short conversation.  The girl is too young to answer in specifics, but it keeps her focused and in one spot for a few minutes.  Just enough time for her momma to turn the corner.  Worried and frazzled the two reunite. 

As the mother and daughter pair walk off, a gruff of voices begin around me.  "I would have just handed her off to the manager!" an older man shoots me a disgusted look.

 "Shouldn't have been lost in the first place," a woman huffs. 

All these people, and no one wants to help a crying young girl?  All these people, prickly and spiky, unwilling to yield and offer gentle words and gestures to another.  Where is the soft spot to land?

I think of the soft lamb's ear she touched, in the midst of the spiky cacti. 

And, I think of the Lamb in the midst of this world, gently leading, rebuking, and teaching us all through His Spirit.  A soft spot when this world seems full of prickly, spiky cacti.
~ Dorie



This post is the fifteenth in a series of posts reflecting on the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

His Faithfulness Reaches to the Skies

"Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the skies.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,

your justice like the great deep.

You, LORD, preserve both people and animals."

Psalm 36:5-6

When I ponder the expanse of His faithfulness and love, I am in awe.
Who am I that He should think of me, faithfully care for me and love me? 
Yet, He does.  And for this and so much more I am ever so grateful.
~ Dorie



This post is the fourteenth in a series of posts pondering the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Linked to Word Filled Wednesday at Internet Cafe Devotions.

Pulling Weeds On Our Knees

The flower beds are green
with weeds and intruders.
They choke and squeeze
the flowers roots.
Vibrant colors fade,
pale and withered.

And we pull weeds
on our knees
with our heads bowed
in the sun light
and our hands grasp tight,
pulling.

Being faithful to remove
the weeds we can, but...

The carefully tended soil darkens
with pride and selfishness.
Sin grows close, pushing away
compassion and justice.
Fruit ceases to grow,
stagnant and still.

And we pull weeds
on our knees
with our head bowed
in the Son's light
and our hands open wide,
waiting.

Knowing He is faithful to do
the work we can not.

~ Dorie


This post is the thirteenth in a series of posts pondering the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

His Goodness Awaits

It was only the second day of a three week trip.  We hadn't gone anywhere; the Drummer had.  He was out of town for work, but would return briefly each weekend.  We, the children and I, were still at home trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy.  However, Tuesday was wild.  With gymnastics class, piano lessons, and football practice taking us out of the house three separate times, the day was already chaotic. 

Every Tuesday, we travel the same way three times to one particular intersection.  From this one intersection, we must choose our travel direction.  Turning to the left leads us to football, straight ahead piano lessons, and to the right gymnastics.  Having been awake most of the night with our youngest, I was tired.  And, it was here, at the pivotal intersection, on this hectic Tuesday, that I literally forgot which activity we were headed to.

Approaching the intersection, I almost panicked, but a quick glance to our clock, and a run through of our schedule reminded me it was time for piano lessons.  We traveled straight through the intersection.

After dropping off our oldest daughter, the children and I decided to check out a new to us nearby park.  A creepy single gravel lane lie beyond the unmanned entrance gate.  We drove on as I thought how this scene resembled the perfect setting for a horror or thriller film.  It was complete with a small awkward shaped gravel parking lot and a large rusty van parked aside several run down buildings.

Why did I think this was a good idea?  Stealing my nerves, knowing it was my tiredness combined with the chaotic day aiding my imagination, I parked.  And, we got out.

We walked down to the creek.  Water glistened over the rocks, tumbling mini waterfalls gurgled, and the children rushed to the water's edge.  It was beautiful. 

Making my way down the path to join them, I proceeded with caution.  The flip flops I had thrown on last minute were proving to be quite inadequate.  I hadn't expected to be hiking in mud and muck alongside a creek.  And, I certainly hadn't expected to see such beauty.  Beauty revealing the goodness of God.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made… Romans 1:20

Two days later, we returned to the very same spot.  The entrance lane looked peaceful and the buildings rustic.  No more did I think it was the perfect setting for a horror or thriller film.  What changed?  Nothing, except knowing the beauty, the goodness, that lie ahead, waiting for us.

And isn't it the same with life?  Days and situations can be chaotic, creepy, and always changing.  However, beyond these momentary situations, after this temporal life, lies the eternal beauty and goodness of God.
~ Dorie

...continuing my gratitude listing...

771.  unexpected beauty and goodness

772.  perceptions that change by knowing the realities

773.  time spent in the beauty and goodness of God's creation

774.  children skipping rocks and playing 'Pooh Sticks'

775.  two visits to a new to us park

776.  finding incredible elements of nature to observe and inspect

777.  knowing what lies beyond this temporal life

...and so it continues...

This post is the twelfth in a series of posts pondering the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

In All Goodness

Ephesians 5

As the women's Bible study I attend works our way through Ephesians,

we find many amazing verses to examine each class.

Though we have not yet reached Ephesians 5,

I look forward to our discussion on this particular verse.

For me, it encompasses beauty and wisdom.

How beautiful and wise that we will know His fruit

by what it consists of...

goodness, righteousness and truth.

~ Dorie

This post is the eleventh in a series of posts pondering the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self control.   Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Linked to Scripture & a Snapshot at Katie Lloyd Photography {the blog}.

The Purpose of Kindness

God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance…   Romans 2:4

Today, I wanted to do something completely different than normal {for me} and share a song that touches my heart.  After perusing through some You Tube videos of Kindness, by Chris Tomlin, I found one that combines both the beauty of the song and amazing photographs.  Well worth the time to watch, this video is by 3207 Productions. 

~ Dorie

For readers receiving this post via email, click here to view video.
Some of the lyrics of Chris Tomlin's song Kindness from his 2002 album The Noise We Make

"It's your kindness Lord
That leads us to repentance
Your favor Lord, is our desire
It's your beauty Lord
That makes us stand in silence
Your love
Your love

Is better than life"

This post is the tenth in a series of posts reflecting on the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

When Your Help Is Either Helpful or Not

"Did you bring the chairs?" she calls out as she runs up the sideline to greet me.

"Oh, you're funny," I reply. "You guys were bringing the chairs."

We had taken two vehicles. The Drummer and two younger children had left much earlier. As the coach, he wanted to be on the field to greet arriving players and parents. I had followed twenty minutes later with the older children.

"We didn't bring them." She runs back to the Drummer who is entrenched in pregame greetings and organization.

Surrounded by preschoolers and kindergartners, he glances up as I approach. He interrupts his pregame huddle to speak to me. Wanting this to be a childish joke, I ask, "You didn't bring the chairs?"

"No. Remember you said you'd take care of it," he states simply.

Vaguely intertwined memories of a hectic morning emerge. The Drummer rushing about, gathering footballs and supplies. His asking me how many chairs I needed. My off handed comment that I'd get them...oops.

A few children and I make our way back to the van, drive home, and retrieve the forgotten chairs.

Arriving at the field again, the game is underway and side lines burst with parents and players. Now, there is no room for us. Our places are lost.

Down past midfield, we stumble upon them. Heaped on the ground reserving a space are the Drummer's pack and coach's sack. He had saved us a spot, but not any spot, a prime side line location with full view of the field and players.  The kind of spot only the first arrivals get.

We moved the chairs into place. I lower to the seat and his gaze catches mine. Our eyes meet, and he smiles wide. I smile all gratitude in return, so thankful for his kindness.
~ Dorie

This post is the ninth in a series of posts encountering the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self control.   Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Waiting Patiently, Prepared and Ready to Go

It happened one too many times.  Driving down the road, we were late, again.  I shook my head in wonder.  How could this happen again?  It was becoming a habit.  A bad habit that needed to be broken.  Worst of all, it was not I who caused us to be late.  It was the children rushing around at the very last minute gathering supplies, missing shoes, and jackets.  From my spot by the door, I rushed with words of urgency and no results.  We had left later than necessary.  This had to stop, I decided.

The next day, we implemented a few new rules.  Rules that included children being beside the front door, shoes and jackets on, and supplies gathered a few minutes before we needed to leave.  There they stood waiting patiently for me, as I picked up my bag, and joined them at the door.  They were prepared, ready to go.
Humpf, I thought, that's more like it.  They are waiting for me.  That's how it should be...children waiting for the adult.  That's respect.  Definitely better than the other way around like it had been!

My triumph lasted briefly.  Up until the moment it dawned on me... 

As a child of the King, how often was I rushing around doing things haphazardly at the last minute.

Am I waiting patiently, prepared and ready to go, when He calls?

~ Dorie

This post is the eighth in a series of posts pondering the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self control.   Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Bear Fruit with Patience

When Jesus explains the parable of the sower to His disciples, He says...

"As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word,

hold it fast in an honest and good heart,

and bear fruit with patience."

Luke 8:15

...bear fruit with patience...

What is patience?

Patience, according to the dictionary, means

1. the quality of being patient, bearing misfortune, provocation, annoyance, or pain

without complaint, loss of temper or irritation

2. quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence

Today, I am pondering patience.

~ Dorie

This post is the seventh in a series of posts pondering the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self control.   Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Linked to Word Filled Wednesday at Internet Cafe Devotions.

Sown in Peace

In this season of harvest and plenty,

it is only fit to ponder a different kind of harvest,

a harvest of righteousness,

and how this harvest is sown

in peace. 

~ Dorie

This post is the sixth in a series of posts on the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self control.   Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

When Fear Chokes Peace

The C-word. Cancer.  It is what I thought. And, why wouldn't I? With three close loved ones having recently been diagnosed or treated for various cancers, why wouldn't my thoughts go there immediately when we found the lump?

One evening, our oldest showed the Drummer a lump while I was attending a women's Bible study.

"Hey, Honey, can you take a look at this?" He asked me when I returned home.

"Take a look at what?" I inquired, my eyes searched his face for answers. The Drummer wore his poker face. I detected nothing, but the fact that he asked me to look at something unnerved me.  And I know...he wants a second opinion. He's not sure of his own assessment. He doesn't want to sway my answer with his conclusions.

"He has a lump. Tell me what you think," he flatly stated.

I asked our oldest where it was and ran my hand lightly over it. "Does it hurt?" I asked.

He shook his head side to side, "Well, only when you press on it."

"Oh, sorry," I mumbled. My fingers had acted out my fear.
A lump? Dear Lord, he's not yet a teenager!
"I don't know," I tried to gather my thoughts. They were racing away down a path of darkness, fear, and worry. "I think it should be checked." I know I'll feel better if it is checked. "What do you think?" I held my breath. He's more level headed, thinking through the facts, not chasing rabbit trails like the one I'm already traveling. "Well, I can't be sure.  It may be nothing, but we can call the doctor to be sure."

That night, as we laid down to rest, my thoughts raced down the path of worry. What if it was something? I thought about what the future held or didn't hold, depending on the perspective. Memories flooded my mind...

His curled head bobbing as he raced around the dining room table at a year old.

Shaving those curls off when he reached two for a 'boy's haircut.'
 
His first 'sermon' preached from a small podium while I cleaned out some Sunday school rooms.  At four years old, he had discovered for the first time four books of the Bible held his name, and he spoke a full ten minute commentary on them in his high pitched boy voice.


"Honey, what is wrong?" The Drummer's voice broke in through the darkness to halt my thoughts.

"I'm worried," I sniffled my reply.

"It could be nothing. Let's just wait and see. We'll call in the morning." His arms protectively tighten around me.  And, peace eluded me.  Worry had choked it out.  A grip of worry had squeezed, causing peace to wither, until his voice began to pray. 

He prayed for peace, and the grip of worry began to slacken little by little...as peace returned, stifling the worry.  We still didn't know what lay ahead, but we knew God was in control, and He would bring us through the days to come.
~ Dorie

...continuing my gratitude listing....

756.  peace that stifles worry

757.  God in control

758.  sweet memories

759.  late night prayers with my husband

760.  lumps that turn out to be fine

761.  teaching my oldest art techniques, just time for the two of us

762.  hearing Christmas carols in October as our daughters practice for choir

763.  going to the park one evening with our youngest daughter to photograph foliage and deer

764.  no foliage or deer photographs turning out but instead being gifted with a beautiful sky picture

765.  trying a chicken recipe from a sweet blogging friend and my family loving it

766.  half time hugs from our youngest during Saturday morning football games

767.  our youngest, while putting on his football jersey, saying 'I'm number 13 today, yippee!  Hey, I'm always number 13.'  It is his only jersey!

768.  possible fix to our front yard mud pit...maybe some green in a few weeks...

769.  children enthusiastically wanting to enter an art competition

770.  creativity expressed through their art work


...and so it continues...

This post is the fifth in a series of posts pondering the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Clothed in Joy

When we saw the beautiful golden meadows, I couldn't help but think of this passage.

"You crown the year with your bounty;

your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.

The pastures of the wilderness overflow,

the hills gird themselves with joy,

the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,

the valleys deck themselves with grain,

they shout and sing together for joy."

Psalm 65:11-13

Which makes me wonder how often do others see me joyful?

Is my countenance that of joy or more of a sour expression?

~ Dorie

This post is the fourth in a series of posts pondering the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self control.   Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Linked to Scripture & a Snapshot at Katie Lloyd Photography {the blog}.

The Secret to Joy

I use to confuse it.  Mess it all up.  Mixing joy and happiness into the same stew. 

I thought they were the same thing.  Can't they be synonyms?  Close enough, right?  Whenever things were going well (aka going as I expected, wanted, and thought they should be going) I was happy, even joyful!  Or so I thought I was. 

Then things would change. (aka go sour, something would happen that I didn't want and just couldn't understand)  Suddenly, I wasn't happy anymore, and I surely had no joy! 

Then I would hear others speak of joy in their lives.  Really?  I'd look at them incredulously.  I wanted to say, You've been through the muck and grime of life, some of the most devastating things would happen, and you're still claiming joy?!  Instead, I was silent.  Disbelief clouded my mind.  I did not get it.  At all. 

Until one Sunday morning when the pastor took the pulpit by storm and rained down truth.  Telling us about happiness and joy.  He said something that has forever changed my understanding.  He explained:

Happiness occurs because of circumstances.

Joy occurs despite circumstances.

~ Dorie


This post is the third in a series of posts reflecting on the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self control.   Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

How He Expresses Love

When the words are too few and don't express all that the heart contains,
do hands take over when mouths fail? 
Can hands express the tender love overflowing the heart?

He doesn't say it in flowery words.  Long letters expressing endearing sentiments won't be penned from his hand.  Nor will Browning and Shakespeare sonnets flow from his lips.  Only a simple 'I love you' graces my ear every night as his arms entwine and embrace. 

The Drummer prefers to express with his hands.  It is how he is made. 
Each time he rubs my tired feet or sore back;
fixes a broken light, window, or dishwasher;
or makes me a laundry table on wheels or hews a printer table from wood,
he shows his love for me.

And, sometimes, his hands share their thoughtfulness as they restore my childhood chair.  Taking the broken and making it useful again.  Spreading a shade of my favorite color over the tall chair, he completes his gift.

A gift of time,
skill,
but mostly,
a gift of love.

~ Dorie

This post is the second in a series of posts encountering the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self control.  Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

Love Covers All

Proverbs 10:12

Oh what a contrast between hatred and love!

How active hatred appears as it 'stirs up strife.'

Can't you just envision a stirring of the pot as it boils and hisses?

But love seems so passive as it 'covers all transgressions,'

like a leaf gently falling over the muck and mud of water saturated ground.

Yet, love is an active choice

of going against the grain of our sinful tendencies,

putting another's needs and wants before our own.

What a difficult decision for our flesh,

and sometimes, downright impossible,

but for God's Spirit working through us,

enabling us to love.

Perhaps, then love is not so passive

as it covers all transgressions.

~ Dorie

This post is the first in a series of posts pondering the fruit of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self control.   Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Linked to Word Filled Wednesday at Internet Cafe Devotions.

Fruit of the Spirit {an introduction}

For the past several weeks, I have been compiling a series of posts.  Filled with observations, reflections, photographs, life stories, and Scripture, these posts illustrate and explore the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23.  This is not a Bible study, but merely a series of posts using the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit as topics.  Starting tomorrow, I will share a little each day.    It is my hope that you will be encouraged by what you read in this series.

Journey with me?  Receive these posts in your inbox each day, subscribe here.