Patience, Kindness, & Goodness

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

Gal. 5:22-23 

Patience is like a seed hidden beneath the surface. It silently waits in the dark earth, hidden from view, doing nothing (it seems!), while it secretly, quietly, and slowly incubates life. This sweet fruit makes it possible for kindness and goodness to develop.

Kindness grows from seed of patience in the dark depths where it develops a root system. Kindness pushes its head up through the soil, wanting to break forth and do something until, at last, it cracks through the soul, visible to all.

Goodness blossoms forth, along with its works of love blessing all who see it...which is what this luscious fruit of the Spirit is all about!

A Young Woman's Walk with God,
Growing More Like Jesus
Elizabeth George

Forgiveness in Marriage

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each
other, as God in Christ has also forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:32

Forgiveness means I give up my right to punish you for what you did.  If you—

if I come over to your house—I knock over a lamp, and I break the lamp.  You look at 

me and  you say, “No, brother, that’s okay.  I forgive you;” and then, you say, “but that 

will be $195,” you didn’t really forgive me because you’re making me pay.  Forgiveness 

is the cancellation of debt.  

The beauty of forgiveness is not that you can't remember what happened.  The beauty of forgiveness is that, in spite of the fact that you remember and may never forget, you give up your right to punish.  That's the beauty of forgiveness.

To read or listen to this message in it's entirety, please click the following link.

http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.6240603/k.2C4F/Search_FamilyLife_Audio_Library.htm

Whatever My God Ordains Is Right

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er he doth;
And follow where he guideth.
He is my God: though dark my road.
He holds me that I shall not fall.
And so to him I leave it all,
He holds me that I shall not fall.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me.
He leads me by the proper path;
I know he will not leave me.
I take, content, what he hath sent.
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait his day,
His hand can turn my griefs away.

Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it all, unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew.
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart,
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right.
Here shall my stand be taken.
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet am I not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there.
He holds me that I shall not fall,
And so to him I leave it all,
He holds me that I shall not fall.