Love, Joy, Peace, Patience

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

The fruit of the Spirit is at times evident in my life.

Other times, not so much.

When I show love to others, that's the Spirit showing God's love through me.

My joyful attitude is a result of the Holy Spirit living in me.

When I forget to act with peace, I no longer am showing the fruit of the Spirit in my life.

Those times when I get impatient with others, the Spirit convicts me.

When I forget to act with kindness, God's Spirit humbles me.

And when I lack self-control, the Spirit puts stumbling blocks in my way to slow me down.

I am blessed to be filled with the Spirit to help guide me along the narrow path. 

Help me, Lord, to focus on You.

Add to Your Faith Goodness

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. — 2 Peter 1:5-6 

Since God is love, whoever abides in love abides in God and God in him.

For this reason, God asks us to make an effort to not only have faith, but also goodness.

And knowledge. Then add self-control.

Next pile on perseverence.

And add godliness.

Then mutual affection.

And finally love.

If I possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep me from being unproductive and inneffective in getting to know Jesus personally.

Make Every Effort to Add to Your Faith Goodness

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. — 2 Peter 1:5-8

We can't add these characteristics to our faith without God working in us.

But when the Holy Spirit works in me, goodness and knowledge become possible.

I can't do it on my own.

Jesus has opened the door with His death and resurrection.

Only He can keep me from being ineffectual and unproductive.

And only as I get to know Him personally.

The Fruit of the Spirit is Love

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:23-24 

The Holy Spirit produces fruit in those of us who follow Jesus.

And that fruit of the Spirit is love and joy.

It includes peace, forbearance, and kindness.

The fruit of the Spirit is also goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness.

Another amazing gift of the Spirit is self-control.

Against these things there is no law.

Add to Your Faith Goodness

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  — 2 Peter 1:5-8

Today is the Ides of March!

And Friday is St. Patrick's Day.

And our friend Laurie's birthday.

May the luck 'o the Irish be with ye!

And the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here's a view of the Del Mar beach in March of 2019.

We're so thankful to God for His amazing creation.

The Fruit of the Spirit

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

These are tough characteristics to maintain.

Love

Joy

Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Faithfulness

Gentleness

Self-Control

Almost impossible without God's Spirit working within me.

Thus, the fruit of the Spirit!

Add to Your Faith Goodness

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness. — 2 Peter 1:5-6

God gives us situations where we need to have self-control.

And at times it seems impossible without His guidance.

He gives us situations where we need to persevere.

And at times we can't keep going on our own.

Last week I prayed with and for a coworker who was struggling in many ways.

She was broken downhearted, and defeated.

I asked God to wrap a hedge of protection and love around her.

And this morning that prayer was answered, and she was surrounded by support and love.

When she shared with me this turn of events, I mentioned that it was a complete answer to the prayer I had prayed over her last week.

Our God is an awesome God.

He loves and cares for us.

He is adding daily to my faith.

And God is teaching me self-control, perseverance, and even godliness.

Thank You, Lord!

He Has Given Us Everything We Need

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. — 2 Peter 1:3

Today is the first day of November.

Last night we had about a dozen kids dressed up and excited to trick or treat.

Friday we had our office party and my team dressed up as 50s.

We won the group costume contest.

God. has given us everything we need for a godly life.

Help me to shine your glory and goodness throughout the week.

Full of Goodness

And concerning you, my brothers and sisters, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. — Romans 15:14

I have some friends like this.

Full of goodness.

Filled with knowledge.

Walking in the light of God's love.

Able to admonish me and others in love.

And I appreciate that kind of friend very much.

I feel that God has sent them into our lives for a special purpose.

And they have walked with me through my journey with cancer.

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience

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

God gives us the fruit of the Spirit as we grow in Him.

Love toward friends and neighbors as well as enemies.

Joy in Jesus even when the world gives us sadness and pain.

Peace in Christ during stressful times.

Patience when others are losing their cool.

Kindness when we are being treated unkindly.

Goodness when the world tells us to get revenge.

Faithfulness even when busy lives try to distract us.

Gentleness when our patience is tried.

And self-control when we are tempted to lash out in anger or to lust after temptations.

As Christians, we are called to a higher standard.

And we are guided by God himself.

God's Goodness

 What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? — Psalm 116:12

God's goodness is endless.

He has blessed me over and over.

In spite of the wrong things I say and do.

He continues to guide and direct me.

To lead me in the path toward Him.

What shall I give Him for all His goodness to me?

He needs nothing.

All He asks is for my obedience.

That I glorify Him with my words and actions.

Help me, Lord, to follow You.

I WIll Call on the Name of the Lord

What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. — Psalm 116:12-13

God has been very good to us.

I have been looking for a new writer to join our team at work.

Today we found our new writer after a six-month search.

Next week we celebrate Thanksgiving.

But we give thanks to God each day.

For giving us salvation and for loving us so much.

We praise the name of the Lord.

Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. — Galatians 5:22

It's not easy to practice forbearance.

And it's often hard to love those who are mean or inconsiderate to me.

Even so, God calls us to show joy and peace to our neighbors, family members, and coworkers.

He commands us to act with kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.

God wants us to exhibit self-control instead of giving in to our sinful desires.

Today I will have my final Herceptin I-V.

Since Kirk is off school, he will go with me.

I will get to ring the bell at Kaiser.

This is the bell I rang after completing my radiation.

I am blessed.

I Will Live

I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. — Psalm 118:17

I will die eventually, but I will also live forever in heaven with my Savior.

In the meantime, I will tell of the wonderful things the Lord has done.

He has healed me of my cancer.

He has helped me share my story with others.

He has brought friends alongside me to support and encourage me and my family.
 

And He has given me the words to comfort others who are going through similar circumstances.

He has brought me alongside friends and coworkers who have family members struggling with cancer.

And He has shown me how I can encourage and pray for them and their loved ones.

He has blessed me with overwhelming goodness.

I will live and will proclaim what the Lord has done!

Birthday Celebration

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. — Psalm 139:13

Yesterday was Abby's birthday.

Kirk and I remember the day we brought her home from the hospital.

We are blessed to have her home with us while she begins graduate school.

Here's the cake I made in celebration.

Her sweet coworker, Wendy Bogan, made cupcakes.

Her friend Hannah made a cake!

God is good.

He has overwhelmed our family with His goodness beyond measure.

Today I had my fourth radiation treatment.

Tomorrow I will also visit with my radiation doctor.

Apparently that will be a weekly occurrence.

And tomorrow night we start our new season of choir rehearsals.

It will be fun to reconnect with friends and to sing God's praises together.

God's Faithfulness

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. — Psalm 57:9-10

God is faithful. His love reaches up to the heavens and down to me here on the earth.

I am surrounded by His goodness and care. I love singing His praises.

This is one of the views we had in Peñasquitos Canyon a few weeks ago.

We did a prayer walk in silence for ten minutes on our way back to our cars. I am reminded to praise God wherever I am, not just when I'm hiking.

God is faithful no matter where I go, no matter how bad my attitude, no matter how long I've ignored Him. Very humbling.

I will praise you, Lord!

God Rules

Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves arise, thou stillest them. — Psalm 89:10

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven. — Psalm 107:29-30

O taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.  — Psalm 34:8

One of my college classmates sent me these Bible verses, and I love them. Thanks to Diana for this assurance from God's Word.

And more beautiful flowers from my coworker Lisa. The yellow flowers are from her garden and smell wonderful!

Today we attended the memorial service for Jean Bowie, a wonderful saint with a sharp sense of humor. She was not afraid to tell it like it is, and she was always willing to share her faith.

I am inspired by people such as Jean (and my brother Steve) who are able to share their faith so easily with whoever they come into contact.

Kirk and I were reminded that we need to reach out to welcome and encourage our neighbors, too.

I am blessed.

Praising God for His goodness.