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Posts tagged ‘love’

Chapter 4: REBECCA’S POINT OF VIEW

Dear Mother,—I am safely here. My dress was not much tumbled and Aunt Jane helped me press it out. I like Mr. Cobb very much. He chews but throws newspapers straight up to the doors. I rode outside a little while, but got inside before I got to Aunt Miranda’s house. I did not want to, but thought you would like it better. Miranda is such a long word that I think I will say Aunt M. and Aunt J. in my Sunday letters. Aunt J. has given me a dictionary to look up all the hard words in. It takes a good deal of time and I am glad people can talk without stoping to spell. It is much eesier to talk than write and much more fun. The brick house looks just the same as you have told us. The parler is splendid and gives you creeps and chills when you look in the door. The furnature is ellergant too, and all the rooms but there are no good sitting-down places exsept in the kitchen. The same cat is here but they do not save kittens when she has them, and the cat is too old to play with. Hannah told me once you ran away with father and I can see it would be nice. If Aunt M. would run away I think I should like to live with Aunt J. She does not hate me as bad as Aunt M. does. Tell Mark he can have my paint box, but I should like him to keep the red cake in case I come home again. I hope Hannah and John do not get tired doing my chores.

Your afectionate friend
Rebecca.

P. S. Please give the piece of poetry to John because he likes my poetry even when it is not very good. This piece is not very good but it is true but I hope you won’t mind what is in it as you ran away.

This house is dark and dull and dreer
No light doth shine from far or near
       Its like the tomb.

And those of us who live herein
Are most as dead as serrafim
       Though not as good.

My gardian angel is asleep
At leest he doth no vigil keep

Ah! woe is me!

Then give me back my lonely farm
Where none alive did wish me harm
       Dear home of youth!

P. S. again. I made the poetry like a piece in a book but could not get it right at first. You see “tomb” and “good” do not sound well together but I wanted to say “tomb” dreadfully and as serrafim are always “good” I couldn’t take that out. I have made it over now. It does not say my thoughts as well but think it is more right. Give the best one to John as he keeps them in a box with his birds’ eggs. This is the best one.

SUNDAY THOUGHTS

BY

REBECCA ROWENA RANDALL

This house is dark and dull and drear
No light doth shine from far or near
       Nor ever could.

And those of us who live herein
Are most as dead as seraphim
       Though not as good.

My guardian angel is asleep
At least he doth no vigil keep
       But far doth roam.

Then give me back my lonely farm
Where none alive did wish me harm,
       Dear childhood home!

Dear Mother,—I am thrilling with unhappyness this morning. I got that out of Cora The Doctor’s Wife whose husband’s mother was very cross and unfealing to her like Aunt M. to me. I wish Hannah had come instead of me for it was Hannah that was wanted and she is better than I am and does not answer back so quick. Are there any peaces of my buff calico. Aunt J. wants enough to make a new waste button behind so I wont look so outlandish. The stiles are quite pretty in Riverboro and those at Meeting quite ellergant more so than in Temperance.

This town is stilish, gay and fair,
And full of wellthy riches rare,
But I would pillow on my arm
The thought of my sweet Brookside Farm.

School is pretty good. The Teacher can answer more questions than the Temperance one but not so many as I can ask. I am smarter than all the girls but one but not so smart as two boys. Emma Jane can add and subtract in her head like a streek of lightning and knows the speling book right through but has no thoughts of any kind. She is in the Third Reader but does not like stories in books. I am in the Sixth Reader but just because I cannot say the seven multiplication Table Miss Dearborn threttens to put me in the baby primer class with Elijah and Elisha Simpson, little twins.

Sore is my heart and bent my stubborn pride,
With Lijah and with Lisha am I tied,
My soul recoyles like Cora Doctor’s Wife,
Like her I feer I cannot bare this life.

I am going to try for the speling prize but fear I cannot get it. I would not care but wrong speling looks dreadful in poetry. Last Sunday when I found seraphim in the dictionary I was ashamed I had made it serrafim but seraphim is not a word you can guess at like another long one outlandish in this letter which spells itself. Miss Dearborn says use the words you CAN spell and if you cant spell seraphim make angel do but angels are not just the same as seraphims. Seraphims are brighter whiter and have bigger wings and I think are older and longer dead than angels which are just freshly dead and after a long time in heaven around the great white throne grow to be seraphims.

I sew on brown gingham dresses every afternoon when Emma Jane and the Simpsons are playing house or running on the Logs when their mothers do not know it. Their mothers are afraid they will drown and Aunt M. is afraid I will wet my clothes so will not let me either. I can play from half past four to supper and after supper a little bit and Saturday afternoons. I am glad our cow has a calf and it is spotted. It is going to be a good year for apples and hay so you and John will be glad and we can pay a little more morgage. Miss Dearborn asked us what is the object of edducation and I said the object of mine was to help pay off the morgage. She told Aunt M. and I had to sew extra for punishment because she says a morgage is disgrace like stealing or smallpox and it will be all over town that we have one on our farm. Emma Jane is not morgaged nor Richard Carter nor Dr. Winship but the Simpsons are.

Rise my soul, strain every nerve,
Thy morgage to remove,
Gain thy mother’s heartfelt thanks
Thy family’s grateful love.

Pronounce family QUICK or it won’t sound right

Your loving little friend
Rebecca

Dear John,—You remember when we tide the new dog in the barn how he bit the rope and howled I am just like him only the brick house is the barn and I can not bite Aunt M. because I must be grateful and edducation is going to be the making of me and help you pay off the morgage when we grow up. Your loving

Becky.

Rebecca Of Sunnybrook Farm

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Life in a submarine: Deep water

My name is Rebecca. My family lives in a submarine.
I live with my sister Joy, my brothers, Danny and Mark and there is my mom, my dad, and my dad’s helpers. We all lived in a yellow Sub.
One day, it rained hard. Joy and I were worried, but my mom said let make cookies, and so we did. My dad works hard keeping us on tack to Ireland, but the waves didn’t help. Mark tried to help, but he had to watch Danny, the youngest. Danny was 5, Mark 9, Joy was 7, and I am old 12-years-old.
Mother was getting worried. Father said that we are going a little deeper but not too deep. Joseph, my dad’s helper, takes us down deeper. While Tom makes sure, we don’t go too deep.

Mom asks Dad a question, “Should one of us be in the Control room?” Still a little worried Dad said, “Yes, one or maybe two should be in the Control room.” So, Dad asks Joseph and Tom to be in the control room.

Later, we ate dinner and went to bed. That night we woke; the red alert was going off. What is going on Joy asked me. I don’t know. So, Joy and I run to little Danny’s room. He was crying. Rebecca, “I am worried. Let’s see where Mark is. Maybe he is on his way to the control room,” said little Danny. Ok let’s go. When we got there, Mark was with mom and dad in the control room. “What’s going on father?” Mark asks. “The water- it is too deep!” was the reply. Daddy, are we going to be all right asked Rebecca. Yes, Rebecca we are. God is with us. He was with us when we told people about him, and he is here now.

I knew my father was right. My mom and dad are missionaries and when I was little my dad said a Bible verse a lot to me when I was scared. The verse says, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6. So, I knew my dad right. If we ask God, he with Help us.

Why don’t you take the kids to the living room and pray and I will see if we can get to Ireland ok. Mom agreed and said, “I will try to call grandma and grandpa in Scotland [Edinburg]. I will tell them that we are trying to get home but having trouble making it back to Ireland [Dublin].”

Rebecca, please carry Danny. “Ok” I answered. “So, mom, are we going to sleep in the living room?” asked Mark. “Yes, Mark we are.” answered mom.

“Mom”, Joy asked, “how far are we from home?” About 2 miles. Surprisingly the call goes through. Grandma and Grandpa were so worried. After the call, dad came into the room. He said, “we are out of deep water.” We were all happy to Hear that.

The next morning Joy, Danny, Mark, Mom, Dad, Tom, Joseph, and I were so happy to walk on dry land.

For the next part of the story: Visiting the old castle

A work of fiction written by Bell

Poems and stories by Bell

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Jesus and the Parable of the Lost Sheep Explained

During a recent heavy rainstorm, I checked on my animals. I first found all four cats, and the one dog was under my feet. Next, I checked on the chickens. All but one was accounted for. So, I head into the pouring down rain looking for my chicken. After finding the chicken, and ensuring her safety, I thought about Jesus and the parable of the good shepherd.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So, he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:1-7

The shepherd in the parable leaves the 99 in a safe place. He goes out into the elements and finds his lost sheep. He doesn’t stop until he is successful. Then he brings the sheep back to safety.

This is also a picture of what has done for us. Jesus to came, seek, and to save, the lost. We were unable to redeem ourselves. So, Jesus came to earth and weathered the elements. He endured many hardships, was beaten and crucified all because He loves us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Just as my love for my animals drove me into the pouring down rain to look for my chicken, Jesus’ love for you and me brought Him down from Heaven just for you and me. I only got soaked from the rain. Jesus was beaten and killed by the very people He came to save. Just think about how much love he has for us.

Overcoming Challenges: Faith in Modern Society

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Scriptures That Affirm Your Value as God’s Creation

I am no body; How about you? I am sure that I am no body because my grandma told me so.  She told me that by her actions. She would yell and scream that none of her grandchildren would help her with the peas. All while my thumbs were turning purple from shelling black-eyed purple hull peas. Have you ever felt this like a nobody because of the actions or words of others? If so, then listen up. God loves you. He has very different thoughts. It is His thoughts that matter.


Thankfully, God considers us somebody. Here are some scriptures about what God thinks about us.

  • For you were made in my image
    • Genesis 1:27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
  • I chose you when I planned creation
    • Ephesians 1:11-12 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
  • You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book
    • Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
  • I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live
    • Acts 17:26
  • You are fearfully and wonderfully made
    • Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
  • I knit you together in your mother’s womb
    • Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
  • And brought you forth on the day you were born
    • Psalm 71:6 From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.
  • Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand
    • James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
  • For I am your provider and I meet all your needs
    • Matthew 6:31-33 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
  • My plan for your future has always been filled with hope
    • Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
  • Because I love you with an everlasting love
    • Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
  • My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore
    • Psalm 139:17-18 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.
  • And I rejoice over you with singing
    • Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
  • I will never stop doing good to you
    • Jeremiah 32:40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.
  • For you are my treasured possession
    • Exodus 19:8  Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,
  • I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul
    • Jeremiah 32:41 I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.
  • If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.
    • Deuteronomy 4:29  But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
  • Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart-
    • Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
  • For it is I who gave you those desires
    • Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
  • I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.
    • Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
  • For I am your greatest encourager
    • 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
  • I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles
    • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
  • When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you
    • Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
  • As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart
    • Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
  • One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth
    • Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”


Just remember when you feel like you are a no body, You are still important to God.

The above was scriptures and thoughts can be viewed here. I would like to encourage you to listen to all of it. It is beautiful.

Bible Studies for Overcoming Life’s Challenges

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Understanding Good and Bad Love in Scripture

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Love = Strong’s G26 – agapē: affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love


Love in English means:

  • Strong affection
  • Warm attachment
  • attraction based on Sexual desire
  • unselfish Loyal and benevolent Concern for others
  • to take pleasure in & caress: Cherish
  • to feel a passion, devotion pleasure in


There are two types of love. There is a bad kind of love and a good kind of love.

Bad

  • John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
    • Love man more that God
  • I Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
  • Ezekiel 23:17 And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them.
    • Loving on Bed in wrong relationships


Good

  • I Timothy 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
    • God’s Love
    • This is the love talked about in Galatians 5:22.
  • John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
    • God Loved until the end
    • Strong’s G25 – agapaō
      • of persons
        • to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly
      • of things
        • to be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing
  • John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
    • God Loved the world.
    • This love is the same Greek word that is used in John 13:1.
  • Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
    • Love One another
    • This love is the same Greek word that is used in John 13:1.
  • I John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
    • Love bestowed on us
    • This is the love talked about in Galatians 5:22.
  • I John 4:16-21 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
    • This is the good kind of love.
      • We see in this passage that God loves us.
      • Where true love is, there is no fear.
      • All who truly love God will also love others.
    • This passage uses both Strong’s G26 and Strong’s G25.
      • Verses 16-18 is the G26
      • Verses 19-21 uses G25
  • John 5:1-4 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
    • Love causes us to keep the commandments of God
  • I Peter 4: 8-9  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
    • Charity is another translation of Strong’s G26.
    • one to another
  • I Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
    • “Love of the brethren” is a phrase in English. In Greek this was basically 1 word.
      • Strong’s G5360 – philadelphia
        • φιλαδελφία philadelphía, fil-ad-el-fee’-ah; from G5361; fraternal affection:—brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren.
  • Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.
  • Thessalonians 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

We should all have agape and philadelphia love for one another. This is what the scriptures teaches. This is what the early church had for each other.

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Finding Comfort in the Good Shepherd’s Care

There is a Good Shepherd, the most tenderhearted shepherd there is. He cares for the smallest lamb in his fold. They called him the Good Shepherd.

When a sheep is in need, the Good Shepherd comes to the recuse just in time. He knows his sheep, ram or lamb by name, by wool colored, and by the cries of his little ones.

The Good Shepherd leads his Flock the right way and the right life. When a lamb is lost the Good Shepherd leaves the other and goes out to find the lamb, and when he does, he is happy.

The Good Shepherd is mighty, but he is kind to all smallest and weakest of his flock.

When the rain, lightning and thunder Scare the flock the Good Shepherd comes and comforts his flock. With his hands, he comforts the lambs of his flock. He says comforting words, like it is all right, and it can’t get you, my lambs.

The Good Shepherd leads his flock in God’s word and way.

By Bell

Poems by Bell

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Two Surprises at the Mountain Home

It all started when school was out for the year. My sister (Elizabeth), and I (Peter) both realize it was different this time. Our Mom said we were to go on to Grandma & Grandpa’s house, but usually we all go together. That’s how me and my brother realize it was different. We pack our bags, me and my sister pack three bags each. Because in summer vacation we kind of live with our Grandparents. When we were all packed I and my brother put our bags in our two red folds up wagon and walked to the bus stop. Simon, our friend, was there. He said that we could have only one bag on the bus, but the other two would have to go at the back of the bus in the baggage storage area. Se we each picked a bag to keep near us on the ride. We gave Simon the others. Mom made sure that our phone was working.

Now we were on our way. Mom had said that if we wanted to see outside to sit in the back where there was more windows. So, my sister and I sat in the back. It felt like four hours, but it was only 1 1/2 hours. When we were almost there, we got a call from our grandparents. Near the end of the call, they said something about having a surprise for us. My sister and I wanted to know what it was, but we did not have any ideas.

When we got to the bus stop in the mountains, we got out of the wagon and our bags together. We then got off the bus with Simon. Simon made sure that our grandparents were there, and they were, so he went back to work. Simon had been good to our family for a long time and to my sister and me. After we got to our Grandparents’ home, we unpacked and then we relaxed. “Children,” Grandma said, “want to make some cookies?” “Yes,” we cried. So, we made 5 dozen cookies with Grandma’s help.

“Peter, Elizabeth, Grandpa, Dinner is ready. So, let us eat dinner. So, we ate dinner. After dinner we called mom and said good night. Then we went to bed.

After Breakfast bright and early the next morning, we went to the park. There we saw our friends, Joy, Eric, Timmy, and Maggie. So, we talked and played. Then when it was time to go, Grandma called and asked us to run to the store and get some things. So, we did. When we got home, there was a note. Peter read it. It said, “To Peter and Elizabeth: Thanks for running to the store. Please put the things up and then go out the back door to the barn.” When we went to the barn, there was another note. This time Elizabeth read it. It said, “Your surprise is in the barn. Love, Mom, Grandma, and Grandpa”

“Peter, Is mom here?” asked Elizabeth. Peter answered, “I don’t know Beth. Let’s go and find out what the surprise is. Let’s go on three. 1,2,3. Oh my ponies! “Surprise!” yelled mom. “What are you doing here!?” Peter and Elizabeth asked. “Well, I wanted to surprise you guys,” said mom. “Well, you did”, we answered.

They are so cute. What are their names? Starlight and Sunny are their names. That’s not all. look over there. Puppies? Yes, they could run beside you when you ride. Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, “How could it get better?” “Should I tell them?” asked mom. Tell us what MoM. Well Beth, Peter you Know my job is in the city, but now I have a new job that better fits me, an animal rescuer. Oh, mom does that mean we get to live with Grandma & Grandpa? Mom? Yes, Peter and Beth it does. Children it does. After that Simon helped us move all our things to our Grandparents home. After we had moved all of our things, we asked our friends Joy, Eric, Timmy and Maggie to come over and celebrate.

Mom, how did you get two puppies and two ponies? Well, I had the new job for about a week. A week! Yes, and that’s how. How what? How I got them. The ponies were going to be put down, and the puppies were all by their shelves. No way. Mom, how could anyone be so mean? Elizabeth, some people are just mean. “Mrs. Good Heart”? Yes, Simon. Everything is ready for the party. Thank you, Simon, for being so good to us. Oh, it’s nothing, Mrs. Good Heart. Children it’s time for you guys to go open the gate in front. Our two new puppies ran beside us. We named our new puppies Honey and Bingo. After Joy, Eric, Timmy and Maggie and their family came, we had fun playing games and taking turns riding ponies and of course playing with our puppies, Honey and Bingo. And with that the Story ends.

by Bell

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Exploring the Nine Attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit

The fruit of the spirit is not talking about actual fruit. It is talking about our actions and behavior. 

Galatians 5:22-23 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

  • Love: We are to show love to everyone including our enemies.  Matthew 5:43-48 – Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
  • Joy: This does not mean we are happy all the time. This is talking about whether we have a good attitude about the situation.  Hebrews 12:2 – Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
  • Peace: try hard to keep the peace Romans 12:17-19 – Recompense no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,saith the Lord.”
  • Longsuffering: take a deep breathe before jumping straight to anger. Show love and kindness to those that do you wrong Ephesians 4:2- With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
  • Gentleness: Be gentle; don’t be so gruff about everything. Gentleness does not mean being weak. It takes a strong person to know when to back down. It is OK to smile and show emotion when something is nice, beautiful, sweet, good. It is good to say I love you to your family. 
  • Goodness: Be good and show good works.
  • Faith: Keep faith in Jesus Hebrews 11:11- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
  • Meekness: Be humble, don’t take credit for being better than you are. Colossians 3:12 – Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
  • Temperance: keep your head. Definition of temperance1: moderation in action, thought, or feeling : RESTRAINT 2a: habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passionsb: moderation in or abstinence from the use of alcoholic beverages
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A Shocking Sermon: Misunderstood Actions in the 60s

In the winter of 1963, my grandparents moved from Winston, MS to Starkville, MS. My Grandpa Paul, who had never been a pastor of a church before, was now the assistant pastor to a new church. The lead pastor Carol and my grandpa were building a new church. They had cleared the land and built one room of the church house. Now they were working to increase the membership of the new church and finish building the rest of the church. My grandparents lived in a 2 bedroom and one bath small 10ft x 32ft trailer behind the church.  They had two young children and one on the way.

Grandpa Paul was tongue-tied. This caused him many problems with public speaking. However, he was able to compensate for this. He had an interesting way of making a point. Many times people had to wait until he finished speaking before they understood what he was trying to say because he would start with the most interesting statement. Normally it was also the most unusually statement. This useful strategy caused many people to stop and listen to him.

My grandpa Paul and Pastor Carol would take turns giving the sermons. Pastor Carol never knew what my grandpa would preach on, but he trusted him. One very memorable Sunday, my grandpa was to give the sermon. After the praise and worship was over, Grandpa Paul quietly walked to the pulpit and calmly asked the congregation a very disturbing question. Without any major emotion in his voice he asked, “Is it wrong to beat the fire out of your wife?” Everyone in the congregation gasped at such a ridiculous question. Everybody knew that beating their wife was wrong and you most certainly did not ask that question at a small church in a small town. Remember this is the 60’s and you simply did not speak of things like this. Lead Pastor Carol looked at Grandpa Paul with a questioning look in his eye. Then my grandpa further shocked everyone in that small church house. Grandpa Paul said, “The other night I beat the fire out of my wife and I did right.” Now everyone was looking around wondering why he had been selected to be assistant pastor. Not only was he tongue-tied, but he was also a wife beater. They also wondered how he could even think it was a good idea to beat his pregnant wife. Pastor Carol started to get up and take the pulpit away from Grandpa Paul, but grandpa said, “Let me finish explaining.”  Pastor Carol requested that the congregation let Grandpa finish. After a few minutes, everyone got quiet and sat back down. Grandpa Paul started to explain. The only reason Pastor Carol allowed Grandpa Paul to continue is he personally knew that Paul had an unusual way of making a very good point. Unfortunately, he was baffled as to how anyone could stand there, confess to beating their wife, and firmly believe that he was doing what God wanted him to do.

Grandpa Paul continued by saying, “It is not what you do but why you do it. I had a very good reason for beating my wife the other night. By beating her, I saved her life.” Now everyone in the church was scratching their heads and asking each other how beating someone can save their life. Grandpa Paul continued, “It has been cold lately. We put a space heater in the bathroom. My wife went to the bathroom to get ready for bed. While in the bathroom, her gown caught on fire. She screamed for help. I ran in and grabbed a towel. I then grabbed her arm and commenced to beating her with the towel. After putting out the fire that had engulfed her nightgown, I made sure she was not injured.  Then I calmed her down and helped her finish getting ready for bed. After getting her to bed, I reassured the children that all was alright. I then reminded the children to be extra careful around the space heater.”

She is here today because I beat the fire out of her literally. Therefore, it is not what you do, but why you do it.” After church, many people asked my grandma, if this was true. She answered that it was and explained how scared she had been. Many members of the congregation later expressed regret for their first reaction. If Pastor Carol had not requested that Grandpa Paul be allowed to explain, the congregation would have thrown, my grandpa out of the church.

My grandpa has told this story at many other churches. Those congregations likewise had the same first impression. They also later expressed regret for jumping to conclusions.  Since my grandpa told me the story, he has past away; however, he lives on through his words and actions. I am sure that no one who was there that day and is still living has forgotten my grandpa’s words. When I am baffled by what someone has done, I remember the words of my grandpa. I also remember an old Proverb that says a wise man listens to the end of the matter, but a foolish man speaks quickly. My grandpa took that proverb to heart. Because of the lessons that my grandpa taught me, I try to listen completely before I judge anyone. It is possible that their actions were based on love or good intentions.  I wonder how many times people hear part of a story and jump to the wrong conclusion. I hope that more people could learn to listen to the whole matter before jumping to conclusions. My grandpa Paul spent his life trying to teach people to listen to the whole story instead of simple jumping to a conclusion.

Inspiring Family Stories That Uplift Your Spirit

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The Power of Prayer: A Trucking Miracle

  Many years ago, my dad was coming down the side of a mountain in an 18-wheeler. He as a long-haul truck driver. It was late at night. He often drove at night to avoid getting stuck in traffic. You did not get paid for sitting still in traffic. 

    My mom was at home with me. We were both sleeping. She was awakened from her sleep. She felt that something was terribly wrong, but she could not have imagined what was wrong.  So, she started fervently praying for my dad. 

    My dad knew exactly what was wrong. The load had shifted and the straps securing the load had broken. The trailer was in danger of pulling the truck off the side of the mountain. 

    From the moment that my mom started praying, an angel appeared that looked like me with long blond hair. My dad said that he could see her in the side mirrors. When the trailer tilted one way, she would hold it up. When it started to tilt the other way, she went to the other side and held that side up. All the way down the mountain she flew from one side to the other keeping the trailer up. 

    When my dad reached a place to get off of the road, he stopped and called home. His 1st two questions were, “Were you praying and where is Janie” My mom answered, “Yes! I was praying” and “Janie is asleep in bed.” The replied, “Thank you” and then explained what had happened. 

    Prayer works. Prayer at the right time can save lives. If you ever feel a strong urge to pray for someone, please pray. You may just save that person’s life. 

Remember what James 5:16 says. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Exploring Family Stories of Faith and Life Lessons

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