JOY is my middle name

It really is! (but that’s not the point) I read Galatians 5: 22-26 this morning. In verses 22 and 23 Paul (the author of this book) tells us what is the “fruit of the Spirit.” Growing up in church, I think I’ve had these verses memorized since forever; but that doesn’t mean that I have developed all of these fruits in my life. “Now those you belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (vs. 24). The fruit of the Spirit is what identifies a mature Christian-and this fruit-“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control” will be the result when I surrender to the Holy Spirit (not from obeying the Law, which is what Paul is arguing against). I don’t think we usually consider surrender to be a good thing; but when a person is controlled by the Holy Spirit, they find freedom in Him. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever be able to have each of these virtues in my life, but it’s a process, and I have to daily surrender myself to the Holy Spirit.

Shadow of His Wings

I spent a week in Monjas

Beneath the Shadow of His Wings

Meeting boys and girls on a basketball court

Surrounded by God’s love

Eight families now have food

And an abuela received God’s grace

We played games, swept floors,

And raked leaves from the base of

         A ceiba tree.

A talent show ended our time-

And the tears were far from few.

We said goodbye,

But not for forever.

God’s love is with us all.

Wings of the Morning

     Where can I go to escape from God? Is there anywhere His eye does not see? In my shame I hid and buried my head but you surrounded me and lifted my heart to yours once again.
     You've given me a new song and again I can sing, "Glory to God, my Savior, my King. You know all things, You're everywhere, Your power fills this earth!
     Thank you for this new life You've put inside of me!

Peculiar

So for my devotions a few days ago, I was reading part of Psalm 135 and in verse 4 it says the Lord had chosen Israel for his "peculiar treasure", in 1 Peter 2:9 Peter also calls Christians a "peculiar people." This really encouraged me, it's not because of anything I've done, but because He is so great that I am a child of God! How can I have any bad days in light of that glorious truth? So I hope this encourages you as much as it did for me