Koinonia

Koinonia

Christian fellowship or communion, with God or, more commonly, with fellow Christians.

Reading a book by Rick Joyner I came across a word I’d never heard. There are certainly many words I’ve never heard, and this is only one in probably millions. This word as it was written in the book jumped off the page and grabbed my attention. Perhaps it was the content of the chapter which the word was written. The word is Koinonia. It has been frequently popping into my head. Really it’s the meaning of the word that has been popping into my head. The word, Koinonia, is not found in our english vocabulary. It is a Greek word. Reading the book created in me a desire to know more about this word. So to Wikipedia I went. This is probably taking the easy way out to learn about such a word, but it was available. I invite comments to this blog if my interpretation taken from Wikipedia is too shallow. I feel it is a word worthy of higher intelligence than I have to offer. However, I’d like to share what is on my mind regarding this word. 

I’ve heard Old Testament Hebrew writing in the Bible is more romantic than the New Testament Greek. I must say, I agree. I have found a valuable tool in apps available on smartphones, tablets, and computers. It’s apps that have the Bible in audio form. I have two of these apps on my phone. Both apps contain various translations. What a way to enjoy God’s Word. Empowering, relaxing, convicting, peaceful, wisdom, directing, knowledge, strength, and of course ‘romantic’ are some words that come to mind when I think of my times listening to the Old Testament. 

My college degree was not as an english major. English subjects were only taken to meet the state minimum requirements of the state institution I attended. There are no classes about the Hebrew or Greek languages in my past. As a child the only Greek word I remember ever coming in contact with was on a t-shirt our youth group wore. It seemed a little strange as a youth to have a Greek word plastered across your chest. The word was ‘Theophilus’. As I’ve gotten older that word creates a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart every time I think of it. I’ve come to a greater appreciation for the language used. The word means ‘a friend of God, loved by God, or loving God’. My recollection, as to why the word was used, was because we wanted to be identified as ‘a friend of God’. Our youth group wore those shirts, and what a testimony it was. We were letting the world know about our friendship with God. 

Jesus calls us His friend, if we do as He commands.     John 15:12-15 (NIV) My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.         The command to ‘Love each other’ is known as the second greatest commandment. The first and greatest commandment is found in       Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV) “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Back to our word, ‘Koinonia’. There’s quiet a bit written about this word in Wikipedia, and other resources. I encourage you to research this word for yourself. Here are a few of the things I found in Wikipedia about ‘Koinonia’:

• In the New Testament, the basis of communion begins with a joining of Jesus with the community of the faithful. This union is also experienced in practical daily life. The same bonds that link the individual to Jesus also link him or her with other faithful. The New Testament letters describe those bonds as so vital and genuine that a deep level of intimacy can be experienced among the members of a local church.
• The first usage of Koinonia in the Greek New Testament is found in Acts 2:42-47, where a striking description of the common life shared by the early Christian believers in Jerusalem is given:   ‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the communion, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need…They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.
• The word has such a multitude of meanings that no single English word is adequate to express its depth and richness. It is a derivative of "koinos", the word for "common". Koinonia is a complex, rich, and thoroughly fascinating Greek approach to building community or teamwork. Koinonia embraced a strong commitment to “kalos k’agathos” meaning “good and good”, an inner goodness toward virtue, and an outer goodness toward social relationships. In the context of outer goodness, translated in English, the meaning of koinonia holds the idea of joint participation in something with someone, such as in a community, or team or an alliance or joint venture. Those who have studied the word find there is always an implication of action included in its meaning…
• Koinonia creates a brethren bond which builds trust and, especially when combined with the values of wisdom, virtue and honor, overcomes two of humanity’s deepest fears and insecurities: being betrayed and being demeaned.

(Parts of the text are in bold for emphasis)

Koinonia
Christian fellowship or communion, with God or, more commonly, with fellow Christians.

So this word found in the New Testament, seems to have depth of meaning we could all benefit from, even those of us who had just enough english classes to meet state minimum requirements. What do we find in this word? A word that means ‘communion’ in the NIV translation, but has a much deeper and richer meaning? 

- ‘a bond so vital and genuine that a deep level of intimacy can be experienced’.

- ‘a complex, rich, and thoroughly fascinating Greek approach to building community or teamwork. It has a strong commitment to an inner goodness toward virtue, and an outer goodness toward social relationship’.

- ‘a brethren bond which builds trust and, especially when combined with the values of wisdom, virtue and honor, overcomes two of humanity’s deepest fears and insecurities: being betrayed and being demeaned’.

Bring on some Koinonia!! This ole world needs some Koinonia!! Do you feel generic and disconnected? Do you feel bland and no place to fit in? Do you feel a lack of honesty and respect? Do you feel alone? Do you feel a lack of commitment? Do you feel a lack of trust, from being betrayed and demeaned? We all could use a big dose of Koinonia. I need some fellowship. I need some communion. I need my fellow Christians. 

‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the communion, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need…They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (Acts 2:42-47 NIV)

One

Two came from the East, two came from the South, three came from the West, and two were occupants. A hundred years ago a bell would have sounded, echoing far and wide calling them in. As it is today, a cell phone replaces the purpose of ringing the bell. A designated time is a standard standing order at each of the gatherings. While the occupants busied themselves preparing for the spread, others gradually flowed into the home. The chatter of voices became louder and louder as more arrived. Clatter of pots, bowls, and dishes provided evidence the festivities were about to begin. The table was set. The attendants were as anxious as horses at a feeding trough. There was One more still on their way.

Waiting on the One wasn't an option for the bellies rumbling in the room. Not wanting to further delay, the announcement was made, 'Come and eat'. With feet scuffling across the floor, places were taken. We were missing the pitter patter of one set of feet. They belonged to a wee bit of child only three years old. Leaving the John Deere tractors, and other equipment, was just too much to ask of the child. The others gathered at the table bowed their heads to give thanks to the Lord for the food. 

After a heart to heart talk with the mother, the child climbed onto a stool that served as a perch for him to reach the plate. After mother and child were comfortable, someone at the table made the mistake of mentioning the prayer had already been said. The child's face broke, lips turned down, and tears began to flow. It had become tradition for the child to say the blessing with the assistance of an adult. He'd missed saying the prayer. What do you do when a three year olds lips turn down, and tears flow, because of missing the opportunity to pray? That's right, all the bowls and spoons already in hands were sat down. Heads were bowed again, and a second prayer of thanksgiving was attempted. I say attempted because all we heard was 'I say prayer, I say prayer'. When the child was given the prompt to thank God for the food or thank God for the people sitting around the table, there was only silence. On this night it was ok, for his heart had been broken. Sometimes it's just difficult to be thankful. Another prompting for the child, and a very loud 'AMEN' was said. Bowls and spoons were picked up. The passing and dipping continued. Considering all the activity, the One still coming had better hurry.

A cell phone was used to call the remaining One. The sound of a dinner bell could not have ever reached the One. He had been about 70 miles away. Thank goodness for modern conveniences to call the One. Even with a pick up truck, the One said it would still be about 30 minutes before their arrival. If it were by wagon they were traveling, it certainly would have taken half a day. 

After filling their rumbling bellies, conversation floated around the table. Dessert made those who partake appear they were under sedation. Pecan pie seems to have that affect at times. The gathering flowed from the dining table into the living room, for a more comfortable seat. Dirty dishes were carried away.  Remaining food was set on the stove, to keep warm for the One still coming. As people started making plans to leave, the One arrived. A plate was filled. Sweet tea was poured. The One sat at the table and filled his belly. 

First One Step, and Then Two

I was eleven years old when my younger sister was born. She came along a little later in life for mom and dad. With two older siblings, and experienced parents, she was destined for an extraordinary childhood. She was a toy for my brother and myself. If a baby could remember events from infancy, she could tell you of the time she was laying in my lap, and somehow slipped off onto the floor and bumped her head. Luckily it wasn’t far to the floor. There was no lasting damage, other than the ability later in life to attend college for her doctorate. I’d like to take all the credit for the effect it had on her IQ, but our mother might disagree. Other than the one tumble, my brother and I generally tried to take good care of her. 

It was a family affair making sure she reached her childhood milestones triumphantly. We all took turns at teaching her the necessary skills to become an independent person. One skill encouraged by all members of the family was walking. I remember propping my sister up in front of our refrigerator. Backing a few feet away from her, and holding out my hands, I would try to coax her to step toward me. Her faith in me caused her to give it a try. First one step, and then two, would bring a loud applause and a jubilant celebration. You would’ve thought she had won an olympic medal. 

Days passed by and she became more and more confident. She began taking more and more steps. In no time at all she was toddling all around the house. The hesitancy of a step taken in front of the refrigerator was quickly replaced by confident running feet all over the house. What started as first one step, and then two, became a constant confident walking child. 

Her childhood days have long passed. She now has a three year old of her own. When he was younger she had the joy of propping him up,  backing a few feet away, holding out her hands, and coaxing him to step toward her. First one step, and then two, would bring a loud applause and a jubilant celebration. Again, we have an olympic medalist!

The task of learning to walk is probably done a little different in each family. Some reason the refrigerator worked great for my sister, as well as my children. There never was clutter in front of it, because we were always having to open the door to get stuff out. It seemed to always be a great unoccupied flat surface, from which a child could easily be propped. Those days are long gone, but the memories are forever etched in my heart. 

Trusting family, and friends to take care of them, a child seems to abandon fear as they try a new task and skills. Stepping into the unknown can rattle the best of us, but watching the faith of a child makes me wish I could have such abandonment toward God. 

A friend of mine told me this acronym for ‘faith’. 

Forsaking

All

I 

Take 

Him

I’d heard an acronym similar to this most of my life, except the word ‘Trust’ was used instead of ‘Take’. Personally, I’ve come to prefer using the word ‘Take’. A child steps out in faith to the one holding their arms out to catch them. They totally trust the one encouraging them, and they choose to ‘take’ the first step, and then two. It’s the action of ‘taking’ that shows faith.

In the acronym, the word ‘Him’ represents God. There was a struggle within myself for a couple weeks on this blog. I knew in my head the direction I wanted the blog to go, but in my heart this is a heavy battle within myself. Taking that first step in obedience can make your feet feel like they are in cement. Our hesitancy to step out in faith can be reasons of fear, selfishness, denial, lack of self worth, unworthiness, uncertainty, and others. The very first step in ‘Taking Him’ is salvation (Romans 10:9 NIV, If you declare with you mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.) After that, each step ‘Taking Him’ builds upon the first. 

Each step chosen to ‘Take Him’ is not necessarily easier than the previous ones. It’s usually fear that hinders me from taking the first step when He calls me to do something. It takes pushing my fear aside, and responding. To ‘Take Him’ can include spending time on our knees, checking on someone who’s sick, surrendering to the ministry, starting a new ministry, attending church, going on a mission trip, studying God’s word, or whatever the Lord calls us to do. It’s a continual choosing to ‘Take Him’. 

Comfort Found

Two pews up and just to the left is where she was. From my seat I could see she was in deep meditation. The words on the pages lay before her in her lap. She was completely consumed by what she was reading. What was it that had her so drawn in? What was it about the words she was looking at? I couldn't help but notice. She was being affected by what she read. From where I sat, it was a beautiful picture.

I wanted to take her picture, but felt it would be rude to do so and not ask. Getting up out of my seat, I made my way to the end of her pew. Squatting down beside her I told her my intent, and asked if she would mind if I took her picture. She was touched by my asking, and agreed with the picture being taken. Sitting back down behind her, I took several. My heart had been moved, by her heart being moved, by what she was reading in The Book. It's hard to describe what I saw. It was more about what I felt, in her response to The Word, than what I saw. 

How can you explain the power of The Word? The words are old. The application is new. The words have been quoted by the wisest men in the world. The words are read to children. The words are displayed in federal buildings, and national monuments. The words are printed in children's literature. The words have caused wars. The words bring peace. The words are ancient. The words are new everyday. The words convict. The words encourage.

There are many formats by which we have access to The Word. It is in audible or digital format on our tablets, computers, or smart phones. Portions of it is found in magazines, books, and other printed material. It is read by teachers and preachers. There are lectures and classes studying it. TV evangelists proclaim it. The ways to access The Word seems unlimited. One of my favorite ways to access The Word is the exact same as I witnessed two pews up and just to the left. Feeling the weight of each side of the book in my hands as I open it. Hearing the crispness of the page. Smelling the familiar scent. Comfort found.

Stone Hedges, Moats, and the Moon

A friend of mine requested prayer from our group. She said she was spiritually exhausted. Battling a spiritual warfare on behalf of an addicted son had taken it’s toll on her. She came in the room, and looked spent. Looking like she didn’t have much more to give, she knew prayer could give her strength to continue the battle. Those of us in the room loved on her as much as we could. We wanted to offer help. Where do you start when someone feels they are spiritually exhausted? She probably felt she’d reached the end of her rope, and was reaching out. I didn’t know her very well. Prayer was the best thing I could do. My hope was to get to know her better, and be available if there was anything more I could offer. 

Daily spiritual battles are part of a christians life. Some days our battles seem to consume us. We are christians. God is on our side. All we need to do is pray and the problem is fixed, right? Asking for prayer might make us feel inadequate. We are suppose to be strong. Charge into life, like we have a tiger by the tail. Asking for prayer allows others to see our weaknesses. We tend to walk around like we have a suit of armor on. Hard and cold so nothing can penetrate. We are tough. We are independent. 

The vulnerability of taking our guard down to allow someone to see us exposed is scary, to say the least. It’s easier to keep a stone hedge around us, so no one can peer into our unkept life. It’s easier to dig a moat around us, so no one can come visit unless ‘we’ lower our bridge. It’s easier to build our house on the moon, so people can only see us from afar.

I constructed my stone hedge, dug my moat, and built my house on the moon. 

Why?

Perhaps my introverted tendencies started the process. Perhaps some unresolved resentment laid the first stone. Or perhaps it was just easier to keep a guard up rather than exposing my weaknesses, short comings, needs, troubles, failures, sicknesses, hurts, or problems. 

When my friend requested prayer, I was more than happy to pray. She was hurting, and asked for help. Her openness showed her maturity. She knew what she needed, and wasn’t afraid to ask. She let her guard down, and let us see her in a very vulnerable place. I want to be more like her. As I think back to that day, she continues to grow in my eyes. What a woman. What an example. Where is there more power than prayer? She needed God’s help, and asked us to petition God for her need. There was nothing better to do than pray. No casserole, or phone call, text, email, or cup of coffee can have an impact like prayer. My friend understood God was where she needed to take her weakness.

Ephesians 6:18

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayers and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

I must confess I don’t pray as often as I should sometimes. It takes desire to pray continually. At times my desire is weak. It takes discipline to pray in all circumstances. Some days I’m just too lazy. It takes humility to admit a need. My pride convinces me I can handle it by myself. It takes being unselfish, turning to the Lord for His strength, and seek Him. There are days my selfish hardheaded stubbornness stands in the way of seeking His help. Still wrapped in human flesh, I fail at times. 

The sight of my friend, and the words she spoke that day, made me think. It’s easy to ask for prayer when our leg is broken, or the car is broke down, or for a child getting married. How about when we are exhausted from fighting a spiritual battle? How about when we are being tempted? How about prayers for a family member who is in trouble with the law? How about prayers when we do something questionable? How about prayers for all those Sunday morning fights? What about those prayers that are difficult to speak? We will hesitate to step out of our comfort zone. It will be hard to open up to those we trust and love, and request prayer for ourself. It will be be hard to open up to those we trust and love, and request prayer for those we love and care for.  Quiet frankly, we may feel like we just can’t do it.

To be courageous like my friend we will have to push our limits. It will be hard. Don’t we want the peace that transcends all understanding, as mentioned in Philippians 4? We need help fighting our spiritual battles. I need help fighting my spiritual battles. Our struggles with our desires, discipline, laziness, pride, selfishness, and hardheaded stubbornness can hinder us in bringing everything to Him, and having that peace. However, we need to remove our stone hedge, fill in our moat, fly back from the moon, and bring all occasions, all requests, every situation, continually to God in prayer, right? Right.

I miss my friend. I haven’t seen her in about a month. She hasn’t been back to class, since she requested prayer. While you are talking to God, if you think of my friend, please pray for God to strengthen her for the spiritual battle she is fighting.

🙏

Our Generation

We were in class on a Sunday morning. A lady mentioned ‘The Greatest Generation’, and how sad it was we were loosing them at a very fast rate. 

(“The Greatest Generation" is a term made popular by journalist Tom Brokaw to describe the generation who grew up in the United States during the deprivation of the Great Depression, and then went on to fight in World War II, as well as those whose productivity within the war's home front made a decisive material contribution to the war effort, for which the generation is also termed the G.I. Generation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greatest_Generation

The Greatest Generation is the title of Tom Brokaw's 1998 book profiling members of this generation, stemming from his attendance at the D-Day 40th anniversary celebrations. In the book, Brokaw wrote, "it is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced." He argued that these men and women fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the "right thing to do.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greatest_Generation. The greatest generation - Tom Brokaw - Google Boeken. books.google.com)

Our class was in the midst of a discussion on pride, when the comment was made. ‘The Greatest Generation’ in America is definitely a source of pride for our country. Our country will not be the same once this generation is gone. Both sets of my grandparents were a part of this generation. Each of their deaths in 1992, 1993, 1999, and 2012 left a significant hole in our family, for which no one was equipped or qualified to fill the void. I dare say thousands of families feel the same at the loss of their members who are part of the elite group known as ‘The Greatest Generation’. 

A few comments were made on pride and the effects it can have, both good and bad. Pride in oneself can cause someone to perform above average at a job, to push themselves to do better. Pride can also cause sin. This morning we all felt pride knowing people who fell within the time frame of ‘The Greatest Generation’. The label of ‘The Greatest Generation’ is, I suppose, uniquely American.

My life has been relatively short thus far. My years will be but a very small speck on God’s great timeline. 2 Peter 3:8 (NIV) says ‘But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.’ With that, I must say my knowledge of the impact of different generations thru all history is extremely limited. That morning my mind thought about a little bit broader picture. The label given to this special generation made my mind wonder. What would ‘God’ consider ‘The Greatest Generation’ of all mankind? Who would they be?

Could it have been the generation of Israelites which Moses, by obedience, led out of Egypt?

Could it have been the generation of Israelites which Joshua, by faith, entered into the promised land?

Could it be the generation of new converts during the early days of christianity when Paul and others were spreading the gospel, and growing God’s kingdom.

Could it be one of the generations impacted by evangelist Billy Graham during the years of his ministry? 

Could it be the generation affected by Martin Luther and his ninety-five theses?

The events surrounding any of these are significant, and possibly could be worthy of achieving the title of ‘The Greatest’. 

Or just maybe, Could it be us? Could it be our generation? We have media available to share the gospel in remote villages of third world countries. We have satellite TV with gospel channels reaching homes worldwide. Satellite radio stations are playing christian music 24 hours a day. Facebook users can share their testimony worldwide. Amazon provides international purchasing of christian books, bibles, and literature to many countries. Numerous venues are available to spread the gospel to the most remote regions of the world. Hundreds, thousands, and millions are being affected by the unlimited possibilities of spreading the gospel. At our fingertips we have the power to impact a vast audience of people. 

Pause for just a second. As I was writing this, it was time to go to bed. I went to bed and slept for a couple hours, and then woke up. Mid-life has a way of waking me up in the middle of the night with a novelty called ‘night sweats’. During the time awake some nights, I try to take the time and just listen. It seems easier to hear what God has to say, if I’m not talking. During the day can be too noisy, and busy, for me to just listen. As I lay there in the quiet, and praying, this blog post started going thru my head. A couple scriptures came rolling thru my thoughts. The one about God’s ways are higher than our ways: Isaiah 55:9 (NIV) ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ The other verse was the one I used earlier in this blog, 2 Peter 3:8 (NIV) ‘But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.’

Writing this blog I realized I was trying to put God in a box. I was trying to limit His greatest work to a single generation. The passage in Isaiah 55 reminded me while we can put a constraining label on a specific generation, there are no labels that constrain God. The passage in 2 Peter reminded me, while we put constraints of time on a specific generation, there is no constraint of time for God. Our time here on earth is a different time than Moses, Joshua, Paul, Billy Graham, Martin Luther, and other great trail blazers. Our time is now. This is the time we write our story. There are no labels or time constraints that limit God’s power to move in mighty ways. The God of Moses is my God. The God of Joshua is my God. The God of Paul is my God. The God of Billy Graham is my God. The God of Martin Luther is my God. We are ALL a part of God’s Greatest Generation. 

Today is the day to seize, and make a difference. Get in the race. Get on board. Use your available tools. Embrace these days. This is ‘Our Generation’. Make a difference. Speak it. Youtube it. Tweet it. Blog it. Email it. Instagram it. Copy it. Paste it. Vimeo it. Write it. Post it. Tag it. Share it. 

Both photos include several members of 'The Greatest Generation' in America. Photos are at a ground breaking for a Family Life Center at a church we attended. Photos were taken in the early 1990's. 

Fruit

Arguments erupt with no known cause sometimes. Tempers flare like Mount St. Helens. Words slice and dice the opposer. Voices escalate with the desire to be heard and understood. Fingers are pointed. Eyes turn red. Doors are slammed. Damage is done.

Sound familiar?

As a living and breathing human being, I have both witnessed and participated in such chaos. As a participant, much of the time, my opposer tends to be someone I am very close to. It seems we expect more out of those we care about. With expectations comes disappointments. Disappointments creates frustrations. Frustrations create hurt. At times, hurt leads to resentment and bitterness. Resentment and bitterness leads to sleepless nights and stressful days. 

One particular sleepless night I woke up. My mind started the downward spiral. A previous disappointment left me frustrated and hurt. Resentment and bitterness began to take root. The past few years have taught me I need to do my dance in life a little different. Change hasn't ever been easy for me. Tendencies to get in a rut and stay there for a while are my specialty. Perhaps the saying ‘it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks’ applies. Trying to do a different dance this late in the game is a challenge. However, with baby steps it seems there could be hope. 

As I lay in bed I paid attention to what was going on in my mind, and in my stomach. My mind was racing, and my stomach was churning. It was maddening. I took a deep breath. I needed God’s help. The vicious cycle dragging my mind into negativity, and tying my stomach into knots, had stirred me long enough. Contemplating the things going thru my mind, I lay there determined to tackle this problem. I knew God was with me, and could help me. I looked to Him, and opened my mind. He took the thoughts in my mind causing bitterness and resentment, and opened my mind to thoughts of thankfulness and appreciation. It was a battle within myself. It was a very hard battle. I lay in bed many nights with resentment and bitterness swirling in my head. Oddly enough it’d become a place of comfort. This night I decided to try and do it different. 

As I pushed aside the thoughts that were robbing me of joy, my mind was available to be filled with something better. Some reason the Holy Spirit came to mind. He’s been with me since I was thirteen, and tonight He was there waiting on me to recognize His presence. I moved myself over and gave Him room to occupy more of my thoughts.  

Teaching children, when I was younger, I memorized a song about the fruit of the Spirit. It comes to mind frequently when a preacher mentions the fruit in a sermon, or I happen to come across scripture that mentions the fruit of the Spirit. I must say, I’ve been proud of myself at times when I’ve been able to quote the fruit of the Spirit in a public setting. Little do people know it was a song written for children, and myself as an adult learned the fruit. 

Lying in bed my thoughts circled around the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit kept running thru my mind. I wanted the fruit of the Spirit, and I NEEDED the fruit of the Spirit. I needed less of the crap going thru my head that was creating bitterness and resentment. I wanted a better dance. As I leaned on God, He let me know I can have a better dance. I needed to give Him the mess going thru my head, let it go, and trust Him. 

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 following definitions can be found in Webster: (There are probably more appropriate theological definitions, however I feel these definitions are adequate for today.)

Love - A feeling of strong or constant affection for a person.

Joy - A feeling of great happiness.

Peace - A state in which there is no war or fighting.

Patience - The capacity, habit, or fact of being patient (able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time, or when dealing with problems or difficult people).

Kindness - The quality or state of being gentle and considerate.

Goodness - The quality or state of being good (conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong).

Faith - A strong belief or faith in someone or something.

Gentleness - The quality or state of being gentle especially : mildness of manners or disposition.

Self Control - Restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires.

I wanted and needed the fruit of the Spirit. Easy enough said, but to actually have it can sometimes be a different story. Thoughts that brought about bitterness and resentment, were replaced with a few thankful and appreciative thoughts. A place in my heart that was once filled with darkness, was now filled with a little love, joy, peace, etc. You get the picture? The shift of my focus while lying in my bed, for those few minutes, gave the Holy Spirit a little breathing room in my heart. It felt great. I wanted more. 

There are many more ways for the fruit of the Spirit to work in our lives. This is only one small way God spoke to me at this time. When you find yourself wanting more of the fruit of the Spirit……. listen. God can probably show you something that will give the Holy Spirit a little breathing room in your heart. I feel confident saying ‘You’ll want more’.  

We will struggle to do our dance different. Something about the rut we get into is hard to get out of. As we practice more, I’m certain it can be done. Taking time to be deliberate in watching what’s going on in our head, nipping it in the bud, and giving into the directing of the Holy Spirit will cause a shift in the movement of our feet in our dance. With God on our side, all things are possible.

In all of life, I can’t think of anything better to have. Who wouldn’t want Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faith, Gentleness, and Self Control? 

Inadequate Words

The sights, sounds, and smells of Africa are certainly different from where I live. Words seem inadequate.  

And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said. ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

Acts 17:26-28 ESV