Self-Control
I’m challenged by why temperance/self-control are the final bookends of the nine spiritual gifts listed in Galatians 5:22-23. What’s so special about self-control?
Lean, Green, Spring Pasta
What’s for supper tonight is quick and easy lean, green, spring pasta. My garden fresh perennial herbs are busting out with tender but piquant leaves and are desperately calling out to be picked!
Gentleness
Gentleness is the 8th spiritual gift listed in Galatians 5:22-23. I’m ashamed to admit that the word gentleness brings to mind the oh so many times I reacted in anger or frustration to my mom. I was not always gentle! And her response was consistently one of listening first, speaking next.
Transplanting Perennials
It’s early spring and I’m itching to get outside and play in the dirt. I have a cherished sign given to me by a friend that says, “dirt therapy.” For me, there’s no better prescription for chasing away the blues than digging in the moist, rain-drenched spring soil. I am assured that all my hard work amending the soil in the fall has paid off. The bumper crop of earthworms right below the mulched surface greets me as I dig in to divide and transplant my perennials.
Fidelity
Fidelity is foremost about my faithfulness to God. What does that look like in my journey? It’s not that God can depend on me to do the work for Him, but that He will be free to do His blessing work through me.
Good for You Easy Bran Muffins
Many of you have asked me for uncomplicated baking recipes. I have one go-to recipe that I’ve used since the early 70’s. It is one of those fadish recipes that we all used, but for some reason went out of style. You’ll be gad I resurrected this one for you!
Goodness
Goodness, the sixth spiritual gift listed in Galatians 5:22-23, is beneficence; being consciously unselfish in relationships. Do we practice Jesus’ example of unselfish wisdom in our daily interactions?
The King of Winter Vegetables, Broccoli
My current favorite vegetable to grow through the winter months is broccoli. I did not grow up with it in Lebanon, and did not care for it in the U.S., but I have flipped my negative vote to a resounding yes since I’ve started growing it myself! Not only is it easy to grow, but broccoli is an extraordinary green substitute in a salad.
Tender Loving Kindness
Kindness, the fifth “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22) is benignity; the artful quality of being gentle and gracious towards others. It is like the pureness of a child’s hug that only seeks to express appreciative affection.
“Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme”
As Simon and Garfunkel commemorate in their top hit seventies song, herbs are a loving, essential ingredient in life.