Tag: kindness

Prayer Note #64: Anger and the Fruit of God’s Spirit

~ gachorpenning ~ 2 Comments

God, my Father, as I look around me,as I see the newsand read my social media feed,anger wells up in me.I am offended by what I see.This world is not as it should be.In my anger, I want to lash out.In my offense, I want to call downfire from heaven.Then, I find in your wordthat … Continue reading Prayer Note #64: Anger and the Fruit of God’s Spirit

Pastor Note #132: Anger and Following Jesus

~ gachorpenning ~ 5 Comments

In my youth, which took place in those dark days before the existence of computers and apps on mobile devices, it was very difficult to say definitively how often, if at all, a given phrase appears in the Bible.  These days, of course, it is a matter of a few moments of thumb typing, and … Continue reading Pastor Note #132: Anger and Following Jesus

Quote of Note #128: Charity or Compassion

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photo by GAC "A so-called free society has never been remarkable for its feeling towards its casualties. It is invariably richer in charity than in compassion, probably because charity is tax-deductible whereas compassion is merely time-consuming." Peter Ustinov, Krumnagel. New York: Little, Brown, & Co. 1971, page 152.

Prayer Note #62: Holy Kindness/Kind Holiness

~ gachorpenning ~ 4 Comments

Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho; photo by GAC Father, it is so hard for me to hold your terrifying holiness and your gentle kindness together in my conception of you. My mind wavers and falls out of balance as I try to keep those true aspects of your character in healthy tension. Then you either become a … Continue reading Prayer Note #62: Holy Kindness/Kind Holiness

Quote of Note #125: Kindness and Gentleness

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Photo by GAC "We were created for kind and gentle living. Indeed, kindness and gentleness are two of the fruit-of-the-Spirit characteristics that the apostle Paul mentions in Galatians 5. When Christians fail to measure up to the standards of kindness and gentleness, we are not the people God meant us to be." Richard Mouw, Uncommon … Continue reading Quote of Note #125: Kindness and Gentleness

Pastor Note #92: Living Out Love

~ gachorpenning ~ 8 Comments

There are many factors that help a church to be healthy and effective—biblical and theological faithfulness, creativity and boldness in outreach, members who are diligent and committed to growing in their faith.  But few things can wreck a church faster than bad relational ethics.  Relational ethics in a church are one of the most important … Continue reading Pastor Note #92: Living Out Love

Quote of Note #90: Grace for Neighbors. . . and Enemies

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"To be people of amazing grace is to see ourselves as recipients of kindness and understanding not owed to us, and if we really believe it's been lavished upon us undeservedly, maybe we can lavish a little upon the people we find ourselves least inclined to view generously.  If we're showering only the people we … Continue reading Quote of Note #90: Grace for Neighbors. . . and Enemies

Quote of Note #61 — Generosity and Compassion

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"There are people who are known to be very liberal [generous], yet they never give without scolding or pride or even insolence.  We are sunk to such a depth of calamity in this awful age that scarcely any alms are given, at least by the majority of men, without haughtiness and contempt.  The corruption of … Continue reading Quote of Note #61 — Generosity and Compassion

Quote of Note #44: Instruments of Grace to Others

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"Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and malice [Ephesians 4:30-32] are characteristic of words that qualify as ungracious speech.  These are forbidden vices that grieve the Holy Spirit.  God has a personal concern that His children use their speech in kind and merciful ways and not at all in ways that are harmful: 'But love … Continue reading Quote of Note #44: Instruments of Grace to Others