Shade Tree Wisdom 8/1/10

August already, and the weather tells it. August also means time really does fly, and the end already nears of those long summer days. Well. According to some studies, summer vacations for so many are a time to slip behind and lose what they have studied.

So there are programs in place in some areas now to stop this eroding, and build on knowledge and find easy to use it to make it stick.

Before the service this morning I was reading one of St. Paul’s letters, this one that he had written to the church at Galatia. The thought occurred to me, “When was the last time I got a letter written and meant for me alone?” When was the last time you received such a latter, one that commented on things in Your life, and expressed some thought or sentiment you shared, a letter that refreshed your day? One that brightened a gloomy moment and simply delighted you?

I know, I know, we have hundreds of ‘friends’ on face book etc. But are they?

St. Paul’s letter, well, read it again for yourself, written with them in mind, teaching, guiding, scolding, instructing, encouraging, strengthening, and showing them that Jesus Christ really does change them from inside so that they no longer are the kind of person who says, “I must do this to have salvation”. No, He brings us to understand that what Jesus has done HAS won salvation for us.

So He writes, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh . . .(for) the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” 5, 10.22-15.

Can you imagine how that new congregation of believers felt when they received such an encouraging letter? That’s how God comes to us, in words easy to understand, to strengthen our faith and refresh our struggling souls. May God bless Your way with His light and truth.

GPD 8/1/10