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Friday Fruit - Patience

 

 

 

It's Friday...Hooray!

Today's Fruit of the Spirit is Patience. I know so many of us struggle with this fruit...whether it be practicing patience with others, or even with God as you wait for Him to answer your prayers. Below is the definition of patience and Scripture regarding patience. When you read the Scripture ask God to open your eyes to anything He wants you to focus on & work on in the area of patience. Try to be mindful of this fruit all day today, and try to recognize any benefits you gain.

 

Definition of patience:

-   The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting
    angry or upset.
-   tolerant and even-tempered perseverance
-   the capacity for calmly enduring pain, trying situations, etc.
-   Bearing or enduring pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance with calmness.

 

Scripture regarding patience:

Hebrews 6:12
Then you would never be lazy. You would be following the example of those who had faith and were patient until God kept his promise to them.

 

Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.

Psalm 37:34
Wait passionately for God, don't leave the path. He'll give you your place in the sun while you watch the wicked lose it.

Galatians 6:9
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

James 1:2-4
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Revelation 3:10
You obeyed my message and endured. So I will protect you from the time of testing that everyone in all the world must go through.

 

The fruit of patience makes me happy!

 

You are precious in His sight. Your God loves you!  Much love, Torrie

 

 

 

 

 

(image: we heart it)

Friday Fruit - Self Control

 

 

 

 

Happy Friday!

If you recall last Friday I listed the 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit. So today let's focus on self-control. I chose this fruit of the Holy Spirit because in my opinion it's one of the hardest of the 9...for me anyways LOL!  Posted below is the definition of self-control and Scripture regarding self-control. When you read the Scripture ask God to open your eyes to anything He wants you to focus on & work on in the area of self-control. Try to be mindful of this fruit all day today, and try to recognize any benefits you gain.

 

Definition of self-control:

- the ability to exercise restraint or control over one's feelings, emotions,  
  reactions, etc
- the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses
- the trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior

Note:
Keep in mind that we are talking about the fruits of the Holy Spirit here, so we don't have to do this in our own power. We ask the Holy Spirit to work through us to bring forth this character or "fruit".

 

Scripture regarding self-control:

Proverbs 16:32 
It is better to be patient than powerful. It is better to win control over yourself than over whole cities.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.

Proverbs 25:28 
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Galatians 5:23
Gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

 

The fruit of self-control makes me happy! 


Have a blessed weekend!  Torrie

 

 

 

 

(image: we heart it)

grace.love.friendship

 

 

 

The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ,
the extravagant love of God,
the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit,
be with all of you.

- 2 Corinthians 13:14 

 

I read this scripture yesterday and found it very exciting, and just so sweet. It's how Paul ended a letter to the people of a church he started in Corinth. Paul was chosen to be an apostle of Jesus, so he knew well the relationship between God and His people. I decided to look up some key words from this scripture describing each head of the Trinity - God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit.

Grace:                - favor or goodwill
                           - a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior
                           - mercy; clemency; pardon

Extravagant:       - going beyond what is deserved or justifiable   
                   - excessively high   
                   - lacking in moderation or restraint

Intimate (adj.):    - belonging to or characterizing one's deepest nature
                           - marked by very close association, contact, or
                             familiarity
                           - marked by a warm friendship developing through long
                             association

 

So with Jesus you have mercy, you've been pardoned & have favor!  God loves you excessively, beyond what you deserve & there is no restraint in His love for you!  The Holy Spirit has a warm friendship with you (even if you've not yet been aware) because of His long association with you! 

So today no matter what challenges you face, no matter what you are lacking (whether it be finances, companionship, peace, etc.), and no matter how someone mistreats you...this is how the Creator of the universe feels about you!  Isn't that just so wonderful you can barely stand it!?  Be confident today, be reassured & try to be aware of this love & His presence in your life.  Then be thankful! 


This grace, love & friendship makes me happy! 

 

Much love,  Torrie

 

 

 

 

                   
 (image: we heart it)              

apple dumpling recipe - so easy!

 

 



This recipe is so easy, you guys should try it tonight!  They smell yummy while they're baking and they taste like little apple pies. This is the perfect treat for fall too, don't you think? Treat yourself, your family, a neighbor, or even co-workers...it will bless their day!

I found this recipe on Paula Deen's website (of course...      I love her!) and I'll post a link to the recipe on her page below.  I noticed in the comments several people listed ways to tweak the recipe that sound wonderful and I may try some next time.  Enjoy friends!  ♥

 

 

Apple Dumplings

Ingredients:
2 cans crescent rolls
2 granny smith apples
1 stick butter
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/3 cup splenda (or sugar)
1 (12 oz) diet Mountain Dew

Directions:
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.  Peel and core apples.  Cut each apple into 8 wedges.  Roll each wedge in a crescent roll.  Place rolls in a 9 x 13 baking dish.  In small saucepan melt butter.  Once melted add splenda (or sugar) and cinnamon.  Mix well.  Spoon over crescent rolls.  Pour diet Mountain Dew over rolls.  Bake for 45 minutes.

Notes from the Paula Deen Test Kitchen:  Splenda is more difficult to mix in butter than sugar.  Mixes better if butter is melted.  In a small mixing bowl,  whisk together melted butter, Splenda and cinnamon. Remove the dumplings to a wire rack after cooking as the liquid still in the baking dish will make the dumplings soggy.  The Apple Dumplings taste like mini apple pies.

 

 

Click HERE to go to Paula Deen's website to view the recipe and comments for these apple dumplings! 

Baking, smelling & eating apple dumplings makes me happy! 

 

 

 

 

(image: my own, clip art: HubPages)

friday fruits of the spirit

 

 

I thought it would be fun to focus on the fruits of the Holy Spirit over the next several Fridays.  I’m posting a link below to a sermon that talks about the Holy Spirit and what His role is in your life.  It’s very interesting and exciting, and I suggest listening to it when you have some quiet time.  For today I just want to list the fruits so you can be aware of them as you shine your light in the world!

 

Basically the fruits of the Holy Spirit are the characteristics we exude when we rely on the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, and equip us to live a godly life.  Below are two different Bible translations of Galatians 5:22-23. These are the two verses in the Bible that list the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

 

Galatians 5:22-23 (Amplified Bible)

²²But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,²³Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

 

Galatians 5:22-23 (The Message)

^22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

 

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

•     Love

•     Joy

•     Peace

•     Patience

•     Kindness

•     Goodness

•     Faithfulness

•     Gentleness

•     Self-control

 

Let’s try to read through this scripture and list throughout the day, to remind us of what we have and who we are when we walk in the Holy Spirit.  Below is a link to the sermon I mentioned above.  Just click on the television set below. There is also a link to his sermon outline and his notes that summarize this powerful sermon.  I hope this information blesses you as it has me. Be aware of how it blesses those around you as well! You make an impact every single day…on your spouse, children, friends, and co-workers. How drastically those relationships could change for the better if you are mindful of these 9 fruits when dealing with these relationships! 

 

    Walking in the Holy Spirit
Dr. Charles Stanley
In Touch Ministries

Click HERE for the sermon outline!

 

Click HERE for the sermon notes...
I love these notes! Print them and refer back to them often!

 

 

The fruits of the Holy Spirit make me happy!  

Much love,  Torrie

 

 

 

(images: we heart it)    

i dare you to read this

 

 
Friends let's read this over and over today. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of this scripture, as you face different situations throughout the day. Let's see how much joy this can bring us...not to mention the people who have the pleasure of dealing with us. Our main purpose in life is to be a blessing.

Being a blessing makes me happy! 

 

 

1 Peter 3:8-12
The Message

Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing. 

   Whoever wants to embrace life
      and see the day fill up with good,

   Here's what you do:

      Say nothing evil or hurtful;
   Snub evil and cultivate good;
      run after peace for all you're worth.
   God looks on all this with approval,
      listening and responding well to what he's asked;
   But he turns his back
      on those who do evil things.

 

 

Have a joy filled day!  Much love, Torrie 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(image: we heart it)

prayer at ground zero

 

 

 

Prayer at Ground Zero

Prayer of Pope Benedict XVI

 

Oh  God of love, compassion, and healing,
look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions,
who gather today at this site,
the scene of incredible violence and pain.

We ask you in your goodness
to give eternal light and peace to all who died here—
the heroic first-responders:
our fire fighters, police officers,
emergency service workers, and Port Authority personnel,
along with all the innocent men and women
who were victims of this tragedy
simply because their work or service
brought them here on September 11, 2001.

We ask you, in your compassion
to bring healing to those who,
because of their presence here that day,
suffer from injuries and illness.
Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families
and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy.
Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope.

We are mindful as well
of those who suffered death, injury, and loss
on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Our hearts are one with theirs
as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.

God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women
and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love
those whose hearts and minds
are consumed with hatred.

God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain.

Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.

 

 

 

 

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finding it hard to pray?

 

 

I’ll be the first to admit, I find it difficult to consistently pray.  It’s somewhat intimidating to me…I mean HELLO, it’s the Creator of the universe we’re talking to here!  Pressure anyone?  I know that He is a loving and caring God and created me to have a relationship with Him. I should approach Him with reverence and awe, but not timidly. 

I also find that I have a noisy mind when I try to quiet myself to pray. I am bombarded with thoughts, ideas, and other things I “need” to be doing.  It’s very frustrating because there is nothing more important at the moment than communicating with God. 

So perhaps you’re like me and have a harder time with this than you’d like to admit.  I want to share with you some very simple ideas to try to get the ball rolling with your prayer life. Challenge yourself to try this over the weekend while your schedule isn’t so hectic.  First I just want to give you a pointer that I heard in a recent sermon I was listening to online.  It’s simple really…ask the Holy Spirit to quiet your mind and to block out all of those unnecessary thoughts that pop into your head while you pray. I’m telling you this has worked for me; it has freed me so I can focus on my ultimate purpose…a close relationship with God!

So try one, two or all three of the following ideas:

• Just stop, quiet yourself, and earnestly tell God 10 things that you are thankful to Him for.  Yes it’s that simple.  I do this when I’m stressing out, or having a pity party.  By the time you are to the end of that list you’ll be feeling not only thankful, but closer to Him once you realize all He’s blessed you with.

• If you don’t know what to pray, sing to Him!  Stop rolling your eyes, it’s not cheesy!  That’s what most hymns, church songs, whatever you want to call them…were written for in the first place.  A friend of mine heard this on the radio and shared it with me, and I’m so thankful she did.  A few of my favorite songs are “You Are Near”, “Hear I am Lord” and “Be Not Afraid”.  These are more old school, but pick one of your favorite contemporary Christian songs or whatever moves you.

• When you stop to pray, pretend like you are meeting a dear friend for coffee.  Tell Him, as you would this friend, what’s going on in your life right now and how you feel about it.  Tell Him you’re stressed, excited, fearful, hopeful…however you are feeling about the circumstances in your life.  If you can be honest and pour your heart out to a friend, how could you not to your God!?  I'm sure He cares more than a friend would emotionally be able to. 

I am so excited for you!  I hope you try this and find great success. He loves you no matter what you’ve done.  He’ll take you just like you are.  He’s waiting patiently for you.

 

Have a relaxing & blessed weekend!    Torrie

 

 

 

(image: we heart it)

surviving at work

  
When I went to work today I thought I was all prayed up and ready to battle anything that would inevitably come my way.  I was okay for a while…I tried so hard to be aware of the Holy Spirit and asked Him to please convict my heart the moment I start to stray from peace.  I’ll admit it took longer than usual to get upset, but I felt like the devil was throwing everything he had at me!  I’ll spare you the details, but I feel like I’m at war the moment I walk in there. 

So needless to say I’m desperately studying tonight trying to get myself set up for a successfully peaceful day tomorrow!  This whole time I can’t help thinking about you.  I wonder if you too are having a stressful time at work, or possibly there is strife in your home…or maybe just in your heart.  If so I’m thinking about you as I am trying to build myself up.  So I’m going to share with you what I find to help me get through the days at work, little by little as I conquer every emotion and win every battle.  Tonight I want to post scripture that I came across today when I got home from work.  A family member had posted one verse from it on Facebook and I immediately wanted to read the chapter in its entirety!  It reassured me, led me in the right direction, and made me laugh…parts of it are pretty blatant!  LOL!
Anyways I hope this chapter from Proverbs blesses you as it did me.  I chose to post The Message Bible translation, but feel free to click on "Proverbs 29" below and it will take you to Bible Gateway where you can read it in your favorite translation. 

It is my prayer that your day is blessed, peaceful, and joy filled. 

 

Enjoy,  Torrie 



P.S. -   I had this entire post done and ready to go when my computer overheated and crashed. Then as my computer screen went black I saw the reflection of a woman with a horrified look on her face and some seriously dark circles underneath her eyes...quickly realizing it was me and that I better deal with this work stress - but quick!  ;o )

P.S.S  - Save your work!

 

Proverbs 29

If People Can't See What God Is Doing

 ¹ For people who hate discipline and only get more stubborn,
There'll come a day when life tumbles in and they break,
   but by then it'll be too late to help them.

 ² When good people run things, everyone is glad,
   but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans.

 ³ If you love wisdom, you'll delight your parents,
   but you'll destroy their trust if you run with whores.

 ⁴ A leader of good judgment gives stability;
   an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.

 ⁵ A flattering neighbor is up to no good;
   he's probably planning to take advantage of you.

 ⁶ Evil people fall into their own traps;
   good people run the other way, glad to escape.

 ⁷ The good-hearted understand what it's like to be poor;
   the hardhearted haven't the faintest idea.

 ⁸ A gang of cynics can upset a whole city;
   a group of sages can calm everyone down.

 ⁹ A sage trying to work things out with a fool
   gets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble.

 ¹⁰ Murderers hate honest people;
   moral folks encourage them.

 ¹¹ A fool lets it all hang out;
   a sage quietly mulls it over.

 ¹² When a leader listens to malicious gossip,
   all the workers get infected with evil.

 ¹³ The poor and their abusers have at least something in common:
   they can both see—their sight, God's gift!

 ¹⁴ Leadership gains authority and respect
   when the voiceless poor are treated fairly.

 ¹⁵ Wise discipline imparts wisdom;
   spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.

 ¹⁶ When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild,
   but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.

 ¹⁷ Discipline your children; you'll be glad you did—
   they'll turn out delightful to live with.

 ¹⁸ If people can't see what God is doing,
   they stumble all over themselves;
But when they attend to what he reveals,
   they are most blessed.

 ¹⁹ It takes more than talk to keep workers in line;
   mere words go in one ear and out the other.

 ²⁰ Observe the people who always talk before they think—
   even simpletons are better off than they are.

 ²¹ If you let people treat you like a doormat,
   you'll be quite forgotten in the end.

 ²² Angry people stir up a lot of discord;
   the intemperate stir up trouble.

 ²³ Pride lands you flat on your face;
   humility prepares you for honors.

 ²⁴ Befriend an outlaw
   and become an enemy to yourself.
When the victims cry out,
   you'll be included in their curses
   if you're a coward to their cause in court.

 ²⁵ The fear of human opinion disables;
   trusting in God protects you from that.

 ²⁶ Everyone tries to get help from the leader,
   but only God will give us justice.

 ²⁷ Good people can't stand the sight of deliberate evil;
   the wicked can't stand the sight of well-chosen goodness.

 

 

 

(image: we heart it)

quote

 

 

 

 

 

    Commit your work to the LORD,
     and your plans will be established.

- Proverbs 16:3

 

 

 

 

 

 

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