Air Prayer

Can a man fly AND love Jesus? You’d better believe it!

The fruits of the Spirit – Kindness

Filed under: Faith — The Flying Deacon at 9:03 pm on Saturday, October 28, 2006

How is kindness different from love? God shows His love to those whom He has chosen by enabling their belief, by offering them salvation, by atoning for His chosen by sacrificing His Beloved on the cross. God shows His love by bestowing blessings upon His chosen. God shows His love by selecting them for eternal life. We show love by taking care of one another, being faithful to one another, and helping one another. How do we show kindness then? Love and kindness sound so similar. They are but with one important difference, kindness can be shared with those we don’t love.

God shows His kindness in many different ways. He keeps the planet warm and habitable, sends the sun and rain at just the right times, and He provides us with water and food. This is kindness that is expressed to all life on the earth, not just His elect. God enables some to become rich and enjoy their wealth all their days on earth. This is kind in that many of them are doomed to destruction. (I don’t judge them, God does.)

One may ask then if God is so kind to those who are not His chosen, then why doesn’t he just save them anyway? If you had spent your whole life denying that there is a God, or even worse, not caring if there is a God or not, would it be kind to for you to stand before God for all eternity? To have to stand and praise God all eternity when you never believed in the first place would be very unkind indeed.

We can’t pretend to know God’s motives. Our highest love is not quite as good as His lowest kindness. How can we ever hope to understand His greatest kindness? Or for that matter, His deepest love? Emulate your Father. Show kindness to those whom you don’t love.

The fruits of the Spirit – Patience

Filed under: Faith — The Flying Deacon at 9:59 pm on Monday, October 23, 2006

Holy Lord, I have barely enough to make ends meet. I work hard but the money always seems to be gone. I don’t know what to do Father. Won’t you help me?

Silence.

Holy Lord, my family is all gone. My children don’t call or visit any more. I’m lonely and feel as though my heart will break. Won’t you bring me home?

Silence.

Mighty God, you know how young I am but I want to serve You so badly! I want to find a Godly man to share my life with and raise Godly children but there doesn’t seem to be anyone in sight? How long must I stay in my parent’s home? When can I begin Your work?

Silence.

Most merciful Father, one trouble after another seems to pile itself on to my life. I trust You and know You will deliver me from all evil. When will these troubles end?

Silence.

When God doesn’t seem to answer our prayers, when it seems as though He is turning a deaf ear to our needs or troubles or sorrows, we must remember to ask ourselves, is God’s answer “No” or is He trying to teach us something? First of all turn to scripture to seek His answers, secondly consider that He may be teaching you to rely completely upon Him. God doesn’t do things on our timetable but on His. Wait for Him. He will take care of you at the proper time. No sooner, nor shall He delay.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
Colossians 3:12

The fruits of the Spirit – Peace

Filed under: Faith — The Flying Deacon at 10:35 pm on Saturday, October 21, 2006

Where will I find peace?  Will I find it locked witihin my car before I face the day’s challenges?  No, the challenges will still come.  Will I find it under the green trees along a quiet stream?  No, I must eventually leave that place.  Will I find it in the bosom of my family?  No, children grow up and move away.  Spouses die.  I cannot find peace anywere except within myself.  Quietly, gently placed there by a loving and merciful Savior.

How will I find peace?  Will I find it by studying the great works of man stumbling across some secret wisdom that unlocks it?  No, though you gain all the knowledge in all the world, you will not find peace. Will I find it by asking all the wisest men in all the world, some guru upon a mountain?  No, men who offer peace try to give away what they themselves don’t have.  The Bible, that’s it, the Bible will show me how to find peace!  The Bible speaks of peace but does not offer it.  Those who follow the teachings in the Bible will be given very little in the way of peace.  No, there is nothing I can do to find it.  The only way I will find it is if I am led to peace by a loving and merciful Savior.

When will I find peace?  Will I find it when I have finished studying Scripture having unlocked all it’s secrets?  No, many learned men read Scripture and it does nothing for them.  Will I find it when the wars have ended, when men no longer rise up against one another?  No, there will always be war and suffering until the return of our King.  Will I find it when at last I am laid to rest?  No, the dead feel nothing, they only sleep and await peace.  No, I will only find peace when I have completely submitted myself to a loving a merciful Savior.

My Savior leads me through righteous paths, He calms the waters for me, though the wolves snarl and snap I do not fear them.  I feel the peace that can’t be explained.  The peace that comes from knowing that you are beyond the reach of evil.  The peace that comes from knowing that no matter what happens I will ultimately be victorious because my Savior, my King, my God has ordained it and nothing can stand before Him. 

Peace is where I Am … is.

The fruits of the Spirit – Joy

Filed under: Faith — The Flying Deacon at 9:58 pm on Thursday, October 19, 2006

I sit amid silver glints streaking through cloud and sky. My heart races as I see the green and brown of earth melt into the blue horizon on all sides. The roar of engine and air fills my head and mixes with the acrid heady smell of fuel and hot metal. Ever so gently this flash of silver floats earthward and alights the gound once more.

I bask in the warmth of my wife’s smile, the aroma of the food she cooked filles the house. My children are making foolish noises at each other across the table. My work for the day is done, I can rest, relax, enjoy dinner with my family. I pray over the food. My wife tells me about her day, my children each tell me something that interests them at the moment. I mostly just listen quietly, only asking a few questions here and there.

I have to there be early. I have to help set up. Arrange the chairs just so. Make sure the food supplies are moved to the kitchen. I listen to my wife play preludes on the piano while I bustle around. The service begins. The chair I sit in is uncomfortable, it hurts my back. But then… oh then when we sing!

“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
-Nehemiah 8:10

The fruits of the Spirit – Love

Filed under: Faith — The Flying Deacon at 9:58 pm on Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Christ has poured out His love upon you, make yourself a conduit for that love.

Family

Kiss your wife.
Hug your kids.
Call your father.

Friends

Help your buddy change his oil.
Call an old acquaintance to say hello.
Laugh at your brother’s joke when it isn’t funny.

Colleagues

Make coffee for once.
Listen to someone’s problems.
Tell a colleague you admire them because…

Strangers

Smile at an elderly person.
Let the other car go first.
Help a mother lift something heavy at the grocery store.

Church

Thank your pastor for his hard work.
Ask an elderly church member for advice.
Sit next to someone who is alone.

Three simple things you can do in almost any situation to express Christ’s love. How many more can you think of? Will you act upon them? Let the fruits of the Spirit ripen in your life and burst forth their goodness upon those around you.

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