Galatians 5:22-25 NRSV 22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.  Reflection: This month is a time when making commitments and resolutions is fresh on the minds of many. There’s just something about crossing into a new year that is motivational. There’s hope for something new, something good. [...]

Sue Bellamy   Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He causes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He causes me to walk in paths of righteousness. Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.   Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil. Surely, goodness and mercy shall go before me all [...]

Catherine Washington, Lay Leader 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, ESV 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he [...]

Mary Martha Lappe, Member, Good Will Class   Psalm 96 Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. I’ve always been “a morning person.” The “early to bed, and early to rise” formula was taught me at an early age by a generation of farmers and gardeners who understood the value of making the most of cool mornings especially during hot summer months. As a teacher for over five decades, my schedule required me to embrace early [...]

Hebrews 10:23-25: Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.   Reflection: Texas is football country…can I get an Amen?! Now, I’m not exactly a dyed-in-the-wool football enthusiast, but I do my best to keep up. It’s nice that I can be a solo football fan, supporting my team from [...]

Edith D. Nordloh Scripture and Translation: Micah 6:8 (NRSV)  He has shown you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness (mercy) and to walk humbly with your God? Matthew 7:1-2 (NRSV) Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.  For, with the judgment, you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Reflection: My parents were generous people. They didn’t make a lot of money (my father was a high school teacher and my mother [...]

Bob DeLong Kid’s Hope and Houston reVision Mentor, Joy and Genesis Class member Colossians 3:12 (NIV) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Reflection: I was reared in a devotedly Christian home.  My parents grew up on family farms and were Deacons in our small Brethren church. The family was heavily involved in church activities throughout the week. Church, work around the house, school, music, sports, and visiting relatives were our life. My parents were quiet people, who taught and led by example. My mother stopped working to [...]

Mary Schuler ​​Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think [...]

Justine Vandenbrink   Scripture and Translation: John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”   Reflection: Remember when you were a kid and you just couldn’t WAIT to become an adult? Like all your worries would be solved once you hit adulthood and could run your own life. Gone would be the days of stressing about school, homework, acne, and fitting in. But once you finished school you realized adulting isn’t all it’s cracked [...]

Jenna Lindley   Luke 2:10-14, KJV 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and [...]