The Point Bonita Lighthouse Northern Ca. Picture by Laurie Couto
The Holy Spirit inspired our blog.
Optional Memorial of Saint Rose of Lima, virgin
Remain in my love, says the Lord;
whoever lives in me and I in him will bear much fruit.
Emphasis mine Jn 15:9b, 5b
Today’s blog is from the Alleluia Refrain.
I looked up the word fruit in Biblegateway.com. Fruit is mentioned sixty times in the New Testament.
Fruit is an important word; some of you can guess where we’re going with this blog.
In my younger years, I would hear the word Fruit, and it made no sense to me.
Why did Jesus and the other Gospel writers keep talking about Fruit?
Everything changed when The Holy Spirit asked me to learn the Nine Fruit, and yes, this is singular.
Learning the Nine changed my life.
As a short review, the nine are:
You can grow in Love, Joy, and Peace by learning and praying for Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Kindness, and Self-Control.
Easy!
Last week we reported a man in the Jail said he would learn the “Nine.” I was very excited because once he knew the “Nine,” he would see a difference, and when he reported that he grew in Peace or Joy, that might serve as an encouragement to the other men to learn the “Nine.”
Guess what? He didn’t, but then something surprising happened; another prisoner, who had said he couldn’t remember things weeks earlier, said he learned the “Nine” and said the “Nine” before the other men.
I asked him if he saw a difference.
He said, “Yes.”
“What was the difference you saw,” we asked further.
He said, “I am growing in Patience.”
And the result of your growing in Patience has resulted in what?
“Peace.”
We next talked about Thomas Merton, who left an active life in New York City and went to a Trappist Monastery, who then decided to become a Trappist.
Why did Merton do this?
In his book A Seven Story Mountain, Merton said it was the Peace he found with the Trappists, and Merton wanted more Peace.
At the end of our meeting, three other men, including the one who didn’t do as he said he would, said they would learn the “Nine when I returned in two weeks.”
One man tried learning the “Nine,” saw a difference, testified to that difference, and now others want in.
Steve and Dave reported how their lives changed in the past two weeks. We asked this before, and we will ask it again.
How about You?
Because whoever lives in me and I in him will bear much fruit.
If you want to join Team Jesus, try praying. “This is the day the lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.”
Sidebar:
We are moving into another exciting chapter in our blog: we will share some of the great comments we receive with you because, like the prisoners, if you read someone else’s viewpoint, this might help you change your perspective and try the prayers we have suggested, just as we reported above in the jail.
Comments from the last three weeks:
The first comment refers to our Blog on 8/2/23 about a merchant selling everything to purchase a Pearl of great value.
The “Pearl of Great Price” parable is a milestone in my life. I was feeling very dejected because I had not done anything to change how I lived during the Lenten season many years ago. At the time, I was in training for a children’s program called “Young Children and Worship.” I was observing a lesson showing the Pearl of Great Price. A large white circle was on the floor, and an outline was placed that represented a house, and within that, household objects were placed. As the parable was being shared, the objects were all removed, and even the outline of the house, and at the end of the story, there was just the pearl in the center of the large white circle. Then from within, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “You are the pearl I have purchased at a Great Price.” It was the first time I had ever heard the parable from our Lord’s point of view. It was my best Lent ever, and I was filled with great Joy. Peace and Joy be with you, Fred, and all seeking the Lord.
Emphasis mine Marie blog 8/2/23
Marie, now you understand you are a Pearl of great value; never let satan take that thought away.
Thank you, Fred. I love the readings of Moses. I often think,” The Jewish people God led out of the land of Egypt gripe and complain so much”! Then I look in the mirror and say to myself,
“So do you!
After all, the Lord has done for me, I still complain and fear what is around the next corner”.
This puts me in check and convicts me.
Emphasis mine 8/9/23 Blog Lizzie
For too long in my life, I read the Old Testament as a story that took place over four thousand years ago, and I also felt it had little application to the life I, yes I, was trying to live.
One day I woke up, Holy Spirit, and realized the stories in the Old Testament really applied to my lifestyle, and Lizz summarized my thinking beautifully.
Thanks for sharing, Fred. Keep up the good work! Your perspective and willingness to share your truths offer hope for everyone reading your posts. If I can put things into practice amid the busyness of the day, I’m happier at the end of the day.
All the best!
Emphasis mine 8/23/23 blog Laurie
God is taking care of me with your Pictures and Comments, and I pray God is taking care of you through our Blog, your Pictures, and now your Comments.
My Operation:
I had my operation, and I first want t thank all of you for your prayers. I came out of the operation with NO pain or discomfort. For a two-hour operation where they remove the interior of the prostate, leaving the shell, I think this is an incredible statement. God was with me all the way, and I give full credit to God and thank God for all the miracles that have occurred since this process started over three months ago.
I prayed for a quick resolution of the prostate difficulty, but God had other plans for me, and as is always true, Their plans were far better than mine.
I pray we will tell you more about what happened, but today, I just wanted to thank everyone for their Prayers and Support.
It meant a lot to me.
Picture:
The Point Bonita Lighthouse Northern Ca. Picture by Laurie Couto
Please keep Snapping!
Several people from foreign countries have asked for my email address, but I am still waiting to hear back. We decided to include my email for your convenience.
If you want a copy of the prayers we discussed, email me.
fprince101@gmail.com
Remember, if you want to submit a picture, no people, please, because we have to get permission from that person to use their photograph. By sending your picture, you consent to allow us to reprint that picture in our next book, God Thoughts 2023, with your name and any comments in the Blog.
