“When God ripens apples he isn’t in a hurry and he doesn’t make any noise.”
–Alec Motyer
Sunday we conclude our look at the Spirit’s fruit by focusing on self-control.  We’ll also ordain Mark Sheplak as an elder in both the 9:00 and 10:30 services.
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One of the weeds that choke out the Spirit’s production of kindness in our lives is our pride.

CSL: Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what yousaid to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.
If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realise that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.

The Vice of Pride according to Lewis – Part 8
C.S. Lewis, “The Great Sin,” Mere Christianity (1952; Harper Collins 2001) 128.

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There’s a place in the Lord of the Rings trilogy where Gandalf is under great pressure—but he lets out a big deep laugh.

“Pippin glanced in some wonder at the face now close beside his own, for the sound of that laugh had been gay and merry. Yet in the wizard’s face he saw at first only lines of care and sorrow; though as he looked more intently he perceived that under all there was a great joy: a fountain of mirth enough to set a kingdom laughing, were it to gush forth.”

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