Road Trip Reflections Part 4: Galatians 5:22-23: The Mark of God Upon Us

We had a great furlough. Susan and Heather have been gone for about a month; Sarah-Grace and I flew out to meet them about 2 weeks ago in Winnipeg. We then all drove back across Western Canada. Today I am going to chat about a few lessons learned and/or things that were reinforced for me along the way.

Lesson 4: Galatians 5:23-24: The Mark of God Upon Us

With so many people in bathing suits, I also noticed just how many people have tattoos these days. I think the majority of people between 15 and 50 probably have a tattoo of some kind – and some have lots. The 15-year-olds, I hope they still like whatever it is that they have tattooed on their bodies when they are 50 years old. A lot will change for them between now and then but that tattoo will probably stay the same.

What my mind thought of when I saw this was… what are the tattoos, the markings of a Christian life? What are the things that when people look at a child of God they will see? What indelible marks does the Holy Spirit put on our lives. I do hope that it is indeed the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 and 25: the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

After Alberta we continued on through BC stopping to see Rebecca and heading home and as I reflect on this trip it really is my hope that it will be a reminder for me (and maybe all of us here) to

· Philippians 2:3,4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Remembering that

· Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” so

· Deuteronomy 6:7: “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” For

· Galatians 5:22-23a: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

May we always have that in our lives.

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