A Missing Piece

My Photo

In late summer my husband and I were driving up from a hotel near Sea-Tac Airport south of Seattle, WA to Vancouver, BC Canada. We were on the I-5, and soon we could see the skyline. My son, loving travel and the vista driving provides, is a big fan of city panoramas. I often send him a skyline picture from whatever municipality we are passing. I made an attempt to capture Seattle’s full cityscape, which I thought included the iconic Seattle Space Needle. I quickly accessed the photo and noticed that the futuristic structure was not in the picture. I took another shot – no Space Needle! At that point we were past the mark to catch a still of the metropolis. I still can’t figure out how I failed to capture a picture including one of Seattle’s most notable places, particularly because I could see it in my viewer both times. As such, the image was not complete, and it was not a true depiction of the city when the towering landmark should have easily been visible alongside the skyscrapers and other buildings that did show up in the resultant image.

As believers in Jesus, there is a complete image that should be evident in each of us. That picture is comprised of virtues or characteristics known as the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV)*. Why then do we so often fail to display the full view of who we are in Christ? The answer is found in the surrounding passage.

Before the Apostle Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, he writes out what he calls “the works of the flesh” (from Galatians 5:19, ESV). Acts such as sexual immorality, idolatry, jealousy, anger, rivalry, division, envy, and the like are against God’s law and are offensive to him. The desires of the flesh all bring incredible opposition to the desires of the Spirit as noted in verse seventeen. “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do” (Galatians 5:17, ESV). So, what will allow the fruit to be clearly shown?

Joe Mabel Photo**

In several verses in the passage, we see that to manifest his fruit, we have to let our every move be guided and decided by the Holy Spirit. We walk by him (vs. 16). We are led by him (vs. 18). We live by him and keep in step with him (vs. 25). These active movements with the Spirit are integral to the full display of his fruit in our lives. According to commentary on verse sixteen in the Berean Study Bible commentary, “Dependence on the Spirit includes trusting God’s Word, yielding to his conviction, and rejecting patterns that belong to the former life.”***

Look once again at the list of the fruit of the Spirit. Do an honest assessment of your picture. Which fruit is more often than not hidden? Is there an obviously missing piece? Can others see all nine fruit in you? Just like the portrayal of the Seattle skyline in my photo had a missing piece, so too, when we do not manifest all the fruit of the Spirit, we do not show a complete picture of an individual in relationship with the Lord. We may not get it right all the time, but we can pray and ask the Lord for the Holy Spirit to grow any fruit that is lacking into a beautiful part of the full picture of our life in Christ.

If you don’t already have CD5, Sing God’s Word – Spirit Among Us, listen to the 1-minute song sample, Track 16, The Fruit of the Spirit, for a fun way to learn Galatians 5:22-23, ESV*. There is also an entertaining, short excerpt video performed to the song found on our promotional videos page. NOTE: if you’re thinking of purchasing any of our products, be looking for our Holidays discount starting Black Friday and running through the end of the year!

**Downtown Seattle Skyline; time/date: 1836 hours, 2 May 2020; Joe Mabel; zoomed in and further cropped

***Berean Study Bible, Email Us Walking by the Spirit, Galatians 5:16, “walk by the Spirit”

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Teaching What Matters Most

While my memory does not always serve me well, there are bits and pieces of my past that I recall during certain times and circumstances. The new school year has started or will be starting soon across the country. With that in mind, I was impelled to remember all the way back to one of the first few days I returned home from first grade. I took the big, yellow school bus home, and I excitedly ran to the house with a worksheet flapping in my hand. The sheet contained a simple picture that I had colored pretty much in the lines (that was important back then). But that was not what had me eager to arrive home to my mom. There was a sentence of at the most five words along with the crayon-colored tree. The thrilling part I was anxious to share was that I COULD READ! No matter that this was a rebus text, this piece of paper represented the beginning of a whole new world of learning and understanding for me. That paper became the foundation for every other bit of information I would ingest for the rest of my life.

I am so glad that I was privileged to have that education. It is that base that allows me to read and comprehend God’s Word, something that he desires each one of us to do. It is easy to take it for granted and forget that there was a time when only select people in a society had the ability to read for themselves. In fact, in certain cultures today, not every member of their society has the freedom or the means to do so. This makes it even sadder that we who hold this key to wisdom and knowledge neglect to make Bible reading a priority. People around the world in repressive countries who would give anything for even a scrap from God’s life-giving Word would find it hard to understand the apathy from those who profess to be Bible-believing Christians here in the land of opportunity.

This leads to another point which I have observed. In light of the school year beginning, whether children are being taught in a traditional public school, a charter school, a private or Christian school, online or in homeschool, much time and money is invested in curriculum, books, supplies, and all the other necessities to provide an optimal learning environment for them. What I have noticed, no matter the avenue of instruction, is that Bible reading and study tend to be a low priority on the list of subjects to master. Yes, children go to Sunday School, church, and maybe a mid-week service or Christian kids’ club where the Bible is shared, but to whom did God give the responsibility and authority to teach his precious Scripture?

The Book of Deuteronomy very clearly states that it is parents who are assigned the task of educating their children in his Word. “‘You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise’” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19. ESV).

I am highly aware that there is much vying for time and attention in the lives of twenty-first century families. But God’s Word is timeless, and his desire for us to know him more and more has not diminished just because we are in an age where activities and technology are ardent competitors for our focus and energy. As seen in the verses above, it begins with the adults in the room. By making the Bible a priority in their lives, parents are providing an example of the commitment to the Lord and the worship of him that he so richly deserves. It is absolutely true that it is only when we know something well, we are prepared to teach it. So, as you fill your heart daily with God’s Word, you will be equipped to do the teaching encouraged in Deuteronomy and to set your children on a path of their own Bible reading and study. In this way, they can become rich in the knowledge of his Word and draw closer to him. Begin in the younger years with age-appropriate Bible story books that you can read to your toddlers. As children mature, work your way into Children’s Bibles that you read together, and then eventually provide student and adult Bibles they can read on their own. Christian bookstores and online sites are full of devotional material geared for children and adults alike. And, if you are looking for a simple way to memorize God’s Word, take advantage of the Sing God’s Word series of CDs and other similar products that are set to music to dwell on Scripture and take it into one’s mind and heart.

God’s Word is not just meant to be heard from the pulpit or in a Sunday School class once or twice a week. It was given to us to read and to memorize and to ponder daily. Making it a priority in this coming school year will foster a closer relationship with the Lord for you and each of your family members, and it will ensure that you are teaching your children what matters most.

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Patriotism and Appreciation

I don’t know about you, but I am super excited that we are about to celebrate the USA’s 250th birthday! During the Bicentennial (1976), my husband and I were newly married and living overseas as a military couple. While there were plenty of activities organized to commemorate such an occasion, it just wasn’t the same as being in the United States for all the festivities back home.

Something that I vividly remember from our tours abroad are the occasions when we would go to a base theater. Oh, I don’t think I can even come up with one film that we watched, but I remember how each show began. No, they didn’t play a litany of movie trailers whose time threatens to rival the length of the movie. When the lights dimmed, a big, beautiful depiction of a flag would take up the screen, and we, to the man and woman, would stand, remove hats, place a hand over our hearts or salute, and recite The Pledge of Allegiance. Then the room would fill with the glorious sound of The Star-Spangled Banner. We would remain in a respectful stance and sing in honor of the United States of America. And I would sob. Sob for my home country that was thousands of miles away; sob over family members that I missed so very much; sob over past military personnel who had paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy.

Over the 2026 Memorial Day weekend, we attended a ceremony at Pikes Peak National Cemetery to honor the fallen. It was a beautiful observance with speeches from local dignitaries, a wreath-laying segment in honor of each service branch, and a very talented local band who regaled us with many patriotic numbers. Looking at the hoisted main flag at half-mast set against the background of the noble Pike’s Peak, as we stood to pledge Old Glory and then sing our national anthem, I cried. I cried for the brave men and women whose memories we were there to honor; I cried for those who are presently engaged in conflict away from their homes and families; and I cried for those who take all of their freedoms for granted and for those who have no regard for this *“Land that I love.”**

I wonder what it would be like if people who are indifferent or downright disrespectful to our flag and our country were to be exiled elsewhere, especially to a place that has no regard for freedom at all. Would they then find it repulsive to stand and place a hand on their heart and pledge allegiance to the red, white, and blue? Would they then so easily disparage our country’s laws and leadership? Would they then be proponents of violence and hatred toward those who take a stand for patriotism and genuinely appreciate America?

For Christians who might believe their allegiance and respect belong to God alone, consider the words of the apostle Paul in the Book of Romans: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. … Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (Romans 13:1-3a, 7, ESV). Yes, as believers we are citizens of God’s kingdom, and we owe the Lord a debt of gratitude with full loyalty and allegiance. But, while he tarries, let us appreciate the place that he has given us as our earthly home and show due honor and respect to the flag and to the country we are privileged to call home. Happy 250th everyone – God bless America!

*Berlin, Irving. “God Bless America.” 1938.

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Colorblind

Mid-March, or thereabouts: It doesn’t seem to matter what one’s background and heritage is. On March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day, many people join in the fun and frolic of the day and participate in what is called “the wearing of the green.” It has historical significance for the Irish who in a rebellion against the British in 1798, took to wearing green clothes or a shamrock to symbolize their allegiance to Ireland and the desire to be independent from Britain. It even became a song and a rallying cry for the movement.

I don’t have much in the way of green clothing these days, but in the spirit of the holiday, I did put on a shirt that has a hint of mint and wore a rather pretty shamrock pin. After all, St. Patrick was a Christian missionary to Ireland, and for that he is worth celebrating. So, I was in our kitchen and my son came in as well. His first words to me, spoken almost proudly, were, “Mom, I dressed up for the day.” I looked at my son, sizing up his “outfit,” wondering what he meant. I thought maybe he was wearing some kind of pin also that I could not see while he was turned away getting his breakfast together. Curious, I finally asked him, “Kevin, just how are you dressed for St. Patrick’s Day? He pointed to his fleece pants and was sure he was within the pale of the day’s color palette. I gently broke the news to him. “Kev, your pants are brown.” “They are? Oh, I thought they were green.” We both got a chuckle out of it.

Now, we have been aware for a while that Kevin cannot discern certain colors. His wardrobe consists mostly of blue clothing because he can see that, and it is appealing to him. But his disability hasn’t been recently noticed or discussed, and it’s kind of just forgotten. Actually, when it comes to distinguishing colors, it seems like it can be rather arbitrary as everyone’s eyes and brains will perceive colors in different ways. In general, those who see “correct” colors are actually just agreeing on a color name for what each is seeing. Those who are color aware see different colors distinctly unlike our colorblind family and friends who have trouble in that regard.

On this subject there is one thing of which I am certain; when it comes to human beings, our Lord is colorblind. He genuinely views us without a thought of color, nationality, size, intelligence, skill-set, status, and so on. He sees us all through the same lens, and when it comes to those who have made a relationship with him through his Son, we are seen through the blood of Christ and are perfected in his sight. He died for everyone in the world! God’s Word puts it like this: “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:9-11, ESV).

The commentary in my ESV Bible reasons that as this is true about our Lord who unifies us in himself, we should manifest the same posture towards all people. It states, “Racial and cultural prejudice has no place among Christians.”* Though we don’t always relate to customs and ways of people from backgrounds different from our own, it is imperative that we take it upon ourselves to be fair and open to all. The basis of this, of course, is love, both the love that God has for us and the love that we are compelled to have for each other. If we could love like he loves us and be as colorblind as our Lord and Savior, the world would be a much better place.

Though my son’s colorblindness is an inconvenience for him, the Lord’s colorblindness is a blessing and example to us. There is nothing inherent in any of us that eliminates us from his attention and care. He would ask us to have that same attitude toward others.

You helped provide a great lesson, Kevin. Thank you. Maybe next year you can borrow my pin. You may not discern the color appropriately, but I assure you, it is green.

*The ESV Student Study Bible Copyright 2011 by Crossway. All rights reserved. Page 1590, “Did You Know?” section.

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In the Loving Arms of the Father

Working through the process of bringing our next CD together has allowed me special bonus time with many family members. This is particularly true of my east coast family as they are highly involved with the project, and our main studio is at least in the same state as they. I love spending time with them all, but by far the greatest delight has been to be in attendance at our thirteenth grandchild’s birth and to have the ability to watch her grow in her first few months of life. The baby stage is really my favorite age, so I have been tremendously blessed to share time with this little one.

When Sarah makes it known that she is discontent, is a bit restless, or she is ready to sleep, my default solution is to hold her in my arms, sing some soothing little lullabies and Christian children’s songs (including Sing God’s Word scripture songs), gently rub her sweet fuzzy head, and walk and/or sway in time to those little ditties. At first, she might be bobbing her head up and down, chewing/sucking on her hands, or wiggling about to find a comfy spot. Fairly soon, the activity level diminishes, and if she hasn’t found her thumb or a suitable finger on which she can suckle, she might try doing the same to the arm of the hoodie or sweater I’m wearing. Shortly thereafter, I feel her body get completely limp and heavy, and voila, she is asleep, fully resting in my arms. Rarely she might stiffen and wail when the calming ritual is not meeting her needs, but for the most part, she relaxes and receives the comfort intended.

I know there is a high level of pleasure for the baby in this routine, but I could say the joy is all mine as I find an abundant measure of happiness and satisfaction cuddling with this precious little being. So, we can ponder what the mindset of the heavenly Father must be as he looks to wrap us up in that same type of embrace. His Word says, “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV). What an extremely comforting thought that his arms of love are longing to hold each of us and that this connection causes him joy! At this point, Sarah is fully dependent upon those who are caring for her to interpret the cues she is sending. The Lord can definitely do the same, but we have to willingly allow his embrace to enfold us. If we stiffen and/or wail, fighting against his hold, we are missing out on the blessing of the peace, joy, and comfort that only his loving arms can provide.

The Book of Hebrews speaks to entering God’s rest and how it is not something we should miss. In fact, it advises us, “Let us strive to enter that rest,” (Hebrews 4:11a, ESV). In other words, it is something we should actively seek. It is to our benefit, then, to intentionally come to the Father, nestle into his embrace, and receive the luxury of his amazing love. There is a reason that the Lord told us to come to him like little children. They are trusting, dependent, naturally accepting of another’s care, and positive responders to those who show them love. Our Father looks to his children to do the same. Settle down into the comfort and joy of his sweet embrace, and rest in his loving arms today!

“‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29, ESV).

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