Self-control requires more than just "try harder."

In our current culture, gentleness is often equated with weakness. The true definition of Biblical gentleness involves power under control for the benefit of others.

Faithfulness is day to day dependability.

It is also long term commitment.

It is both/and.

Everyone wants and admires goodness.

Christians are supposed to be different - right? In fact, our entire series of "The Art of being Unordinary" is based on just that: followers of Christ living a life of being unordinary. Yet it stuns us when a hero of the faith has a failing. What happened? Why does it hurt so badly and what can we do about it? How can we make sure it doesn't happen to US?

Fruit grows slowly. Weeds grow quickly. What are you cultivating and growing in your life? What is spilling out of you and affecting your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors?

The fruit of the Spirit we will focus on this week is PATIENCE. Perhaps this is the fruit everyone loves to hate

There are over 200 verses in scripture regarding peace, and most of these are related to our peace with each other. There are some related to the peace with God and the peace of God, but most are related to relationships with other people.

As believers who seek to follow scripture and the Holy Spirit, shouldn't there be something different about us? Shouldn't the world at large be attracted to something we have? Maybe something uncommon and unordinary? Then why is it people seem to clump Christians in with all the rest of the culture? Why aren't Christian marriages more vibrant? Why don't we exhibit more joy in our lives?

There is something uncommon, and even unordinary about a life lived for Jesus Christ. If you are a Christ follower, the Holy Spirit is living in you and your life should look different from what is most commonly seen in the secular culture.