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Crayon Box Christianity: Coloring in the Fruit of the Spirit

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
— Galatians 5:22–23

Ever opened a fresh box of crayons and just paused? The smell of wax. The vibrancy. Each one sharpened and ready—full of promise.
That’s how the Holy Spirit works in us: coloring our lives with divine traits that reflect God’s heart.

Let’s color it in:

❤️ Love is Red – Bold. Foundational. The base coat of grace.
💛 Joy is Yellow – Bright. Uplifting. The sunshine that refuses to be dimmed.
💙 Peace is Blue – Calming. Steady. A cool current in chaotic waters.
💚 Patience is Green – Growing. Grounded. Gentle strength in every season.
💕 Kindness is Pink – Tender. Compassionate. Soft enough to heal wounds.
🧡 Goodness is Orange – Vibrant. Honest. A visible virtue.
💜 Faithfulness is Purple – Loyal. Regal. Not swayed by storms.
🌸 Gentleness is Lilac – Subtle. Strong. A whisper that moves mountains.
🖤 Self-control is Black – The outline. The boundary. The wisdom that holds everything in place.

Every day, the Spirit hands us the crayon box.
The question isn’t “Are you gifted?”
It’s “What fruit-color are you letting shine today?”

Even if you’re feeling broken, worn down, or only good for scribbles, God can still use you to create beauty—on someone’s heart, in someone’s storm, through someone’s doubt.

Stay tuned: this is just the first stroke of the canvas.
Next up, we’ll dive into each Fruit of the Spirit—one color at a time—and see how God’s palette transforms our walk.

Make sure you sign up to receive all devotionals in this series: Coloring in the Fruits of the Spirit.

WHERE HE LEADS ME: Reflections on this great hymn

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

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🕯️ Devotional: “Safe in the Storm”

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

🕯️ Devotional: “Safe in the Storm”

Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. — Psalm 46:1 (KJV)

The storm is not just weather—it’s the midnight of the soul. It’s the moment when thunder drowns out reason, when waves of sorrow rise higher than hope. And yet, in that very place, the psalmist declares: God is our refuge and strength.

Not was. Not will be. Is. Right now. Right here. In the middle of the lightning and the wind.

And we are not the first to cry out in the dark.

Job, stripped of everything—his children, his health, his livelihood—sat in the ashes while friends accused and his own wife urged him to give up. But Job clung to the storm-wracked truth: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”

David, chased through caves and hunted by a jealous king, looked back over a lifetime of trials and declared: “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

Stephen, the first Christian martyr, stood before an angry mob with his face shining like an angel. As stones rained down, he looked up and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. His final breath was not fear, but forgiveness: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”

Joan of Arc, a teenage girl with a sword and a vision, faced the flames with a cross in her hand and the name of Jesus on her lips. She was not rescued from the fire—but she was not alone in it.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, imprisoned for resisting evil, wrote of costly grace and discipleship from a Nazi cell. He was hanged just weeks before liberation, but his final words were, “This is the end—for me, the beginning of life.”

Some were delivered. Some endured. Some were taken home in the middle of the storm. But all were held—in the hollow of His hand.

And as Mosie Lister’s lyric echoes—“Keep me safe, ’til the storm passes by”—we remember: God doesn’t always still the storm, but He stills His child. He doesn’t always part the sea, but He walks with us through it.

So breathe. Let the image speak. Let the music stir. Let the Word hold you.

You are not forgotten.
You are not alone.
You are not without shelter.

The storm will pass. But until it does… He is your refuge.
Pray along with others who have weathered the storm…“Keep me safe, ’til the storm passes by”

Check out my brand new devotional booklet. 14 day journey from “Ichabod to Glory” finding your way back to His presence.

This has been a VIEW FROM THE NEST And that is the way I see it, what say you?

#Faith in the Storm,#Mosie Lister #Christian Devotional #Keep Me Safe, #Gospel Reflections, #Storm Passes, #ViewsFromTheNest, #Trusting God, #Spiritual Encouragemet

Giant Slayers

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

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I was thinking this all last week actually. Goliath stood tall spewing forth profanities and blasphemies while the armies of Israel stood frozen by fear. This giant of a MAN thought that he was invincible and that his ways were going to rule the day. He believed that his viewpoint was the one that everyone was going to follow OR ELSE. Goliath was an uncircumcised Philistine who stood in defiance of the children of God. He taunted them. He ridiculed them. He dared them to challenge him. He thought that his position was solid and that no one would be able to effectively challenge him.

Does any of this sound familiar? Are the children of God being taunted and ridiculed and belittled by uncircumcised bullies? Does the gigantic social issue of today seem unbeatable? Do you feel helpless in the face of this onslaught? Do you cower in fear at the very mention of this hot topic? Do you feel that your weapons are unfit to battle this giant of an issue?

Remember this my friends both Goliath and Satan were defeated by shepherds. That’s right a shepherd boy defeated Goliath and the Good Shepherd defeated Satan. David used a sling and a stone, Christ used two pieces of wood and three big nails. Each shepherd defeated the enemy using the very weapon that was fashioned against them. The very sword that Goliath wielded was used by David to cut off the head of that SMALL MAN posing as a GIANT. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds and defeating giant bullies.

I went on a spying mission into the land of Canaan where all the uncircumcised Philistines have taken up positions. I wanted to see what defenses the enemy was using to defend their weak position. I was amazed to find how eager they were to show me their weapons and to tell me exactly what they planned to do to all of us Christians who dare to challenge them. I left that place with a spring in my step and a smile on my face because the enemy was so arrogant and proud that he was willing to show me his plans without fear of being defeated.

That was when I immediately thought of Goliath and one other story in the bible concerning a political leader who wanted to rid the nation of God’s people. He went by the name of Haman who built a gallows to hang Mordecai and all the Jews only to find himself swinging from his gallows instead.

You see my friends the enemy has exposed himself literally and figuratively regarding his intentions to rid the nation of God’s people. Well I, like David, am just an insignificant unknown in the Kingdom of God but I am armed with the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God and I intend to toss my little stone right between the eyes of today’s giants. And then turn around and use his own words and weapons against him to defeat him. ANYONE care to join me?

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The True Meaning of Worship: A Reflection on “Here I Am to Worship”

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor

Worship is more than a song, more than an act, more than a ritual—it is the heartbeat of a believer’s relationship with God. In today’s world, where distractions pull us in every direction, understanding true worship is vital.

Inspired by the song Here I Am to Worship, let’s explore worship as an offering, a response, and a sacred encounter with God. What does the Lord expect? How should we approach worship? And most importantly, how do we fix our hearts and minds on the One who deserves all praise?

The Heart of Worship

Worship begins in the heart. It is not confined to church walls or Sunday services; rather, it is a daily posture of surrender and adoration. In Romans 12:1, Paul urges us to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

True worship is not about performance or perfection—it is about offering ourselves, flaws and all, to God in reverence and love. It is about responding to His goodness, His mercy, and His presence in our lives.

What the Lord Expects

In John 4:23-24, Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman and declares, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” Worship is not empty words or rehearsed motions—it is an honest and heartfelt connection with God.

God desires sincerity, humility, and authenticity in worship. He does not demand grand gestures but seeks a heart that truly acknowledges Him. When we worship, our focus should be on who He is, rather than what we want.

Approaching Worship

How do we prepare our hearts for worship? Psalm 100:4 gives us a simple yet profound answer: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.”

Gratitude and awe pave the way for worship. When we approach God with thanksgiving, we shift our attention from ourselves to Him. Preparing for worship can involve quiet reflection, confessing sins, meditating on Scripture, or simply standing in awe of His greatness.

The Object of Our Worship: God Himself

Worship is not about us—it is about God. He is the Light of the World, the King of Kings, the Righteous Judge. Fixing our gaze on His attributes draws us deeper into worship:

  • His Majesty – “The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty” (Psalm 93:1). He is sovereign and supreme.
  • His Glory – “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). All creation reflects His brilliance.
  • His Love – “God is love” (1 John 4:8). His love is boundless, redeeming, and relentless.
  • His Justice – “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just” (Deuteronomy 32:4). He is fair, righteous, and true.

When we worship, we declare who God is. We shift from focusing on our circumstances to magnifying Him.

Staying Focused in Worship

In an age of endless distractions, staying centered in worship can be challenging. Here are a few ways to keep our hearts fixed on God:

  • Engage with Scripture – Meditating on His Word deepens our understanding of Him.
  • Pray Before Worship – Ask God to quiet distractions and open your heart.
  • Reflect on His Attributes – Recall His faithfulness, power, and promises.
  • Sing with Meaning – Don’t just sing—worship with intentionality.

Conclusion

Worship is an invitation. An invitation to step into His presence, to bow before His holiness, and to lift high the name of Jesus. As Here I Am to Worship so beautifully expresses:

“Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You’re my God.
You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me.”

These words encapsulate the essence of true worship—humbling ourselves before Him, acknowledging His majesty, and declaring His worth. Worship is a response—an offering of love, devotion, and praise.

So, here we stand, humbled before Him. Here we are to worship.

This has been a View From the Nest: And that is the way I see it. What say you?