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MUM-e-Mail
- a newsletter to enthuse, entertain, and educate
mothers of pre-schoolers and their supporters
January 2005
Mothering Maxim – Growth and Fruit
Growth is the only evidence of life.
Fruit is the result of growth.
Mum Moment - Book Review
Naked Fruit: Getting Honest About the Fruit of the Spirit
by Elisa Morgan, Revel, 2004
Relax. This book isn't about being nice. MOPS International President and CEO Elisa Morgan helps busy women like you get past "nice" Christianity and get to the honest, simple truth: the fruit of the Spirit is about being like Jesus.
Take a look at the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) in a way you never have before. And let your unique personality bear fruit that makes a difference. It is Jesus who accomplishes the miraculous task of transforming ill-tempered, short-fused mums into women who embrace their parenting role with God’s help. Jesus' words and actions, writes Morgan, didn't always come across as "nice"; he peeled away the outer facades of those he encountered and directed them to stop sinning, repent and live courageously.
"Fruit is the result of growth." Fruit is the evidence that a plant has been firmly rooted and nurtured, and spiritual fruit is produced when we're planted in God. Living out the character of Jesus is simpler than it seems. Elisa Morgan reveals that it's not always about being kind and happy, but living honestly and reflecting Christ to those around you.
In short, easy-to-read chapters, see what the fruit of the Spirit looks like in the real world. Find down-to-earth insight on: why the fruit of the Spirit is important; how to grow it (it doesn't depend solely on you!); how to know if you're showing fruit; what each fruit may look like in your own skin; and how to share these attributes with others.
Elisa gets honest about each spiritual fruit, guiding you with hope and practical steps for growth. The result will be a life that is believable and influential.
- adapted by Johanna Whittaker, 2005
Reviews: www.Campusi.com, and Publishers Weekly, www.Amazon.com
From A Mother’s Heart
May I daily remind myself to reflect the fruit of a growing life to my husband, children, and those around me – honestly, lovingly, and courageously. With God’s help.
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You are welcome to forward this MUM-e-Mail in its entirety to your friends, mothers of pre-schoolers and their supporters. If your friend has forwarded this to you and you wish to subscribe, it's easy. Click on this hyperlink and send blank e-mail to: mum-e-mail-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .
My first invitation to MOPS was through a mum I met at the local park. She handed me a card with her name and information about the group. I was struggling with motherhood and I really didn’t want to go, but my husband literally drove me to the meeting and walked me to the door. At MOPS I found relationships, friends, and Jesus. – Christina
www.mops.org - MOPS International- wonderful ever-changing website – checked it out lately??
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Mum’s Mail
The nicest thing I can do for my family this year is: ...
You're invited to complete this sentence and reply to mumemail@... [you could click on this hyperlink and do it now?]. We'll publish responses in a couple of weeks - next time in MUM-e-Mail.
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Mum etc - Snippets and e-bits that may interest you …
[these websites and their contents are not necessarily endorsed by MOPS NZ]
http://www.parentsdownunder.co.nz/ - articles, tips and hints, etc
http://www.parentsdownunder.co.nz/pages/home&garden/thingstodo.htm - paint, playdough recipes.
http://philosophicalmother.typepad.com/ - articles, news and tidbits
http://www.literarymama.com/ - a literary magazine for the literary inclined
haha! I like this one! - http://www.literarymama.com/poetry/archives/000475.html - “Overheard at Play Group” - best if read out loud.
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… from last time …
This Christmas (season), I’m glad I/we ….
No replies this time. Maybe everyone was busy busy.
I’m glad we spent time early in December decorating a Christmas tree with homemade ornaments and some given by different members of the family-whanau. I’m glad we had a children’s Christmas Carols tape playing regularly throughout December. I’m glad we had a summer meal on Christmas Day. – Johanna, MUM-e-Mail editor, New Zealand.
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Make plans and goals for yourself this year – and enjoy the mysteries and wonder of children growing up,
In God’s strength,
Johanna Whittaker
on behalf of MOPS (NZ) Inc.
© 2005 by MOPS New Zealand Inc and MOPS International.
Fruit of the Spirit
Love – Grapes; Joy – Cherry; Peace – Blueberry;
Patience – Coconut; Kindness – Pineapple; Goodness – Strawberry;
Faithfulness – Apple; Gentleness – Banana; Self Control -- Orange
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