balmy

My family and I spent the day touring Seattle, Washington. Absolutely wonderful. In typical fashion for us, we left the hotel early and didn't return until late. We ate a lot of good food, drank even more good coffee, and completely wore ourselves out walking up and down the hills in the city's center. The flowers here are incredible - nothing less than magic could produce such vibrant colors everywhere. Yards, public places, restaurants, sidewalks and balconies (and flower shops) are exploding in loveliness.I sipped excellent espresso as I read Galatians this morning, and I noticed for the first time today that the fruits of the Spirit are provided as a contrast to the old testament law ... "against such things there is no law." God reminded me as I walked through the cool morning air how marvelous it is that he has made us sons through faith instead of slaves to the law. Also, I noticed how clearly and carefully Paul directly deals with the Galatians who have fallen back into works of the law - he rebukes based on scripture and exhorts to loving service of one another.