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Writing. Life. Faith.

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  • Fruit at Camp #10: Reflections

    Fruit at Camp #10: Reflections

    While serving at camp this summer, I wrote 9 blog posts, each about a different Fruit of the Spirit. I’d wanted to write this series for a while, and God showed me that camp was the perfect time. First, there were 9 Fridays in July/August. Second, camp is arguably the greatest place to see the Fruits in action. (Keep Reading)

  • Fruit at Camp #9: Self-Control

    Fruit at Camp #9: Self-Control

    Upon reading this verse in full, I immediately thought, Hold up, isn’t self-control resisting temptation and sin, not a fruit? Turns out I was wrong. While the other fruits refer to virtues God wants us to live out, the final one is even better. We can live out the other eight Fruits with God’s guidance, but we need the Holy… (Keep Reading)

  • Fruit at Camp #8: Gentleness

    Fruit at Camp #8: Gentleness

    For all of us who love tackling each other in football and lifting heavy objects (don’t ask me how many fridges I moved at camp last year), this one may be hard to fathom. Jesus wants us to be gentle? The Greek word for gentleness is Prautus, and it often refers to our disposition, our Spirit, and our attitude. When… (Keep Reading)

  • Fruit at Camp #7: Faithfulness

    Fruit at Camp #7: Faithfulness

    The Greek word we often translate as faithfulness is Pistis, and it also refers to belief, faith, or trust. By calling the Galatians to embody the “fruit” of faithfulness, Paul wanted them to trust God fully. When I say I’m faithful to a person or loyal to a deadline, that carries one connotation. When I say I’m faithful to God,… (Keep Reading)

  • Fruit at Camp #6: Goodness

    Fruit at Camp #6: Goodness

    What even is goodness, you may ask? Is it just another adjective on the good, gooder, goodest scale? We often sing about the goodness of God, but I’ve wondered what that means. The Greek word for goodness is Agathosyne, which refers to “uprightness of heart and life”. By experiencing the goodness of God, we come to realize His heart for… (Keep Reading)

  • Fruit at Camp #5: Kindness

    Fruit at Camp #5: Kindness

    I personally skim over this one way too often. Kindness, yep, I help people and give kids high-fives, surely that counts. The Greek word for kindness, Chrestotes, has several underlying meanings. For one, there’s an assumption that when we show kindness, we do it by meeting real needs. Kindness is more than saying a nice word to someone. (Keep Reading)

Writing, Life, Faith – Samuel James
2026