Angie Smith
About the Author

Angie is the proud wife of Todd Smith of Selah, and the blessed mommy to Abby, Ellie, Kate, Charlotte, and Audrey Caroline, who passed away the day she was born, April 7th, 2008. Angie was inspired to write Audrey's story, and began the blog www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com in honor of her. You...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
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  1. Seed: In chapter 10, pages 138 to 140 had several phrases that stuck with me — kindness is about the “posture of my heart” (pg 138); God must “tenderize my heart” (pg 139) so that I can display kindness in the power of the Holy Spirit (the word tenderize makes me think of a big mallet pounding away at a big chunk of meat — painful!); we must “season our words with the hope of the Gospel” (page 140). This is not really possible in and of myself — thank God for the Holy Spirit!

    In chapter 11, I loved how she phrased the theme — “everything must die to rise again” — through her illustration about her weedy grass (I live in Florida, and we are in a drought here — I see the differences between those who work their yard and those who don’t every day! . The whole thing climaxed for me on page 155 with this statement: “Death of our pride and selfish ambition is endured only so something more glorious can be resurrected in its place.” Isn’t that just like my Father? 🙂

    Water: These are two qualities that I need to pray about daily. Like Kelly, I want to “pray daily that God would make me into a kind and gentle woman” (page 137). If I don’t get seriously disciplined about examining and purposefully tending to the garden of my heart, I am going to end up dry and uninviting to others.

    Grow: I love it where Kelly says that she has seen kindness “save a life” (p.130). I am so thankful for the kindness of God and of sisters who have come along side me as His “kindness crew” to encourage. I hope that I can extend this to others — it’s my prayer that God will use me in this way somehow to bless another sister.

    Like Angie, I was challenged by the passage about “chipping away” at pride on page 155 — it’s a little scary to ask God reveal to me “the self that won’t budge and tirelessly needs to be fed.” Ugly — I am asking God to hold up a mirror to the yucky me. Ouch.

  2. I was thinking we werent supposed to have this read until JUly 6th… has the schedule moved up a little? I’ll have to catch up! But it is such a good read!!!

  3. I also thought these chapters were for July 6. Is there an updated reading schedule? Really enjoying this study!

  4. I just want to say how much I am blessed by the video chapter discussions and this entire online book club format. This is perfect for me because I just don’t have the time or childcare arrangements to be in traditional book clubs as a single mom who works full time. I am loving the book and it’s such a treasure to have the author participate in the chapter discussions!

  5. Just have to say I’m really thankful for this book! My nature is to be compliant – I don’t often outwardly rebel and so while from all outward appearances, I seem like a good Christian girl, inwardly, I’m not feeling it. I’ll DO the right thing, act the right way, but so many times it’s from a sense of duty and not because I AM kind or humble. Then, I began to feel fake… and somewhat torn. I mean, I truly do want to exhibit all the attributes mentioned in this passage in Colossians, but I also want to be authentic and real. While I’ve always known God doesn’t intend for us to muster up all these good things on our own, I love the practical ways Kelly points out that we hinder or help this process. I want to be so filled with God’s love, His kindness, and every other positive attribute that it can’t help but spill out and have those things be the authentic actions and attitudes of who I am.

    Kindness ~
    SEED: “True kindness may be one of the most telling signs of our Christianity.”
    WATER: May I continue to be yielded to the Spirit’s meddling with my heart!
    BLOOM: Loved the point that kind people make you feel special and singled out – may I truly see others as Christ sees them and desire to make them feel as special as He created them!

    Humility ~
    SEED: I was reminded again that Christ not only gave up the glories and beauty of heaven to come to earth, but that He came knowing the cruel and horrible death He would have to face. It’s easy for me to feel like I don’t deserve this or that or I do deserve something else, but to remember all that He gave up for me helps keep my perspective where it needs to be.
    WATER: Continue to pursue Christ and deny the flesh – fill my mind with things that are true and noble.
    BLOOM: “Death of our pride and selfish ambition is endured only so something much more glorious can be resurrected in its place.”

    • I love you for your honesty. How true that we so often go through the motions… “acting” like we should but not really feeling it. Only through the Spirit’s power can we start feeling how we act. Praying God can work through me… and you and all of the others on here… =)

    • Amen! I could have written these words myself! I have learned that my instinct is to “want” to do the right things (esp. in regards to kindness), and my actions often are there, but my heart is still thinking about the inconvenience it is, or what I would rather be doing with my time. I am praying for God to fill me with those desires so that my actions, too, will be authentic and that I don’t think twice about not only acting in kindness, but being totally genuine about it as well.

      Thanks for sharing your hearts, ladies! I am right there with you 🙂

  6. Seed- I was struck when Kelly asked, “Is my speech generally uplifting?” Because in all truth, mine isn’t. And I may say kind things, but the way I say them may give me away. This is one area I need to work on..
    Water- I like how Kelly points out that kindness and humility are not just something we do in ourselves. We have to have the Holy Spirit. That being said, I am going to try to start looking for ways I can be intentionally and deliberately kind, and praying for God to give me opportunity to do so.
    Bloom: If I can grasp humility, I will know God’s peace. How blessed is one that has peace in all circumstances!

  7. Kelly really caused me to look at kindness in a special way. It’s not about having a “sweet personality” or a “calm & gentle disposition. This kindness is fruit from a maturing heart that’s growing more in love with God.
    Humility is a big problem for me. Even when I TRY not to “think about me”, I find my thoughts going in that direction. “I” is the center of Pride.
    There’s so much in each of these chapters. I find myself rereading the chapter as you guys point out some of the highlights that I’ve missed. Thanks.

  8. My prayer…page 135 ” ….the heart of kindness….a deep desire to reflect the love of God to the people around me because of who He is and the work He has done in my heart. I can not show true enduring kindness apart from the life of Jesus.”

    So true!