Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  —Romans 12:2 If you’ve ever done any gardening, you know the success of your labors has a lot to do with the kind of soil you use, how often you water it, and whether or not you use fertilizer or plant food. The more you feed your plants these things, the healthier, bigger and stronger

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.   –Colossians 3:13 When I was growing up, we had a tether ball in our backyard.  It’s basically a tall metal pole with a ball about the size of a volleyball attached by a small rope to the pole.  You and your opponent stand on either side and hit the ball back and forth, and the first person to get it to wrap all the way around the pole wins.  The thing