Do you get frustrated with your character flaws?

I think you wish you could be more patient, more kind, more loving, more joyful.

If you answered yes to any of those questions, keep listening, friend, because there is hope and you are in the right place.

Welcome to the Prayers of Rest podcast. I'm your host, Asherita Chuchu, and this week we're kicking

off our new season on the fruit of the spirit. There can be a lot of guilt and shame in realizing that we are not living up to the

standard that's set out in Galatians chapter 5. But I hope you don't turn this podcast off

because what I want you to hear is that the fruit of the spirit is what God wants to work in our lives as we

abide in him. So to start things off today, I am thrilled to welcome to the podcast, our very first

guest, Dr. Dan Estes. I thought of inviting Dr. Estes to start this conversation because he was my

spiritual formation professor, my freshman year of college.

So about 15 years ago, I remember sitting in his classroom just wondering, is spiritual formation anyway and he is the one

who invited us as first year students into this practice of praying a different aspect of the fruit

of the spirit every week you're going to hear us talk about what that was like for me as a student

and some of how that experience early on has still shaped me today and informs how I parent my

children. But we are also going to talk about how God gives us both the ability to grow in these character traits of Jesus, but also

the desire to do it too. Before I get too far ahead of myself, I just wanted to tell you a little

bit more about Dr. Estes. He grew up in a pastor's family. He is just a teacher at heart, and he's now a Bible

professor at Cedarville University. He's also recently published a commentary on the book of

Psalms, which is the prayer book of the Bible, and he's recently come out with a book on the message of wisdom as well.

So if you enjoy our conversation today, you will want to pick up copies of his books.

I was so encouraged by taking this time to circle back around to Dr. Estes and talk with him about the fruit of the spirit.

And I hope it is an encouragement to you as well. So let's dive in.

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