The Fitting Room

The Fitting Room

Putting on the Character of Christ
by Kelly Minter
2011
paperback 206 pages (which includes notes and useful study questions at the back)

As people chosen by God and dearly loved just how are we to dress?  Good question, and Kelly Minter does a good job of answering it chapter by chapter as she describes and gives insight (both scriptural and personal) into the virtues put forth in Colossians 3, mainly honing in on verses 12-15.  I am thankful to our ladies mission prayer group that meets on Tuesdays at noon and to the wonderful teaching that comes as each of us expounds further into a character trait we are to joyfully grow in. (i got to teach on forgiveness, and like always, God teaches you a lot as you prepare to teach).

This all would be totally overwhelming, the idea that we NEED to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient, forgiving, not to mention filled with peace and joy.  But the truth is, due to the reality that as God's children we are so loved by Him, that it is not a "i have to wear that and i don't want to" but it is replace with "i get to wear this and it looks great on me!" kind of mind-set change.  Changing what we "put on and live out" makes all the difference. Just like our physical clothing we are intentional with what we wear, it takes being intentional to choose patience over hotheadedness, or compassion over selfishness, etc.  You don't go to a wedding with your old sweat suit under your formal gown, and so it is you need to take off (and throw away) old useless ways of going about living...and you can because God loves you and has a better, more satisfying way for His children to live.

I highlighted the bits of Kelly's book in pink in the spots where she brought other helpful scripture into the concepts of putting on the character of Christ, and i'm happy to say there is quite a bit of pink in the book.  This to me makes the message more reliable.  It is an easy to read kind of book, not weighing you down with     guilt, but lifting up with hope and i think it will be one i will keep on the shelf, to refer to and recommend.