Are you closing the chapter named “2020” with a happy sigh of relief too? The God of All Grace knew what this past year held. And He’s deeply invested in where we’re headed next. So as we turn the page to a new year, let’s take a moment to ask…
Who is God inviting me to be in 2021?
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Have you ever noticed that religion often teaches us to hide?
You can hide your sorrows behind “God is good.” You can hide your anxieties behind “Casting all your cares.” You can hide your burnout behind “godly Christians spend and are spent for Jesus.”
But when you hide, eventually a deep ache grows inside. You may squash your longings and shield your true feelings until you’re not quite sure who you are anymore.
It was a gorgeous day – the kind of day that begs to be enjoyed. The sun shone brilliantly and all of the trees in the front yard beckoned in the breeze. This was the kind of perfect Saturday people pray for, and I’d been hoping for this day for a long time.
Oh, I had big plans–plans I’d been making for days. Plans to conquer and create. Plans to let the clock run unheeded. Plans to be outdoors from dawn to dusk. My eager anticipation had reached the epic heights only an 8-year-old mind can envision.
But sadly, on this oh-so-perfect day, instead of climbing trees and conquering imaginary foes, I was curled up on my favorite blanket in the hallway by the bathroom. Continue reading →
Isn’t it interesting how words come to mean something?
Like “Babe,” for instance. When I was little it meant a tiny infant. When the movie came out, it meant a pig. And when you get married and hear it from your hubby’s lips, it means you!
Somewhere along the way “grace” has gotten a reputation for being soft and comfortable — kind of like being snuggled by so many adorable puppies.
But grace is much more than that – especially when she travels with her favorite companion, Truth.
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December is flying past us. By now we’re all surrounded with twinkle lights and gift lists, Christmas carols and flurry, holiday goodies and party plans.
But sometimes in the busiest seasons our Heavenly Poppa reaches down and whispers something special, like “receive.”
“Receive” can seem like a selfish word — like a little child, overly excited about opening her own presents, never giving a thought to anyone else. For us responsible, committed adults, the word, “give”, is often the true hero of Christmas. Give presents. Give cheer. Give goodies. Give love. Give comfort and joy.
I mean, isn’t that what Jesus did when He came to earth — gave of Himself? Isn’t that the very thing we now celebrate ‘mid the flurry and frost? Continue reading →
The radio host asked his co-host if she’d been engaged before. She had! And this is the story she told of why she has a former fiancé instead of a current husband.
Once my fiance and I were walking through the supermarket. He picked up a magazine, flipped it open, and held it out to me. “See this? This is beautiful,” he said, pointing to a picture of a model. “And you’re almost there.”
{cricket, cricket}
You’re probably gasping in horror at this true story. How could he say something like that to her? What a ridiculous standard to hold someone to?
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You know the verse. You probably even memorized it as a kid.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)
Have you ever struggled to wrap your head around, much less believe, that kind of love?
What makes “God loves me” so hard to grasp, even for believers?
Often our definition of love is too shallow. Our minds can’t fathom what it’s like to be loved that much. And we miss another key factor . . . Continue reading →
No, really. I mean what if He’s absolutely, 100% okay with you right this second, believer?
What if He’s not sitting up there tsk, tsk-ing and shaking His head, muttering “Sure wish she’d get this lesson so we could move on”?
What if instead He’s gazing down on you in love, saying to His nearest archangel, “Hey, did you see that kiddo of mine down there? Boy, do I love her! She’s fabulous. And look at her with my Son in her – she can do ANYTHING. I can’t help smiling this wide when I think about her.” Continue reading →
If you’ve spent much time in Christianity at all, you’ve heard about grace. But, did you know just how incredible this concept is and what an irreplaceable part of the Christian faith?
Once there was a large conference where religious experts from all over the world gathered to debate what belief is unique to Christianity. They were hoping to find what single truth sets the Christian faith apart from others. Or if that single piece even exists.
As the experts debated, they threw out some possibilities. Incarnation? No, other religions have gods appearing as humans. Perhaps resurrection? Again this was overruled since several religions claim someone coming back from the dead.
The intriguing discussion continued until C.S. Lewis entered the room inquiring, “What’s the rumpus about?” The experts shared that they were comparing Christianity’s unique contribution to other religions of the world.
“Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace,” Lewis replied.
The debaters discussed for a while and had to agree.
” The notion of God’s love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached, seems to go against every instinct of humanity. The Buddhist eight-fold path, the Hindu doctrine of karma, the Jewish covenant, and the Muslim code of law – each of these offers a way to earn approval. Only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional.”*
C. S. Lewis’s insight and quick reply intrigued me. To think that the entire Christian faith is built on a foundation no other belief system in the world has. The truth is that God loves us and showers us with grace despite what we’ve done. No matter who we’ve been and regardless of what we deserve, God lavishes His love and grace on us.
Not only before salvation, my grace friends, but as believers too. God gives His love and grace to us freely and abundantly. Doesn’t that make you wanna cheer? Hmm, maybe I will.
Today let’s you and me bask in God’s unchanging grace and un-earnable love and see if it doesn’t fill our hearts to overflowing.
*P.S. I first encountered this story in Philip Yancey’s book, What’s So Amazing About Grace?.
Sometimes you just don’t understand what God is doing. You think you’re going one direction, walking with Him, talking with Him, and all of a sudden He veers you off into a completely different place.
Me, I sit there for a while kinda dazed, thinking, “But, I thought we were doing that over there, Poppa. What’s up with this here?”
I imagine He chuckles a little Continue reading →
One of my grace friends sent me these words not too long ago.
When I was a child I was fascinated at the idea of finding gold or buried treasure and dug for it in my back yard.
Now I am finding [grace] treasure and nuggets often, as you are!
Oh the muddy mess the process has been at times. Oh so worth it, though.
So here we are finding treasure, and let me tell you, it really helps to have a grace friend to dig around with.