Grace is more than surface deep—it’s complex. Google defines grace as the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. Simply put, grace is getting something we don’t deserve. Often, it’s associated only with salvation (saving grace). We deserve the penalty of death because of our sin, but grace steps in and gives us life through Jesus Christ. Grace spares us from the cross and continues to walk us Home. It’s not bound by the sacrificial (and ultimate!) act on the cross. Grace breathes its sweet breath into every aspect of our life. Continue reading “Grace is Amazing!”
Who Asked for the Snow?
I stepped outside this morning to look at the twelve-inch blanket of snow that fell so softly on our ready-to-embrace-spring ground yesterday. It was truly breathtaking!
Ugh, snow!—I know that’s what you’re thinking.
We so desperately want
Happy birthday, Dad!
What would I say if my dad were standing before me? Continue reading “Happy birthday, Dad!”
A Crown of Glory
No one wants to look older than they really are. No one. Let’s face it—the world tells us gray hair is a sign of old age. It’s not associated with being young and beautiful. And we go to great extremes to stop this unavoidable path.
I was only twenty-two when I spotted my first white hair. Yes, white! No gradual grays for me. I was horrified. Continue reading “A Crown of Glory”
A Girl Dreams
A girl begins to dream and plan her wedding from very young. She wears a long skirt and drapes a lacey curtain over her face, imagining a wedding gown and veil.
The flowers are everywhere. The sparkling white lights. Walking down the aisle in a gorgeous gown as everyone gazes upon her beauty. Standing beside her soulmate, her best friend, her Prince Charming. How magical and beautiful her big day will be.
And then there is reality. Continue reading “A Girl Dreams”
Show Up and Let God
We tend to approach life’s challenges like battles. They are intimidating or possibly they don’t seem worth fighting so we’re tempted to completely avoid the battle. Or perhaps we fight—bringing our best efforts and weapons—only to fall short. We blame ourselves for not having prepared enough. We retreat—licking our battle wounds—as we ask ourselves what we did wrong and how we can come out on top next time.
But some of our greatest battles aren’t won through blood, sweat and tears. They aren’t won by overpowering or outnumbering the enemy. And they aren’t won by our strategic attack. Continue reading “Show Up and Let God”
Look At That Mountain!
I stand before a mountain. It’s tall. It’s humungous. It’s impossible. “Move, mountain,” I command. But I cannot simply expect the mountain to move. And I do not hold the power to simply pick it up and move it. I must Continue reading “Look At That Mountain!”
But God…
No one wants to hear the word progressive. It has the ability to immediately steal our happiness and rob our abilities and time. Continue reading “But God…”
God is Throwing Stones at Me
There is only one path in this life. It’s the one which leads to Christ. He is our motivation. He is the purpose for our existence. But it takes little for us to get sidetracked.
We’re walking easy one day—following Christ—when all the sudden a tree falls in our path. It knocks Continue reading “God is Throwing Stones at Me”
I am a Servant
It’s human nature to question God’s will, especially when it seems to oppose our own or happen not as we expected. Why did you take my job? Why is my life so difficult? Why did you take my loved one? Why is my marriage so difficult? Why do I have to deal with this hater at my school? Why can’t I have a family? Why does my child struggle so? Why can’t I find a spouse?
Mary was a virgin, betrothed to Joseph. God sent His angel Gabriel to tell Mary, “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus.” She had everything to lose in obeying God’s will: her reputation, her marriage, her family, her wants and hopes.
Yet, her response was not, “Eh…I don’t know, God. It’s going to look like I cheated on Joseph. And I’m not sure I can raise the Son of God.” No. Instead, Continue reading “I am a Servant”
Foose Bits 