I have found that the idea of grace is a wonderful concept to think about but a whole ‘nother thing to live! In my own life, I find that I don’t like to give myself grace. Let me rephrase that: I want to give myself grace—I just usually don’t. I am often my own…
Tag: Forgiveness
Light
“The Son of grace shines the light of his grace into the darkest recesses of our hearts, not as an act of vengeance or punishment, but as a move of forgiving, transforming, and delivering grace. He dispels our self-inflicted darkness because he knows that we cannot grieve what we do not see, we cannot confess…
A Morning Meditation
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 This is an amazing passage, especially in light of the fact that Paul has just concluded chapter 7 by talking of the war that wages within us; of the struggle, as Christ-followers, to do what we want to do, all…
No Room For Compromise
I had the opportunity to hang out yesterday with a couple of young adults whom I have great affection for and was able to hear from them what some of the general attitudes are regarding right and wrong and was is considered acceptable among their age-group. I wasn’t the least bit shocked, but still deeply…
Conflicting Times: Handling Relational Challenges
Conflict happens. There is no way around it. If you care about someone or work closely with someone, you spend more time with them. If you spend more time with them, you have more opportunity to annoy each other or miscommunicate. If you have more opportunity, conflict happens. So, the question is not whether or…
Walking in the Shadow of the Resurrection
Easter’s over, the crowds have dispersed, eggs found, rabbits eaten, services conducted, Monday came and went…now what? Maybe the answer lies in how Monday went. Did it seem like Easter to you? Were you walking in the shadow of the Resurrection? Was it filled with hope and grace, forgiveness and joy? It’s so easy to…
Giving Pause: Taking Action When Conviction comes
Something happened to me Sunday just before I got up to speak at The Gathering. Clearly, the Spirit of God was working through the time of worship and I had the impression that we needed to pause…I knew I needed to pause. Things weren’t right. Earlier that morning, I had gotten upset with my 12…
Saving Daylight, Part 2: Loving Well
Over the last few days, my thoughts have been consumed by a lovely lady within our church who is nearing the end of her journey on earth. I’ve thought about the relationship she has had with her devoted husband for 63 years and the love they have shared. I’ve thought about how over the last…
The Amazing God of Manasseh
To read the account of Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:1-17, 20) is absolutely amazing in regards to the mercy of God. Manasseh did everything he could to provoke God. Reading about his faithlessness and sin toward God is like watching a fatal train crash. I found myself actually getting angry at him myself as it was…
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
You may not know the children’s book that bears that title, but it really doesn’t matter – it says it all. I awoke this morning with high expectations for the day in spite of some important and possibly difficult meetings today. I spent time in the Word and praying and climbed out of bed ready…
The God of Manasseh
2 Chronicles 33:1-17 2 Chronicles 33:20 To read the account of King Manasseh of Judah is absolutely amazing in regards to the mercy of God. Manasseh literally did everything he could to provoke God to fury. Reading about his faithlessness and sin toward God is like watching a fatal train crash in slow motion. I found myself actually getting…
