beloved
grace
June 29, 2013
I believe that love is a seeking for, finding in, digging out and receiving fully.
I don't know if you can prepare for love or if the gift is always going to be overwhelming.
I know that witnessing love is powerful and knowing love changes you.
A friend told me this week that being loved is beautifying. Love, itself, is beautiful.
I am thankful everyday for the love I know and the beauty it teaches me is possible.
I am only a jar of broken, patched-up and dried-out clay.
I am only a body and spirit and light and unique work of the Master Creator.
I am only a woman and a voice and a product of the community that built me.
I am only a daughter and sister and friend and soul.
I am only clean with the application of grace.
I am only free with the acceptance and truth of grace.
I am only joy-filled with the knowledge of grace.
I am only full of awe in the Giver of grace.
Grace. God's saving and undeserved gift of grace.
Holy (Wedding Day) - The City Harmonic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3oLqAmXc-c
I don't know if you can prepare for love or if the gift is always going to be overwhelming.
I know that witnessing love is powerful and knowing love changes you.
A friend told me this week that being loved is beautifying. Love, itself, is beautiful.
I am thankful everyday for the love I know and the beauty it teaches me is possible.
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by His loving-favor you have been saved... not by anything you have done. It is a gift of God. It is not given to you because you worked for it. If you could work for it, you would be proud."
I am only a jar of broken, patched-up and dried-out clay.
I am only a body and spirit and light and unique work of the Master Creator.
I am only a woman and a voice and a product of the community that built me.
I am only a daughter and sister and friend and soul.
I am only clean with the application of grace.
I am only free with the acceptance and truth of grace.
I am only joy-filled with the knowledge of grace.
I am only full of awe in the Giver of grace.
Grace. God's saving and undeserved gift of grace.
Holy (Wedding Day) - The City Harmonic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3oLqAmXc-c
Grace: a great gift, my part, my questions.
May 10, 2012
The song "Love Never Fails" by Brandon Heath stirred up this blog post today. (It's been a while since a song-blog, eh?)
Shocked, this week I listened as a friend was socially ostracized for a horrific choice they made. The expression of anger I witnessed didn't resemble the grace I wished would be extended to my friend and made me cringe as I considered the ways I fail in stewarding God's grace to others. I confess, there are circumstances or situations or people that I have treated with a "doomed" mentality..... which is wrong and judgemental of me. It, also, is simply not my place.
As broken and imperfect human beings, I was struck by the power we have as Christians to reconcile people and welcome them to the beauty of God's gift of love. When we don't act as agents of reconciliation, we spread brokenness. In our depraved way of understanding we can act as blockers (dams, if you will) to the healing waters of God's grace and mercy. We taint or limit God's work of grace by closing our hearts to those we (consciously or unconsciously) deem 'outside' of God's reach or believe to be 'beyond' restoration.
Questions filled my mind as the tears filled my eyes and my heart grew heavy.
can/should love always hope? (1Cor13)
does grace ever ever ever run out? (Jn1:16, Rm3:24/5:20)
is there an end-point to love's reach? (Isaiah 59:1)
has Love ever failed me? (Deut 31:6, Josh 23:14)
as an agent of reconciliation through Jesus Christ, what action must i take? (2 Cor 5:18)
do i let fear beat out love's pull to relationship? (Jn 14:1)
how do we forget we were also forgiven in our condemning words? (1 Cor 6:20)
are we not also redeemed from the wreckage? (Isaiah 1:18)
i am dust just like my neighbour, right? (Ps 103:14)
for what purpose were you freed? (Eph 2)
today, and always, does love matter most? (1 Cor 13)
where have i blocked love from 'flowing through'? (2 Cor 4:1)
There is a precedent presented in Jesus where grace is honest and beautiful and messy and overflowing, and is for everyone. We want to be good stewards of God's grace, which I believe shouldn't be treated as a finite amount of precious perfume... but should be spilt and splashed liberally throughout the places and relationships we are welcomed into as we share the gifts we've been given (Eph 2:9). Are we not the 'aroma of Christ' (2 Cor 2:15)?
I think it's pretty important to decide how I'm going to live, apply, share, give, spread and thank God for the grace I've been given. Truth is, God can and will do what He wills without me. (But I'd rather be part of the amazing work He's actively doing.) God's in the business of restoring people to Himself... I want to only always be helpful in the process of reconciliation and, otherwise, I need to get out of the way!!
How will I build on the foundation or example of grace laid out for me? How can I excel in this 'act of grace' and align myself with what God is doing in people's lives so that grace can abound from God... through me... to the people I come in contact with?
1 Cor 3:10 - "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it."
2 Cor 8:7 - "But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you — see that you excel in this act of grace also."
Shocked, this week I listened as a friend was socially ostracized for a horrific choice they made. The expression of anger I witnessed didn't resemble the grace I wished would be extended to my friend and made me cringe as I considered the ways I fail in stewarding God's grace to others. I confess, there are circumstances or situations or people that I have treated with a "doomed" mentality..... which is wrong and judgemental of me. It, also, is simply not my place.
As broken and imperfect human beings, I was struck by the power we have as Christians to reconcile people and welcome them to the beauty of God's gift of love. When we don't act as agents of reconciliation, we spread brokenness. In our depraved way of understanding we can act as blockers (dams, if you will) to the healing waters of God's grace and mercy. We taint or limit God's work of grace by closing our hearts to those we (consciously or unconsciously) deem 'outside' of God's reach or believe to be 'beyond' restoration.
Questions filled my mind as the tears filled my eyes and my heart grew heavy.
can/should love always hope? (1Cor13)
does grace ever ever ever run out? (Jn1:16, Rm3:24/5:20)
is there an end-point to love's reach? (Isaiah 59:1)
has Love ever failed me? (Deut 31:6, Josh 23:14)
as an agent of reconciliation through Jesus Christ, what action must i take? (2 Cor 5:18)
do i let fear beat out love's pull to relationship? (Jn 14:1)
how do we forget we were also forgiven in our condemning words? (1 Cor 6:20)
are we not also redeemed from the wreckage? (Isaiah 1:18)
i am dust just like my neighbour, right? (Ps 103:14)
for what purpose were you freed? (Eph 2)
today, and always, does love matter most? (1 Cor 13)
where have i blocked love from 'flowing through'? (2 Cor 4:1)
There is a precedent presented in Jesus where grace is honest and beautiful and messy and overflowing, and is for everyone. We want to be good stewards of God's grace, which I believe shouldn't be treated as a finite amount of precious perfume... but should be spilt and splashed liberally throughout the places and relationships we are welcomed into as we share the gifts we've been given (Eph 2:9). Are we not the 'aroma of Christ' (2 Cor 2:15)?
I think it's pretty important to decide how I'm going to live, apply, share, give, spread and thank God for the grace I've been given. Truth is, God can and will do what He wills without me. (But I'd rather be part of the amazing work He's actively doing.) God's in the business of restoring people to Himself... I want to only always be helpful in the process of reconciliation and, otherwise, I need to get out of the way!!
How will I build on the foundation or example of grace laid out for me? How can I excel in this 'act of grace' and align myself with what God is doing in people's lives so that grace can abound from God... through me... to the people I come in contact with?
1 Cor 3:10 - "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it."
2 Cor 8:7 - "But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you — see that you excel in this act of grace also."
surrender to Love
December 31, 2009
don't forget to listen to the song! (click on the title.)
----------------------------------------------------------
Isaiah 61
"...bring good news to the poor... bind up the brokenhearted... proclaim liberty to the captives, the opening of the prison to those who are bound... to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor... to comfort all who mourn... to grant those who mourn [a beautiful headdress instead of ashes], the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.
Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor, they shall rejoice in their lot... they shall have everlasting joy."
IT IS FOR FREEDOM THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SET FREE.
----------------------------------------------------------
john 20:31 "these things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name"
"i came that they may have life, and have it to the full!"
we live. we're good at breathing. we like to talk. we reserve the right to ignore. we laugh and we cry. we dive in if we want to, and avoid when we don't. we give, but often take more. we think we've got this 'living' thing down.
we start new. we pull our socks up. we make goals, and try once again.
the beautiful thing about my God is the unprecedented grace that's been handed out and given freely for 2000 years. really the truth about the gift of grace is that you just accept it. it cost a lot, yes, the cost was steep and its been taken care of, and now its on you to accept it. as you probably know, that's harder than it sounds. we can't believe that God arranged for such a sweet gift of redemption.
"He is wise in heart and mighty in strength -- who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?..." Job 9:4
the reason why i like this song is really that it's like God saying to me, "I already have this figured out. You're not going to find better. You won't get everything figured out to the point where you won't need my grace. Let me protect you and lead you. I've equipped you and I won't let you fall!"
1 Kings 18: 21-22 "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him..."
This is not about the shame game. We fall, we fail, we learn, and we grow. God through Jesus is about redemption, and thanks to His goodness, and the freedom we receive in His love and perfect gift of Jesus, we live the classic Cinderella story.
"You are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them" Nehemiah 9:17b
His whispers knock us off our feet and remind us that we are held by the hands that formed the world.
I pray for peace, joy, strength, blessing and reliance on a very big God in the new year.
-------------------------------------------------------
by your side - tenth avenue north
why are you trying to earn grace?
why are you crying?
let me lift up your face
just don't turn away
why are you looking for love?
why are you still searching
as if I'm not enough
to where will you go, child?
tell me, where will you run?
to where will you run?
I'll be by your side
wherever you call
in the dead of night
whenever you fall
please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
look at these hands and my side
they swallowed the grave on that night
when i drank the world's sin
so i could carry you in
and give you life
I want to give you life
cause I, I love you
I want you to know
that I, I love you
I'll never let you go
love's perfect gift
April 13, 2009
"This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down His life for us." 1 John 3:16
Easter's beautiful. One weekend is such a journey: from the great sacrifice and message of Jesus' blood to 'He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!' and celebration on Sunday/Monday! I have been reminded this weekend of the fact that God's offer of rescue was not a secret plan that would provide a way for me to reciprocate the same love God has shown me. His plan was for a 'forever' kind of relationship. He has always been interested in reaching out to me.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4: I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.
Love came down and bridged the gap for those who believe, receive and accept the gift of the cross. First, God created me for relationship with Him, then, Jesus came to live an example in a life of perfection and death in my place so my sins could be wiped out. Over and over, I forget what the cost was for Love to come down and reach me.
I can't keep up with that kind of love. He's perfect, and so is how he loves me. I can never wander out too far. I can never be outside the realm of His love. Today I am reminded that I am protected, pursued and profoundly loved.
1. 'all for love a Father gave'
John 3:16 "God loved the world so very, very much that he gave his only Son. Because he did that, everyone who believes in him will not lose his life, but will live for ever."
2. 'only Love can make a way'
Hebrews 9:26 "Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself."
Matthew 26:28 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
3. 'you forgive if only i ask'
Hebrews 10:15-23 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
"This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds."
Then he adds:
"Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."
And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
4. 'all for love a Saviour prayed: "Abba Father, have your way"'
Mark 14: 35-46 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
5. 'the enemy has been defeated, death couldn't hold [God] down'
1 Corinthians 15:54-58 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
ALL FOR LOVE/SHOUT UNTO GOD (by: Mia Fields)
All for love a Father gave
For only love can make a way
All for love the heavens cried
For Love was crucified
Oh, how many times have i broken Your heart
Still you forgive if only I ask
And how many times have you heard me pray
Draw near to me
Everything i need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You
Let me sing all for love
I will join the angels' song
Ever holy is the Lord
King of glory, King of all
Oh, how many times have i broken Your heart
Still you forgive if only I ask
And how many times have you heard me pray
Draw near to me
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You
All for love a Saviour prayed
"Abba Father have your way,
Though they know not what they do
Let the cross draw men to You"
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You
The enemy has been defeated
Death couldn't hold You down
We're gonna lift our voice in victory
We're gonna make your praises loud
Shout unto God with a voice of triumph
Shout unto God with a voice of praise
Shout unto God with a voice of trumph
We lift Your name up
We lift Your name up
...............................................................
You are victorious, God. Thank you, Father, for making a way for us to know Your love. how wide, how deep, how high.... how immeasurable... how beautiful... how complete, how wonderful, how lovely, how mighty... is YOUR LOVE. i'm drawn in, i'm overcome. Amen.
...............................................................
Hebrews 12:1-3 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Easter's beautiful. One weekend is such a journey: from the great sacrifice and message of Jesus' blood to 'He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!' and celebration on Sunday/Monday! I have been reminded this weekend of the fact that God's offer of rescue was not a secret plan that would provide a way for me to reciprocate the same love God has shown me. His plan was for a 'forever' kind of relationship. He has always been interested in reaching out to me.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4: I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.
Love came down and bridged the gap for those who believe, receive and accept the gift of the cross. First, God created me for relationship with Him, then, Jesus came to live an example in a life of perfection and death in my place so my sins could be wiped out. Over and over, I forget what the cost was for Love to come down and reach me.
I can't keep up with that kind of love. He's perfect, and so is how he loves me. I can never wander out too far. I can never be outside the realm of His love. Today I am reminded that I am protected, pursued and profoundly loved.
1. 'all for love a Father gave'
John 3:16 "God loved the world so very, very much that he gave his only Son. Because he did that, everyone who believes in him will not lose his life, but will live for ever."
2. 'only Love can make a way'
Hebrews 9:26 "Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself."
Matthew 26:28 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
3. 'you forgive if only i ask'
Hebrews 10:15-23 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
"This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds."
Then he adds:
"Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."
And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
4. 'all for love a Saviour prayed: "Abba Father, have your way"'
Mark 14: 35-46 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
5. 'the enemy has been defeated, death couldn't hold [God] down'
1 Corinthians 15:54-58 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
ALL FOR LOVE/SHOUT UNTO GOD (by: Mia Fields)
All for love a Father gave
For only love can make a way
All for love the heavens cried
For Love was crucified
Oh, how many times have i broken Your heart
Still you forgive if only I ask
And how many times have you heard me pray
Draw near to me
Everything i need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You
Let me sing all for love
I will join the angels' song
Ever holy is the Lord
King of glory, King of all
Oh, how many times have i broken Your heart
Still you forgive if only I ask
And how many times have you heard me pray
Draw near to me
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You
All for love a Saviour prayed
"Abba Father have your way,
Though they know not what they do
Let the cross draw men to You"
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You
The enemy has been defeated
Death couldn't hold You down
We're gonna lift our voice in victory
We're gonna make your praises loud
Shout unto God with a voice of triumph
Shout unto God with a voice of praise
Shout unto God with a voice of trumph
We lift Your name up
We lift Your name up
...............................................................
You are victorious, God. Thank you, Father, for making a way for us to know Your love. how wide, how deep, how high.... how immeasurable... how beautiful... how complete, how wonderful, how lovely, how mighty... is YOUR LOVE. i'm drawn in, i'm overcome. Amen.
...............................................................
Hebrews 12:1-3 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
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