Saved By Grace – Through Faith
Hope to see you here on Tuesday. I will have the Mr. Linky up by Monday evening…
Blessings on your day and as always…
It was such a blessings that I actually had time between Christmas and New Years to read – to read a book that is…I very much enjoyed Nancy’s book “Girl on a Swing“. You want to know why? Let me share first with you the back cover of her book:
“Who is that Girl on a Swing? She’s free, she’s safe, she’s secure, she’s forgiven, she’s happy, she’s a child of God and so are you…With warm understanding, refreshing humor, and striking biblical honesty, Nancy Kennedy reflects on the ways women often keep themselves from enjoying the freedom that’s already theirs. Because not only do you belong to God, He is glad He chose you. Not only does He love you unconditionally, He likes you! And not only does He lavish you with grace, He smiles upon you…Once you learn how to swing, you can’t un-learn it. Once you know true freedom in Christ, you can’t un-know it. It’s yours for good (and it’s a lot of fun). So climb on…it’s time to soar!”
What I love about Nancy is that she is “real”. She is like you and me — she doesn’t have it all together. The entire book is great, but several chapters have really hit home…
Like the one entitled “Eternal Umbilicus” — this one made me realize that I am obsessed controlling our son’s life. Although I thought that I gave him and his future over to God — I hadn’t. I was getting nervous that our son didn’t have a ‘real job’ after college. Guess what — God had the perfect timing for Daniel to get a job…
Or the chapter “Ghosts in the Closet” — how I really have not forgiven people in my life. That I have held on to (even though only deep in my heart buried under other stuff) the hurts people inflicted on me (yeah it screams pity-party in bold neon letters).
Or the chapter “Footwashings and A Resurrection” — when years ago I did all the Godly stuff, but in all reality I was spiritual ‘deadish’ and not any more closer to Him than my next door neighbor.
But the most profound chapter for me is close to the end — “It’s Okay to Be *F.I.N.E. (*Fouled-up, Insecure, Neurotic, and Exhausted)…Yeah – that is me “Fouled-up, Insecure, Neurotic and Exhausted”. Especially the insecure part! You see, I want to be loved. I want people to like me…But I keep forgetting that I am already loved – loved deeply by the One who died for me — died for my sins. Who took the nails that were meant for me! I am free to admit that I am a sinner — forgiving, yet still a sinner.
Nancy, thank you for writing this book and reminding me that He smiles on me, despite my defects…I am looking forward reading your next book “Lipstick Grace”…
Why don’t you, my beloved blog-readers, jump with Nancy and me on the swing, experience and feel the Son in your face?
Blessings to you and yours in 2007 and as always…
PS: Don’t forget to meet at Laurel’s blog this up-coming week to share your hopes and dreams for 2007…
…with simple faith. Although I share my faith in Christ on this Blog, I am not here to apologize for the faith I have…
You are wondering why I say this? Well, this post is in response to an email I received this past week. I don’t want to go into details, because the email was just too confusing. No, I don’t have theological discussions on my Blog, because I choose not to.
My Blog has the purpose (besides my personal life) to point to the One way to Heaven. God is a just God, but He is also a loving God. He made a way to Heaven for all of us. The Gospel is but a simple message, I will not add nor will I deduct from it. Jesus was not murdered, but it was the choice of God:
“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
~ John 10:16-18 (ESV)
Since we all have sinned and have fallen short of glory of God, we needed His way out. To be reconciled to Him and spend eternity with Him. Have I stopped sinning? By no means. Although my sins are changing, there are many that reoccur. My pride is my worst enemy. My pride stands in the way of loving the un-lovable. My pride stands in the way to forgive as He has forgiven me. My pride stands in the way of being the wife and mother God wants me to be. And my pride stands in the way for fully living out the life He has planned for me…But through the blood He has shed for me and the gift of the Holy Spirit, I am able to still witness of His great love for all of us and who are willing to receive this gift.
I read a wonderful quote this morning by one of my favorite Bible study writers. You guessed it — Beth Moore. She says in her book “A Heart Like His“:
‘We must remember we don’t stand in victory because of our faith. We stand in victory because of our God. Faith in faith is pointless. Faith in a living, active God moves mountains. He is alive. He is active. He wants to make you living proof. Remember, the Cross would have been God’s worst defeat had the people not had cause to exclaim, “He’s alive!”‘
With His help, I will move mountains — because I believe that He is alive and active in me…
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
~ John 3:16-18 (ESV)
BTW – you might have noticed a new button on my side-bar. My friend Carrie is collecting links of women of faith for her web-site. If you are interested in being linked and share your faith on your Blog, let Carrie know here…
Have a blessed Sunday :smile:..
I am not trying to score points and any favors, but Debbie Boyette’s book
“Life is a Buffet – So Save Room for Dessert†is delightful to read. Debbie, also known as Polly D, is sharing her life with her sister, Robbie Lee and mom, AC. I haven’t laughed so hard in a while. Although sharing mishaps in her and her family’s life, Debbie puts a positive spin on everything.
In my eyes, Debbie has the right attitude. Sometimes we fret over things, which in retrospect are too funny. Ever tried to fry a whole chicken in a not big enough pot? Or got stopped for speeding in a 25-mile zone? Wearing a beautiful outfit to a 50th anniversary party and not only wearing a necklace, but also wearing stewed tomatoes? Barging into a hotel room with a gentleman wearing just a bathrobe?
Debbie says:
“The sense of humor I’ve been blessed with has not made me blind to my family’s annoying or embarrassing moments, but I believe it has helped me open my eyes wider and see more than what appears on the surface. I appreciate those moments more than ever as I’ve gotten older…Take the time to view your family life with a different set of eyes. Whether it be your mother, father, brothers and sisters, or husband, wife and children, make a conscious choice to allow your vision to include the humorous side of life.â€
But you know what my favorite part of this book is? Scripture! Debbie finishes each section with a Scripture verse and shares her wisdom. She ties every day life in with God’s grace that can be found in every day situation, even with the mishaps in life. Let me share a couple of my favorites with you:
“Never let yourself get to a place in your life where you think you have all the answers, or that you’re too good to take the wise counsel of a godly friend. I you become too comfortable in your lifestyle and become lazy or too relaxed to pay needed attention to spiritual details, you may find yourself heading down the wrong track…†(excerpt from “What Bus?†– page 21)
“How much time do we waste as Christians by fighting among ourselves over trivial matters? Why not channel that energy into uniting ourselves in God’s love and grace so we can show one bright light to the world?…†(excerpt from “Adding Fiber to your Diet†– page 33)
Are you hungry for some more? I highly recommend this book to all who need a little pick-me-up when life throws you a curve-ball. I even would go so far saying that you could use this book for your devotional time. The stories are short and the wisdom Debbie shares is deeply rooted in God’s grace and love for us, including Scripture verses.
But don’t take my word for it, read the entire book. I promise you that laughter is found on every page. You can purchase the book on-line as a hard copy or in e-book format here :smile:.
By the way, Debbie (Polly D) has her own blog on the web, called “Life is a Buffet†:wink:.
Living in His grace (and trying to life beyond myself) ~ Eph2810