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Walk the Talk

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” ~ Psalm 19:14 (ESV)

As I had mentioned last week, my friend Lynn got me going with her post about “Edgy Christianity“. One book she had mentioned on her list was titled “I am fine with God…It’s Christians I Can’t Stand”. I have not bought/read the book, just took a peak at Amazon to read the first chapter…

One major annoyance to the unsaved population is that we try to impress our moral points with force on them. Do we? Do we point out what is wrong in their lives rather than to point to the cross of Salvation? Are we hypocrites? Modern day Pharisees?

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.” ~ Matthew 23:25-26 (ESV)

Sadly part of me has to agree. You see, the world does not see the ‘average’ Christian, but the high profile preachers/teachers/tele-evangelists. How many have we seen preach moral points “Do this, don’t do that”? How many of them later stumbled over the exact issue (sin) — fell from their high horse?

My point is that we all are sinners (believers and unbelievers). We are all in need of a Savior. We are not saved by our own works, but by the grace of God:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” ~ Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)

You see, good works is not what brings us to saving faith. Good works begins after we have been saved. Are we no longer a sinner after Christ reached down to save us? By no means. As for me, I sin daily. Do I want to? Of course not. But I am human. God gave me free will — sometimes I make wrong choices. Does God love me less because of the choices I have made? No, but I can not be in someones face because of their sin.

So how can we share the Gospel without self-righteous talk? Get out of the way…Walk the talk with His guidance and strength. Let us admit to our own sinful nature. Share what Christ has done in us. Only Christ can change hearts — we don’t have the power to do that. Let me close with a quote by St. Francis of Assisi:

“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”

Blessings to your weekend and as always…

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Thankful Thursday ~ Grace

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” ~ Romans 5:1-2 (ESV – emphasis mine)

Have you ever looked up the word grace in the dictionary? I did this week. Here are two of 8 definitions from Webster’s website:

1 a: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b: a virtue coming from God c: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace.
2 a: approval , favor barchaic : mercy , pardon c: a special favor : privilege d: disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency e: a temporary exemption : reprieve

Isn’t it cool that ever Webster states that grace comes from God? What really surprised me was that grace and mercy are interchangeable? I guess I still have a lot to learn about the English language.

Grace is a beautiful word, especially if we put feet to grace. Here is my list why I am thankful for grace, not only grace from God, but grace extended to me by family and friends…

  • Thank you Lord for Your grace. I know that I do not deserve that Christ died for my sins so I may spend eternity with You. If it were up to me, I know I would end up in the pit…

  • I am thankful that even though I sometimes say things that are not gracious, my beloved extends grace to me…

  • I am thankful that my BBF Laurel and I were able to settle an issue. The problem was that I did not take to heart James 1:19. I am thankful that Laurel was able to see past my faults, extended grace to me…

  • I am thankful that God left the best ‘instruction book’ for life there is, with us. Because of the Bible I am able to ‘hear’ Him extending grace to me every.single.day (or in the middle of the night)…

  • I am thankful that throughout the week God sends me reminders via music that His love is all about grace…

What are you thankful for this week? Please share with us in leaving your link below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: God has extended grace to you, pay it forward…

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
2. It’s All About Him!
3. Melanie
4. To Know Him
5. mama meji
6. Laurie @ womentakingastand
7. Peggy@aMazingGrace…
8. Cheryl@ Hope
9. Nancie
10. Mrs. Cuddles
11. Kristi-Kikis Corner
12. Felicity @ The Voie of FMLL
13. Linda
14. Crystal (Sweet Peace)
15. Angie
16. Tonya @ Safe In His Arms
17. Kat
18. Laurie Ann
19. Denise
20. Dawn’s Daily Life
21. Willnette
22. Carrie – Oak Rise Cottage
23. Amy (Kings Table)
24. Jerri @ Jerri’s Journey
25. Lea
26. Mary
27. Susan @ Borrowed Freedom
28. alihsee @ remember the moments
29. mom2my9 (Developmental Delay)
30. Tanya @ texastanya.net
31. Esthermay
32. Devita
33. Melinda @ Shore’s End		 34. Pia @ My Life\’s Journey
35. Lori ~ Simple Life at Home
36. Jenn
37. Rocks
38. Kim
39. Mariposa
40. Stacy – rough week
41. Amanda Bowers
42. Debra
43. Ann
44. Tammy
45. Sandy @Jesus and Dark Chocolate – Fall
46. Heather @ Not a DIY Life
47. He & Me 3
48. Transparent Life
49. Denise @ Teacups & Time
50. Trina @ Daddy’s Chick’s
51. Jill – award for you 🙂
52. Holly
53. Willow
54. lambofHisflock
55. Dana
56. Tracey @ Cheese and Whine
57. Sherry(@myjourney)
58. Tracy @ Thirsty for Him
59. Chelsey at Joyfully Living
60. junewren@aol.com
61. Mama Bear
62. Newlyweds
63. Tami @ The Next Step
64. Patricia@Typing One-Handed
65. Kim @ Scattered Stones
66. genny		 67. Tarah
68. bvoylesal@aol.com
69. Marsha
70. Tea with Tiffany
71. Bonnie @ Thugater
72. Tracy @ Seed Thoughts
73. Schotzy
74. Lisaluvslife
75. Erica
76. Debbie @ Heart Choices
77. Donetta at a life uncommon
78. Sab
79. Leanne from Canada
80. BP @ Raindrops & Rainbows
81. Ruth A Stiles
82. Darlene @ Everything to Me
83. LaDonna
84. Jennifer @ Through The Storms of Life
85. Nichole (Heart 4 My Home)
86. Elizabeth Sue@ Wife Happens
87. Michele
88. Beth
89. Cheryl
90. Mommy Magee
91. Marcia
92. Vanessa
93. Miss Ellie for feelin’ feminine
94. Heather
95. I’m Free
96. Sherry
97. Tessa @ Jesus-Filled Hope

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Thankful Thursday ~ Random

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” ~ Colossians 3:16 (ESV – emphasis mine)

Before I share my random list of thankfulness with you all, I want to say “Thank YOU” all for the wonderful birthday wishes last week during our ‘get-together’ on Thankful Thursday. You all made my heart skip a beat…

If you have read my post “Welcome to ‘Grace Alone…'” you know that I really had a hard time over the past 6 months. Nothing seemed as it should have been. I was down — all the time. I want to apologize for not being a better hostess on Thursdays…The Lord has lifted the dark cloud, put the spring back into my step 😛 …Isn’t He grant????

I promise I will stop babbling now, and share my list with you all…

  • Lord, thank You for lifting the dark cloud. Thank You for putting a spring in my step, joy in my heart…

  • I am thankful for my beloved. He made my birthday special last Saturday. He looked all around town to get me a manual camera. He now is patiently teaching me photography from the ground up…

  • I am thankful for God’s guidance. Tuesday morning I read this post from my friend Lynn. You see, I was praying for subjects to blog about. Little ole’ me thought – well maybe about marriage, raising a son. But NO – He has a different agenda for me. I pray that I will not chicken-out. I will trust Him to give me words to share with you all (and hopefully some who see Christians in a not so good light). I am willing to be His tool (although a little scared)…

  • I am thankful for Lynn’s hard work on putting together a wonderful Fall Giveaway prize. If you have not seen it yet; check out the giveaway post at Laced with Grace…

  • I am thankful for Darlene’s site “Writing Fundamentals“. I have already gleaned some great insights on improving my writing. I need all the help I can get 😉 – still the German thought pattern working in this ole’ brain…

  • I am thankful for women like Lysa TerKeurst. They step out in faith, sharing their heart with the world. I was really touched by her post “My Secret“…

  • I am thankful for Firefox. I know this seems kind of odd to you. You see, I have IE at work (an old version). It keeps crashing when I try to access some blogs because of the plugins used on the blogs. It gives me hardly any time to read blogs during my lunch-time (30 mins), because I constantly have to reboot. So, yes, I am thankful for Firefox here at home – fast browsing, tabbing, linking, clicking, leaving comment…ahhhhhhhh

  • And last but not least I am thankful that God gives me strength every.single.morning to stay on ‘target’ with my life. I had asked Him what needed to go in order for me to be available to Him. It was hard to give up scrapping as a CT, but I know it was necessary…

Okay – I better stop, because I have so much to be thankful for — I want you to have a chance to also visit others…(ps – I am my old self again – PTL!!!!)…So, what are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving your link below…

Thanks for stopping by today. And remember: He is able to put a spring back into your step – keep on thanking Him for the things He has done and will do in your life…

Be blessed today and always…

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Stacy – big announcement
2. Tammy
3. Melanie
4. Denise
5. JesuLalaine
6. Lisa@BlessedwithGrace
7. Nancie
8. speaking from the heart
9. To Know Him
10. Cheryl
11. our family story
12. Angie
13. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
14. Angela (son #2 is home!!!)
15. Felicity (The Voice of FMLL)
16. Laurie @ womentakingastand
17. BP @ Raindrops & Rainbows
18. Cheryl@Hope
19. Heather
20. Lori @ Front Porch Legacy
21. Laurie Ann
22. JanuJenn
23. Aisha @ The Holley Herald
24. Tonya @ Safe in His Arms 🙂
25. Jerri @ Jerri’s Journey
26. Sarah (part-time job)
27. heidi (a special friend)
28. Tammy @ Munchkinheads
29. Peggy
30. Mariposa
31. Janera
32. Beth@The Accidental Pharisee
33. mama meji
34. Rocks		 35. Tara
36. Esthermay
37. Marsha
38. Linda
39. Amy
40. Crystal @ News from the Zoo
41. Lori ~ Simple Life at Home
42. architect
43. Kim-
44. Willow
45. Liza’s Eyeview
46. Amanda Bowers
47. Erica
48. jennifer’s joyride
49. Nemo @ daily-dabble.com
50. He & Me 3
51. Tracey
52. Kristi-Kiki’s Corner
53. Heather @ Not a DIY Life
54. Debra
55. Jill – awards 4 u 🙂
56. Newlyweds
57. Amy @ Joy of my Heart
58. gen/entryhere
59. Dana
60. Tami @ The Next Step
61. Patricia@Typing One-Handed
62. Lea
63. Kathy C.
64. pam @ Without Fear
65. Susan @ Forever His
66. Bonnie
67. Tarah
68. Nichole @ A Call to Higher Places		 69. Susie-Pink Carnation in Bloom
70. Debbie @ Heart Choices
71. Kat
72. It’s All About Him!
73. Michele
74. Jennifer
75. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings
76. Angel (house under contract)
77. gail @ challenges and adventures
78. Tea with Tiffany
79. Mandy
80. lisa
81. Darlene @ Everything to Me
82. Sherry(@myjourney)
83. Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting – 29 Days of Giving
84. Rachel (Persecution in India)
85. Marcia
86. Sab
87. Rosheeda
88. Kathy @ BlessedBuilder
89. Kathy @ Joyful Journey Journal
90. Catherine
91. Heather
92. Denise @ Teacups & Time
93. Dori
94. Tessa @ Jesus-Filled Hope
95. becky aka theRAV
96. Ann
97. Tanya @ texastanya.net
98. Mommy’s Gems
99. Karl
100. Rebecca
101. Miss Ellie for feelin’ feminine

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Welcome to “Grace Alone…”

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

After almost 3 years being known as “Sting My Heart” around the blogsphere, I was convinced that it was time to change the name and the look of my personal blog. But “why?” some of you might ask. How can I disobey God? He put it on my heart to make this drastic change…

Let me be honest with you; I struggled over the past 6 months. I had a hard time adjusting to our son being all grown. I was doing well…so I thought. “Empty Nest” syndrome hit like a ton of bricks 6 months after Daniel moved out.

I felt empty…I had a hard time adjusting to being ‘just a wife’…Two weeks ago everything changed. A new outlook on things. Believe me, that did not come from me; it was a God ‘thing’. He softly spoke to my heart — “You are not ‘just a wife’. You are still a mom, a daughter, a sister, a friend. And you are MINE!” I finally surrendered EVERYTHING.

After that morning I knew I had to rename my blog; give it a new ‘face’. I wasn’t sure about the name. Many names rattled in my head, but GRACE was always one word that stuck.

I emailed a couple of my blogging friends to see if they could help out renaming my blog. Darlene said something profound; it reminded me of the morning when my Lord spoke to my heart:

“I love “Grace Alone…” with the dot dot dot at the end because it says so much. It is a continuation of thoughts. Grace Alone carries you through, Grace Alone brightens your day, Grace Alone gives you strength…”

All I could say “Amen”. His grace saw me through the days of my ’empty nest’. His grace gave me strength. His grace brighten my days…His grace was/is sufficient for me in my weaknesses…

I want to thank my blogging friends Laurel, Lynn, Angie, Jamie and Darlene for their prayers and encouragement over the past 6 months — your prayers meant the world to me.

I hope that you, my dear sisters in Christ, will enjoy the new blog. I pray that He will give me words of encouragement to share with you.



PS: If you by chance have ‘Sting my Heart’ on your blogroll, could you please change the name to “Grace Alone…”? Thank you so much 🙂