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Comment by Nancy, Steve, Nathan & Lu on July 3, 2012 at 5:57pm

The Difference Between Mercy & Grace

 

A story of mercy:

I stalk someone and rob them at gun point. Then because I know they have seen my face and can identify me, I raise the gun to shoot them. My victim cries out in terror and at the last moment I lower the gun and run away. My victim escapes the calamity that was about to befall them. There was nothing my victim could have done of their own power to escape what was about to happen.

Sometimes there is unexpected human mercy, such as in this story. Our benevolent God shows mercy again and again by saving us from some disaster looming directly in our path. Sometimes we cry out and God intervenes in answer to our plea. Sometimes, we don't even know what we were protected from or what would have happened if God had not silently intervened to save us from it. This is mercy. Mercy is so good.

A story of grace:

I stalk someone and rob them at gun point. Then, not wanting to be identified because they have seen my face, I shoot them and run away. My victim is seriously wounded, but lives. I am eventually caught by the police, arrested and convicted for this, and my other crimes which I have committed. I am sentenced to the electric chair to die to pay for my crimes. There is nothing I can do now to avoid the punishment. Furthermore, I deserve it. Then the victim I shot comes forward and offers to take my place in the electric chair and I am to go free! Not only that, but my victim petitions the court that my name be completely stricken from the arrest, court and conviction records-My name will be wiped clean of my shame.

I was completely guilty and fully deserved my punishment. The one who took my punishment for me was completely innocent and deserved none. My victim, the one I had wounded and offended by my crime, offered to take my place. I fully deserved the calamity I had created for my own life, but I am spared and given a fresh new life. This is grace. Grace is more than good. It is outrageous, unreasonable, preposterous and incredible! It is ridiculously amazing! It is a completely undeserved gift without strings attached-totally unconditional. It is not just forgiveness for my crime. It is way more than forgiveness, but it is paying the penalty of my crime for me by the one I wounded.

To me Jesus is the embodiment of grace and is the foundation of my faith. It is God's undeserved favor that we have no right to. It is given to us anyway, if we will only accept the gift and the giver.'

Comment by Nancy, Steve, Nathan & Lu on June 16, 2012 at 10:05pm

God is Our Shield - Even As We Shield Our Corgis

In Genesis 15:1, God tells Abram, 'I am thy shield... .'

When I am out walking Lu, my Corgi, I am constantly on the look-out for any threats that might endanger her; I am her shield.

I usually walk Lu in the dusk of the day, when it's not so hot, and there aren't so many folks over in the park. However, lately, I'm finding that there is another dog who frequents the park around this same time - a dog that has tried to hurt Lu in the past, (and, thankfully, Lu escaped unscathed).

So,these days, when I'm taking Lu out for a walk in the park, my eyes are constantly watchful for this particular dog, because I know it is a threat to my little babe; if I'm not watchful, what belongs to me could be mercilessly attacked.

This is the same with the Lord, except His perspective and awareness is infinite. He knows what threats exist when I do not, and He has promised that when I trust Him He will protect me. When I believe Him, when I believe His Word, then He will go before me and be my protection.

So, the next time you walk your Corgi into the park, and your eyes scan the scene for any possible threats, remember that the Lord does the same for you - every moment of every day - when you are walking in belief of His Word and His promises.

Note: This passage of scripture arises from the situation described in Genesis 14:18-23, when Abram refuses the riches from the King of Sodom - which were rightfully his. He chose instead to look to the Lord for his provision and protection, and because of this wise choice the Lord told him, 'I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.' (15:1)

Comment by mike & buddy on June 14, 2012 at 7:53am

Thankyou for the encouragement!

Comment by Denise Gilbert James on June 13, 2012 at 10:18pm

That is great Christina.. thanks!

Comment by Priscilla, CARLY, and Frankie on June 12, 2012 at 10:19pm

Thats beautiful Christina , thanks for sharing...He is a awesome God

Comment by Nancy, Steve, Nathan & Lu on June 12, 2012 at 9:11pm

Choosing to Listen: How Not to be A Corgi

Can you imagine being able to create a Corgi? Being able to choose its bones and muscles, skin, hair, coloring, eyes, face, ears, nose, toes, mind and personality?

Now, can you imagine how much love you would have for your little, furry creation? Knowing it in and out, from start to finish. Knowing what is best, and how to protect it. knowing it better than it could ever know itself.

Amazingly, that's how God sees you and me; according to Psalm 139, He knows us intimately - from the next words on our tongue to the number of days in our life: He knows everything about us.

The most amazing thing about our Creator is not that He made us - which is pretty amazing in itself - but how much He loves us... (1 John 4:19) He made us with our own minds, and with our own wills. So, it's our choice to listen to Him or not - and sometimes we choose not to.

How true this can be with Corgis! When I take Lu on walks in the neighborhood park, I will often-times let her off leash to run about freely. Most of the time she does just fine - choosing to return to me readily. However, there are times when she will choose not to listen to me - no matter how many times I call her name. Let's just say, it's something we're "working on."

You see, in her excitement, she doesn't take into account the danger she is creating for herself and others: she sees something she wants and she goes for it. Thankfully, I can report that 98% of the time, things work-out fine. However, the remaining 2% percent presents a definite problem - especially when there is a hostile dog involved.

God has created us (Psalm 139:15), loves us (Isa 49:16), and wants us to listen to Him (Deut 11:18). He has promised good things for us, (Jer 29:11), and cares about us (1 Pet 5:7). So, when He asks us to do something (or not do something), He has a very good - and important - reason behind it. There will be times when we won't understand His commands, but if we know His character - and that He has our best in mind - we will trust His judgment on our behalf. Believe God's promises for you.

So, the next time there is a choice to be made, and the Word is telling you one thing, while the World is showing you another - listen to the One who made you. He will lead you into safety and security, while the World will only lead you away from His love and protection.

Psalm 139:1-4

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.

Comment by vera miller on June 6, 2012 at 10:06am

hello.. glad to be here ,, thanks for the invite,, 

Comment by Mary M. Green on June 6, 2012 at 9:34am

I just about sent mine to meet Jesus for the same reason this morning!!!! LOL

Comment by mike & buddy on June 6, 2012 at 8:42am

I often tell my dog he needs Jesus, esp when he rolls in poop!

Comment by Tracy on December 25, 2011 at 12:24am

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year To Everyone!

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