Tagged: eternal perspective

Giving brings blessing 0

Comfort and Hope

GIVING — A Poem and Some Pondering Points

The Giver God’s scandalous kindness and His excessive goodness gush forth unhindered. Revitalizing streams of mercy and vast oceans of grace are free for the taking. The upside-down kingdom where in giving we receive and in dying we live defies human reasoning. Yet every time we give, as led by Him, we are splashed, refreshed, and invigorated by Love Himself. Praise Him! The Divine Design—A Paradox Enriched beyond what’s given Replenished by His grace Supplying, never lacking Decadent disgrace Obnoxious overflowing Continual supplies Giving from His fullness Barrenness denied Receiving in the giving  Mysterious refrain  Deepening communion No loss, only...

Shade of grace 2

Encouragement

SHADE OF GRACE — AS A LIFESTYLE

GOD’S INVITATION TO SHADE Life is hard. We are all damaged—ravaged by the sins of others and the consequences of our own sinful choices, a broken world, and the enemy’s schemes. Things break—glasses, cars, hearts, all the things. The heat is on. Challenging circumstances, pressure, disappointments, relationship struggles, unexpected diagnoses, anything, and everything threatens to zap our strength, steal our joy, and distract us from knowing and enjoying God.  All of it—the hard, broken, difficult things in life can be redeemed if we will do one thing—come to Jesus.  Come out from the oppressive heat into the shade of God’s...

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Encouragement

SHADE OF GRACE — PART FIVE Be Still

THE RIGHT DIRECTION I was headed over to one of my mother’s rental properties to open the recently vacated apartment. Instead of turning onto the street where the duplex is located, I decided to circle the block.  Approaching the stop sign the thought of heading straight came to mind. A street at the top of the hill has charming older homes with gorgeous landscaping that never disappoints.  When I stopped at the sign I heard, in my spirit, “Turn right”. Without hesitation, I did. The next intersection required me to stop and yield to traffic. When I looked left, sandwiched...

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Encouragement

SHADE OF GRACE —PART FOUR Help In Times Of Trouble

Help In Times Of Trouble DIRECTED STEPS After lugging my terracotta pots to the truck, I went back inside the house to see if my friend was finished at the estate sale. When I didn’t see her, I decided to check out the kitchen again. My first run-through was brisk. The thought of missing an antique bowl or passing up a rolling pin left me eager for a second look. As I stepped into the small kitchen, I noticed another woman perusing the sea of cooking utensils. After a few moments, she spoke. One of those passing comments about estate...

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Exhortation

SHADE OF GRACE—PART THREE There Is A Plan

There Is A Plan HOPE My soul was shriveled. It had been a long, hard, 4-year cancer journey with my husband.  While God had proven exceedingly faithful and I was surrounded by friends who shared my burdens, the desire to process life with a therapist surfaced again. I had reached out to a counselor I respected months before, but his waiting list was over the one-year mark at that point. Watching our cancer journey unfold, I knew I could no longer wait to sit with someone to process my heart. I prayed, then checked out several websites for counseling agencies...

Anticipating departure preparing eternityanticipate, planning, preparing, departure, eternity, anticipation, suitcase, ready, prepared, suitcase open, Woohoo!, Nancy Gibson 2

Admonishment

Anticipating Departure and Preparing for Eternity

We are all in the same condition—daily rolling through 24 hours. Each of us exchanging our minutes for something. Our most valued desires vying for space around the non-negotiables like work or school.