Grace and Mercy and Forgiveness and Peace

I needed a distraction this week.  I don't know if the distraction I got was what I was looking for but nonetheless, it's what we got and now we deal with it.

For those of you who know, you know.  For those of you who don't, sorry...it's not anything I'm going to write about...right now anyway.

This is what got me through the week...the toughest week in ministry and maybe the toughest week of my life.  Of all of the hard things I've dealt with in my life and during our time in ministry, I can't think of anything harder than what we are going through. 

But God is faithful and His promises ring true.

All week long, scripture and different things I had heard in the past would come to my mind and I would look it up and reflect on it.  Here are some of them:

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.  1 Tim 1:15-17

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. ² 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. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.  Ephesians 5:3

Grace-God's unmerited love and favor.  God giving sinful people what they don't deserve. 

Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:24

Mercy-God not giving sinful people what they do deserve. 

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.  Ephesians 2:1-5

Forgiveness-God's promise to totally remove our sin and guilt from our account. 

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.   1 John 1:9
 
Sin will take you further than you ever wanted to go.., Sin will keep you longer than you ever wanted to stay..., and sin will cost you more than you can ever pay.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  1 Peter 5:8

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Ephesians 6:13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  1 Cor 13:4-7


Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.   Ephesians 4:31-32


A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. ¹⁵ Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.   Hebrews 12:14-15

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:6-7


<sup>On Forgiveness by James MacDonald

Unforgiveness and Bitterness will strangle you!  Not sure who said that...maybe James MacDonald.  So true.</sup>

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.   Romans 8:28-29

Understanding grace and mercy and forgiveness and peace in a whole new light this week!

I'm sure there were a lot more but those were the ones I jotted down.  God is good...even in the midst of a storm.

All things work for the good...Romans 8:28

When I saw this movie, this part stood out to me.  How is anything bad that happens to us supposed to be good?  We just have to trust that it will work out...somehow, good will come out of a bad situation.  Turn down the music below...annoying, I know:)

Our Scoliosis Journey in Pictures

We were on the beach at Sanibel Island, Florida over Christmas Break, December 2010.  Cali was playing on the beach and bent over and Brian noticed her hip.  If you look at it, the left waistline goes in more than the right.

We made a doctor's appointment while on the beach.  When we got back in January, X-Rays would reveal a 38 degree lumbar curve. 

Cali would have to wear a night time brace.  As you can see, she was not happy.  She named her brace, "Sheila". 

Although it is not super noticeable, her curve did continue to progress.  At her appointment in July, the curve had gone to 48 degrees.  At this point we were told that if it got to 55, we would be facing surgery.

Even though some may think she is just posing with a little sass for her Christmas dance picture, I knew that the curve was starting to affect her posture more and more.   In January, the curve had progressed to 58 degrees.

Through it all, Cali has remained positive.  She complains very little about the situation that she has been dealt.  God has certainly blessed her though this.  Despite having that curve in her back and constant back aches, she was the pitcher for her summer league softball team.  They went undefeated and won the tournament.  She led her team in goals scored this past year in soccer and she has been a member of several winning relays and won some individual events in swimming.  God is good...even in the midst of a trial!