Category: grace

Freedom is a gift

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To fear the Lord is the beginning of freedom. ——————-Ecclesiastes 1:14a

It is very a very strange fact that in giving ourselves freely to God we become free ourselves. It is in “fearing” God that we gain our very souls. To “fear” him is to acknowledge that he is God and he is in control. Yet his way of control is to give us freedom. We can choose him or not. We can love him or not. We can”fear” him or not. It is up to each of us.

freedom with God

Intriguing God, your way to control is to give freedom. Hep us to use our freedom for you kingdom. AMEN

God knows

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For God Himself works in our souls, in the deepest depths, taking increasing control as we are progressively willing to be prepared for His wonder. ……………Thomas R Kelly

god knows you

God has been with us our whole lives. Fod knows the depths of our soul. He knos our prayers before we say them and out rhoughts before we form them. But God doesn’t intrude into our lives. He wiats patiently until we are willing to let him in. He only steps in as far as we open ourselves. But if we are willing, he will show us his kingdom.

 

God  almighty, help me to open the door of my heart and let you see me as I am. AMEN

All shall be well

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JulianI don’t know if you have read about the life of Julian of Norwich. I have included the info from Wikipedia.

“Julian of Norwich (c. 8 November 1342 – c. 1416) was an English anchoress and an important Christian mystic and theologian. Her Revelations of Divine Love, written around 1395, is the first theological book in the English language known to have been written by a woman. Julian was also known as a spiritual authority …”

all shall be well1

Her life was difficult but her faith enormous. As an anchoress she withdrew from secular life and is believed to have live in a sparse “cell.”

This is her most famous saying and I often lean on it when life seems fragile. Just repeat it over and over and said enough will help to bring peace.

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I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. Charles Dickens
True Meaning Of Christmas Jesus – Happy Holidays! in What Is The True Meaning Of Christmas

Here is the core of Christmas. It is not just a special day in the year. It is not a holiday to give gifts. It is not about Santa Claus and reindeer. It is not about trees and lights.

Christmas is about the amazing love of God and his gift of his son. On Christmas day we have “God with us.”

Amazing God, we need to focus on the reason for this holiday. Christ must be the center of our thoughts. Help us to not forget. AMEN

Afraid?

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Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world. Ralph Waldo Emerson

I is so easy to be overwhelmed by fear. So much is going on in the world. People are shot by people with emotional problems. Terrorists set off bombs. There is illness and problems with insurance to cover it. Children (and us also) are more stressed than ever. The news is depressing. What can we do?

There is only one thing. Turn to the Lord our God. He is our strength. He places us on a rock that is higher. We are safe from the raging floods. He is always with us.

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.
do not be afraid
Comforting Lord, we turn to you in the midst of our fears. Hold us close and help us withstand the storm. AMEN

Friendship

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therapy

We only grow close to friends when we share with them. If we are unwilling to open up and let them in we will never be close. The same thing applies to God. The more we draw close to God and share our lives with him the closer we become. Don’t be afraid to share with friends and God.

A prayer

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incense

Lord, it is night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day. What has been done has been done; let it be.

The night is dark. Let our fear of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you.

The night is quiet. Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn. let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities.

In your name we pray. AMEN

from Night Prayer in “A New Zealand Prayer Book.”

There is very little that needs saying after this. Absorb carefully each line and sleep peacefully.

Tell Others Thank You

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gratitiudeYesterday was Thanksgiving and I am still on a gratitude kick. We have a tradition for each person to say something that they are thankful for. Yesterday I asked them to name something that is not the usual routine such as family, home, love etc. I said reach out and think of something different. My granddaughter (who is a recent college graduate with a fairly new job) said she is glad that she can live at home for now and save money. I am sure her parents were happy to know that she is grateful for that. It is good to share our gratitude. Too often we don’t thank God and we don’t thank others either. Share your gratitude with others.

Grace giving God, thank you for your gift of grace and all your other gifts to us. We thank you especially for your gift of you son. Help us to thank you and others for our gifts. AMEN

Grace

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giftSometimes I don’t think we understand how wonderful is the grace of God. Think about it: it is freely given; we don’t have to do anything; it is always there for us. Too often we feel that we have to earn our way into heaven. We are called to be the best Christian we can but we cannot earn our way. There is no magic formula we can use. God loves us no matter what. Knowing that we are so loved should push us to follow in His ways. Remember! Grace is a gift!

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