graced life

living in God's free, unmerited Gift to us

[jngracedlife]

God is so big. There's nothing He cannot do. The bigness of God is hard to understand...some think His massiveness creates a problem to create relationship. There are massive issues like genocide and human trafficking and it's overwhelming. But something shifts--it's called "Personal." God says what the Divine strategy is: He's going to send a little baby and name Him Jesus. This personal shift changes everything. When we think there's no way something can happen, it needs to get small. Jesus says it takes the faith of a mustard seed. You want to move big things? Start small. We know how to follow religious systems or pass judgements but we don't know Jesus. The way of Jesus is a mustard seed. It's close proximity. You want to end slavery? Become a brother. You want to end homelessness? Share what you have. First you need to know a person's name, then you might need to help them know their name. They need to know their name. Like Hagar who was discarded. God says her name repeatedly while she's in the middle of nowhere. There are people who feel like their names are Rejected, Unwanted...you are the one to tell them their real name and it can change everything.

Danielle Strickland

[jngracedlife]

[jngracedlife]

Everyone left Jesus, but Jesus remained; He remained on the cross, and He remains alive, forever giving comfort no matter the anguish. Happy Resurrection. Welcome Eastertide. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3 

[jngracedlife]

I honestly don't understand how plant life works. This stem wasn't in soil, yet remained alive. I truly thought it was a goner. Then day thirty-three--tendril sprout. . Like a temporarily tendril-less leaf floating in a mug of tepid water, I sometimes don't understand how my life works. But by God's grace He is working slowly and mysteriously within me until one day--sprout. One sprout occurred within the last few months in the revelation of renewed opportunities for faith: 1. To truly believe that I am loved by God. 2. To truly believe that I am lovable. 3. To truly believe that I am beautiful and should love my imperfections. Head knowledge of these is not enough. My heart needs to know it too. . Sounds basic, but fear and doubt in these areas produced the wrong fruit: pride, suspicion, invulnerability.   . I was broken, and still might be as I bare an infinitesimal amount of my soul behind a digital screen, but my eyes are open and I am hopeful that this new awareness will give me the support I need to love others well, beginning with myself. . Remain submerged in Christ--even if that means going to Him in your angst, your heartbreak, your fear, your questions--because it's in those sacred, broken moments that He works beneath the surface imperceptibly...until one day--sprout.   . Psalm 23:3 "He heals and reintegrates my broken depths with His eternal life." (Dallas Willard adaptation)

[jngracedlife]

trespassing

It’s five forty-two. You’re out on your own. It’s five forty-two. Not sure which way to go, cause it’s been a long, long time since you’ve been home. You thought it all out, decided you’d go. But the street lamps grow dark. You’re tired, hungry and cold. Praying my God, oh God, send me a rope. Said I’m sure that tonight is my first night of living if I’m brave and I follow the compass I’m given. I’ll break; I’ll break that gate. Trespassing--into the unknown. Trespassing--where unchartered things grow. Trespassing--it’s a dangerous land. Trespassing--not while holding your hand. Not while holding your hand.

[jngracedlife]

You are not alone. God will be with you whenever you call on His name.  Jeremiah 29:11-14 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.

[jngracedlife]

menders

I’ve cried too many tears for you too many tears to count so let these dry eyes watch you vanish in vain you’re out of sight. Don’t want to behold you bemoan you famished for the real you to come out the real me, the soul me to stay: to play to discover the better parts that are uncovered by our broken hearts. Just two broken people saying yes to  the mending art.

[jngracedlife]

perspective

The tide will crawl in and out; the sun will rise  and fall; and as long as there is breath in my lung my life will go on.

[jngracedlife]

That thought is just a thought. That circumstance is only temporary. It’s powerless in front of Jesus. Romans 8:38-39.

[jngracedlife]

What is one thing you love about yourself?

[jngracedlife]

#sidenote : write things down, remember them later.

[jngracedlife]

Jesus bore my ashes on the cross, buried them in the grave, left them there when He rose again, now I’m eternally saved.

[jngracedlife]

God’s grace fills my city.  God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:8-10

[jngracedlife]

God wants us to be like children because children need their Dad and they know it.

JN

[jngracedlife]

unworthy

Why does it seem The prevailing theme Is men saying They’re so much better than me.

Not in their words --Though they can be plain mean. How about the ways they don’t listen to me? As if what I value’s worth less than beans.

I want to be wanted, but not for a favor, For all that I stand for and yearn for and savor. For the life that I’ve lived and the one that I’m seeking. To be held for no reason. That’s too much to ask for. 

There’s no way. It’s not possible--I can’t possibly be Worthy of selfless affection—I’m not worth being me. But this Man keeps coming into my memory. The One who smeared mud in my eyes and made me see.

My Worth came from heaven to hang on a tree, Bear all of my sins; Rescue me into His family. His Love listens, honors and satisfies, And for that I am worthy of more than their needs.

[jngracedlife]

alone with God

Preoccupy yourself Anything to delay the pain— The hurt, feeling, shame.

But I’ll stay— Resist the flesh and purge Like sheep getting sheared 

Remove the fabrication. Make haste on the beginning of my freedom

And cry out to the One Who’s labeled me beloved. For insomuch I’ll recover That which was stolen. Power.

[jngracedlife]

Where’s your #1 destination?