Saturday, March 31, 2007

Family Time

With five kids and Brad’s job family time is not something we get a lot of. So, with the weather turning nice we are starting family walks after dinner. It serves the purpose of exercise and fun! Last night we went for our walk…Jasmine and Gabe rode their bikes, Haeley walked with me and I pushed Benjamin and Justin in the stroller (that alone is work). It was fun. We got to see four cows and a pony. Benjamin was “neighing” like the horse. It was so cute. As I walked with my kids and watched them I couldn’t help but get teary. They are all growing up and becoming such wonderful little people. I could go on and on about them, but I won’t---not in this post. Cherish your moments with your kids. I need to do that more often.

Friday, March 30, 2007

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 19

Don’t Be Surprised

We are hard-pressed on every side . . .

2 Corinthians 4:8

“I don’t know why this is happening,” Jill cried. “Just a month ago, I turned my life over the Christ. Now my car has died, my child has mononucleosis, and my promotion at work fell through.”

While it seems logical that God would shield us from all pain, that isn’t the way He worked in the Bible. Study the great biblical heroes—Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Peter, Paul—and trace their trials and tribulations. Despite what certain false teachers say, the Christian life is not unbridled health and wealth. Jesus put it bluntly when He said, “In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

In other words, we shouldn’t be surprised when, in seeking to do God’s will, we find ourselves in painful, frightening, difficult, or impossible situations. God hasn’t promised us exemption from the trial, but grace in the trial. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us, and to work all things together for our good. Peter said, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial . . . as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice . . . be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

The Lord will see you through.

God marks across some of our days, “Will Explain Later.”

Vance Havner

Recommended Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 18

World Record Heavy Lifter

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.

Psalm 55:22a

Juraj Barbaric’s idea of taking the train differs from the average commuter. He earned his title of “strongman” by pulling twenty freight cars filled with scrap metal more than fourteen feet. Needless to say, this muscular man collapsed in a heap after hauling the 984.2 tons—the heaviest train ever pulled!

Burdens come in all different sizes: wondering how to pay bills when there’s no money left, caring for a loved one who is sick or disabled, putting in long hours on the job to meet the boss’s demands. With so many things weighing on our minds, some days we may feel like we’re trying to pull a train that isn’t about to move. Giving in to discouragement is easier than earning a title. But we have One who knows all about our struggles, and He is stronger than anyone! Jesus has offered to bear our heavy load. When He stretches out His strong hand to take our burdens, we don’t need to worry that His arm will tire or His strength will fail. Our omnipotent God can carry our problems. He will sustain us so we won’t collapse. Go to Him in prayer today and give your anxieties and cares over to Him. He won’t let you down!

Are we weak and heavy laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our Refuge;

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Joseph M. Scriven

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 17

Parental Preference

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:9

Because Harold Wilke was born without arms, he learned at an early age to trust his mother. Harold recalls sitting on the bedroom floor while trying to put on a shirt and having a very difficult time. “I was grunting and sweating, and my mother just stood there and watched. Obviously, I now realize that her arms must have been rigidly at her side; every instinct in her had wanted to reach out and do it for me.” A well-meaning friend observed the situation and questioned his mom, “‘Ida, why don’t you help that child?’ My mother responded through gritted teeth, ‘I am helping him.’”^[1]

Sometimes our heavenly Father deals with us in a similar way. Perhaps He has said no to one of your most heartfelt requests, or He allowed you to go through a painful situation. As the ultimate parent, God’s answers always have a loving purpose. He only gives us what’s good for us. He tries to prepare us to have faith and go out on our own to face challenges. Trust Him today.

Heavenly Father, I’m so thankful to have You watch over me.

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 16

Moments of Grace: Peter

Come and eat breakfast.

John 21:12

Hans Christian Anderson, the author of children’s stories like “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Little Mermaid,” was a paranoid man who harbored deep-seated anger toward his critics. Once, after his plays were banned in his home town of Copenhagen, he growled, “I wish my eyes may never again see the home which can only see my shortcomings but fails to realize what great gifts God has given me!—I hate those who hate me.”

Contrast that with the risen Jesus who looked up from the beach, saw the very disciple who had betrayed Him, and called out, “Come and eat breakfast.” On the shoreline was a little fire with hot fish and fresh bread. Jesus didn’t harbor hard feelings toward Peter even after his denial. Instead, He spent time with him and commissioned him to feed His sheep.

Would it be hard for you to cook breakfast for one who betrayed you? The art of Christ-like living is to return blessings for cursing. This isn’t easy, but it’s possible when Christ lives out His love through us.

Remember what the Bible says: “Repay no one evil for evil . . . . If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:17-18).

Forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, and the waste of spirit.

Hannah More

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 15

Who Is the True Seeker?

There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God.

Romans 3:11

Over the last decade, nothing has gained more popularity in churches than the concept of “seeker sensitivity.” That is, making worship services attractive and welcoming to those who may not know Christ—who may be “seeking” Him. “Seeker-Friendly.” “Seeker-Driven.” “Seeker-Sensitive.” All these terms reflect a desire to reach out to the non-Christian—the seeker.

Many have been won to the Lord by churches becoming more sensitive to the needs of non-Christians. But some clarification is needed. The Bible says there is no one who seeks the Lord (Romans 3:11); that Christ is the true Seeker (Luke 19:10). The real question is whether or not we are Seeker-Friendly, Seeker-Driven, and Seeker-Sensitive with reference to Christ. Have you become His friend? Are you driven by His agenda or yours? Are you sensitive to His will and direction for your life? The classic example is the apostle Paul. Christ sought him out and saved him, and he was Seeker-Sensitive the rest of his life. Christ is seeking you for fellowship or to meet you for the first time. Are you Seeker-Sensitive?

If church members are Seeker-Sensitive, then the church will be Seeker-Sensitive, too.

No one ever lost out by excessive devotion to Christ.

H. A. Ironside

FW: Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 14

Make Changes, Not Excuses

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction.

Proverbs 3:11

In 1986, as a fifteen-year-old, Tommy Moe was invited to be part of the U.S. ski team. But he was caught sneaking out of camp to smoke marijuana and kicked off the team. Tommy’s father, an Alaskan construction worker, ordered him to come home. After a few months of laboring twelve to sixteen hours a day in the Arctic summer, his father asked him if he’d rather be a construction worker or part of the ski team training in Argentina. “It humbled me up pretty fast,” Tommy said. And it showed. At the 1996 Olympics, he took gold in the men’s downhill.

How do you respond to your heavenly Father’s correction? If we are not willing to confront our own sin, or be confronted by others, we are not yet as spiritually mature as we should be. God may correct us through a friend, a boss, a coach, a pastor—or He may put the need for self-correction in our own heart. Just think what would have happened to the gospel message if the apostle Paul had not responded to Christ’s confrontation on the Damascus road (Acts 9). When God shows you that change is needed in your life, don’t make excuses. Instead, make the change.

An excuse is nothing more than an argument disguised as a reason.

You must learn to discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.

Jay Adams

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 13

Stress Test

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Every system, human or mechanical, has limits and requirements for effective functioning. Each system operates within the limits of tolerance for demands, pressures, and tensions placed upon it. The electrical circuits in your house are capable of handling a limited amount of power. When more energy is demanded than is safe to handle, the circuit is broken or a fuse is blown. Pushing a system beyond its limits and neglecting proper maintenance invites deterioration and breakdown. Just like machines, humans have limits and breaking points and require maintenance.

Pushing yourself too hard will cause you to use up all your energy and have nothing left but fatigue, intolerance, and irritability—not what is desirable for your loved ones, yourself, or God. Jesus offers us the opportunity to turn in the hard labor of our own goals for the easy yoke of His divine purpose. Instead of being loaded down with stress and hardships, allow Him to take your burdens and shoulder the load. Come to Him and replace your stress with rest.

Teach me to do Thy will, O God. Help me to let go of the stress and busyness of my life and embrace You.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 143

***I am so sorry that I got this out so late in the day!!!!

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 12

Moments of Grace: The Alabaster Jar

Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.

Mark 14:3

“She has done a beautiful thing for Me,” said Jesus in Mark 14:6 about the woman with the alabaster jar. Notice the preposition: “She has done a beautiful thing for Me.”

We’re eager to do things for Jesus, to rush about in ministry, singing in the choir, visiting, caring for others, evangelizing, leading studies, entertaining, going to meetings, and meeting the needs of others. That’s good and pleasing to God.

But one thing is even better—doing something beautiful to Jesus, honoring Him with the alabaster box of praise in response to His grace in our lives.

The phrase “sacrifice of praise” occurs three times in the Bible—twice in Jeremiah (17:26 and 33:11), and once in Hebrews 13:15, which says: “Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

When you praise Him though you don’t feel like it, and when you rejoice in your heart despite the hardships you’re facing—that’s the alabaster box of praise. Every moment is a moment of grace in our lives, and every day is the right time to praise Him.

Then let us gladly bring our sacrifice of praise;

Let us give thanks and sing and glory in His grace.

Charles Wesley

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 11

Amazing Mercy and Grace

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices.

Romans 12:1

A young Englishman wanted to be a seafaring man like his father, but the British Royal Navy would not have him. He ended up in West Africa working for a slave trader, a “wretched man,” as one writer called him, begging for food to stay alive. Escaping Africa, he was washed overboard in a storm and nearly drowned at sea. After being rescued, the words of Thomas à Kempis’ Imitation of Christ came to him and he cried out to God for salvation. Years later, John Newton wrote a hymn in praise of the “amazing grace” that saved a wretch like him.

Not all of us have experienced the depths of wretchedness John Newton did before being saved. Or King Nebuchadnezzar, for that matter. He lost his dignity and sanity—and thankfully, his pride—before coming to his senses (Daniel 4:33-37). Whether we come from a background of wickedness or willfulness, our sin merits the same response in God’s sight: condemnation. It is only God’s amazing mercy and grace which can save us from ourselves.

Recipients of God’s grace are easy to spot—they’re the ones with the grateful look on their faces and words of thanks on their lips.

Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines him to bestow benefits upon the undeserving.

A. W. Tozer

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Date Night

Brad and I haven’t gone out on a date since the AFC Championship Game in January. So we were so due for some together time. We watched my girlfriend’s little boy Friday night and then on Saturday she watched our crew. Brad spent the day working on our oven---trying to get it up in working order. I took the boys to get their hair cut. Gabe desperately needed it. He was looking sooo shaggy. I got home from getting the boys hair cut, changed, and then took the kids to Dani’s house. We really didn’t have any plans so this is how our evening went.

Our evening started with a very romantic stroll through Lowe’s. We returned the wrong color paint and got the right color. Mission accomplished. We decided to go to Bob Evans for dinner (which I think really was a good call) and we got seated right away because they weren’t busy. It was so nice just the two of us being able to talk and not be interrupted by one of the kids. It was nice to be able to eat my dinner while it was still hot and at a leisurely pace. =) We were going to go to a movie but then decided that since there were no kids at home we would go buy a movie and go home and watch it. It’s cheaper than being in a theater and more comfy. But on the way to Super Target I had a brilliant idea! A roller skating rink opened up about a month ago and I thought that it would be fun to go roller skating. I have no clue what I was thinking!!!!! Don’t get me wrong, it was fun…more fun than I’ve had in a long time. But I discovered that I can’t really roller skate. Granted, I haven’t been roller skating or roller blading in 10+ years. Maybe I would have done better on roller blades, I don’t know at this point. Brad on the other hand was showing off for me. He was skating backwards and speeding around the rink. He came up behind me at one point and thought that it was a really good idea to grab a hold of my waist. I told him I was going to fall and he didn’t let go in time….Down I went. My rear and back hurt like you would not believe! We stayed on out on the rink for a little bit longer and then got off for some healthy competition in Arcade Games. Once again, Brad showed me up…he beat me at 2 games of Air Hockey. I won the first game and then got a little too cocky and he won the other 2.

After a little rest we got back on the rink. Unfortunately we only got to skate for a couple more songs because then they turned it into “Glow in the Dark” skate time. In other words, the black lights came out and if you didn’t have on light colors or a blinking glow thingy then you had to get off. It was okay though because I was so done! We had not done anything like that ever. The closest thing was when we went bowling and that’s been almost five years. It was funny though because it was Teen and Tween night along with Open Skate…I felt like an old fogy and I’m 25. We were among the oldest people in there. We did find it a little disturbing as these teen/tweens are shaking their butts and boobs all over the rink. I don’t remember all that the last time I was at a roller skating rink…but I know times are a changing. (One thing is for sure, if my daughters ever choose that behavior they will not like the consequences. I just had a talk with them Saturday morning about respecting our bodies and being modest about our clothing…fun stuff to have to discuss with my eight and nine year olds.) We did still go get our movies and then got the kids and went home. The kids went to bed and we got to watch one of our movies. It was a blast! =)

Mom My Ride

My van never actually made it to this level, but I still found it funny!!! Enjoy!

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 10

A Picture of Peace

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:18

There was a man who was in search of a perfect picture of peace. He announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide.

The crowd was shocked when the final submission was revealed. It seemed to be the furthest thing from a picture of peace. A waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice, and stormy, gray clouds exploded with lightning, wind, and rain. In the midst of the scene, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls, and a bird rested in a nest in the elbow of a branch. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcended all the turmoil.^[1]

The Master Artist has designed for you to experience His inner peace in a way that doesn’t allow the circumstances of life to overshadow your hope of His sovereignty in all things. And He summons His people to spread that peace to those around them. When you have been filled with God’s peace, you will want others to experience the same.

Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always.

Unknown

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 9

Eyes to See, Ears to Hear

Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

Psalm 119:18

A well-known Old Testament scholar spent the summer in Jerusalem as part of a team of scholars working on a new translation of the Bible. When he returned to the classroom in September, he told his students it had been a carnal, spiritually dry summer. His students were shocked. Weren’t they studying God’s Word all day? He replied, “It became a project instead of a passion. We became so familiar with the intricacies of the text that we stopped seeing its grandeur.”

Is it possible to study the Bible in a carnal fashion? Apparently so. Maybe when you read the professor’s testimony, you said to yourself, “That’s happened to me.” You don’t have to be a scholar or translator to lose sight of the inestimable privilege of reading God’s Word. It can happen when you become so faithful with your quiet time that it becomes a routine—something to check off your “to-do” list for the day. The nation of Israel once had eyes to see and ears to hear God, but she grew carnal. As a result, she failed to hear and see the living Word of God standing in her midst. Don’t let that happen to you.

Pray today and ask God to open your eyes and show you fresh and wonderful things from His Word.

Take away, O Lord, the veil of my heart while I read the Scriptures.

Lancelot Andrews

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 8

Moments of Grace: The Man on the Mat

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."
Mark 2:5

The healing of the paralytic is remarkable because it tells of four men who lowered one friend through the roof, resulting in three miracles. The first was the miracle of pardon—Jesus forgave the man's sin. Then there was a miracle of healing—Jesus bade the man walk again. Last, there was the miracle of perception—Jesus peered through the hearts of these four men like an X-ray scanner and saw their faith. He also read the minds of the critics who were watching.

Regarding the four men, others in the house saw their earnestness and compassion, but Jesus looked deeper and saw their faith. They believed He could make the difference in their friend's life; and there was no barrier too high, no problem too great, and no challenge too daunting to prevent them from bringing their friend to Him. It was a moment of grace.

Do you have a friend who needs a touch from the Lord? Perhaps you can't carry that one to Christ on a pallet, but you can do so in prayer. Learn the power of intercessory prayer, and plead for the one about whom you're concerned. Offer the prayer of faith; then wait to see what God will do.

Prayer lays hold of God's plan and becomes the link between His will and its accomplishment on earth.
Elisabeth Elliot

Recommended Reading: Mark 2:1-12

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 7

The Good and Bad of Average

This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Acts 24:16

Everyone learns in school to compute the average of a group of numbers: Add the numbers together, then divide the sum by the number of numbers added. Sometimes being average is desirable: Having an average bodily temperature of 98.6 degrees is a good thing. But being an average weight in a culture where obesity is on the rise is a warning signal.

One place where average is definitely not acceptable is in spiritual maturity. If all the subjects in a study are totally depraved to begin with (Romans 3:10-18), then an average level of maturity is not likely to be the result you’re looking for. Scripture says we have one model to strive for on the path of spiritual maturity—and it is not average. Rather, perfection is the goal (Matthew 5:48). While attaining perfection this side of heaven will not happen, our attitude should be the same as Paul’s: Striving to live without offense toward God or man. When searching for a model in this life, choose Christ. It is His likeness you have been called to reach (Romans 8:29).

Body temperature is best when it is average, but spiritual temperature is best when it’s off the chart.

The farther a man knows himself to be from perfection, the nearer he is to it!

Gerard Groote

Recommended Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 6

What You Don’t Know Can Save You

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
James 4:6

The November 28, 2005, issue of BusinessWeek magazine reported on the nation’s top philanthropists. For example, Intel co-founder Gordon Moore and his wife have given away an average of nearly $4 million per day for the last decade. Sir John Templeton, the ninety-two-year-old founder of the Templeton Prize in science and religion, said, “What I am financing is humility. I want people to realize that you shouldn’t think you know it all.”

Perhaps admitting we don’t know it all—that God is God and we’re not—is Step One toward humility. When God spoke to Israel about her future, He said, “If my people . . . will humble themselves . . . I will hear from heaven.” Humility is saying, “I need God. There is much I do not know and cannot do on my own. I’m not ashamed to admit that I am inadequate to save myself now or for eternity.” Grace fuels humility, and grace comes from God. In fact, James wrote that God “gives grace to the humble.” More grace, more humility. More humility, more grace. Tell God what you don’t know, and let His grace lead you to a greater dependence on Him.

If Christ was willing to humble himself before God, shouldn’t we who follow Him do the same?

If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.
C. S. Lewis

Recommended Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:12-14

2 Chronicles 7:12-14 (New King James Version)

God’s Second Appearance to Solomon

12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 5

Patience with Prodigals

Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.
Luke 15:21

A mother and father wrote to Billy Graham with this question [paraphrased]: “Our son left home several years ago because we didn’t approve of his lifestyle. We’ve had no contact with him until he called recently and said he’d like to come home for Thanksgiving. We want to see him, but as far as we can tell nothing has changed in his life. What advice would you give us?”

Billy Graham answered: “Did the prodigal son’s father know whether or not his son had changed his way of living when he welcomed him home (Luke 15:20)?” The obvious answer is “No.” Dr. Graham went on to counsel the parents not to blow out the flame that was flickering in their son’s soul, be it ever so faint. Just as the prodigal son in Luke 15 had to swallow his pride, so did the son of these parents. And that’s a step in the right direction. If there is a prodigal in your family, wait patiently while God works in his or her life to produce genuine repentance. Be ready to fuel the flame of repentance with love and forgiveness when you see it flickering with life.

The smallest step in the right direction is a step toward God. If God’s arms are open, so should ours be.

The glory of Christianity is to conquer by forgiveness.
William Blake

Recommended Reading: 2 Corinthians 7:9-11

2 Corinthians 7:9-11 (New International Version)

9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 4

Moments of Grace: Touching Jesus’ Garment

Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.

Mark 5:34

Forget PIN numbers and secret codes. Soon you can access your accounts with the touch of a fingerprint. It’s called fingerprint biometrics, and it’s coming to an ATM near you. Electronic sensors detect the ridge and valley patterns of your fingertips, guaranteeing accurate access through the power of touching a screen with your thumb or forefinger.

We can find a biblical parallel in Mark 5 when a discouraged, bleeding soul found access to the Savior by the touch of a fingertip to the hem of His garment. For years, she’d been afflicted, and doctors had taken her last penny. Approaching the Great Physician, she bravely reached out her hand and touched the hem of His robe. A flash of healing power left Him and dispensed rays of healing into her body.

Just one touch as He moves along,

Pushed and pressed by the jostling throng,

Just one touch and the weak was strong,

Cured by the Healer divine.^[1]^[1]

If you need a dose of encouragement or healing today, just reach out the finger of faith and touch the hem of His garment. He is passing your way, and His grace is for the taking.

Just one touch as He passes by, He will [hear] the faintest cry.

Birdie Bell

Thursday, March 15, 2007

He loves the bath...

Benjamin and Justin had just gotten out of their bath and Justin was so upset! I love this picture because my "sweet" little Benjamin has his "HA! HA! HA! Jusitn is crying" evil little grin across his face. Benjamin is a rotten little booger! Justin loves his baths. In fact, he would be thrilled if I put him in the bath in the morning and let him stay there all day long. All he wants to do is play with cars and take baths. He's funny.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 3

No Sin Too Great

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

Paige was a twenty-year-old dreamer; so when her boyfriend asked her to get married, she accepted. After a beautiful wedding, life went downhill in a hurry. He flunked out of college; she became pregnant and went to work to support them. Then, when the baby was eleven months old, he committed “an unforgivable sin,” and Paige called her parents to come get her.

What was the husband’s unforgivable sin? Paige doesn’t say. But it raises the question, Is there any sin so bad that God can’t or won’t forgive? That we can’t forgive? The apostle Paul made it clear that he believed himself to be the chief of sinners. He was a blasphemer, a persecutor, approved of the killing of innocent people, and put many others in prison. Yet he found that none of those sins was unforgivable in God’s sight (Colossians 2:13). God himself said there was no limit on forgiveness (Matthew 18:22). The efficacy of the blood of Christ is infinite. It is able to wash away every sin you may find unforgivable.

God’s warning about sin being unforgivable is when we fail to forgive others (Matthew 6:15).

Where is the foolish person who would think it is in his power to commit more than God could forgive?

Francis de Sales

Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 2

What Makes the Good News Good?

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

Suppose a small town is given its first fire truck for the volunteer fire department. It has everything: a great siren, shiny paint, plenty of pumping power, hundreds of feet of hose, and room for lots of ladders, equipment, and fire fighters. The local paper announces the good news that the town now has its own fire truck, but there is little public response—the reason being that the town hadn’t had a fire in fifty years.

Fire trucks are only good news for people who have experienced the bad news of fire. If fires are fading from people’s memories, then a new fire truck becomes a ho-hum event. That’s the way it is with the good news of Jesus: The Gospel is only welcomed by those who believe in the bad news of sin. If sin has ceased to be a relevant subject, the idea of salvation becomes irrelevant as well. The Bible hasn’t stopped talking about sin, but many in our culture have. Even some Christians are wondering if they really are sinners. If your appreciation for the Gospel has become lukewarm, check the temperature of your views on sin.

The degree to which we embrace the good news of Jesus is a reflection of the degree to which we believe the bad news about sin.

We can only appreciate salvation when we recognize that we’re sinners.

Anonymous

Monday, March 12, 2007

Beautiful Weather!

Okay, so I know that March is late to be taking down the Christmas lights, but golly it’s been cold! Until yesterday that is. It was BEAUTIFUL!!! I took the lights down and pulled some loose flashing off the roof then I started to weed my flower bed. My tulips and daffodils are starting to poke through the ground! YEA! They are so pretty but I am so bad at keeping up with all of that. I need to finishing weeding today, vacuum, fold clothes, clean the kitchen, mop the foyer, clean the bathrooms, and take wallpaper glue off some walls. But what am I doing? I’m typing my blog. That’s real smart! I’m going to go make my kids some lunch now. I’m sure they will appreciate that.

Captured by Grace Devotions Day 1

Grace to You

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

Titus 1:4b

On Tuesday, November 15, 2005, Jeffrey Schrock was driving his five children to pick up their mother, Carolyn, when their pickup truck was hit by another driver going the opposite way. Jeffrey was badly injured, but all five of the children—ages twelve, ten, nine, five, and two—were killed. Carolyn Schrock, pregnant with the couple’s sixth child, visited the other driver in the hospital to express the family’s forgiveness. A newspaper account summarized her sentiments: “Love builds bridges; hate digs chasms.”

Some reading the account of the Schrock family’s loss might wonder, “Aren’t there human limits to forgiveness? Losing five children is pushing that limit.” Yes, there probably are human limits to grace and forgiveness. But the Schrock family was not drawing on human resources. Their actions and words reflected those of Scripture: “Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Only those who have received the limitless grace of God can extend limitless grace to others.

If you have been wronged, build a bridge of grace. Let the grace you have received from God be the measure of grace you give.

The grace of God is outrageous. By normal human reason, it doesn’t make any sense.

Leith Anderson

Recommended Reading: Romans 16:19-20

Friday, March 09, 2007

Teena Fleeger

Teena Fleeger died yesterday afternoon. She had a battle with cancer and she died. At least that’s what I’ve been told. But I don’t believe it. I feel like I’m going to pick up the phone and call her and she is going to answer and we will talk like we always do. It hurts. I don’t want to believe it. Teena is the closest person to me that has died. I can’t believe she is gone. She was always so full of life and optimism. For her to be gone doesn’t seem right. I just talked to her on Sunday and she was ‘fine’. She wasn’t going to die. They said that on Monday or maybe it was Tuesday…I don’t remember…but she took a turn for the worse. I’m so mad with myself because I didn’t make it a point to see her when I was back in VA for Ronda’s wedding. Why didn’t I see her? I’m so mad!!!! I knew she was sick, but she wasn’t supposed to die. Teena was like a second mom to me. She was great. I know that she is in Glory. I know that she is singing praises to Jesus. But why did she have to go so soon? I don’t understand. I don’t understand why she had to get cancer. I was going to go and see her over spring break. Now I guess I will have to go to the grave site. I can’t write anymore right now---I'm blubbering again.

One Cup of Chaos at a time

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