(G)Leaning on Grace

Watching a child learn to walk, run, climb, slide and fall is exhilarating and exhausting. I mean, where do they get that energy, anyway? At the ripe young age of three, my grandson has already gone through the beginning stages of learning to balance and be independent. Watching as he wobbled his way to standing. Finally letting go and having no support but his own two strong but unstable chubby little legs. Taking that first unsure attempt at a step because there is something just across the room that he just had to have. That tottering step turns into a sudden plop of his bottom onto the floor... Oh, well, he will try again. The almost fearlessness of toddlers as they attempt to get motivating. It's a grand thing to witness. But then, as they grow a little more and come to learn that sometimes those falls don't feel so good. The constant use of the word "no" that they seem to ignore. The beginning of caution buds in their little hearts and minds. S...

It’s time for confession. I’ve been really struggling with a lack of motivation, self-discipline and self-control for some time now. Even though I would love to blame my problems on the outrageous and unpredictable state of the world today, it’s not about covid-19 or being on lockdown. It’s not about being cooped up in the house for days or even the seemingly unending period of rain and gloominess.  It’s about the troubled and unsettled condition of my heart. I have been battling thoughts of unworthiness, disappointment, and destructive behaviors. I have spent money I don’t have. I have procrastinated on work that needs to be done. I have gained close to 30 pounds in a never ending cycle of feeding my insecurities and the shame of having let things get increasingly unmanageable.  This has to stop! I began a new personal Bible study in an effort to seek God and regain some measure of order. When I am not in communion with God as I should be, life gets chaotic...

Yesterday. What was so incredible and wonderful about yesterday? Let’s see… Amidst the pandemic craziness, there was a historic first drive-thru graduation at my alma mater. Sitting in line at the local mall parking lot to pick up a preordered harvest box of fresh vegetables, I was able to watch my great nephew graduate from high school via a Facebook broadcast. Who would have even considered such a thing even last year? It brought back memories of ceremonies of the past and the anxiety that has been rampant over the last couple of months stressing over how the graduating classes of 2020 would be able to participate in this long standing tradition. Even though our massive extended family could not all be present, as each graduate was allowed a single vehicle to be in attendance and drive-thru with the graduate, we all were still able to witness this  momentous achievement through the miracle of technology where ever we happened to be.  Now that’s exciting! This event...

Here are some statistics from a Barna survey in 2018 that at first was encouraging and then became somewhat disappointing and disheartening. It’s hard to imagine that 80% of American homes have Bibles but so few actually believe or read them regularly. 50% agree that the Bible has answers to living a full life, but 46% NEVER open or read the Bible. Only 16% of adults read the Bible daily. It made me wonder, what is it that keeps people from reading what they claimed to be a source of wisdom and guidance for living a full life? Is it just believing they don’t have time? Do they think they won’t understand it? Is it boring to them? Maybe they don’t like to read? I hope that some of my responses to these concerns may be helpful to those who find interacting with the Bible challenging. If not having time is the issue given, then I would have to say, we all make time for what is important or a priority in our lives. We carve out time for movies, entertainment, Television, video game...

Beginning a new Bible reading plan for a new year is always exciting, if not a bit daunting. I’m excited to start something new with fantastic expectations of renewal, refreshing and response. But, then there seems to be that nagging thought that says, “Will you follow through?” “What do you hope to gain by reading a book?  A very old book?" Well, in response to those questions that flutter across my mind, I say this: “Yes, I intend to finish my plan!” “and I’m expecting God to work in my life, through His Word as He promised.”  God honors your faithfulness and if you ask him to speak to you, to do a work in you, in your heart, then, I believe that He Will! I chose to embark on a chronological journey through the Bible this year.  I have done it a few times before and read every word. For me, it helps put the narrative of God’s greatness, love, mercy and grace in perspective. It reads a little more like a love story through generations when it is in order of occurrence rather ...

                                                        A cold and blustery day with snow still sitting on the ground from yesterdays “flurries”.  Not an ideal Sunday morning to wake up and get off to church, but we did it anyway. The warmth of our home was beckoning us to stay inside, but our hearts were pushing us onward to start off our week, and ultimately our year, with worship. The sermon this morning was about the power of routines. Making habits, good ones in particular, that will assist in living a life that glorifies God. It’s funny sometimes how God works. I mean, I know that most people take a bit of time as Christmas is over and we approach the New Year to ponder on what the past year has held and what the new one could be. We all look to see what we could do differently to have different outcomes or to improve some part of our e...