Grasping Grace.

I haven't been living like I have been given grace.

I'm a perfectionist,

a people pleaser;

I'm determined,

a goal seeker.

And I've been running in circles

trying to earn God's love.

It's not about salvation for me;

It's about being lovable.

But this past week I've been shown some powerful truths.

"I have never stopped loving her"

God loves us even when we are unlovable.

Nothing I can do will impress God,

Jesus did that through His scars.

What I do for God isn't important,

it's about what He has done for me.

Grace is free, I can't buy it.

I have peace with God.

I still don't get it.

I feel a little lost when I read Romans.

But like my spiritual mentor said to me,

"If you grasp this, it's going to change your life."

"Grace received but unexpressed is dead grace. To spend one's time debating how grace is received or how much commitment is necessary for salvation, without getting into what is means to live by grace and enjoy the magnificent freedom it provides, quickly leads to a counterproductive argument. . .My plea is that we claim it and allow it to set us free. When we do, grace will become what it was meant to be--really amazing. When that happens, our whole countenance changes."--Charles Swindoll, The Grace Awakening

Guide.

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm not. I'm just looking at my bright star."

"I'm doing exactly the same thing."

I sought the Lord and he answered me

and delivered my from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant,

and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Ps. 34: 5

Thanks for looking to the Lord with me.

Awake.

I love the morning hours.

Running with a prayerful friend,

thanking God for what we have,

lifting concerns and worries up,

and then letting go.

Making sticky heart waffles,

just because,

and then sharing with sleepy friends.

Coffee with homemade creamer.

An open window.

Sunny breeze.

Gentle reminders of surrender, steadfast love:

I remember the days of old;

I meditate on all that you have done;

I ponder the work of your hands.

I stretch out my hands to you;

my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,

for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul.

Psalm 143: 5,6 & 8

I am awake, and I am still with you.

Disenchanted.

There's this broken part of me,

that always wants to love something created

instead of the creator.

There's this tension in me,

to chase things created by God

instead of God.

I see it in my dreams,

in my hopes,

in my hurts,

in my anxiousness,

in my pursuits.

"Everyone must live for something. Something must capture our imaginations, our heart's most fundamental allegiance and hope. But, the Bible tells us, without the intervention of the Holy Spirit, that object will never be God himself."--Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods

False loves.

You disappoint

You are so empty;

God.

The riches of your love will always be enough.

The hope you give will never disappoint.

I'm running to your arms.

Singing this song,

praying it will become true

in me.

My heart will sing

no other name.

Jesus.

Pursuit.

Love.

I think it's the most complicated command of all.

I think it's sometimes the hardest action to give.

Love anyways.

Even when the giving seems endless,

and the taking begins to empty you.

Pursue love.

The 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love

that doesn't insist on it's own way.

that is not irritable

or resentful.

The kind that bears all things,

endures all things.

Because someday,

you might just find somebody who loves

as strongly and sacrificially as you love.

Together you'll make the world better.

Let love purify you.

Let love make you stronger.

Sweet Dreams

I like Pinterest,

because it puts pictures to my dreams.

Newest dream...

have a cupcake cafe.

Because you can't be

stressed & bake at the same time.

Conquest.

I feel pursued.

The Lord has completely been showing me His love.

Lately.

This verse feels true:

Cheer up, Zion!

Don't be afraid!

For the Lord you God is living among you.

He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With his love, he will calm all your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Zephaniah 3:16-17

I mean, that's what

every sunrise

sunset,

budding lily,

and answered prayer

is:

God's way of wooing us to himself.

"My whole hearts has not one single grain,

this moment,

of thirst after approbation.

I feel alone with God;

He fills the void;

I have not one wish,

one will,

one desire,

but in Him;

He hath set my feet in a large room.

I have wondered

and stood amazed that God should

make a conquest of all within me by love."

--Lady Huntington

He is delighting and rejoicing and pursuing you,

look for it.

Unafraid.

Today I followed some sweet leadership,

and I did my devotions on a dock in the Ozarks.

I was inspired by the boats

and the wind

and the sound of the waves,

and the dad who walked behind me saying to his son,

"look, can you imagine walking on water?"

so I read that crazy part in Matthew,

where Jesus walks on the water

during a storm.

It seemed so much more doable on flannel board.

But I just love the words Jesus' speaks to the frightened disciples,

"Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid." Matt. 14:27

Rest in that.

My Help

Do not put your trust in princes,

in a son of man,

in whom there is no salvation.

When his breath departs,

he returns to the earth,

on that very day his plans perish.

Blessed is he

whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the Lord his God,

who made heaven and earth,

the sea,

and all that is in them,

who keeps faith forever;

who executes justice for the oppressed,

who gives food to the hungry.

Ps.146: 5-8

Who is your help?

Who is your hope?

Let my answer be you, Lord.

I wait for the Lord,

my should waits,

and in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord

more than the watchmen for the morning.

Ps 130: 5&6