Tag Archives: grace
Today, I felt like I lost a good friend, but I hardly knew her. Her name was Queen Elizabeth II; she was laid to rest with her husband, mother, and father in the funeral vault of the St. George’s Chapel at the Windsor Castle. She was a cherished symbol of her country, England, and a loving mother to her children, grandchildren, and to everyone of the nations in the realm. Even though I didn’t know her personally, I feel like…..
When I watched the movie, “Grace Card,” I thought its main theme was learning how to forgive members of our immediate families, but after a second viewing, I realized that its main theme was about forgiveness among White and Black Americans, racism in its harshest terms. We are all part of humanity, twelve tribes that God created to populate our world. So, upon further reflection, the main theme was more about grace, forgiveness, for all people. Ephesians 2:8 (KJV) states,…..
When we confess our sins to God, we do not tell Him what He already knows. Confession isn’t blaming others for our faults; it’s not complaining about things that we think make us sin. True confession of our sins is coming clean with God, realizing the deep seated knowledge that we are wrong. God forgives us and changes us; then, the healing begins. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in…..
We all have images of Christmas that we think describe what Christmas is. Some say they like making vows to lose weight after the holidays, which they quickly break after a month or so. Others see trees beautifully decorated, Santa Claus coming down the chimney leaving gifts under those trees, caroling around the neighborhoods, family gatherings and telling old stories about members of those families, building snowmen and snow ball fights, and Creches depicting Mary and Joseph smiling at Jesus…..
There are two kinds of grace: cheap grace and costly grace. Cheap grace is sold by some churches like cheap wine that we crave daily. It is a general truth that offers the world an inexpensive covering for its sins. Cheap grace avoids the Living Word of God and its personification of Jesus Christ. Cheap grace justifies sin without naming the sinner. Cheap grace does not free us from the problems of sin; it is the grace we give ourselves. …..
I hope my love is genuine so that I can hold onto what is good. I try to treat others as I want to be treated and show honor towards them. I am ardent in the spirit of the Lord and try to always stand up for right not wrong. I rejoice in hope, am patient in suffering, and persevere in prayer. I give to the needy, support organizations for the good of many, and show hospitality to strangers. I…..
According to Lutheran liturgy, this is the second Sunday of Easter, but last Sunday didn’t feel like Easter because of COVID-19. I wasn’t in church, wasn’t singing the glorious hymns of Resurrection, and wasn’t hearing God’s word from the minister. As with churches across the nation, my church was closed, and I was struggling with my computer speakers to get any sound from them. Somehow, sitting in front of a computer screen, trying to lip-read what’s going on in a…..
It’s Christmas Eve, and the fog, like a foaming milk, has covered the world. The music is washing over me, as I let the beautiful, age-old carols warm my heart and soul. The angel atop my tree sends its love into the world, saying, “Peace on earth, good will to men!” So many memories call to me from the tree ornaments, and the pure white lights say, “I am loved by the One who sends His light into the world…..
Who or what has defined you? Is it your parents, a spouse, a friend, your education, your job, your possessions, your money? Is it Jesus Christ? As I sat in our outdoor sanctuary this morning, singing “Beautiful Savior,” the lyrics reminded me of who should really define me. My Savior is the King of creation, Son of God, and Son of man. I love and serve Him; He is the light of my soul, my joy, and my crown. He…..