Being Lucky, Being Touched by Grace
What a wonderful time of worship and refreshment we had together yesterday (Sunday). Our Fall Kick Off has become one of those moments in the life of our church that you just don’t want to miss. No, we didn’t have the big tent this year (financial restraints and parking lot concerns held us back), but we did have tents out back and the Lord provided a perfect afternoon to share a meal outside and inside.
On Sunday we talked about luck and how in some instances God’s grace can feel a lot like very good luck. We are beyond fortunate in being loved for who we are and not what we have done or not done to meet the standards a good and loving God lays out for us. Being a child of God and knowing we are loved because of who we are because of that relationship is overwhelming. Joy and gratitude for His grace or a celebration of how lucky we are—either way—is part and parcel of the good news Jesus came to share.
In my weekly dialog with ChatGPT I asked who were some real- life lucky people. You heard about Frane Selak—the Luckiest, Unlucky Person in the World—yesterday, but you might be interested who else made the list:
You don’t need artificial intelligence to identify real-life grace filled people. If you love God, follow Jesus, and lean into the Holy Spirit then all you need to do is look in the mirror. How lucky are we to have Lord and Savior who is slow to anger, quick to forgive, and steadfast in his loving-kindness.
Archived Posts
The Power of Presence
This last Sunday I had so much more to share than time to share it. The last Emotional Management Technique was to stay present in the process. Just as Jesus stayed with the woman who was judged and found guilty by the angry crowd, we stay by our children and our friends, especially when they need us the most. Here a couple of examples...
What’s In A Benediction?
Last Sunday I used one of my favorite benedictions.
It was inspired by a saying from about ten years ago:
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
There are several powerful and evocative artworks that depict the scene from Mark 9:14–29, where Jesus heals a boy possessed by an unclean spirit... Some of the following have internet links, the others are worth googling. Enjoy!
The Gift of Ourselves As A Gift of Love
The more the giving of myself costs me something, the greater the power of the gift. You know I love quotes, so after a little research, let me share a few of my favorites on this very subject:
The Loss of a Great Christian Leader
The death today of Pope Francis was particularly poignant, falling as it did on the day after Easter. As Protestant Christians we have a once removed interest in the leader of the Roman Catholic church. Yet the pope is the authoritative leader of 1.4 billion women and men around the world. It is worth our time to pause and consider what kind of man and what kind of legacy Pope Francis left behind.
Everything You Wanted To Know About Judas Iscariot
(Drawn from online sources)
Jesus Hears A Who
Few people know that Horton Hears A Who comes from the 25th Chapter of Matthew.