Lent 2014, Day 30: Simply a gift

If simplicity,
Is the key to brilliance
And beautiful elegance,
The ultimate sophistication,
Why live in complication?

And if simplicity
Frees us from division,
Artifice and pretention;
Bringing ease and clarity,
Why is it such a rarity?

We're called to live
Lives that simply reflect
And work to connect
The world around us
To the one who loves us.

But His grace amazes us,
And His abundant love
Is beyond what's dreamed of!
So when trying to explain,
It's too much to attain.

So we complicate
His strangely simple gift,
Making our focus shift.
Yet the key is simplicity,
Welcome His love in humility!

Lent 2014, Day 29: Simply put

As per usual, when I'm contemplating a certain subject I like to research what other people say about it... Right now I've been trying to think of what to say on “simplicity,” so first I'll share a little research with you – it's actually quite interesting! This is a topic I've never thought much about, except in the realm of beauty & fashion, which has taught me that elegance is simple. Anyway, I hope you enjoy these insights as I have.

Dictionary.com defines “simplicity” in three great ways. First it says it describes a freedom from complexity, intricacy, or division into parts. Then simplicity is also an absence of luxury, pretentiousness, ornament, etc. And finally, Dictionary says it is a freedom from deceit of guile; in other words, sincerity or naturalness. Some synonyms are clarity, clearness, accessibility, and straightforwardness.

“simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” - Leonardo da Vinci

“Simplicity is the key to brilliance.” - Bruce Lee

“A vocabulary of simplicity will be of service throughout your life.” - Winston Churchill

“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.” - Charles Mingus

“In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Simplicity, carried to an extreme, becomes elegance.” - Jon Franklin

“Live simply so that others may simply live.” - Ghandi/Mother Teresa

Lenten Sunday 5: Family movie night

Tonight we went to see a great movie and were asked to share 3 simple words. Before I do that I just have to say, do yourself a favor and go check it out. And know...

GOD'S NOT DEAD.

That is all.

Lent 2014, Day 28: Share life!

So my sister and I wound up going to see The Scarlet Pimpernel again tonight! We took one of our teens from church as she mentioned last Sunday that it's one of her favorite books. We all thoroughly enjoyed the show as the cast did another amazing job bringing the story to life! But the night out with my 16 year old friend got me thinking about what an honor it is to share life and laughter as we serve where God places us. I know I've said it before, but I really never imagined myself working with teenagers, especially planning girl's events where I get up in front of them and share the truth with them. Yet, as the last few years have proven, God is full of surprises, and He truly knows where and when to place you. I have fallen for these teens; they're my friends, my little brothers and sisters; and they've taught me more about life as a believer than I have shared with them! And my favorite moments have been the one on one, just sharing life together moments - like taking a couple of them shopping, or sitting next to someone as one of their favorite stories is brought to life. So, if you're not serving or you have no idea where to do so, just make some friends and break bread together - go, share life!

Lent 2014, Day 27: Grace vs. Fear

This is a really interesting perspective on grace - I've never thought about how it's really fear that distracts us from living lives covered by & in grace. I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did.

Lent 2014, Day 26: Abundant and Inexhaustible

As I posted a while back, 2 Corinthians 12 tells us that His grace is sufficient. But why stop at sufficient? enough? adequate? I know my God's love is overflowing, but I believe His grace is also abundant, plentiful, bountiful. I'd even say it's inexhaustible! And I don't want just enough to survive, just enough to cover me so I can scrape into heaven. No, I want more; I want to be drowned in it, to be basted in it or even brined - let it surround me, seep into me, and spill out of me as a pleasing flavor for those I encounter!

His grace is sufficient...
Sufficient.
What a terse little word.
In fact,
The idea is a little absurd.

If it were a grade,
It would be a "C."
Were it a treat,
It'd be a taste of candy
Or maybe one cookie.

It's just "adequate,"
Almost "average,"
You see?
If His love is abundant,
How can His grace not be?

But I know His grace and love;
And it's so much more to me!
It's what saved me,
What raised me from death,
Gave these dry bones breath!

See, His grace,
Wrapped in His love,
Sent His Son below
So we could rise above,
And inherit the Father's embrace!

Lent 2014, Day 25: Grace, grace, God's grace

I love that Google basically defines grace as a free gift of favor, for this is what Paul had to say about it in Romans 3:20-24.
"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
What a powerful image! And what depth of love for God to say, "I know you've done me wrong, and the only way to make it right is impossible in your own strength. But I love you so! So, I've given of myself and now freely offer you my love, my power, and my glory!" The hard part for us comes in living as though we believe this deeply within our hearts. Often we try to clean ourselves up before coming to Christ, we glue the broken pieces back together before coming to the potter... We seek redemption through the payment of religious rituals and good deeds. But God is calling out to us, longing for us to just seek Him as He already paid for our redemption out of His amazing grace! And if we truly seek Him, we are covered by His grace and changed by His love, which in turn creates a desire in us to share this grace and love with the rest of the world.

Lent 2014, Day 24: Songs of Grace

I read this today and thought it was an interesting take on the concept: G+R+A+C+E = God's Riches at Christ's Expense. Anyway, I'm still working on what to say about His glorious grace, so here is my favorite worship song on the subject.