The variables in the Gift of Grace 06/29/2010
In my previous life, I created a matrix with the variables involved in every gift we give or receive. Here, I fill in the variables while considering the Gift of Grace, GENERAL
Add Comment Grace Pouring Out - Parachute Band 06/29/2010
The Parachute Band have written a song about Grace which reminds me about the pouring overflow of God's Grace and it's effect in my life. Grace is on me, like water Grace surrounds me, like rivers deep Grace is singing, like angels Grace is washing the nations feet Grace is leading me onwards Grace is teaching me to forgive Grace. It's pouring on me and should be pouring out of me. Grace in others' mirrors 06/29/2010
If I learn to see Grace in the mirror, then the natural next step is to see Grace in others. It is hard for me to see others as God's Grace sees them. I see them as I think I know them, not as God's Grace sees them. I see their flaws, He sees Grace I see their imperfections, He sees Grace I see their failings, He sees Grace I see their weakness, He sees Grace I see their vices, He sees Grace I see their past, He sees Grace Grace, it's in others' mirrors too. Grace in the mirror 06/29/2010
Following my previous post on the relationship between Grace and me, I started wondering why I don't see it when I look in the mirror. I see me as I think I know me, not as God's Grace sees me. I see my flaws, He sees Grace I see my imperfections, He sees Grace I see my failings, He sees Grace I see my weakness, He sees Grace I see my vices, He sees Grace I see my past, He sees Grace Grace, it's in the mirror. Speaking with Grace - a poem 06/28/2010
Speak gently Speak gently! -- It is better far To rule by love, than fear -- Speak gently -- let not harsh words mar The good we might do here! Speak gently! -- Love doth whisper low The vows that true hearts bind; And gently Friendship's accents flow; Affection's voice is kind. Speak gently to the little child! Its love be sure to gain; Teach it in accents soft and mild: -- It may not long remain. Speak gently to the young, for they Will have enough to bear -- Pass through this life as best they may, 'T is full of anxious care! Speak gently to the aged one, Grieve not the care-worn heart; The sands of life are nearly run, Let such in peace depart! Speak gently, kindly, to the poor; Let no harsh tone be heard; They have enough they must endure, Without an unkind word! Speak gently to the erring -- know, They may have toiled in vain; Perchance unkindness made them so; Oh, win them back again! Speak gently! -- He who gave his life To bend man's stubborn will, When elements were in fierce strife, Said to them, 'Peace, be still.' Speak gently! -- 't is a little thing Dropped in the heart's deep well; The good, the joy, which it may bring, Eternity shall tell. -- David Bates The graceful leadership of Nehemiah 06/28/2010
Nehemiah was an example of using Grace and Truth in the leadership position God had put him in. Nehemiah knew that to be a good leader you had to have clean hands and a pure heart. The basic quality for leadership is the same as the basic quality for success in a person's life. And that is to be true to one's belief and values. So what made Nehemiah so special ?
Grace and Christ: The Shepherd's leadership 06/11/2010
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 The 'Grace and Christ' series focuses on the aspects of His ministry on Earth and how it demonstrated Grace. One leadership book which has had a profound influence on me was 'The Way of the Shepherd' by Kevin Leman. It describes how to be a leader by drawing parallels to keeping a flock of sheep - and it draws from Christ's graceful example. I know, it doesn't sound like there are parallels to make... but read on. Here are the principles from the book and the studied life of Christ as the Shepherd. I think what really gets to me is that Christ's Grace-based Shepherd Leadership promotes the notion that leaders are actually servants to their constituents. Now that's counter-intuitive... Know the condition of your flock - Follow the status of your people as well as the status of the work - Get to know your flock, one sheep at a time - Engage your people on a regular basis - Keep your eyes and ears open, question and follow through Discover the shape of your sheep - Your choice of sheep can make flock management easier of harder - Start with healthy sheep, or you'll inherit someone else's problem - Know the SHAPE of your sheep to make sure they're in the right fold -- Strengths -- Heart -- Attitude -- Personality -- Experiences Help your sheep identify with you - Build trust with your followers by modeling authenticity, integrity, and compassion - Set higher standards of performance - Relentlessly communicate your values and sense of mission - Define the cause for your people and tell them where they fit in - Remember that great leadership isn't just professional; it's personal Make your pasture a safe place - Keep your people well informed - Infuse every position with importance - Cull chronic instigators from the flock - Regularly rotate the sheep to fresh pasture - Reassure the sheep by staying visible - Don't give problems time to fester The staff of direction - Know where you're going, get out in front, and keep your flock on the move - When directing, use persuasion rather than coercion - Give your people freedom of movement, but make sure they know where the fence is. Don't confuse boundaries with bridles When your people get in trouble, go and get them out - Remind your people that failure isn't fatal The rod of correction - Protect: stand in the gap and fight for your sheep - Correct: approach discipline as a teaching opportunity - Inspect: regularly inquire about your people's progress The heart of the shepherd - Great leadership is a lifestyle, not a technique - Every day you have to decide who's going to pay for your leadership - you or your people - Most of all, have a heart for your sheep May it bring out the graceful shepherd leader in us. Grace - Bebe and Cece Winans 06/10/2010
Superduo brother and sister Bebe and Cece Winans have penned a song that describes the intimacy, the awesomeness and the openness of Grace. The line that touched me profoundly: Hide behind a painted smile You lash out and sing while you spiritually die There's no need to sit in denial He knows all about it and He understand why Grace. There is nothing more intimate, more personal. Grace and Christ - Teaching His disciples 06/02/2010
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 The 'Grace and Christ' series focuses on the aspects of His ministry on Earth and how it demonstrated Grace. Here I look at how Christ used Grace to train the disciples he handpicked to deliver His message to the world. - When they lacked spiritual understanding, Christ's grace provided instruction - When they lacked humility, Christ's grace provided His example - When they lacked faith, Christ's grace provided miracles and mighty deeds - When they lacked commitment, Christ's grace provided His prayers - When they lacked power, Christ's grace provided the Holy Spirit Grace and Christ - His Grace, my humility 06/02/2010
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 The 'Grace and Christ' series focuses on the aspects of His ministry on Earth and how it demonstrated Grace. Here I look at what my humble reactions should be to to His graceful actions towards me: - Christ's grace teaches me, my humility should make me His student - Christ's grace forgives me, my humility should make me repent from my sins - Christ's grace leads me, my humility should make me follow in complete dependence - Christ's grace serves me, my humility should make me serve Him and others - Christ's grace hears me, my humility should make me pray about everything - Christ's grace is with me, my humility should make me worship His presence. His Grace should stimulate humble actions in me. | AuthorI am on a journey to learn and experience biblical Grace. This page holds my 'oh wow, I didn't know that about Grace' moments based on the research discoveries you read on this website. This is my personal journal to my 2Pt 3:18 growth and understanding of this infinitely deep concept. ArchivesJanuary 2012 CategoriesAll |
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