“Grace shows up in unlikely places if we keep our hearts and minds open. What fear buries, grace resurrects. Fear pushed me to withdraw from precious friends for years, but grace promises to redeem lost time. Fear convinced me to lump these friends with everyone else who had hurt me, but grace is a reconciler.”
From: http://iamsteveaustin.com/2015/12/07/the-deaf-man-who-spoke-grace-to-my-heart/
The musical carolling of this Australian songbird is a daily feature of the lighthouse walk at Byron Bay, in northern New South Wales. The magpies live alongside the tourists and local lighthouse lovers.
What a magnificent song from a bird that is often considered a nuisance in the suburbs. The details of God’s artistry in the musical mechanics of the natural world never cease to amaze.
(Video courtesy of Sean O’Shea Art)
Let us make crystal clear at the beginning of the year that all we will get from God this year as believers in Jesus is mercy. Whatever pleasures or pains come our way will all be mercy. . .
The fullest obedience and the smallest faith obtain the same thing from God: mercy. A mere mustard seed of faith taps into the mercy of tree-moving power. And flawless obedience leaves us utterly dependent on mercy.
John Piper
This is a great one to file away for next year. It gives an engaging summary of the Christmas story – which is so much more than just a story: a world-changing and heart-changing event which continues to strike a chord with people for the first time every day of the year. What constant rejoicing there must be in heaven! Blessings to you for the year ahead. May you grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)
Belated Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you had a lovely time with family and friends, celebrating the great gift of God, Jesus, Emmanuel. This was our breakfast for the day. Best wishes for the final week of 2015. Blessings, Ros
“‘There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,’ returned the nephew. ‘Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round . . . as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!”
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
God’s will was that though Christ was rich, yet for your sake he became poor. The “No Vacancy” signs over all the motels in Bethlehem were for your sake. “For your sake he became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
God rules all things — even motel capacities — for the sake of his children. The Calvary road begins with a “No Vacancy” sign in Bethlehem and ends with the spitting and scoffing of the cross in Jerusalem.
From http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/a-big-god-for-little-people
This is such a joyful song which brilliantly describes the Joy we share in Christ. My favourite line is this: “The dark is just a canvas for Your grace and brightness.” If this post meets you in a dark place look to Christ, the song of our hearts.
“Joy” (Rend Collective)
We’re choosing celebration
Breaking into freedom
You’re the song
You’re the song
Of our hearts
We cast aside our shadows
Trust You with our sorrows
You’re the song
You’re the song
Of our hearts
We’re dancing to the rhythm of Your heart
We’re rising from the ashes to the stars
You’re the joy joy joy lighting my soul
The joy joy joy making me whole
Though I’m broken, I am running
Into Your arms of love
The pain will not define us
Joy will reignite us
You’re the song
You’re the song
Of our hearts
The dark is just a canvas
For Your grace and brightness
You’re the song
You’re the song
Of our hearts
We’re dancing to the rhythm of Your heart
We’re rising from the ashes to the stars
CHORUS
You’re the joy
The song in my heart
The hope of my soul
In the shadows
In the sorrows
In the desert
When the pain hits
You are constant
Ever-present
You’re the song of my heart
[x2]
CHORUS
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
Praising God in the everyday
Following Jesus while Seeking Joy and Contentment in the Christian Life
The Musings of a Writer / Editor in Training
I'm Ash. I love Jesus. I'm a wife and a mum. I'm a teacher. I'm also studying my Masters of Counselling. I started studying a few years after started the very hard work of engaging my own story of harm and trauma. This is a place where you'll hear my stories, as well as the stories of others. I'll also reflect on faith, healing and walking with Jesus. I pray that these words might encourage you to do your own painful but life-bringing work of examining your own stories, and allowing Jesus to heal the parts of you still locked in shame. For He came that we might have life, and have it to the full. Welcome, fellow traveller.
Words, words, words... well said Hamlet! A little blog to go off on tangents within the worlds of history, literature, TV and film that interest me. From the Tudors to Tom Hardy's Tess, the Boleyns to Bollywood or from the Wars of the Roses to Wuthering Heights, feel free to browse through my musings to pick up extra ideas and points for discussion!
Jesus lover, aspiring writer & Bible Gateway Partner
I write for my own sanity, but I share with hope to encourage you.
Looking for the real God
Life in the country with family, animals, and good food
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