The Bite of Bread reading plan this week has been a game changer for me.
The topic of grace, though I’ve studied a hundred times before, has become even more thrilling, confusing, and wonderful. Wednesday’s post about grace making us happy, will feed me for a long time. If you didn’t get a chance to read it, I hope you’ll check it out.
I’ve always loved the thought of grace. I love the way the word rolls off my tongue, and I’ve always known how very much I need it for myself and for others. But this week it’s like I’ve come “home.” I’ve come back to my love for grace.
A few weeks ago I changed the picture on the top of my site to the photo of clothes pins. I loved the simplicity of it. Something inside felt it represented me. I simply changed it because I liked it. I just wanted to, but I knew it didn’t make sense. We live in a world that demands bits and pieces of us all. the. time. And as an author, the demands of the industry and all the good advice from other “experts” can be overwhelming. The clothes pins did not seem to fit my website, or the wisdom of the experts, but God had a plan.
A grace plan.
This week he reminded me of my affinity for grace. And so, a new title for my site, “Daily Grace”, has been born, clothespins and all. Isn’t it amazing how He is constantly leading us? I know there will be other changes coming, but I don’t know what they will be. I’m taking it one day at a time. And that my friends is daily grace.
I hear a whisper inviting me and you to slow down. He tells us to take off our shoes and stay awhile with Him. He promises that the world won’t stop rotating if we don’t do everything perfectly, and He offers a gift. It’s wrapped in paper the color and texture of an ocean wave tied up with a sunrise bow.
It’s the gift of grace.
Let’s open it!
What about you? Is there something that happened recently that did not make sense at first but later became a really good change leading you back “home?” Leave a comment.
GIVEAWAY!!
I’m giving away a Bible study called Lavish Grace, by Kathy Howard. Here’s an excerpt from her book that reminds me of what we learned on Wednesday about the rope of grace. Kathy uses the word “cords.” So awesome.
By definition, God’s grace flows from His heart. It’s based on His bounty, His character. We do not merit His grace. We cannot earn it. Yet in His loving-kindness He woos us to Himself and freely pours out His grace through the death of His Son. Then after our conversion, on the born again side, God still woos us. Through times of rebellion, complacency, grief, and struggle, God gently draws us back to Himself with cords of love. He calls us from our wanderings. He longs to protect us from pain of our own making. His crazy, lavish grace refuses to let us go.
Lavish Grace: Poured Out, Poured Through, and Overflowing.
Lavish Grace is a 9-week journey with the apostle Paul that helps readers discover God’s abundant grace for their daily lives and relationships. You can find out more about Kathy, her speaking and writing, and find free resources at www.KathyHoward.org.
To enter the drawing for Lavish Grace, leave a comment. I’ll announce the winner Monday, August 8.
Blessings,
andy
[…] of grace, I’ve got a winner for the Lavish Grace Bible study by Kathy Howard! And the winner is […]
Hi Andy,
God is so good that He would lead me to read your blog. We often need a reminder of both God’s love and His infinite grace. Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin! I am so thankful that His grace is unlimited, immeasurable, and never ending and that His faithfulness is new every morning. We serve an awesome God, who leads us, clothes pin picture and all.
By the way I love the new picture and even more what it represents, your ongoing testimony; the story of what He is doing in your life now. A story of grace that will continue to bless you and others thru this blog as he reveals to you piece by piece what He has in store, which I know, because our God is a good Father, is something great!
Blessings,
Yami
Awww… Yami! It’s so good to hear from you! So glad God led you here. He is so good. And so glad you like the picture and what it represents. Grace was a big theme for me when my kids were small! I’m sure it will help you tons with your little ones and your days raising them as a Godly mommy. Blessings to you sweet friend! I’ve entered you into the contest. :)
Andy, I needed to be reminded of God’s grace today. Your post did that for me! You’d think that after writing a Bible study on the topic I wouldn’t forget, but then trials rush in and well… Thanks for pointing me back to grace today. And thanks for sharing “Lavish Grace” with your readers!
Kathy, that always happens to me! LOL! I’m excited to share your study. I was reading it last night and found in the first lesson that you write about God’s whisper as I did. Pretty cool. I love when Holy Spirit does that.
It’s by His grace that I’m alive today. It’s His grace that encourages me to tell others about it—and Him. It’s by grace that He put so many wonderful people in my life, like you. It’s by grace that He allows me to write for Him. And it’s by grace that He allows me to reach, teach, and encourage others to experience His grace. Thank you, Andy, for sharing your grace experiences with us. God bless you.
Hey Bruce! Thanks for stopping by! You are definitely a walking grace miracle. Love you bunches! You are entered!
That’s a very effective visual with the title. My imagination uses that to think of putting memory verses on a clothes line. God gives us all imagination, and if we let Him, it will be used for all kinds of good and improvements to ourselves and others. I am so thankful for the fullness of His grace that covers all.
Amen, Janice! Me too! I love the visual of the memory cards. That’s a great idea. I’ve entered you into the giveaway. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for always giving me a clearer understanding …. Honestly, haven’t thought about grace until reading your post. Love the learning !!!
So thankful my teaching is “clear”! Sometimes I worry that it’s a little fuzzy or muddy. Chew on grace. It will change your life. Thanks for stopping by. I’m putting your name in the hat!
Something deep within me is changing and I can’t articulate what it is. I resort to old, deep habits of planning and list making, but then ignore the tasks. I am waiting to hear God’s whisper or shout. I rely on God’s grace.
Amen! Amen! So good to hear from you, Patricia! Keep listening and slowing down to hear. I’m right wit you. It feels good, doen’t it? I’ve entered you into the drawing! Much love!
I really needs to be reminded of Gods grace, I have been reading the book Uninvited and this goes along with it. God loves us even when we don’t feel loved by the people around us.
I really like the new title and photo.
Hey Mandy! Isn’t God good? He gives us just what we need when we need it. Yay that you like the photo and title! Thanks! You are entered into the drawing! Blessings.
Andy,
This has been a hard week too as I started a study on Jude. Your words about grace is what I needed each day.
Thank you for being a loving servant.
Bonnie
Hey Bonnie! Thanks for stopping by. So glad the focus on grace has been helpful to you too! Thank you for always encouraging me. You are entered. :)
Andy, I love the new title and image. Its perfect. Where can I find the periscope for Wednesday? Sorry I missed it!
Hey Rachel! So glad you like the new photo and title. You can catch up on periscope.tv/wordsbyandylee . I’ve not been good about putting them on my FB author page this week. Hope you can find it and hope you are feeling better! I’ve entered you into the drawing. :)