Life by Grace Alone

Thanksgiving is the most appropriate time of year to talk about grace. Even for those of us who are believers in Christ, we are often blind to the multitude of God's blessings. Why are we so blind when all of us have been blessed so richly? We should be able to move beyond thanking God for just our family, friends and the food we have. Is part of the reason that we overlook the way God works in our lives is our focus on thanking God for his saving grace? Do we think the rest is up to us? When good things happen we're certain it's usually because of our excellent planning, hard work and honed skills. We still nod in God's direction but that's all it is. We're only giving lip service to the giving of thanks. Do we have trouble seeing God's grace in our lives because we are looking for answers to our prayers, some Godly and others not so Godly? We want to be able to check off those things and so we pay little attention to the daily grace seen in things such as...

I have been a pastor's wife since 1976 I thought I might, if for no other reason than God is faithful, have some things to share with other pastors' wives and wives of almost pastors. I asked a friend whose husband has been a pastor a fairly short time if there was an area she'd like to see me cover. This was her response. "Having just survived another Sunday, here's a question: How do you learn to love the Sabbath when your husband is in the pulpit and you're stuck in the back row trying to keep kids quiet and still and hear the sermon? I must admit, it is an intense struggle not to fuss and whine when I wake up Sunday mornings. It used to be my favorite day, but I have to work really, really hard at it now." I first commended her for asking the question; I don't think I ever have. I've been too caught up with surviving. As we look at this central question, it might be wise to consider some other questions . 1) Are you preparing the day ...