Monday, April 30, 2012

On Living Freely and Lightly

Birthday cupcakes for my nephew!

Our Teaching Pastor at church continues to teach us on the topic "Why Did Jesus Die?". Yesterday was Part 4 in this teaching series... and he talked about Jesus shutting down religion... so that we can have rest, freedom and life!
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.
~ Jesus (from Matthew 11:28-30, The Message).
Religion - that is, any system of salvation - is done away with through Jesus. When this truth sinks in, we will experience transforming freedom, peace, and rest.
Christ-followers are forgiven, cleansed, and equipped for spiritual growth. There is nothing more we can do to be made spiritually alive, beyond trusting Christ. Nothing. Got it? Nothing.
~ Bruxy Cavey.
That's the reality of grace... God's grace... for which I offer up unending thanks!

As I continue to count grace-gifts, these are the things I am thankful for this week... #1373 - #1381:

:: Great basketball season at school for my boy.
:: My girl's awesome interim report card.
:: Baking cupcakes for my nephew's birthday!
:: Good dental care.
:: A day at a Robotics Tournament with my boy and seven of his schoolmates.
:: Collecting baby clothes to send with my friend to an orphanage in Haiti.
:: Keeping my focus on God when people disappoint...
:: Sunday lunch with hubby's extended family.
:: A Sunday afternoon nap.

Happy Monday, friends!
May arrives this week! I am looking forward to a less busy month for our family... and, learning to draw on God's unforced rhythms of grace... in order to live freely and lightly!
It's not the gifts that fulfill. But the holiness of the space. The God in it... This is supreme gift, time, God Himself framed in moment.
Let's soar into this new week together, friends... let's do justice, love mercy and walk humbly!

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Unwrapping more of His love in this world.
Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!

8 comments:

  1. nothing more i can do to be spiritually alive.. love that reassurance. Thank you!

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  2. "...the unforced rhythms of grace." That is my favorite line in all of The Message, because that is what grace should be...as natural and soothing as breathing or the waves on the shore. Thank you for bringing it to mind today. :)

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  3. The Scribes and Pharisees missed the meaning of the Gospel and had a very works-man-oriented religion. Yep! This was all done away with though our Savior. What a wonderful list you have this week, looks like lots of family! Blessings to you this week, sister!

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  4. Adorable cupcakes! And what an intoxicating invitation to come away to Him and not to more church stuff.

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  5. Those are just the cutest cupcakes!!! And I fell in love with that familiar passage of Scripture from the Message. Sometimes, reading it in another translation or paraphrase just give the all too familiar such fresh and amazing new light. It's like you pulled up the shades and and whole new sun shined upon it! I liked that phrase, "system of salvation," as it seems so many have done just that. Things you have to do and say in order to be saved. Grace! It's taken me a lifetime to learn it, and now. . . . I wouldn't let go for anything in this world!

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  6. I love this: "Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." His grace is so precious. And love the adorable cupcakes. :)

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  7. Sadly, there are many Christian still stuck in the trap of religion.

    It's all about grace, not works. Praise God!

    Janelle

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  8. What an encouragement and a good reminder of His unending grace!! Leaning on Him alone today!

    In His Lo♥e, Ann

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