Casual Christianity ~ Pondering "Grace"

We have not written for awhile because we have lacked words. I must say it is because we lack the courage to print them. This little area in the world wide web is concerned with the "casual" Christianity that is flooding the internet. They make it seem like the Messiah will be coming back in surf trunks and a beanie. Like people will greet the "King of Kings" with a "hey, dude!" and then move on with a Facebook entry.

Long gone is the "fear of the Lord" for He is just a "pal" now. The "awe" for the magnificent Creator of the Universe is dwindling into cyberspace.

Sadly, it is being justified by a distorted version of "grace".

Grace does not teach a lifestyle of "take me as I am Lord, keep me as I am and deal with me. I am a sinner and there is no use trying to live likewise".

No, this is what grace teaches...

"denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,

righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Looking for that blessed hope,

and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,

and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.

Let no man despise thee."

~ Titus 2:12-15

The life of a Christian isn't a party but a purposeful path. A path where we are told to pick up our cross, deny self and follow Him that is holy. To honor Him (who died so we could live!) with our life of love, devotion and service.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

 ~ Romans 12:1-2

High-fiving one another while we sin and then picking up the banner of grace to justify our choices isn't living for Him. It is living for Self. It isn't *full* acceptance of grace or *freedom* in Christ. It is mocking it.

May we see the difference and have the courage to "examine ourselves". May we strive to be that "peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14)…

May we be the believer who realizes “all things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up" (1 Corinthians 10:23)…

Because you dear reader, are the Daughter of the Most-High King in this "chosen generation". You have been called to "be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." ~ 1 Timothy 4:12b 

"The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit.
Grace be with you."
~ 2 Timothy 4:22

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homemaking Thursdays and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. 

Grandmother's Story

Grandmother's Story by Hugues Merle

"The glory of young men is their strength:

and the beauty of old men (women) is the grey head."

~ Proverbs 20:29

Hugues Merle, the painter of the picture above was French and lived between 1823-1881. Doesn't it look like he was fond of his family? Isn't this a beautiful painting with all the young ladies gathered around grandmother? Doesn't it look like she is telling a story about the man in the picture on the wall? Is it grandfather? Have you seen your grandparents lately? They have so many interesting things to share with you!

Questions for the ladies:

• Do you show the elderly in your life the same "good" attention that these ladies are showing?
• Do you know of a elderly person whom you can visit? Do so, for you will learn so much...

"I said, Days should speak,

and multitude of years should teach wisdom."

~ Job 32:7

"The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,

If it is found in the way of righteousness."

~ Proverbs 16:31 (NKJV)

Sweet Suggestion:

Make a special visit to your grandparents or aged relative and watch the past come alive. Find out what events in history they lived through and document their story to pass down to your children and grandchildren. Visit as many elderly family members as you can while they are still with us and create an scrap book album full of memories that you can share with future generations. Try to include pictures to make it personal.

"O God, thou hast taught me from my youth:
and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

Now also when I am old and greyheaded,
O God, forsake me not;

until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation,

and thy power to every one that is to come."

~ Psalm 71:17-18

Beautiful Hands

"In the cloakroom of a certain school a question arose among some girls as to who had the most beautiful hands. The teacher listened to her girls thoughtfully. They compared hands and explained secrets of keeping them pretty. Nettie said that a girl could not keep perfect hands and wash dishes or sweep. Maude spoke of the evil effects of cold and wind and too much sunshine. Stella told of her favorite cold cream. Ethel spoke of proper manicuring. At last the teacher spoke.

“To my mind Jennie Higgins has the most beautiful hands of any girl in school,” she said quietly.

“Jennie Higgins!” exclaimed Nettie in amazement; “why, her hands are rough and red and look as if she took no care of them. I never thought of them as beautiful.”

“I have seen those hands carrying dainty food to the sick, and soothing the brow of the aged. She is her widowed mother’s main help, and she it is who does the milking and carries the wood and water, yes, and washes dishes night and morning, that her mother may be saved the hard work. I have never known her to be too tired to speak kindly to her little sister and help her in her play. I have found those busy hands helping her brother with his kite. I tell you I think they are the most beautiful hands I have ever seen, for they are always busy helping somewhere.”

~ Excerpt from Beautiful Girlhood by Mabel Hale

Linked up to: Deep Roots at Home

Willing Widow of Zarephath

"And the word of the LORD came unto him (Prophet Elijah), saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth." ~ 1 Kings Chapter 17:8-14

Oh, dear reader! Can't you imagine the day this poor women has had! The exhaustion, lack of hope, mental weariness and now this stranger has appeared and asked something of her which she feels she can not give!

Her very last meal.

She was in one of the lowest points in her life... We don't know how recent it had been since she lost her husband but sorrow surely remained. We do not know how long she had been scrimping but we do know she and her beloved son were on the verge of starvation. To suffer hunger yourself must be horrible to endure, but to watch a loved one bear it must be worse than one can imagine.  It was an inconvenient time in her life and yet that is when God singled her out!

He described her to the prophet Elijah!

He had been watching her…

He had a plan for her…

However, from the humble position on earth, it seems like the promises of heaven are sometimes too high for us to comprehend! Too often, our fleshly eyes can not see that far!

But God knew she had more to give… because He was going to provide what she was lacking. Her willing obedience provided the opportunity.

"And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah." ~ 1 Kings Chapter 17:15-16

This true story of the widow at Zarephath shows us that when we are at our worst, we are to keep on serving!

When we aren't feeling well, we are to keep on serving…

When we are financially ruined, we are to keep on serving…

When we are overwhelmed and tired, we are to keep on serving…

in whatever capacity we can.

But how?

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

~ Phillipians 4:13

Sadly, her saga continues when her dear son perishes!

"And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again. And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth." ~ 1 Kings Chapter 17:17-24

God gives forth his healing powers to Elijah! It appears that she has received a reward for her generosity… The resurrection of her beloved son!

And we too, have been given something for our devoted faith, a promise of a resurrection which is far greater than that which Elijah had given... eternal life through the One who giveth life! 

When circumstances are burdensome,

remember the willing, widow of Zarephath...

"And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not."

~ Galatians 6:9

This will be linked up with the following:

Domestically Divine Tuesday

Deep Roots at Home

Wise Woman Link Up

Pure Religion

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." 

~ James 1:27

Sometimes we can get so caught up in keeping ourselves "unspotted from the world" that we forget the act of service written about which is visiting the fatherless and the widows. Why not make a special mother and maiden time once a month or so and visit some of the aging widows that God has placed in your lives? I am sure there are many in your family and in the church that would be a blessing to see. Bringing a cup of coffee or tea on the commute will make mother and maiden visiting time extra special. These moments will be spent living out your "pure religion" while creating a time of bonding and memories together. To think that one day your daughter will reflect of the good times she spent with her mother visiting those in need! What a beautiful legacy to leave...