The Gift of Grace

Daily Gratitude- Year 14 - Day 75: Today, I am grateful for the gift of grace.

Here is my scripture for Lent Day 26:

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."  Ephesians 2:8

It is simple and wonderful... and hard to fathom. It is the act that makes the ground level at the foot of the cross. No one is more important. No one is less important. All are welcome. All must choose. 

Can it really be that easy? 

"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." -Romans 10:8-10

Confess our sins. Believe in His gift. Receive His grace. 

When we believe something deeply, it changes us. Some changes truly happen in an instant; others are a part of the journey to know Him deeper and love Him more. We mess up and His grace is deep and wide, when we confess, believe, and receive. 

When we believe in something... like gravity... we behave differently. We know there are consequences. Gravity is not bad. In fact, our life here requires it, but we must also respect it. We trust that there are consequences and we make our decisions. What do we truly believe in? 

Is there evidence of our belief in how we seek His face and His grace? Do we attempt to use it as a get out of jail free card or a back up plan? Or do we live our lives as an offering because of His sacrifice, great mercy, and love. 

His grace is the most precious, curious, and mysterious gift. We choose it or lose it. 

Today, I am grateful for the gift of grace.

Servant King

 

Daily Gratitude- Year 14 - Day 74: Today, I am grateful for a servant King. 

This scripture for today reminded me of the many years we sang it with the littles at church. It was standard Pre-K to 2nd grade singing and we were blessed by the many times the 1st-6th graders joined in. It is very Jewish sounding in its rhythm and tone. "We Have a King" is one "Earworm" loves to sing over and over. 

I think my favorite verse is:

"We have a King with a bowl and towel. We have a King with a bowl and towel We have a King with a bowl and towel... Servant King is Jesus." (It is actually the same tune as "What do do you do with a drunken sailor... early in the morning)

Our church has held on to foot washing as a tradition. It seemed so strange to me in the beginning. But then, after sharing it with the children, it has become dear to my heart. My dear friend Julie and I have practiced it on Palm Sunday for many years, with only a few missed years. We play the roles of Mary and Martha. It helps us explain that Jesus is our Servant King. 

Children teach us far more than we teach them. The first time, it was as strange to the children as it was to me. But we discovered together the delight in humbly serving another "family" member.

There was no pressure. Any one could pass, but most didn't. One year, they asked if they could wash each other's feet, too. It is a forever memory. Their enthusiasm and hearts to serve are beautiful. 

I have been delighted to see foot washing show up at weddings in recent years. Marriage is a commitment to washing another's feet symbolically... and occasionally literally. It was what Jesus did for the disciples at that final dinner before the garden prayers, the betrayal, the beatings, and then the cross. He endured it all so that we could be ransomed and free. 

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” -Mark 10:45

It is a love like no other. 

Today, I am grateful for a servant King. 

Stand Strong

Daily Gratitude- Year 14 - Day 73: Today, I am grateful for those who stand strong. 

The lives of the martyrs capture our attention. It is humbling to read of their courage until their last breath. I remember wondering as a child if I would be strong enough to face persecution. It all sounded pretty scary. 

This is the scripture for day twenty of Lent:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."-Matthew 5:10

If you are being persecuted for your faith, then someone noticed it. We are called to walk in faith with sincerity. We are to walk in the light of His word and His way. 

We are called to be strong in the faith, whatever the days may bring. The promise is woven for them. "For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 

Today, I am grateful for those who stand strong. 

Modern Translations

Daily Gratitude- Year 14 - Day 72: Today, I am grateful for "modern translations."

Imagine reading and learning from the Torah as a "modern person" in 33 A.D.? Think about how English has changed from the 1600's to 2026. Perhaps with the mass availability of the written word, it changes even faster. There are precious ancient texts that can be lost if we do not learn how to read them and preserve them. As our country turns 250, our founding documents are not as easy to read as they once were, but they are no less important.

Jewish children still prepare for their bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah with Hebrew lessons. They read from the Torah in their service and celebration. It is pretty special to see. Imagine reading it as their ancestors did a thousand years ago. In the USA, we are big on memorization through VBS or Wednesday night programs. When I led teens at church, we would choose a life verse at the beginning of the new school year. Some of those are still so dear to my heart and hearing what the teens chose each year.

I started my life learning from the Kings James Version of the Bible, but the New International Version changed my ability to read and understand God's word. Today, the NLT and ESV compete as my favorites, but my childhood memory verses are still in my head the way I learned them. One, in particular, I never truly understood until a modern translation (Romans 12:1 in KJV). As an adult is one that I treasure having written on my heart.

This was my lent verse for today:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. -Proverbs 3:5-6

It made me think of a more "modern" interpretation from King David to Paul. His letters to the Roman church often brought Old Testament passages to life and into clarity. Read Psalm 22 and 23. With the crucifixion and resurrection in the rearview mirror, how different they read. This passage has the same heartbeat as Proverbs 3:5-6.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.-Romans 8:28

I know some translations are better than others. I encourage looking at many when a passage is confusing then seeking out the original Hebrew and Greek (blueletterbible.org). It is like a treasure hunt for word lovers.

Have an amazing day.

Today, I am grateful for "modern translations."

Protection

Daily Gratitude- Year 14 - Day 71: Today, I am grateful for protection.

So many checked in yesterday to see if my family was fine. This video was shared by my niece from a storm chaser, filmed 11 miles from their home. It is where we go to shop when we "run to the store" or if we head into Kankakee for any purpose. I am posting this partially to remember it in years to come. Wow! Nature's fury!

Our family is all safe. Many on the Lindgren and Bess sides had hail damage, but all are safe.

My Lent 23 scripture is:

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. -1 John 4:9

The things of this earth are subject to the elements in nature and man's careless ways. I am truly grateful for the his hand of protection in the storms of life. So far, the Kankakee area has reported no deaths which has been shocking due to the storm's intensity. 

Today, I am grateful for protection.

Straight Paths

Daily Gratitude- Year 14 - Day 70: Today, I am grateful for straight paths.

A dear friend once pointed out that when scripture talks about the "straight path" we often think of it being limiting and restricting... or "no fun." The author of lies loves this one (he gets no capitals in his name). We buy into it. The straight path is not boring, it is the shortest distance between two places, unless the road has other dangers. The straight path cuts time off of the journey. 

The straight path is often more traveled. Company on the journey means we can encourage each other. We are stronger together. 

Lent Day 22: "So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. " -Hebrews 12:12-13 NLT

This scripture is one I need to let "brew" a little more. He"brews" is good for that. 

Today, I am grateful for straight paths.

The Daily Things

 

Daily Gratitude- Year 14 - Day 69: Today, I am grateful for the daily things. 

There is a comfort and a familiarity in the ordinary, daily things that surround us. Life has extraordinary moments, but most of our days are filled with daily things. It is the daily things that make up and take up much of our time. It is where much of our life is lived. 

The Lent passage for Day 21 targets the importance of submission and obedience in the "not my will, but Thy will be done." Whatever the day may bring, there is a clear reminder to walk the walk daily. 

 "Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me." -Luke 9:23

For those devoted to exercise, it is not a once a week thing. It is 5-6 days a week with a couple days of rest. It is in the daily practice of something that it becomes familiar and an almost natural response. It becomes a way of living.

For those devoted to sports, reading, art, music, or anything else that sparks our passion, it is a daily pursuit that is done with joy. We find ways to fit it into our days. Jesus reminded us that it is our daily things that reflect if he is someone we like or love, or if he is truly Lord. 

Someone once said, "If he isn't Lord of everything, he isn't Lord at all." 

Today, I am grateful for the daily things.