God's grace is amazing. I'm so thankful that He loves me and saved me. It took me many years to understand grace and ...I'm still learning.

I don't deserve His love. There was nothing in myself I could do to earn His love. My sin separated me from God.

I find it easier to give than to receive. I've always enjoyed giving gifts to people but lately the tables have been turned. I've had to learn to receive graciously.

God's grace is all about unmerited favor. I couldn't earn it and I didn't deserve it. My good works couldn't save me.

But God created me in His image to be in relationship with Him. And the only way I could truly come to know Him was ...through Jesus.

Jesus is the way to God. He lived a perfect life and paid the penalty for my sin. In response, I received the gift and my heart fills with love and gratitude.

In my humanness, I can easily look at others and think "I'd never do that sin or I'm not that bad." But in God's eyes, sin is sin and He cannot be in the presence of sin (even one tiny little speck of sin).

So instead of looking at others who are living a lifestyle that I know is wrong ...I pray for them.

I ask God to help me see others through Jesus' eyes.

What happens when I do this? I love as Jesus loves.

Jesus looked at Peter and saw what he would become. Peter was a simple fisherman but Jesus saw a fisher of men. (Matthew 4:18-19)

I'm so thankful for His grace towards me. He looked past what I was and saw who I would become because of who I belong to. How amazing is that?

When God looks at me ...He sees Jesus. Jesus lives in and through me as I surrender my life to Him for His purposes.

I love His grace. In response I want to extend His grace towards others. How about you?

Blessings and love,

I'm joining Jill of Forever N Ever N Always each Monday to reflect and study "Praying the Names of God" by Ann Spangler. I was so excited to receive a birthday gift card to Amazon from a good friend. (Thank you Iris!)

Elohim is the name for our Creator God; the One who began it all. Genesis 1 tells me that God created the heavens and the earth.

I'm becoming more aware of the beauty of His creation. But I've become amazed at how easy it can be to go about my day without observing the beauty of His creation ...in the midst of my busyness.

My camera has been getting used more often. However, at the moment I can't locate it since I can't remember which box I packed it in during this move. It's a bit frustrating for me. :(

God is the beginning of my day 98% of the time. The days that I miss even my husband can tell the difference. I do run to Him often throughout my day. He has truly become my peace ...in the midst of uncertainty.

I am created in the image of God. He desires to be in relationship with me. He has chosen me as His own. And He will work in me and through me for His purposes. How amazing is that?

My problem is that I get in His way. I want what I want instead of resting in Him and trusting Him. But I'm slowly learning. And I find that (unfortunately) it often takes trials to learn some of the most important lessons.

If I really reflect on the fact that God created the earth and all that is in it and that He created me to reflect His image, I'm overwhelmed by that. He has given me all I need to live ...a life of love.

Forget about self esteem; I have God esteem. In myself, I am nothing but He in me; wow.

"Elohim God, I praise You as my creator. You are the beginning of all things and I thank you for the beauty of Your creation. I pray that I will become more aware of my surroundings and thank you more often. I thank You for creating me in Your image when I certainly didn't deserve it. But You loved me and I thank you. Amen."

Blessings and love,

I'm still in the midst of moving. As many of you know, this is my year to learn to live fearlessly and to trust and obey God.

I received this Joyful 'toon this morning and thought it was perfect for where I am right now.

I like things to be organized and I can't find anything right now. So, if you think of it would you say a prayer for me? I appreciate it.

Blessings and love,