Waves of Grace

Romans 5:1-2  "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God."

It's one of those news days...breaking news, historical news, world events and change.

Sunbathers in Tunisia, their beach towels soaked in blood, a mosque in Kuwait blew up and something happened in France...

Washington D.C. glows like Skittles, a rainbow decision.


A dangerous, escaped prisoner, maybe two soon, brought down.

A flag may no longer fly in the South.

A President sings "Amazing Grace" before a grieving city, a city that knows these words by heart for many decades.

And I reel it back in to my little circle.

Should I get a new swimsuit and try out the pool? Should I let another summer go by without the refreshment of a swim?

I retook my driver's test after missing one-too-many the first time around for a renewal I had let slide. I can proudly say I am legit now.

I have big lizards in my yard.  They're pretty cool.

I live...I mean love, the pictures on social media, of every one's vacations to wonderful places,  and then there is Pinterest.

My tomatoes are doing well;  my peppers not so much.

I can't go to Disneyland now until late August.

Did I use too much water today?

I'm looking for that bright yellow, black-winged oriole (I think) to come back in my yard long enough to get a picture. I've seen him twice, swooping in for a drink of water.

This is what he looks like!  

And then there are the prayers for my outer circle:  A third job lay-off,  an abusive ex., two young mothers and their addictions, prodigal adult children, debt, cystic fibrous, cancer, depression, suicide, pain and recovery, chronic disease.

...and the President sings "Amazing Grace..."

 I have it... and I know it... and I live it... and I cherish it!

Only because He Gave It!  God,  through His Son deemed it so for this broken world. I believe. I read His unchanging Word.

And I need to give more of it. Be it. 

For the little circle ripples out to the bigger circle, whether a boulder hits the surface or a pebble.

Waves hit the shore, from sea to shining sea.  My water fountain for the birds ripples in the winds of change. God so loved the world...

Amazing Grace Lord, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. 

Waves of Grace, wash my eyes out to see more of You in all my circles. For you friend, I pray for peace, love, compassion, healing, provision and protection. I wish for you to know Amazing Grace and seek His purpose within your own circle. May God not hide His face from us, but empower us to be salt and light. Amen.

Casting Crowns: If We Ever Need You Lord 

Finding the Pass

 Job 9:5a  "It is God who removes the mountains; they know not how..."

They call it "Capital Hill," but it seems like Mt. Everest. Today, as I write this, the U.S. Government is closed, furloughed, shut down, unplugged, somewhat dysfunctional. 

In the U.S. of A., we embrace a democratic system of government, set up by our forefathers in the Constitution with checks and balances. One branch of government should not become more powerful then another and accountability to constituents is paramount. 

In this age with instant communication in technology, real words of exchange are lost in a cave of ego.  Harmony packed up his belongings, shut off his utilities, grabbed his passport and sailed away to some island in the middle of nowhere. Impasse moved in, set up shop, ordered Chinese take-out, and sent the kids to grandma's. 

Compromise...Harmony, Peace, where are you guys?  

Possibly hanging out with Wisdom, in the realm of the Almighty.

I am sure there are some representitives who bow there heads and call on God to deliver this country. I am sure that there are some representitives who will be in tomorrow's headlines and scandal sheets for their "tweets or vines."  Which one will be immortalized in the history books? 

Everyday I say the Pledge of Allegiance in my 3rd period class. Usually, myself and the teacher are the only ones articulating every word. Most students barely utter. 

One nation, under God...indivisible...

INDIVISIBLE?????

The government is divided by a mountain of uncertainty, greed, debt, pride, rhetoric and waste. I love my country, I truly do. It is beautiful, full of heroes, and diverse. I still believe one can achieve thier dreams and that opportunity exists, God willing, with perserverance and faith. 

Return to Me, scriptures say, and I will heal your land. 

May this be our prayer in every utterance. 

Heavenly Father, giver of life, liberty, and the ability to pursue Your goodness, I pray for the senators, the congressmen, our President. I ask you Father to grant wisdom to those who call on Your Name in Washington D.C. I pray for peace, for fair negotiations and a quick solution. I pray for Your protection as many continue to feel hopeless. Open a pass through the rockslide of legislation to a clear view of a meadow where a deer pants for the water, American Souls longing to return to You. May our passions lie not in our "party," but in ideals like unity, truth, justice, freedom, and compassion and may that shine a beacon of Hope onto Capital Hill. Let us once again be a  government who embraces the motto, "In God We Trust." Amen.