Grace Notes

I recently heard Philip Yancey discuss being a grace note in other people’s lives. That really hit home with me and could give us all a perspective for reflection. Yancey meant that when we are confronted with some of life’s difficulties (even trivial stuff) we can react with grace becoming not only an example, but also demonstrating love to our neighbors.

The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms defines grace as “unmerited favor”. I love that. I read somewhere that there is a term in music called grace notes and I read a description that it is the most wonderful sound. So what if we all took the challenge to become grace notes to those we interact with?

In 2 Corinthians 4:15 we see; All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Perhaps by being grace notes there is a benefit to others, as well as to us with the glory going to God. Sounds good, but...easier said than done. With all this in mind I began to wonder, do I provide grace notes to those I interact with? Humbly I must answer not very often.

Recently I had the opportunity. I was sitting stopped at a red light in my car, listening to my favorite tune and life was good. All of a sudden someone bumped me from behind. I get out to survey for damage and the truck is still pressed solidly against my bumper. I walk back to the truck and notice a man on his cell phone still talking. He looks at me and says “did I hit you”? I was beside myself and proceed to pretty much scream at him saying yes you hit me!

There was no real damage, but I could have handled it so differently; I never even considered that he could have been getting tragic news on the phone or what kind of day he was having. I could have been a grace note and treated him with unmerited favor causing this man to think just how can you be joyful during a trying time. Perhaps if I had been a grace note in that man's life, then that man would go and act as a grace note in someone else’s life.

Not too graceful, but you know there is hope. Not too long ago I wouldn’t have even given my actions a second thought, but now by the “grace” of God I see my shortcomings and perhaps next time I will provide that grace note for someone else all to the glory of God. Perhaps these grace notes will spread exponentially…just think!

God, thank you for your unmerited favor in our lives; thank you for the transforming grace of Jesus Christ that is marvelous beyond words and may we all begin to act as grace notes in the world!

Grace and Peace!

Stuck

A friend of mine shared a story about one of his grandchildren. It seems as if one of the first words this grandchild learned to say was stuck. It came about as the child learned to crawl. As the crawling became more frequent the child would sometimes get stuck in tight spots. It seems there was no panic, no screaming; the child would just repeat the word stuck until someone would come help; to unstuck the child.

This illustration caused me to think; it caused me to relate this child’s situation to my spiritual life. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel spiritually stuck. Perhaps I should just say stuck until someone comes to unstuck me? Perhaps there is more truth to that than we realize.

Philippians 4:6 reminds us;

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

But sometimes when stuck we don’t know what to pray for, but not to worry as we see in Romans 8:26-27;

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Maybe when we are stuck, the way we ask for help in getting unstuck is through prayer? We pray our way out of stuck and the Holy Spirit is there to help us. While this is pretty simple, can’t it be that simple? While simple it is truly amazing. In our weakness, in our stuckness, even when we don’t know what to pray for God is at work; the spirit intercedes for us. How comforting when I am stuck.

Many years and pounds ago, I played organized basketball. I love to shoot, but there were times when nothing would even come close to going in the basket. I would struggle, with no confidence; I would hesitate, I was uncertain as to what to do with the ball. A wise coach once told me the secret to overcoming a shooting slump was to shoot your way out of it. Don’t hesitate, just keep shooting.

Maybe that is a lesson for us all. Feeling stuck? Keep praying; pray your way our of being stuck.

God, in times of trouble and uncertainty; in times when we don’t even know what to pray for; in times when we feel spiritually stuck, thank you for your spirit to intercede for us and may we all pray our way out of the stuckness.

Grace and Peace!

Welcome Mat

Our business men’s group recently reviewed a tough teaching concerning showing favoritism. We used part of a sermon from Francis Chan to kick it off and we covered James 2:1-13;

1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself,"[a] you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For he who said, "Do not commit adultery,"[b] also said, "Do not murder."[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

This really caused us to stop and think. I began to ask myself is my welcome mat out? In fact in our Churches is our welcome mat out or do we show favoritism? It brought to mind Luke 15:1-2;

1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

Can you see the example that Christ set? He welcomes sinners and eats with them. It seems so obvious, yet can be so hard. As Christians should we offer places of unconditional acceptance; a place of love, family and hope? This reminds me of a story a friend’s pastor told a story to which I have certainly embellished.

Once upon a time there was a fine Church in a fine city. Sunday service was truly a time of worship. The congregation would gather, truly a Church family. One Sunday as the sermon was about to begin, a stranger walks in. He is dressed so differently, with leather pants, jacket and chains. He was wearing a bandanna and proceeded to walk down to the first row (you know the empty one) and sat right in front of the preacher.

Now the preacher notices this man and notices the whispers in the congregation. However, after the sermon the man disappears quickly. Some of the longstanding members of the congregation stopped the preacher to express a little concern over the appearance of the visitor, but there was little to do; probably just a man passing through town.

The next Sunday, the stranger appears again and sits once again in the front row. The preacher can see the stares and whispers. After the sermon, he makes a point to find this man. He tells him how truly glad they are that he found this Church and how welcome he was. He goes on to say that while they are truly happy he is worshipping with them; their Church is a little more conservative and tries to put on their Sunday best for worship. The man looks confused and the preacher advises him to go home and pray about what God would have him wear to Church.

The next Sunday comes and the stranger appears wearing exactly the same thing he always had. The congregation again is staring and the whispers become louder. The preacher is a little more concerned and after the sermon corners the man. He says to the stranger, “I thought you were going to ask God what He would have you wear to our Church”. The stranger answered, “I did”. There was a pause and the preacher finally asked, “Well what did He say?” The stranger hesitated and then humbly said, “He said He didn’t know because He had never been in your Church”.

Humorous? Perhaps, but what a lesson. Friends, is our welcome mat out? Better yet are we out seeking; are we stepping out in faith; outside of our comfort zone to develop relationships?

God, may we all put out the welcome mat of Christ; may we all seek the lost and the lonely; all to your Glory!

Grace and Peace!