The Grace Narrative

Happy Independence Day! What a privilege to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave, aka the USA. As much of a blessing as that is, greater still is the one knowing that our freedom in Christ is secure. This episode seemed like the perfect opportunity to express gratitude for the reality of both of these freedoms in our lives.

Scripture references for today's episode are as follows:

John 8:36, Galatians 5:13, Psalm 68:6, Philippians 4:19, 2 Corinthians 9:8 and Psalm 95:1.

A lesser known but powerful account in scripture has been such an encouragement to me lately to pursue wisdom and to take courage and find boldness in the Lord and obey as He gives me vision in my calling. I love this story! The implication I find is that by the grace of God, He uses the circumstances, history, talents, abilities and suffering in our lives to gift us with wisdom. He wants us to ask him for it and has promised to grant it. There is great hope to be found as we pursue wisdom.

We think that we are only influenced by what we noticeably decide, but we also give permission to be influenced by what we default to. It's amazing how subtle influences take over. It's very easy to do in today's culture with unlimited access to so many people and ideas. While I'd like to think that most of my influences come from sources that are aligned with my values, I'm discovering that there is a deeper level of intention I need if that's going to be the case. It needs to be a process of conscious curation.

Despite our best efforts to avoid stress, it shows up anyway. I'm learning that as important as it is to be able to walk through it and deal with it without going under, it is equally as important to pause and process during and after - to recover and learn from it. I think one of the best questions we can ask at a time like this is, "What do we learn about God and his desire to form Christ in us?" In this episode, we'll talk about the truths we learn in a stressful season and the gift they bring when we take the time to reflect on the evidence of God's grace.

In this episode we are going to talk about following through to release damaging practices/habits/or thought patterns in order to see a positive growth in our lives. If you listened to Ep.128 you know that we discussed the first 2 steps of the Keep and Release strategy as a way to focus our new year energy into sustainable change. Today we are talking about step 3 in this process, so let's dive right in!

In this season when we lean into both reflection and forward thinking, I think it's important to not get too complicated and overwhelm ourselves with "new year, new me" energy. You've learned some stuff these past 12 months that has already changed you for the better! Of course, we want to continue to make positive changes, but we also want that change to be SUSTAINABLE. Today we discuss the KEEP and RELEASE practice that I've found to be an uplifting, grace-filled approach that takes advantage of the new year energy without weighing me down with unrealistic goals and standards that will never last.

It brings me great joy to be able to share about grace, especially this time of year. Christmas is upon us! Lately, I've been challenged to really look at that FIRST Christmas with fresh eyes. It's been interesting that my side hustle and my Advent study came together in a unique way to help me receive truth and I'm excited to share that truth with you in these next few minutes we have together.

I pray this Thanksgiving is a time for you to join in with purpose to the things Ps. 145 encourages us to do:

• Meditate on the wonders of God
• To declare His greatness in trust
• Remember His goodness and righteousness and share it with others

May the discipline of remembering help you embrace God's way in the everyday.

"Father, we break ties with fake thanks and we choose gratitude as spiritual warfare. Give us eyes to see and mouths that speak life, praise, truth, and grace." -Jess Connolly

I think the reason I love that prayer so much is that I believe praise for the character of God and recognition of his truth, can be POWERFUL in overcoming the hopelessness and defeat that the devil tries to use to overwhelm our souls. When I reflect on the blessings from the hand of God in the life I'm living, I noticed an undeniable fact that is like a continuous thread running through every single part - and that is that He is a God of mercy and love- He always has been and always will be. Reflect and rejoice with me in the truth of Ps. 118 "His love never quits".

This is the rest of my conversation with my friend and artist Terri Shown. I'm glad to hear that so many of you enjoyed the first part in Ep. 123! Today is the icing on the cake as we finish exploring this specific kind of renewal. We talk about different creative types and there are more stories and more authentic examples of how each one of us is called to create. You're gonna love it so let's jump right in!