2014. Grace and Peace to you.

PEACE. It's there at the beginning of NINETEEN of the books of the New Testament. Almost always alongside it's best friend Grace. Over and over and over again it's declared: Grace and peace to you!

Peace. If I've ever had a "holy grail", it's PEACE. I have longed for it, searched for it, dreamt about it, schemed about contriving it, cried over not having it... but it has eluded me in many ways for many, many years. You have to know, though, that I'm not talking about peace in my relationships with people. Sure, I like it when my kids are all happy and when my hubby and I are laughing together. (Who wouldn't?) But being the good middle-child that I am, I've always been pretty good at making people happy and keeping the peace. Everywhere, that is, except inside my own heart and mind.

That's why when I started to sense that 2014 was supposed to be about peace I hesitated to embrace it. Why, you might ask, if that's all I've ever wanted? Well. For nineteen years now (yes, I'm also noticing this is the second reference to "19" I've made in this post.) I've been choosing a new word for my new year. I don't even know how it started, I just remember back in 1995 wanting to learn more about grace. I didn't really understand it and wanted to. So my New Year's tradition of picking a new word to study for the year was born. Since 1995, I have picked a variety of words (some that I loved, some that I was scared of, some I've forgotten, some I've remembered) and often they became my wrestling partner for the year. This last year my word was "Alegría" (Spanish for joy, happiness, and/or gladness) and as happened often in years past I found myself in December saying "OK, Lord. Our time is almost up. Am I ever going to get this or not???" The quick end of that story is that YES, God indeed tied 2013 up with a bow of alegría - but my point is that it took much of the year to learn the lessons.

So when considering choosing (or accepting?) PEACE as my word for 2014, there was some fear that it would mean wrestling with peace all year - or practically declaring it would be a year of struggling with peace. And I don't want that. I mean, I've had enough of that already and sometimes it seems safer to leave well (or not well) enough alone rather than actually intentionally wrestling with it. Or wrestling with myself. 

But there was no other word. Peace beckoned. Peace wooed. Peace won. And I believe my Prince of Peace has whispered to my heart that this year will be different. He is offering peace and it is mine for the taking and I don't have to wrestle with it for a year first. (And really, I already KNOW I'm going to need it this year in extra measure.) So I have accepted the offer. And I think instead of a wrestling match, this year is going to be more of a dance. I might not be much of a dancer and will probably trip and step on God's toes a lot as we do this, but we're doing it anyway.

19 years.

19 words.

Starting with Grace and finally coming around to Peace. 

Sounds perfect to me.

"Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace) and be thankful." ~Colossians 3:15 NET

I make no promises, but do hope to be back here more often this year to share what I'm finding. : ) Do you have a word for 2014? I'd love to hear what it is!

Grace and peace to you, friends.

~Melissa

(Oh and by the way. Photo credit for that awesome flower picture goes to my brilliant daughter. Isn't she amazing?)

Linking up with faithbarista.com : )

Gracias...

I have just a couple more thoughts to share about grace.  Remember a few days ago when I started talking about thanksgiving being connected with awareness of grace?  It made me notice for the first time (since my first Spanish lesson back in 1984) that the word in Spanish for THANK YOU is GRACIAS.  And in case you don't speak Spanish or see the connection...  Gracia is the Spanish word for GRACE.  So basically, every time I am thanking someone in Spanish, I am acknowledging grace.  I think that's pretty neat.  : )

And here's the last thing I have to say (for now) about God's grace:  

God's GRACE gets the LAST WORD!  

Do you know what the last verse in the entire Bible says?  It's Revelation 22:21.  "The GRACE of the Lord Jesus be with God's people.  Amen."  : )  And that just makes me smile.  To know that in the end, there is God's grace shown to us through Jesus Christ.  No matter what else happens.  No matter how many times I mess up.  No matter how many times I think things depend on me instead of on God.  No matter what, He who began the good work in me will be faithful to complete it.  Because I have chosen to entrust my life and heart to Him, His grace will get the last word in my life.

Gracias, Señor.

Day 13

Before the Throne of Grace

A couple of Septembers ago, I was in awe of the invitation God gives us - to approach God's throne of grace boldly!  Back in the Old Testament times, if the High Priest entered behind the curtain into the Most Holy Place, he had to carry burning incense with him so the smoke would conceal the atonement cover (aka mercy seat) of the ark where God's presence rested - OR HE WOULD DIE.  Wow. (Leviticus 16:12-13)  

I have always been moved by what God did when Jesus died on the cross for us - that He reached down from heaven and tore that curtain in two from top to bottom!  To go from "you can't come in here or you'll die" to an open invitation is stunning.  God has shown me the reason it means so much to me is because more than anything else, I long for intimacy with God.  I don't always realize that's what I am longing for, but it's there at the bottom of it all.  And the curtain being torn is my invitation to intimacy with my Savior and King.  Wow.

So, that September, I was feeling like I would love to write a song about it but couldn't figure out even where to start.  Then God gently suggested that I start with some of His words.  Aaahhh...  of course.  Hebrews 2:15; 3:1; 4:14-16; 10:19-23; 13:5-6; Micah 7:18; Eph. 2:4-5... 

And the song was born.  

BEFORE THE THRONE OF GRACE  (click here to listen to it)

We have a great high priest

Jesus Christ, the Son of God

He came from heaven to earth

He knows our struggles and how weak we are

Yet He was without sin

And through His body, invites us in

CH:     Let us come before the throne, the throne of grace

With confidence before our God

Let us boldly approach the throne of grace

With confidence before our King  (1^st time, go to V2)

To receive mercy and find grace

To help us in our time of need

You offer mercy, You pour out your grace

You always help us in our time of need

So let us draw near to God

With sincere hearts, full of faith

Guilty consciences clean

Captives set free from the power of death!

Hold onto your hope (hold on to your faith)

God our Father is faithful!

BR:                 So we say with confidence

“The Lord is our helper.”

He will never leave us

We will not be afraid.

God, You delight in mercy

By your grace we are saved!

We will fix our thoughts on You

For You have called us by name

To receive mercy…  etc…

(So I cry)  Lord, have mercy on me!

Hebrews 2: 15; 3:1; 4:14-16; 10:19-23; 13:5-6 ; Micah 7:18  ; Eph. 2:4-5 

Song by Melissa Ens

9.12.09

Day 12

Grace With My Name On It

Well, I've made it to Day 11!  I've never, ever blogged this many days in a row before (or even close to it!) so this feels like an accomplishment of some kind.  I've noticed so far is that it's been a good thing.  There have been several times that I've written something and really needed to hold on to it the next day or two.  Or even just thinking about how I would explain something has helped me find some truth.  I have been blessed by remembering to accept and cry out for God's grace.  I have discovered anew why so often in scripture Grace and Peace are together.  When I accept God's grace, peace follows.  

It's neat to think that God has special grace just for me.  If his grace is given for specific tasks and callings, then there is some grace specifically for me and the calling He has on my life and the tasks He's given me.  Today.  Right now.  There is grace just for me to raise my kids in the middle of MAJOR change.  There is grace for my marriage in this brand new season.  There is grace to help me accept a messy house that is messy because I spent hours this week doing my new job instead of my old job.  There is grace for me when I'm tired and discouraged.  Grace just for me.  There is grace for me when my spirit is weary and burdened and hungry and thirsty.  There is a throne of grace I can boldly come to because I need God's help.  Because I need God.

And how sad does it make Him when I am tired and won't rest or hungry and won't eat what He offers?  Lord, I choose to rest in You and accept Your grace - the grace You offer to me - grace with my name on it. Thank you for teaching me in a whole new way what it means to let Your grace and peace rule in my heart. (Col 3:15) May your peace reign in me and as it reigns in me, may it reign in my relationships.  We were called to peace.  Thank you...

Day 11

Grace Like Butterscotch Caramel Cheesecake

OK.  So maybe you're still saying to yourself, "Well, that sounds just great!  But I still don't exactly understand what grace is, let alone how I get it!"  How about some official definitions?  Merriam-Webster says it's "unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification" or "approval [or] favor".  Dictionary.com says it's "1. elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.  2.  a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment. 3.  favor or good will."  Strong's concordance defines the Greek word "charis" as "1) grace  1a) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech  2) good will, loving-kindness, favour."

There.  Does that help?  Not really?  Turns out that defining grace is a little bit like defining love.  We pretty much know what it is, but putting it into words is really, really hard.  I really hope I'm not declaring something not true here, but this is how I understand it...

The way a mother feels about her baby when it is born and snuggling in her arms would probably be described as love.  But everything that mom does for that baby is GRACE.  One of the keys is that GRACE IS NOT EARNED.  It might not even be logical!  Mercy is when punishment deserved is withheld.  Grace is everything given even though it isn't deserved or earned or merited.  

Everybody loves chocolate.  But I happen to also love CARAMEL.  MMmmmm....  Especially when you start talking about Mrs. Richardson's butterscotch caramel.  Give me some ice cream with Mrs. R's on it or some of my Grandma Krause's cheesecake and I'll be a happy, happy camper.  (Ooh!  Or put some of the caramel ON the cheesecake!)  (You'd think I was fasting from sweets or something...)  Anyway, I do have a point.  If you asked me to choose between my Grandma's cheesecake and a bowl of tapioca pudding, there would be no question what I'd choose.  (The cheesecake!)  BECAUSE I highly favor the cheesecake!

Now.  Did the cheesecake or caramel do anything to earn my favor?  No.  I just love them.  : )  And God just loves you.  He loves everyone.  We're all His favorites!  : )  So just like I would take care of a cheesecake put in my care, He takes care of us because He not only loves us, but He even likes us!  He can't help it!  And everything He does for us because of His love for us is GRACE.  I think Grace is His love in action.  Grace is what love does.  

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  Amen."  (Philippians 4:23)

And amen.  : )

Day 10

Now, that's GRACE!

These two verses are probably my 2 favorites about grace.  2 Corinthians 9:8  "And God is able to make ALL grace abound to you so that in ALL things at ALL times having ALL that you need you will ABOUND in EVERY good thing."  This is so cool!  Do you see all of those "ALL's"???  It does not say that He will sometimes give us some of what we need so that we might barely be able to survive.  We are more than conquerors, friend - ALL. THE. TIME!  And that word "abound"?  The Greek word there means “to exceed a fixed number of measure, to be left over and above a certain number or measure.”  Think Jesus feeding the 5000 and having leftovers!  That's what abound means!  : )  I want that!!!  I love that!!!  

I remember one time asking God why I wasn't feeling very satisfied if His grace was so abundant and He showed me a picture of someone (ummm... I think it was me) sitting at a huge, overflowing banquet table and that person (ahem...  I mean I) was complaining about being hungry.  And God said "It's because you're not eating!!!"  Everything I need has already been given me through Jesus.  I just need to walk in it!  

2nd:  God’s GRACE is SUFFICIENT. 2 Cor.  12:9 says “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”   I'm so tempted to type in all caps and size 40 font here so you could really hear me.  Get this:  The word there for "sufficient" doesn't just mean "enough".  That word means to be POSSESSED with UNFAILING STRENGTH.  God's grace is unfailingly strong for me and you, friend.  UNFAILINGLY.  And that word at the end for "rest" is about taking residence or abiding.  So I'll gladly say I am WEAK and need God's strength tonight and tomorrow and forever because without Him I CAN DO NOTHING.  I will gladly boast about my weaknesses because I want God's power to take up residence in me!  And as long as I depend on myself, I won't be depending on God's power.  Oh, why do I forget that?  Why is it still my first reflex to think I can handle something?  I still have so much to learn.

I want to leave you with this picture.  God's grace is NOT "enough" or "sufficient" or "abundant" like a cup or pitcher filled to the top with water.  It is like this:

(If you're reading this in a reader, PLEASE click over to watch the video if you can't open it!)

And when I start to feel like I can't do it anymore, (likely that will be tomorrow sometime) I'm praying God reminds me (like He's been doing lately!) of what I wrote here - that He will allow me to picture myself standing at the base of this huge waterfall holding out an empty cup crying out to Him saying "I can't do this, God!  I don't have enough strength!" and that I'll hear Him saying right back to me, "What?  I can't hear you!  My GRACE is too loud!"  And that I'll let myself laugh at the ridiculousness of thinking I could ever exhaust His strength or His grace.  And I'll  toss my measly cup into the froth and jump in and get washed away by His love, His mercy...  and His amazing, astounding grace.

Day 9

Grace Upon Grace

I really need this truth tonight, so I'm glad I said I was going to write more about God's grace.  Today has been one of those days when I haven't felt as productive, effective, organized, joyful or whatever as I wanted to be.  I'm fighting feeling overwhelmed by lots of little things and important people that are waiting for my attention. (At least, I think they are.)  It feels, once again, impossible.  So it's a good time to remember what God says about His grace and me.  And contrary to my usual way of wanting to over-analyze and elaborate on every little detail, I'm just going to get straight to the points and leave it at that.


"GRACE and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 1:2)   That greeting or a similar version of it is used in the New Testament SEVENTEEN TIMES.    And it means God's grace and it's sister peace are FOR ME.

God’s GRACE was announced by the ANGELS when Jesus WAS BORN!  (Luke 2:14)  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."  (Undeserved favor is what grace is all about!)

God’s GRACE is GLORIOUS and given to us FREELY.  (Eph. 1:6)  vs. 4-6 “For He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of His glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”

God’s GRACE is LAVISHED on us.  (Eph. 1:7-8)  “In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

God’s GRACE SAVES US through FAITH in Jesus.  (Eph. 2:8) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…”     

God’s GRACE is AVAILABLE to us because of God’s great love for us.  (Ephesians 2:4-5) “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions –it is by grace you have been saved.”

God’s GRACE is incomparably RICH.  (Eph. 2:7)  “in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

God’s GRACE is given to us for SPECIFIC TASKS.  (I Peter 4:10)  “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in it’s various forms.”  (Eph 3:2-8)  “Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ...”

God’s GRACE EMPOWERS us to do God’s will.  (Eph. 4:7)   “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”  

God’s GRACE is given to the HUMBLE.  (James 4:6)  “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:  "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

God’s GRACE frees us from the POWER of SIN.  (Romans 6:14)  “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.”

God’s GRACE HELPS us in our time of need.  (Hebrews 4:16)  “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

God’s GRACE gives us eternal ENCOURAGEMENT and good HOPE.  (2 Thess. 2:16-17)  “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”

There's more...  but that already seems like too much, so I'm going to stop.  This is all from our women's retreat a couple of years ago, so don't think I did all this studying today.  : )  But I saved my favorite parts yet, so there's even better stuff coming.  And now I think I'm going to go spend a little time at the throne of grace because I need some mercy and help and encouragement and hope...  And I know that's where I'll find it.

To the praise of His glorious grace!  : )

Day 8

Saying Thanks... Saying Grace...

GRACE.  Oh, what a loaded word that is for me at this point in my life.  Loaded in the most wonderful way.  Loaded, not like a gold mine but like a super high class jewelry store.  : )

Colossians 3:15-17 has some neat jewels I discovered last week.  V. 15 says to be thankful.  V. 16 talks about singing to God with gratitude in our hearts.  V. 17 says whatever we do, to do it in Jesus' name, giving thanks to God.  Do you see those 3 words?  Guess what!?!  Let me be a teacher for just a minute and give you a Kindergarten version Greek lesson.


In V 15 - the word for thankful in Greek is eucharistos and it means "mindful of favors, grateful, thankful."
In V 16 - the word for gratitude in Greek is charis and it actually means "grace"!
In V 17 - the word for thanks in Greek is eucharisteo and it means "to be grateful, to feel thankful, to give thanks."

Both of the words in Vs. 15 & 17 come from that root word "charis" (in V. 16) which is the normal New Testament word for grace.  GRACE.  Being thankful and grateful is what happens when we realize we've been blessed or when someone gives us a gift or shows us any kind of grace.

So when I look at those verses with those definitions in mind, to me it means something like this:

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  AND REMEMBER THE GRACE YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly... as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs WITH A HEART GRATEFULLY AWARE OF GOD'S GRACE.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, REJOICING IN THE GRACE GOD HAS GIVEN YOU THROUGH CHRIST.

When I forget to remember just how much God has done for me and all He has given me by His grace, my spirit starts to wilt.  But when I remember what I know about His grace and the power there is in His grace, my spirit starts to soar.  And I remember I can do all things through Christ.  I am more than a conqueror.  The very power that brought Jesus back from the dead is alive and at work in me!  If my God is for me, who can stand against me?!?  And I get all fired up and ready to take on the day again.  And want to keep talking and writing about His amazing grace again.

And I probably will again tomorrow...  Because I don't think I've ever really blogged about all the cool stuff God taught me a couple of years ago about His grace.  And I think it's time!

Day 7

Knowing Grace

I wrote on Saturday about our crazy day and how thankful I found myself in the middle of it.  The crazy continued Sunday when Mik and I left a concert late last night to discover we had a flat tire.  Again I was thankful for God's provision of friends who were there still and could help us out.  We were late getting home, but we made it - without even any tears.  : )

But all of the stress started to get to me a bit today.  Mostly because I was thinking about our landlord coming over and seeing the mess our place was and the body shop and tire shop guys and our friends last night seeing how messy our van was.  I recognized finally that shame was nagging at me.  And I couldn't put my finger on what the antidote to shame was.  I know that when I'm tempted to feel sorry for myself it's good to choose to be thankful.  But what do I do when I'm feeling ashamed?  And perhaps more importantly, what do I encourage others to do with their shame?

None of the Bible verses I found seemed to be what I was looking for.  But I did find something that is fascinating me.  One of the definitions for "shame" is "disgrace."  DisGRACE.

Could it be that the antidote to shame is simply God's GRACE???

More thoughts about God's grace and peace and thankfulness coming tomorrow...

In the meantime, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..." (Colossians 3:15)

Day 6