God,

The challenge ends!

2:06:00 PM Unknown 3 Comments

My challenge has continued but I am finding that it is particularly difficult to manage my time so I am officially ending my challenge after 15 days, but I plan to remember the lessons of I have learned and I planned to show Grace and mercy throughout my day and throughout my life. I feel this challenge has given me softness and compassion I didn’t know I needed, I am more appreciative of people and my life. I thank God for this challenge and I thank God for all he does for me and for everyone. This journey has only started, my eyes are opened and my Grace walk will continue. The last challenges went well I got my mom on a waiting list and hopefully see will she her doctor soon and I'm planning on apologize to my Uncle to keep family peace. I feel I have this quite comfort inside of me, and I pray that God continually shows me ways to be more graceful. This started as a whim and end with a wow!


God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

As it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

If I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

And supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.



Amen.

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challenge,

22 Days Left The Challenge Goes On!

11:02:00 PM Unknown 1 Comments


Sorry it has been a while since my last update on the Grace challenge. I am finding this more challenging then I thought but challenging ourselves is how we enhanced ourselves and I am feeling increasing joy from this challenge and I do believe I am becoming a nicer person and I progressively more benevolent; so all in all this challenge is proving to do good in my life and hopefully in others as well. Back to my challenges, my day of appreciation went favourably l, I found the more grateful I was the more people did for me and they happier they seemed. I asked my husband is a nonchalant way if saying the word “I would appreciate if you did...” or “thank-you I am grateful for what you did” made a difference in how he felt and he stated that everybody likes to feel they are appreciated and it does encourage you to do better quality of work. I also found the best part about saying thank-you I appreciate what you did is people seem to beam from the inside when you said those words, I do believe I am going to try and incorporate expressing my appreciation in the future it is such a simple way to begin to make the world a better place and even baby steps make a difference. So for two more challenges for Wednesday and Thursday I am going to so an enemy kindness a gift of mercy and give someone the gift of time. “God has given me this day to use it as I will. I can waste it - or use it for good, but what I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.!” [Heartsill Wilson]


Prayer for Mercy



Help me Jesus, that what I ask of You - I will give to others - Mercy, both in deed and word

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge others, but always look for what is beautiful and good in my neighbour



Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to others' needs and not be indifferent to their pain



Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak wrongly of others, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all



Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds so that I may do only good to others and try to take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks



Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist others, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness with Your love and mercy.



Amen



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25 Days Left, Let's show Thanks Today

9:36:00 AM Unknown 2 Comments

Before I begin I want to let everyone know that my Aunt has contacted my Sister and next Saturday we are all meeting for coffee, maybe after 13 years we can start to rebuild our relationship, I will pray and let you know how our visit goes.
For this challenge I was really unsure of what I was going to do in till the moment I did it. What I should do for my act of grace came upon me at Wal-Mart when I was in the checkout I was waiting for my turn and noticed the cashier was the attractive 20 something girl and she had old scars up her arm that look as if she had been a cutter at one point and she has this look if sorrow in her eyes. But in despite of her sad appearance she was an excellent cashier friendly, efficient, she packed the grocery amazing and overall a good cashier. So I said to myself I am going to call and tell her manger. So when I got home I called that Wal-Mart and at first they assumed I wanted to tell them something bad, I guess most people only call when they have something imperfect to tell, but imagine their surprise when I went on a rant about how amazing this cashier was, they assured me that they would let her know and I hope they do. It is amazing how being appreciated and noticed can make people happy and I hope my comment made her cheery. Sometimes when people are in poor sprite just a simple comment of “thank-you I appreciated that” can make a big difference! This lead to today’s challenge I want you to tell people throughout the day that you appreciated them; old, young, child, husband, wife, everyone; even if they do something for you and in your opinion did it badly still tell them and witness the power you have to make small positive changes in others lives that takes little or no time to you but makes a world of a difference to them!

Gracious God, in the busy-ness of my day, I sometimes forget to stop to thank you for all that is good in my life.







My blessings are many and my heart is filled with gratefulness for the gift of living, for the ability to love and be loved, for the opportunity to see the everyday wonders of creation, for sleep and water, for a mind that thinks and a body that feels.






I thank you, too, for those things in my life that are less than I would hope them to be. Things that seem challenging, unfair, or difficult. When my heart feels stretched and empty, and pools of tears form in my weary eyes, still I rejoice that you are as near to me as my next breath and that in the midst of turbulence, I am growing and learning.






In the silence of my soul, I thank you most of all for your unconditional and eternal love.






Amen.

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26 Days this Challenge not so good!!

9:44:00 PM Unknown 2 Comments

Regrettably I was unable to keep this challenge due to the manager of the nursing home wasn`t there, so I will try later and update you. The next Grace challenge is wild card. Pray and do what God tells you to do, he will guide you. All of us are in different places in our lives but pray for grace and God will show you what to do, even small acts make a difference.




O Lord, you have searched me out and known me;



you know my sitting down and my rising up;



you discern my thoughts from afar.



You mark out my journeys and my resting place



and are acquainted with all my ways.



Where can I go then from your spirit?



Or where can I flee from your presence?



If I take the wings of the morning



and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,



Even there your hand shall lead me,



your right hand hold me fast.

PSALM 139

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Aunt,

27 Days Left

10:20:00 PM Unknown 2 Comments

For my third challenge I contacted my aunt who I haven't talked to for 13 years, other members of my family have tried to fix the relationship but I have not. I thought that she was the one who cut off all contact, so if she wanted to reunite our relationship then she would make the first move, but as an act of grace I emailed her and invited her to my Valentine’s Day party on Saturday. As of today I have not heard anything back from her so I don't have a lot to report, but I do feel good that I contacted her. Forgiveness has a way of washing your soul and spirit and making you feel uplifted. I hope she reaches back because mended fences are better than broken ones. I will update you later when I have more information. The next challenge is I want you to call your local nursing home and set up a time to be a friendly visitor, if you can go visit tomorrow then even better and try to pick a patient that doesn’t receive a lot of visitors. Good Luck and God Bless.


Loving God ,

there are times in each life

when there is no one .

no one with whom to share

a word ,

a laugh ,

a sad remembrance ,

a gentle touch ,

a fond embrace ,

a kiss of love .

bless each one who suffers

from such loneliness .

enrich life with a friend

or gentle stranger

who will spend a moment

noticing

and loving .

in those times

Your love shines through ,

the world is reborn ,

and Christ is known .

so be it !

amen .

by Vienna Cobb Anderson

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blessing,

28 Days Left and Lesson to be learned

8:26:00 PM Unknown 2 Comments

Challenge number two done, 28 days to go!!! For this challenge I thought I would be friend a man I see walking every day, always alone and always at the same time. I thought this would be rather effortless because I know when he is out walking and he always looks friendly, but to my shock he wasn’t there today and in a mystified I said to God “now what”? But God always has a plan and after that unfortunate incident I went to my Mom’s and as I was driving there I passed by a little white and blue house. Since I can remember the same lady has lived there “the Cat Lady” is what we as children so fondly called her and we all believed she was the town witch!! And if any of you have ever lived in a small town you know that every town has a town witch, and she was ours. Now as an adult I don’t believe in witches anymore but still she is out of the ordinary. So as I passed by that house I got a feeling that she was the person I was to befriend, the nobody, and I said to God “really?” I have never even been close to her front for the fear of being turned into a rat or frog or something, but God replied “Yes” So my rational side of me knew that this lady was just a quiet outsider, not a witch just a regular human, so I took a deep breath and put my foot on her property. As I knocked on the door I felt almost certain that when she opened the door she would turn me into a frog or maybe steal my bones right from out of my skin leaving me a helpless pile of skin, I could hear my heart racing in my ears, but I knocked and waited and when she opened the door, she didn’t steal my bones she was just a regular lady. So I said to her my named and I told her that I have lived in this town my whole life and it occurred to me that we have never met and I gave her a small heart shaped dish full of cinnamon hearts. She looked at me with bright blue eyes, that were gentle and thoughtful and through her wrinkles and bushy hair you could see that this is kind person. She smiled and told me “My name is Glenda...nice to meet you.” And in my head I laughed thinking like the good witch. I walked away from that house no longer afraid, and I hoped that today would remain a wonderful day and full of blessings for this lady that the world has forgotten!! This challenge was a delightful challenge that brought me back in time and it let me see how harsh children can be and how as adults at times we hold on to our childhood notions and those notions may hold us back from making wonderful connections!! So this leads to Challenge number three: Make contact with a person that you have lost contact with and that you may blame for this relationship dissolving.


Lord Jesus, you are the source of all love and goodness. You have created us to love and be loved and you have given us our family, friends and loved ones to experience this love. I come to you now humbly asking for healing as I suffer now because of a broken relationship. Grant me, Lord, the grace of true forgiveness, to let go of all my bitterness, anger and buried resentments and choose to forgive even if it hurts. I ask that you grant me the grace of humility to ask forgiveness, too, for my own mistakes and for patience and perseverance to keep on in this journey towards reconciliation despite the challenges and trials along the way. Lord, you know all things, you can do all things and you love me as you also love (name of person). Touch our heart with your power that can heal all damaged relationships and bring reconciliation realizing the importance of being at peace with ourselves and others. Let all blaming ease and let each person see things from your point of view and through your eyes of love. Let your love break down all dividing walls and barriers, restore this damaged relationship and lead us to seek and follow your will and divine plan for our lives. Let joy rest in our hearts once again.


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29 days,

29 Days Left

3:36:00 PM Unknown 2 Comments

Challenge number one done, 29 days left! For my First Grace challenge I made homemade bread for this man in my town. His story is a heartbreaking story, he was a master electrician and when I say master he was the best in his trade. The word on the street was he could do anything with electricity he had a God given talent. So he started a company became a millionaire and then sorrowfully threw it all away for alcohol. In 20 years he went from a respectable member of the community to a miserable alcoholic. His millions gone long ago and now he lives with numerous cats in a small run downed trailer that should be condemned. He has no friends, no family; he looks like skin and bones. His attire is dirty, torn, and has a pungent aroma of cat pee. He has created a gloomy life for himself and people don’t care, he caused all his troubles and people have no sympathy for him. When I was thinking about this challenge he was the first person that came to my mind, so I made him bread and my husband remarked “but he is a stranger!” I replied with a crooked smile “I know.” He gave me a sideways glance like your peculiar, but I’m use to that I am sure hubby thinks I am a little eccentric most of the time, but walking away shaking his head with a smile he said “ He will really like that”. Furthermore, I was met by many demons during this challenge. The demon fear was the chief demon, I was fearful people and this stranger would think I was senseless, I could hear the devil in my ear whispering “You’re not helping....he will laugh.” But I pushed those thoughts away and in spite of fear I completed my challenge and I hope that this cheerless man has a better day today and knows someone has noticed him. After completing this challenge I experienced no life changes but I feel I am thinking and looking for ways I can show Grace and Mercy and that is a start for a better life and world. So I know all you are sitting with enthusiasm on the edge of your seat waiting for the next challenge so wait no more tomorrow’s challenge is... befriend a “nobody”, look around and find that person that is always around but alone and no one ever notices them they are the invisible part of the world, do something to show friendship and help make them feel loved and that they belong.

I am bending my knee

In the eye of the Father who created me,

In the eye of the Son who died for me,

In the eye of the Spirit who cleansed me,

In love and desire.

Pour down upon us from heaven

The rich blessing of Thy forgiveness;

Thou who art uppermost in the City,

Be Thou patient with us.

Grant to us, Thou Saviour of Glory,

The fear of God, the love of God, and His affection,

And the will of God to do on earth at all times

As angels and saints do in heaven;

Each day and night give us Thy peace.

Each day and night give us Thy peace.

Ancient Celtic prayer collected by Alexander Carmichael (1832-1912), published in Carmina Gadelica (Edinburgh: Floris Books, 1992). These are prayers, hymns, and incantations collected in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland in the 18th century.

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blessing,

The Proposal

3:28:00 PM Unknown 2 Comments

Today in church we were learning about grace, and the message made me think what is grace? and that if we are made by Christ to be like Christ then we all have it in us to show Grace and mercy regularly; but how many of us do? The Biblical definition of Grace is the unearned gift the Father gives his children, and likewise the Webster dictionary defines Graces as a capacity to tolerate, accommodate, or forgive people, and the infinite love, mercy, favour, and goodwill shown to humankind by God. Also other words for Grace are: mercy which is kindness or forgiveness shown especially to somebody a person has power over, benevolence is the duty to do good by others, blessing which is help believed to come from God, and charity which is the impartial love of other people and the voluntary provision of money, materials, or help to people in need. Therefore Grace’s is the duty to do good, show tolerance, forgive, show impartial love and help others in need even if it is unearned. We have been saved by God’s Grace as pointed out in Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us."And Eph.2 8, 9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” God has given us this unmerited gift of life and continually shows us Grace by giving us blessings when we repeatedly are undeserving of them. Thomas Watson said "How many steps may a man take in the way to the kingdom of God, and yet miss it?" This is true how often we have lost our way, but God by grace shows us the way back. We have Christ in us and we were made in his image, then shouldn’t we try to live like Christ? And if God shows us Grace and Mercy day after day then isn’t our obligation to show our Grace and Mercy to all people? And if everyone made an effort to show Mercy and Grace habitually then wouldn’t our world be a better place? In the Bible there are scripture saying we should live with grace, for instance: Luke 6: 35-36 “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never – I promise – regret it. Live out this God created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you are kind.” And Romans 12: 14-21 “Bless your enemies; [...] get along with each other; don’t be stuck up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody. Don’t hit back; discover the great beauty in everyone [...] if you see your enemy hungry, go buy the person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing well.” God is telling us to live well and do well; my final question is if we were to show Grace and mercy daily would this have an impact on our life? And this is the question that leads me to my challenge for myself and my readers: I am proposing a 30 day Challenge where we will make an effort to find one person a day and show them our mercy and grace. I will document the challenges, reaction and in the end the difference in my life. This is not for the faint of heart and it could be life changing. One day one person and we WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!! February 8 will mark day 1 of the Grace Challenge and challenge number one is: To find a person in need that most people would say about them “they made their bed” and bring them a one dish meal!! A final prayer to help "Dear Lord, bless us and lift us up. Thank you for your wonderful mercy and grace! There is no other like you. Increase those qualities in us. Help us to show mercy and grace to others. Forgive us for the times when we have not. Praise you for your awesome character and your consistent love. Increase our faith and our love for you and others. In Jesus' name, Amen."

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