I recently read about a pastor who collects wooden donkeys. This pastor attaches great meaning to the donkeys because early in her career, someone told her, “If God could use a donkey (on Palm Sunday) to carry Jesus into the city, God can use us, too.” This served as a reminder that God can take us all, with our insecurities and flaws, and…

Recently, in my daily Bible reading, I read Eugene’s Peterson’s comments on Titus 2: 1-6. Peterson explained that in order to build Christian community, “we need a few souls in whom love is gently at work, covering a multitude of sins.” I see that in so many of you, and for that I am grateful. To me, love being “gently at work”…

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Recently, a set of circumstances required me to reflect upon the last 33 years of my life. Initially, I was not eager to complete this exercise, as I viewed it as unnecessary busywork. However, as I remembered events and people from the past, a deep sense of gratitude welled up within me. I realized, after looking back at…

Recently, a Grace member shared with me a writing about the purpose of Lent. The word Lent comes from the same root word as “length.” We are being “lengthened”, or stretched, into the full stature of Christ through our disciplines. The writer states, “What Lent is really about is opening ourselves to someone else, about stretching ourselves, so that we can receive…

When you hear the phrase “Amazing Grace”, what comes to mind? Is it the lyrics of the hymn, or is it a personal experience from your life? When in your life do you specifically remember experiencing God’s Grace, and how did you feel as a result? I ask this question because the answer may inspire us to live into God’s calling in…