What is grace?

Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!” -- Jonah 2:8 –9 (ESV)

We talk a lot about 'grace'. We write songs about it. We name churches with it. We identify doctrines by it. I wonder if we understand the words that we are using. What is 'grace'? How does God's grace come to us? What do we need to understand to really experience and share that experience with others. Read more

The audacious grace and mercy of God

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.”  -- Jonah 1:1 –2 (ESV)

It's a familiar Sunday school story. It has pretty amazing elements. There is a prophet, a mission, a storm, a whale, and a revival. The illustrations pretty much draw themselves. Jonah is one of those Old Testament tales we have heard again and again. Read more

A love that is wider and deeper

And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. -- Luke 2:17 –19 (ESV)

One of the dominating images of the Christmas story is a young woman deep into her pregnancy enduring the long uncomfortable journey to Bethlehem. Through the scriptures we see a woman not only with a maternal love for her child, but also a love for him as her savior. It is both amazing and beautiful. Read more