LIVING IN GRACE

Saturday, September 13, 2008

John Ortberg is one of my favorite writers. In my post for Saturday and now this one for Spiritual Sundays I have borrowed my thoughts from him.

“We … need to stay close to those who might be called “grace-providing” people. We need some people who accept us, welcome us, and love us no matter what. I need some grace-providers. You do too.”

You need them because you have other kinds of people in your life. You have some “grace-impaired” people in your life, who will judge you and critique you and remind you of your raggedness in ways that will tear you down.”

“Grace-providers simply never cease to love you. You may be a rag doll, but you are God’s rag doll, and grace-providers never let you forget it.”

13 comments:

Charlotte said...

Good post. Thank you for loving his "rag doll."

Betty said...

Very uplifting post. Never really thought about it like that.

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

What a great thought!I get tears in my eyes sometimes when I think about how much God loves me even if I am a rag doll.
Thank-you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Ginger

Skoots1moM said...

yes, we're all a coat of many colors!

Skoots1moM said...

yes, we're all a coat of many colors!

God Chaser said...

I most definitely need some grace-providers in my life. thanks for sharing these wonderful thoughts and thanks for contributing to Spiritual sundays.

Cottagecheap said...

I love the term 'grace impaired'. It reminded ME to be more grace-filled and less judgemental. It also gave me more understanding of a friend who feels the need to cut me down 'casually'. I realize she doesn't do it intentionally and somehow now I feel SORRY for her for not benig able to open her heart and will be MORE graceful to her. Thank you for posting this.

Carrie said...

God help us not to focus too much on the grace-impaired...

Down on the Farm said...

Did you ever consider in the past, with all your public attention, that Charlotte would end up causing even more attention for you? I find it interesting the way life takes unexpected turns.

Unknown said...

What a tremendous illustration! This speaks volumes!

I tell my students that when it comes to human beings, we are to be builders, not bulldozers. Of course, it is God's GRACE that allows us to do this. Isn't a GRACE a wonderful word?

Have a fantastic day in the Lord, Clif...

KJ

Peggy said...

Blessings Pastor Cliff...I truly believe we need grace providers around us and we need to BE grace providers to the hurting world around us. I've had my fill of the "grace-impaired" people. Sometimes,
that's me...not to others as much as to myself.

O Lord, forgive me!
When I see how You have loved me and given me Grace & Mercy overflowing...I'm so thankful to
be Your rag doll!

Thanks for sharing your favorite writer and your thoughts today!

Enjoy a SUPER Spiritual Sunday!
And thanks for being our special
blogger for spiritual questions!
What a great blessing...a minister
at your fingertips! Glad you're part of our Spiritual Sundays! I
enjoyed your other posts this week also-very timely for the "storms"
people are facing and going through

Anonymous said...

and those who are grace-providers MUST stay very close to God!!
ciao from Rome
br.freddie
PS: thanks for your blog is really good! I feel it's true and this is what matters to me! Thanks again

Carrie Garvin said...

I love the saying "Grace providing people." Wonderful warm post I enjoyed visiting tonite.