Every Monday we have a small group that meets at our house. I count these people among my closest friends, and they love me for me--not for anything I've accomplished in life or anything I strive to accomplish. They are my cheerleaders and my inner circle. They also tell me what I need to hear even when I don't want to hear it! (Now those are good friends!)

For the last five weeks we've been going through the DVD study for What's So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey. It's a great study that has led to deep study and lots of commentary. It's also a study that stretches me. The truth is that in doing this study I've realized there are lots of areas that I need to work on being more grace-full. I do great with people who like me and believe the same as I do. I have a harder time with people who don't value my opinion or who actively oppose my point-of-views. (I know, it's hard to believe ...)

Yet, when it comes to grace there is only one place we need to look for inspiration. As the well-loved Bible verse 3:16 says, "For God so loved the WORLD that WHOSOEVER believes ..." Lately, I've been praying God will help me offer the grace of God to whosoever He brings in my path. And I'm also praying He reminds of this before I disgrace myself!

Here's a quote by George Mueller that compliments this thought.

A Christian is a mind through which Christ thinks;
a heart through which Christ loves;
a voice through which Christ speaks;
a hand through which Christ helps.

That's what I want to be: mind, heart, voice, hand ... and pen.

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