The Delicate Balance

I have spent today on the two extremes of human existence. This morning I spent time with a young couple who celebrated the birth of their first son. I was great to see the joy through their exhaustion. How exciting to hold that hours old little child. How reassuring to look into that baby's face so full of innocence. How promising to know that child's mom and dad will be raising him in the ways of the Lord. There is much promise at the beginning of life. Life, truly has yet to be lived at that point. I spent the afternoon with a mom and dad who were mourning the loss of their adult son. A life that ended too soon. A life that was getting on track again. A life that was lived full of joy and wonder. A life that had begun to touch people with a simple message of faith. A life that was now over. I found myself sharing the same thing to each set of parents: God's grace is sufficient. To the parents of the baby, there is so much they do not know and have yet to learn, yet God's grace is sufficient. To the parents who lost a son much too soon, God's grace is sufficient. In all things God is enough. He meets each need. He celebrates with us in our times of joy and mourns with us in our times of sorrow. God's grace is sufficient. Life is lived in a delicate balance between life and death. We do not dictate when our lives begin or when they end. Those two things are far beyond our control, but we can know the one who controls such things. God's grace is sufficient. God's grace is enough to comfort us in what we do not know and to comfort us when we do not have tears left to shed. God's grace is enough when we shed tears of joy and tears of sorrow. God's grace is enough! God's grace is enough! God's grace is enough!

10 Questions from Mistake-Maker to Grace-Receiver

Here are your 10 Questions from the message From Mistake-Maker to Grace-Receiver. If you missed it, you can listen to it here.

1. When is the last time you heard Jesus speak to you individual and what did He say?

2. When Jesus invites you to walk with Him, to spend private time with Him, do you go with Him or stay in your routine and busyness?

3. How do you recognize God's grace during turmoils?

4. Where do you turn to get peace during the turmoil of this life?

5. How is it evident in your lift that you are actively following Christ?

6. Jesus accepts us as we are, but have you stayed where you are instead of following Jesus to become who and what He purposed you to be?

7. Do you depend on others for everything, even you spiritual life, or can others depend on you because you serve?

8. What can you do this week to serve another?

9. You have received grace in Jesus, but have you given it to others?

10. What does "follow me" mean to you?

10 Questions from A Message for Mistake Makers

If you've ever made a mistake, then this message is for you. So here are some questions to keep you thinking about how God values you and wants to use you in spite of your mistakes.

1. What is the greatest gift God gives to mistake makers and why?

2. Do you believe Jesus loves you enough to forgive you of your mistakes and do you love yourself enough to forgive yourself and let go?

3. Why would you think that God is through with you and is that the truth?

4. What did the angel at the tomb specifically want Peter to know and why is that important to you?

5. Why do you believe that God believes in you, your potential, your talent or your importance?

6. How has your life changed after your encounter with Jesus and your commitment to not be a mistake maker?

7. What proof is there in your life that Jesus is alive?

8. How can you discover God's plan and purpose for you life and are you willing to?

9. What do you believe is your service-filled future?

10. How do you recognize that you are poised for success?