Jesus was crucified between two thieves.

  

One thief stubbornly clung to his own self-sufficiency and pride.  

Grace offered,

Grace refused.

The other thief humbly repented and opened himself to Love.

Grace offered

Grace received.

Let Us Adore Him

Let Us Adore Him

The ordinary

The extraordinary

The common

The glorious

The shepherd

The king

The servant

The ruler

The lowly

The magnificent

The crucified Savior

The everlasting Victor

O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

© 2014 Lana Gray

Centerpiece

The Centerpiece of Life

J

 E 
J E S U S

U

     S     

© 2016 Lana Gray

The Right Words

Using the Right Words

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply-- 
and how good is a timely word!

Proverbs 15:23 NIV

"If words are to enter men's minds and bear fruit, they must be the 

right words shaped cunningly to pass men's defenses and explode 

silently and effectually within their minds."

-J.B. Phillips, writer and clergyman (1906-1982)

Garbage

© 2016 Lana Gray

Clean and nourish your mind wisely every day. 

It can easily become a garbage bin. 

-Philip Arnold

Forgiveness

Forgiveness

Forgiveness reconciles us to God through Christ
but it is not offered so we can simply

feel good,

revel in peace,

receive freedom,

or attain joy.

Forgiveness is offered so God can show Himself off,
demonstrating - 
His goodness,

His peace,
His freedom,
and His joy
within us!

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
II Cor. 9:15

© 2015 Lana Gray

Fitted

Fitted to God's Word

“God never fits His word to suit me; He fits me to suit His word.” 

– Oswald Chambers, Still Higher for His Highest

Even though Oswald Chambers probably never intended this quote to be illustrated in word pictures, my imagination brought forth the following characters: the Divine Tailor, a suit of clothing, and me. 

In the first picture (Chambers' first phrase), the Tailor holds a beautiful suit that will obviously never fit my own body measurements.  The next picture shows altering that is done on my body (maybe more like chiseling) to fit the already-sized suit representing the Word of God. 

I have to admit that I have been guilty over and over again of using Scripture to somehow fit neatly around the circumstances of my life.  In those times, the Word may have brought a fleeting "ah-ha" moment, but no change or altering was required of me. 

The truth is that deconstruction, altering and change always need to happen if I allow God to fit me to His Word. Various gods displayed on the shelves of my life need to be shattered, walls of bitterness and resentment need to be demolished, prideful corners sanded down so His Spirit can clothe and dress me.  

Divine Tailor, continue to shape and fit my life to the marvelous fabric of Your Word!

© 2015 Lana Gray