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

Self Pity

Pictures of Self-Pity

Which picture best depicts self-pity?

A pig wallowing in the mud

A black coat covered in excuses

or 
arms wrapped tightly

around oneself?

© 2015 Lana Gray

An Open Door

© 2015 Lana Gray

Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door.  

–Emily Dickinson 

Remember, Believe, Understand

Remember, Believe, Understand

Who causes us to remember His Word?
Who causes us to believe His Word?

Who causes us to understand His Word?

Then they remembered [Jesus'] words.  Luke 24:6-8 NIV
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts 
burning within us while He talked with us on the road 
and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 NIV

Then [Jesus] opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.   Luke 24:45 NIV

Remembering, believing and understanding the Word
all depend upon our minds and hearts being opened by 
Jesus Christ.

© 2015 Lana Gray

Growth in Wisdom

Growth in Wisdom

Can I see the circumstances of my life

and

recognize the hand of God?

© 2015 Lana Gray

Spiritual Equation

Spiritual Equation

Sacred writings are able to make you wise for salvation 

through faith in Christ Jesus.  II Tim. 3:15

The apostle Paul directed the above advice to Timothy, a young Christian man who was willing to place himself under the authority of Paul and more importantly, Jesus Christ. 

I've read this verse many times over the years but only recently realized that I had shaped it into: Reading the Word (sacred writings) = Wise. But the addition of one action delivers a true equation.

Reading the Word + Obedience to Jesus as the Word of Life = Wise

© 2015 Lana Gray

Imagination

The imagination 

should be allowed a certain amount of time 

to browse around. 

– Thomas Merton

© 2015 Lana Gray

Treasures

Treasures

Some years ago my sister Sheryl spent some weeks with my husband and me at our California home. We enjoyed our Saturday mornings by traipsing to garage sales -- sifting through discards and cast-offs, searching for those illusive treasures.  Sheryl had owned an antique store in Iowa so it was fun having her expertise to separate real finds from just junk.  

At one sale, she spotted a painting of a young woman hung inside a tattered frame. I couldn't clearly see the woman's gypsy-like features, but Sheryl immediately saw potential.  After hearing the owners throw out a price of $10, she countered with $8, and Don and I quickly became the proud owners of what we now call our "gypsy girl." An $8 treasure!

As followers of Christ, we have the opportunity to search through a whole storehouse of treasures in the Word of God and discover something much better than a garage sale painting.  In the pages of scripture we will find the master Creator -- 

the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

© 2015 Lana Gray

Less Is More

Less Is More

One of my favorite local department stores has gone through changes over the past few years.  Additional merchandise has brought about smaller aisles with overstock items being stacked from floor to ceiling.  

My simplistic motto of “less is more” wouldn’t make much sense to this store's obvious business philosophy:  the more merchandise, the more money to be made. 

God, show me where less can bring abundance -- 

to my spirit and to others'.

© 2015 Lana Gray

Friendship

Go oft to the house of thy friend,

for weeds choke the unused path.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

© 2015 Lana Gray

Exam

Heart Examination

Soft hearted or hard hearted?

Kind hearted or cruel hearted?

Warm hearted or cold hearted?

Large hearted or small hearted?

Strong hearted or weak hearted?

Bold hearted or timid hearted?
Stout hearted or frail hearted?

Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind. 
Psalm 26:2 (NIV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 
Psalm 139:23

© 2015 Lana Gray

Wholly Loved

Wholly Loved by a Holy Love
"The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell." -
hymn written by Frederick M. Lehman, 1917

Powerfully loved

Compassionately loved

Persistently loved
Boldly loved

Relentlessly loved
Richly loved
Completely loved

© 2015 Lana Gray

Serenity

Serenity

. . . where time walks.

© 2015 Lana Gray

Euphemism

Euphemism

(Webster’s definition:  a mild or pleasant word or phrase that is used 

instead of one that is unpleasant or offensive)

  

Would you rather I say,

“She passed away”

than say she’s dead

so tears won’t be shed?

If that’s the case,

then the euphemism gives space

between harsh reality

and basic neutrality.

© 2015 Lana Gray

Prescriptions from the Word

Prescriptions to Relieve Anxiety

We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.

II Chronicles 20:12 (ESV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

. . . take the mercy, accept the help.  

Heb. 4:16 (The Message)

. . . [God] will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

I Pet. 5:6 (NIV)

© 2015 Lana Gray  

Balance

The picture of balance and harmony.

© 2015 Lana Gray