A Radical Experience of Mercy

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Donna Harris

A Radical Experience of Mercy

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 11

Reflections on Luke 9 – 12

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them.” Luke 9:51 – 55 (ESV)

Why didn’t the fire come down on the Samaritans? Because of His radical mercy, they (you and me) are not consumed.

His face is set towards Jerusalem where he will take the fire upon himself…he will be immersed in the judgement of God. He got what we deserved.

He came to take it. He came to bear it. Luke 9:22 says, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected…and on the third day be raised to life.” They rejected him, shouldn’t they be rejected?

A radical mercy means that he’s rejected for us. The Son of Man came to be rejected and to be killed. He is the living mercy. And because of his mercy..we have a new priority in life and a new identity through Christ.

The judgment we unquestionably deserved, He completely exhausted on the cross. [1]

You have to be melted and amazed and astounded that he took the fire, the punishment, for you and that’s the key to everything else. You cannot have a new identity without a radical experience of mercy. Without a radical experience of grace. Without a radical experience of love. [2]

The gift for us is living this radical mercy toward others when we are rejected.

[1] Scotty Smith quote | [2] Tim Keller quote

About 40 Gifts of Lent

The Great Artist |Sunday Respite | 40 Gifts of Lent 2014

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Donna Harris

Sunday Respite | 40 Gifts of Lent

God is the Great Artist–Creating a Masterpiece

Lord, in the morning you hear my voice.
In the morning I pray to you.
I wait for you in hope.
Psalm 5:3 (NIrV)

Let God show you His way for you today. Pray about everything–the big things and the little things .Give your entire day to God and then wait to see what He will create with it.

God is the Great Artist, and your day is His empty canvas. Watch him do his work; he will pair his colors into your life–colors of Jesus’ love, mercy, peace, hope, and joy. And you will not be disappointed.

Trust Him to take your ordinary day and create a masterpiece.

Adapted from, Jesus Calling, 365 Devotions for Kids, Sarah Young, page 193

About 40 Gifts of Lent

The Call to Go Deeper

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Donna Harris

The Call to Go Deeper

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 10

Reflections on Luke 5 – 8

[Jesus] said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:4

I know you have been working hard and your nets are empty
Put out into the deep
I understand you want to give up
Put out into the deep and let down your nets
Yes, I see you are tired but please trust me
Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch

Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:5

Obedience requires faith
Faith results in action
Action reaps rewards

And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking…and the boats began to sink. Luke 5:6 7

Trust Him
Believe Him
Go Deeper

And when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Luke 5:8

Be amazed at His glory
Be broken in humbleness
Be contrite in spirit

Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid, from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. Luke 5:10 – 11

He calls you
Come follow me
Go Deeper

“Follow me because I’m the King you’ve been looking for. Follow me because I have authority over everything, yet I have humbled myself for you. I want you to keep trusting me; to stick with me, not turn back not give up, turn to me in disappointments … I’m going to take you places that will make you say, ‘Why in the world are you taking me there?’ Even then I want you to trust me.” ~Tim Keller, King’s Cross

About 40 Gifts of Lent

A Solitary Place

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Donna Harris

A Solitary Place

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 9

Reflections on Luke 1 – 4

At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place… Luke 4: 42

I would find her there, in a secluded place alone. As a girl, I thought she needed this solitary time because she wanted to get away from us kids. But actually she needed this space to get away with God.

My childhood home always had more people living in it than the family that resided there. We had extra cots and air mattresses when there wasn’t enough beds. Our supper table had extra folding chairs squeezed between and I learned to spoon soup into my mouth with my elbows tucked into my side. Mom served us all with joy and grace as our home became a lighthouse of escape for many.

Over time, even the good things will take its toll, clamoring for peace and competing for rest. There’s the danger of pride crowding humbleness, pushing it aside…tempting us to focus on ourselves, thinking we can do it all. We focus more on the people needing our attention, their voices wanting to be heard and the food cooking on the stove while the sheets need to be washed and the children are asking for help with homework.

All of the good busy things crowd the one best thing.

Now years later, here I am repeating her life in many ways.

I think of my Mom going to a solitary place to unwind her crowded thoughts, to be refreshed and focus her energy off of herself (and others) and instead on to Christ. Taking time to be alone with God was a gift to herself and to her family.

Thank you Mom, your life is a gift that keeps on giving long after you’ve gone.

“Solitude molds self-righteous people into gentle, caring, forgiving persons who are so deeply convinced of their own great sinfulness and so fully aware of God’s even greater mercy that their life itself becomes ministry.” ~Henri Nouwen, The Way of the Heart

About 40 Gifts of Lent

I am anticipating the arrival of Easter and celebrating the most amazingly good gift I’ve ever received. I want to focus my heart on the fulfilled expectation of Christ’s first coming and the glorious expectation of His second coming. I want to focus on the freedom I have in Christ to overcome strongholds, yet also to gain strength, hope, and peace as I lean into the trials…To continue reading, please go here: 40 Gifts of Lent

Linking up at Five Minute Friday to write five minutes about the word: CROWD

Sacrifice is at the heart of real love

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Donna Harris

The Shepherd and His Scattered Sheep

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 8

Reflections on Mark 12 – end

“…for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.'”…Then everyone deserted him and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. Mark 14: 27, 48 – 52

Like them, I would bolt in the face of persecution, terrified and fleeing to avoid the same scorn as Christ endured. I think back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve ran away from God, in fear and nakedness. Like them, I forget the safety of the sheepfold and turn away from the protection of the shepherd’s rod and staff.

…and the shame of that and the guilt of that is so hard to bare.

And the Shepherd takes all of that guilt and all of that shame upon himself.

Oh, the sweet gift of the Shepherd to call my name, over and over again. Calling my name to return back to him, for I am one of his scattered sheep in desperate need of the Shepherd. So thankful that I know his voice when he speaks, “You are loved. You are mine. You are forgiven. Return to me. I will never forsake you.”

Sacrifice is at the heart of real love.

All the apostles had forsaken him. In the garden, at his most sorrowful hour, “They all left him and fled” (Mark 14:50). If you have forsaken him, let him down, offended him, take heart, he is not less eager to repair things with you. Seek his face. Ask him. Receive his grace. (John Piper)

He is a faithful and persistent shepherd.

I weep over the sorrows and disgraces of our Lord,
and what causes me the greatest sorrow
is that men, for whom He suffered so much,
live in forgetfulness of Him.
~St. Francis of Assisi

About 40 Gifts of Lent

Repentant Helplessness

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Donna Harris

Repentant Helplessness

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 7

Reflections on Mark 6 – 11

“I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” Mark 9:24

I’m trying to be brave but I’m full of doubts. I am helpless to cure myself, to stop repeating the same mistakes, and to fill my mind with peace. There are many times when I’m running through life at a very fast pace, doing my own thing without prayer…unaware of the danger that lurks around the corner.

The danger ahead is doubting and unbelief and failure to call out to God. I’ve created so many messes because of not trusting God’s plan nor asking for his help. I’ve picked up my own shovel to dig ruts and large potholes just for me to trip over and fall into face first. Why do I do this over and over again? It’s the pain of sin and helplessness that brings me to my knees.

The amazing gift is that I don’t need to wash off the dirt and mud or clean and bandage the wounds before approaching God, just a repentant helplessness. He has already washed me and healed the moral and spiritual wounds. When I am weak and cannot muster the strength to meet these challenges, all I need to say is, “Help me.”

I sense his embrace, my soul is brighter and I’m ready to walk (or run) around the corner to face what life has in store.

Additional Reading: King’s Cross by Tim Keller

About 40 Gifts of Lent

A Really Good Story

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Donna Harris

A Really Good Story

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 6

Reflections on Mark 1 – 5

He did not say anything to them without using a story. Mark 4:34

We want to raise a generation who find their identity in the story of God. Tell them a story they will never forget, a life changing truth that is bigger and better than themselves. Teach them, instruct them…cause them to ponder and question, to want more of a really good story.

Thank you God for making us characters in and carriers of your great story of grace. You are the author, the narrator of this really good story, the hero that rescues us from ourselves.

Look for God in these coming days, to write stories of redemption that will reveal his glory and showcase his grace—leaving you reveling in his goodness and rejoicing in him.

We’ll grow in our lives what we plant with our love” ~Bob Goff

About 40 Gifts of Lent 2014

I love the anticipation of celebrating birthdays with my children and grandchildren and can’t wait to gather again with my family and friends around a brightly lit tree at Christmas. My focus for any event or special occasion is mostly on the gift I will buy and then tape it up with all of the wrapping and trimmings to make it a beautiful presentation to give away. I do enjoy watching them rip into the paper and toss the pretty bow without a care to get to the inside of that package.

It’s so much fun to be on the receiving end of good gifts!

Watch Wait…Be Ready

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Donna Harris

Watch, Wait…Be Ready

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 5

Reflections on Matthew 25 – end

Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25:13

And the story shines on with light fighting the darkness, gaining victory over strongholds, giving strength through the trials. The king, the giver of life and bearer of true light is betrothed, he has gone on a journey, and he is going to return to be married.

We are his bride and a bride prepares to meet her bridegroom.

The bridegroom is coming!
Watch for his return
Wait…
Be ready!

We are called to watch for him, to do our work to prepare for him. Do not lose hope in waiting. Do not fall asleep when there is work to be done.

The gift of readiness is to be alive and alert…to use all of the means God has given you to know him and love him and trust him.

“So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may stay away from temptation. Your spirit wants to do what is right, but your body is weak.” Matthew 26:40-41 (ESV and Easy-to-Read version)

Reflections on Matthew 25 – 28

About 40 Gifts of Lent

It’s so much fun to be on the receiving end of good gifts!

Lent is usually about giving something up to remember the sufferings and ultimate price that Christ endured on our behalf. But I’m not doing that this year. While I’ll never forget the price Jesus paid to rescue me, I don’t want to give something up in order to remember…to receive inner peace or a personal triumph of going without.

I want to anticipate and receive unexpected gifts during Lent. I want to rip open beautiful presents everyday to discover a different gift inside. When I discovered the link to #theLentChallenge to read the entire New Testament during Lent 2014, I immediately knew, by making this commitment, I would receive (at least) 40 gifts! My heart is bursting at its seams in anticipation for the gifts God will show me.

You are welcome to join me in opening a new gift everyday. It’s not too late to start.

More Grace,
Donna

Donna Harris‑More Grace

A Life Filled with More Grace is a Story Worth Sharing

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A Radical Experience of Mercy