Grace

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   The Stages Of MEposted 12 years ago

   Do you find it a challenge to see GRACE in action this Holiday season ~ it just saddens me a little?

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      mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      All humans have the abillity to show grace, the problem is that many don't. We live in a society today where, time is limited and so is tollerance. I am not greedy, but if someone asks me for money, I feel I should judge what they are going to with it. I'll only give to a charity if I am sure they are altruistic in their asking.

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         couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I'm glad you said all humans have the ability to show grace.  This is what I also maintain.  Grace is ours not through an act of giving but one of receiving.  We must first recognize that which is grace and allow ourselves to receive it through our own actions and meditations, not someone elses.  By someone offering us grace, they bestow it upon themselves, just like love.  One can give love but it must also be received by the other.  Until it is recognized as such, the intended recipient will not know love.  It's the same, IMO, with grace.

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      couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You won't see grace if you won't go anywhere near it.

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         The Stages Of MEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I just wanted to get people thinking and acting a bit more gracious during this Holiday season.  My hub addresses this as well.  I was at the mall the other evening and saw a young man sitting by his stand holding his heart.  I was quite aways at first and thought maybe I was seeing things as many walked right by him.  As I got closer I stopped and went to him.  He was in distress.  It was a condition he was use to but he was in great pain.  My son and I stayed with him until he improved and we were sure he did not need more assistance.  I was just so shocked at the perhaps 50 or so people that walked right by.  I just want us to open our eyes a little wider.  Praying for more Grace this Holiday season

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            mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            To come to the ade of an innocent is the right thing to do and most people have forgotten this. It is a lack of common decency and a proclivity to selfishness, that is wrong with the world today.

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               couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               So true.  Fear is a big factor.

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               The Stages Of MEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Yes it is true fear has taken hold to a fault ~ but I suppose founded in this day and time:(

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            pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Awww that's very nice of you. Are people too busy or do they pass by out of fear I wonder?

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      pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Some see the weeds some see the flowers. Choice will determine whether or not it is a challenge or not.

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         couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         And it's really good if you see both weeds and flowers but like them both.

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            pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Agreed.

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   Smokes Angelposted 12 years ago

   Definition of grace:mercy; clemency; pardon:
   
   In other words, do we see a lot of forgiveness in this season?  I sure don't see it but we should take the time at Christmas to forgive our family and friends of any wrong doings just as they should us.  It is a good time to take stock of what you did wrong to people this year and ask forgiveness for it.  It is also a good time to talk to God about what you've done.  After all this is the season to celebrate the greatest gift of all Jesus

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      Virgil Newsomeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Grace is a gift given to those who do not deserve it.  Forgiveness must be given at all times.

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         mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Man will probably one day be better, but until then. Merry christmas and tell Jesus he still owes me one. eh?

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            Logrhedposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            How is that ' Man in Eutopia thingy ' going for you so far Mischeviousme?

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               mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               It's great.

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                  couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  It's all in the state of conciousness, right?  You know when you know.

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         The Stages Of MEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         very true  ~ now this is the kind of conversation I am talking about this Holiday season ~ We need to hold each other accountable in this season and throughout the year

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         couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I know that the common understanding of grace is something of a gift given to those who do not deserve it but I would respectfully disagree.  Grace is something we give to ourselves.  Only we can know whether or not we deserve it and I'm inclined to think most of us would say we don't deserve it.  The fact is this:  Once we realize and accept that we do deserve it, we have already received it by allowing ourselves to do so.  Grace can be given but if it is not received there is nothing in it.  Even if in your heart you show grace to another, and the other recognizes and feels your love, you are the one receiving the grace

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            Logrhedposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Couturepopcafe: thank you for the chuckle... the word Grace means exactly what you initially implied.  Presumption is also a really cool word. ie: to take upon oneself without leave or authority.  I believe that what you are trying to communicate is Faith and even that is subject to interpretation because in the Greek it is a verb and not a noun.  God has to be God to you to have faithing to coin a word.  To presume it is given because you give yourself permission to take it is a little scary to what I see of the God that I believe in.. it smacks of justifying one's self.  Unless what your trying to imply is that you know God well enough to trust Him... then you are still talking about adoration as a predecessor and you could not get to that point unless He carried you there initially,  If forgiveness was the issue; then you were forgiven before you justified your actions.  Hence you accepted forgiveness and the grace that was behind it in faith.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.  Once it is seen, it no longer takes faith ( or an action in trust ) to proceed.   
            
            Once there was a man who was in dire need of an extra income..... He prayed to God Daily!! allllll day long... He went without food... avoided his relationships and responsibilities.   This went on for years and years and years.  finally he ended up homeless and sleeping under a bridge.  Distraught that God had not answered his prayer he looked up and was just about to shake his fist at God in his utter disappointment when he heard a voice behind him.  He could hardly believe his ears and said, "What ?????" in his surprise.  He knew he was alone so it startled him.  He gathered himself again and settled down and then he heard it again in a clear and subtle voice. "Give me a break mannnnnn..... go buy a ticket! "

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               couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I don't understand your second paragraph metaphor at all so you might explain it to me if you would.
               
               IMO you are right about the first paragraph.  Perhaps we are just looking through a different lens.  I believe God is IN everyone.  This is where he is to be found so the semantic difference of receiving/giving/finding to me is all the same.  As I said earlier, you won't see grace if you won't go anywhere near it.  Or grace is as grace does.  Who feels it knows it.  There are any number of 'catch phrases' to describe this but the bottom line - for me - is that clarity is preceded by faith, energy, memory and fair-minded contemplation.  And by surrender to God who is untouched by afflictions, actions, impressions or their results.  So if God is my Indweller, whether I say he gives me grace or I give me grace by accepting that I deserve grace once I have recognized it, it's the same.

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                  Logrhedposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  His prayer was to win the lottery........ it is amazing what one little word will do if it is left out of the equation isn’t it ?    The rest doesn’t make any sense… and it is interpreted differently and in its entirety.  The Word of God under the management of the Spirit is the combination gets the results… not any touchy feely spin we could put on it.  That one word was known by God and the one saying the prayer, neither one of us were there

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                     couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     We seem to agree for the most part. "..... you accepted forgiveness and the grace that was behind it in faith."
                     
                     However I think the touchy feely part IS part of it.  How else do we gain the forum of god but to be in his heart or have him in ours?  Some believe in living the Word and doing works.  Some believe there is no way but through the Son.  I believe we are all part of god and he us.  Do you think your spin is the correct one?
                     
                     And just for the record, I was not trying to communicate faith although I believe faith is a precursor to seeing grace.  It does not frighten me to justify myself through grace and faith for to me, if god is in me, it is the same thing.  I do not look upon the godhead as something to fear but something to attain.

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      The Stages Of MEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Amen smokes Angel ~ a little love and forgiveness goes a long way

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         couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Farther than anyone might imagine.

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