March 2016 - Sharing Redemption's Stories

God’s Plan for Our Lives

March 25, 2025 By Rebekah 0

Welcome back to another week of the Grace & Truth linkup!

This week’s featured post served as a great reminder to me that God’s ways are perfect, His ways are sure, even when we can’t see the whole picture. We don’t always see the whole of God’s plan for us (thankfully!) and try as we might to be prepared, I have no doubt we’ve all faced some of those unexpected twists and turns in the road.

Jenny shares about that in the life of Jonah. Here he was, traveling and spreading God’s message, when God called him to Nineveh.

Jenny writes, “I can imagine Jonah’s reaction. ‘Can you repeat that?’ he probably asked, thinking he heard wrong. But there it was. A mission clearly defined and meant for him.”

God’s calling on our lives, at any given point, may make absolutely no sense to us.

But I wonder, how many of us would say “YES!” to God if we knew in advance what He would ask of us?

I’m pretty sure I would not.

If I knew at the start of my adult life what He would require of me - financial struggle, heartache in parenting, special needs parenting, broken marriage - I probably would have run the other way.

Thankfully it is God who sees the whole picture and helps us to be faithful - for our benefit, and for the benefit of the others.

Thank you, Jenny, for this very heartfelt post on God’s plans for our lives!

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Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement each and every week. If you’re a blogger our hope is that you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader our hope is that you’ll meet new bloggers that love Jesus just as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.

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1.) Follow your hosts via their blog and/or social media channels. This is not mandatory, but appreciated!

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Filed Under: Grace and Truth

A Light in the Darkness

March 21, 2025 By Rebekah 0

Have you ever looked at something that you’ve seen countless times, only to realize you’re seeing it in a completely new and different way? How could you have missed it? How have you not considered it from this point of view before?

I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. What was it that you saw new and different? For me, it was the light on a church steeple.

I arrived in the darkness, just like every other winter Sunday night. The drive was so familiar - I’ve made the trip for many years of my life. There was no reason to expect anything new or different - none whatsoever.

I think that may be one of the things I appreciate most about God - that when He makes changes in our lives, old things - ones we’ve seen numerous times - can seem brand new!

I sat in the parking lot at the church waiting for my son to be done at youth group. The evening was completely dark except for a few lights inside the church.

Light drives out darkness - whether it’s a small candle flickering or a bright spotlight directing our focus. And we’re attracted to the light - we’re drawn to it in order to see through the darkness.

That night was not the first night I noticed the steeple light, but it was the first night I noticed the direction of the light.

I’m sharing over at Jen’s blog this week - Being Confident of This - about how we can be a light in the darkness, especially as we get closer to Easter. Come on over and join us!

Filed Under: having faith in God

Dressed for Success {Grace & Truth}

March 18, 2025 By Rebekah 1

This is a monumental week for my family. Our first son is performing a benefit concert as his graduation project and we have been getting ready for that all week.

He, on the other hand, has been working toward this for a year and a half. He’s had numerous auditions at colleges this past year and he’s worked on much of this music for all of this time.

A very interesting thing happened this week, though. He performed in a new outfit. Usually when he performs, he wears nice clothing - at minimum, a dress shirt and dress pants. Recently he’s taken his outfit up to at least a shirt and tie, if not his full suit. This week, though, he pulled out the tuxedo that we purchased for college and he practiced his entire performance in his tuxedo.

The difference in my perspective of him really surprised me. Sure, he’s a young man, graduating high school early, entering college a good 2 years before most of his peers.

But when he put on the tuxedo, I immediately viewed him as a professional musician beginning his career. I found myself anticipating his music to be at a level greater than what I’d heard before.

And I was not disappointed!

That led me to consider myself in the spiritual realm. When I wake up in the morning and just throw on some clothes and jump into my day, then the devil isn’t going to expect much of me. He knows I’ve put no time into my day, no effort into preparing for any battle that might come.

But when I wake up, spend time in prayer over the day to come, I think the devil views me in a different way. I think he knows I’m getting ready for spiritual battle. I think he views me as more of a “professional” in terms of my plans to make it through the day. And he expects my “A game” because he knows I have prepared.

So while I haven’t chosen a feature from those who have linked up this week, please know that I’ve prayed for each of you who join us here. I appreciate that you are here each week and that you continue to bring strong, godly content to our linkup. And I’ll be back with a featured post next week, after this project is fully complete. Thank you for grace!

Now it’s time to linkup.

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Dawn Klinge - Above the Waves BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

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1.) Follow your hosts via their blog and/or social media channels. This is not mandatory, but appreciated!

3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community, so please don’t link and run!

4.) All links are randomly sorted - feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

In order to be featured next week:

5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. This is not mandatory to participate, but is required to be featured.

6.) Each host will choose one link to feature and promote via their social media channels next week.

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Filed Under: Grace and Truth

The Perfect Storm

March 11, 2025 By Rebekah 1

“The perfect storm” - that time when everything comes together just right for what’s likely to be a catastrophic event. No matter where you are in life, you’ve probably experienced that at some point or another.

Recently I wrote about my challenge to only speak kindly to my husband. Ten days later I wrote the first update - would have loved to call it a success story, but….

So when I read Tiffiney’s post, I could completely relate. I could have written a very similar post. The lessons learned are so similar. I can’t tell you the number of times that the fallout has been because of my own attitude. I appreciate Tiffiney’s perspective in all of this, her words of wisdom, and even a touch of humor added in.

What a great reminder to keep our attitudes in check as we relate to others around us. Thank you, Tiffiney!

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Now it’s time to linkup.

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Satisfaction Through Christ BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER |G+

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Arabah Joy BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | G+

A Divine Encounter BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | G+ | STUMBLEUPON

Sharing Redemption’s Stories BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Dawn Klinge - Above the Waves BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

Aimee Imbeau - A Work of Grace
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1.) Follow your hosts via their blog and/or social media channels. This is not mandatory, but appreciated!

3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community, so please don’t link and run!

4.) All links are randomly sorted - feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

In order to be featured next week:

5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. This is not mandatory to participate, but is required to be featured.

6.) Each host will choose one link to feature and promote via their social media channels next week.

7.) By linking up you agree to allow the hosts to use your featured post image if you are chosen as a feature for next week.

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Filed Under: Grace and Truth

12 Scriptures to Meditate on this Easter

March 7, 2025 By Rebekah 0

It happens each year here in the Midwest - lingering snow melts away and red buds form on the tree outside of my window. Robins return to the backyard with their early morning song. Soon the green tips of our tulips will peek through the soggy earth, too.

All of creation speaks of new life when Spring arrives.

It’s as if Spring is preparing us to celebrate Easter Sunday, the day that we believers celebrate as the beginning of new spiritual life. The Word, who became flesh, endured suffering and death to pay for our sins and restore us to a right relationship with the Heavenly Father. He gave us new life!

But all too often, those of us who have been walking in the faith for some time easily forget our first love, the joy of our salvation. Lately I’ve been asking the Father to restore this unspeakable and contagious joy to me so that I might be enthusiastic about the gift of salvation!

One way to remember what Jesus’ death accomplished is through scripture. What better time of year to focus on the cross and what Jesus accomplished than Easter? With that in mind, I hope you enjoy this collection of verses to meditate on this Easter!

12 Scriptures to Meditate on this Easter

Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:13

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:51

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:37-39

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2b

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Romans 4:25

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom. 5:8

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.. Rom. 5:18-19

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:6

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16

—————————————————————-

Remember both the sorrow and subsequent joy of the cross this Easter.

Savor God’s free gift of Salvation. Ask the Father to restore your joy, your first love, and then walk according to the power of new life in Christ.

Because He Lives,

Jen

Filed Under: having faith in God, Hope

Would You Rescue Your Spouse?

March 6, 2025 By Rebekah 7

“Some people wish to live within the sound of church or chapel bell.
I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of Hell.”
-C.T. Studd, missionary

I grew up knowing this quote, as my parents are missionaries with the mission agency that C.T. Studd founded. I grew up agreeing with this quote, thinking about the power within this statement. The imagery from these few words came alive to me over the years.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 7:13,14

Imagine - the end of a long path, and suddenly the road splits. The path to the left is well-worn, and most people seem to be going that way, passing through a wide-open gate, into an unknown future. The path to the right is hardly visible - seems it’s there, but terribly hard to see. The gate is very narrow - so much so that you have to intentionally decide you want to go through it. It won’t fit you and a friend, or you and a spouse. Only one person can pass through at a time.

And you have to choose which way to go.

Now imagine - someone is standing at the fork in the road begging you to go to the right - to take the path that is hardly visible.

Okay, they’ve got your attention. After all, what could be so enticing about a path that is hardly visible, and a gate that is hardly passable? So you stop to listen.

With all the zeal they can muster, they begin to implore you to choose the path to the right.
You hear the laughter and merriment of those choosing the path to the left.
Yet their fervor draws your attention. Their words, “Trust Jesus, He gives life,” intrigue you.
And in those 3 seconds, hundreds have passed you by, choosing the other path.

Now, imagine you are the one at the fork in the road. You know that the path to the right leads to everlasting life, and the path on the left leads to destruction.

You are the one running that rescue shop - grabbing hold of everyone you can, trying to save a life, trying to encourage those who are making choices that lead them toward destruction.

We all face troubles in our marriage - communication, finances, relational. Some of those problems can drive us together, unifying us in our relationship.

Other problems, though, can threaten to drive a wedge between us. We can be lured into fighting for our own desires, rather than fighting for our marriage.

Perhaps your struggles have come to the point where you’re content to let your spouse go. If they want to choose that path to the left, the well-worn path, then so be it. They’ve made their choice and you’re tired of trying to dissuade them.

Suddenly you are face to face with your spouse, who is struggling mightily, trying to decide which path to take.

Are you actually content to let them go down whichever path they choose?

Are you truly at peace with letting them choose the path to destruction? Really?

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
II Peter 3:9

God is not willing that any should perish. He is patient toward us.

So why do we often find it okay to be impatient with others, especially our spouse?

Why are we so willing to throw our marriage away, rather than working with our spouse to stay together?

What if we are standing at that fork in the road, fighting desperately for each and every soul…

Would we really just let our spouse walk on by?

I know there are times when staying in a marriage is not safe. I also know that too often, our culture throws out marriage - dumps it in the trash - for the sake or personal convenience.

Maybe it’s time that we planted our feet, dug in deep, and started fighting as hard for our spouse as we would for any other person who needs Jesus.

Let’s be a generation that doesn’t run from adversity, but runs in to rescue others when adversity threatens.

And let’s start with those in our own four walls.

Here’s a practical application - learn II Peter 3:9. When adversity rears its ugly head within your home and marriage, when you are tempted to run from the situation, recite that verse. Even better? Substitute your spouse’s name into the verse:

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward (your spouse’s name), not wishing that (he - your spouse) should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
II Peter 3:9

Thank you, to those who are reaching out and sharing your story.
Please know, I am praying for all of you this week.

Filed Under: marriage

Defeating Discouragement {Grace & Truth}

March 4, 2025 By Rebekah 1

Do you ever feel like life has become one big checklist? If we do these 3 things, we’ll be more organized; or if we take these 5 practical steps, we’ll be a better person…something like that. I feel like I get bogged down in those sometimes, and I think that’s why this article jumped out at me - because it talks about one way, just one, to overcome discouragement.

While I’m not currently fighting discouragement, there are certainly many times when I feel that way. I’ve found that what is being shared in this week’s featured post really is the way to defeat discouragement. The enemy knows our struggles, our weaknesses, and this post reminded me that this is, indeed, a spiritual battle.

I hope you’ll take time to read this post - it’s not long, but it’s powerful!

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1.) Follow your hosts via their blog and/or social media channels. This is not mandatory, but appreciated!

3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community, so please don’t link and run!

4.) All links are randomly sorted - feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

In order to be featured next week:

5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. This is not mandatory to participate, but is required to be featured.

6.) Each host will choose one link to feature and promote via their social media channels next week.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

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God’s Plan for Our Lives

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A Light in the Darkness

Dressed for Success {Grace & Truth}

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The Perfect Storm

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12 Scriptures to Meditate on this Easter

12 Scriptures to Meditate on this Easter

Would You Rescue Your Spouse?

Defeating Discouragement {Grace & Truth}

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