Disciples of Grace Today

At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. - Acts 9:36-37  When was the last time you heard a message about Tabitha, aka Dorcas? I'll wait. I'm going to venture that most of us have read right over her. Her story is in the same chapter as Paul's conversion and subsequent escape from the Jewish mob that sought to kill him. That's way more exciting than Dorcas. I suppose the only time we truly hear about her is in conjunction with Peter raising her from the dead, and healing people, but even then the focus is on Peter. Part of me thinks that Dorcas is okay with that.  There's a contentment in the life of Dorcas that I think we're missing in our age of chasing greatness. Today, churches are full of sermons on starting a business or allowing G...

  How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How Long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed against him"; lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But, I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me. - Psalm 13   During the Olympic Games we watched one of the world's greatest Gymnast, Simone Biles, sit out most of the competition. Simone was suffering from a condition that Gymnasts call The Twisties. It's comparable to when a pilot suffers from Spatial Disorientation (SD). Spatial Disorientation is when a pilot can't properly determine the airspeed, altitude or  aircraft attitude in relation to the earth. In some cases pilots c...

  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going - Hebrews 11:8 I think it's safe to say that we've all been in the car with someone who was confident in where they were going, but was often second guessed and interrogated or directed by someone in the passenger seats.  Every time I read this verse I think of being in the car with my grandparents, Ethel and McElery aka Mom and Daddy Mac or just Mac for short. Mac enjoyed driving, unless it was a long trip with Mom. Mom was never sure about the routes Mac would take. She always gave advice and pointed out different exits and turns he should take. Mac would politely respond with a "Yes dear." and continue on the way he was going. If her directing got too bad he'd just turn up the radio.  I liked watching my grandfather plan for long trips. Keep in mind this was before Map Quest, Google and GPS. He would start...