“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Peter 1:2)
The phrase grace and peace is used 18 times in the epistles, and always in that order. We have peace because we have grace.
In essence, grace is the continual giving of God. “Grace is the action of God bringing to pass in our lives good things which we neither deserve nor can accomplish on our own.” Dallas Willard
“Grace in the theological sense is that force that infuses our lives, that keeps letting us off the hook. It is unearned and gratuitous love; the love that goes before, that greets us on the way. It's the help you receive when you have no bright ideas left, when you are empty and desperate and have discovered that your best thinking and most charming charm have failed you; grace is the light or electricity or juice or breeze that takes you from that isolated place and puts you with others who are as startled and embarrassed and eventually grateful as you are to be there.” — Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies
If my peace depends on how perfectly I am handling life, I am sunk. If I can experience and extend grace to others, I can find rest in a supernatural peace.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” (John 14:27)
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
Anyone who has walked with God for years will attest that faith is usually deepened from the rough times far more than under blue skies. At Indiana University, I had a poster on my wall that said “Faith isn't faith until it's all you're hanging on to”. Many of us have experienced the truth and stability of the anchor that holds within the veil. (Hebrews 6:19)
We have known the peace that passes understanding when God meets us in the night watch, those sleepless hours in the middle of the night when no one is looking for us except God.
We have reached out to touch the hem of his garment when no one else truly sees us, hears us, or understands what we're going through—and we have received strength and power from His presence.
We have felt the everlasting arms beneath us when everything else seems to give way.
I have experienced grace in such powerful ways in the last year. In the midst of tremendous pain, Jesus has met me with an unshakable, undergirding joy that makes no sense from a human perspective. He has given me laughter, humor, friendship, unexpected surprises, divine appointments, beauty, fun, and a peace that is different than anything the world offers.
Life gets overwhelming at times. The needs around us can be intimidating. May we learn to embrace and offer grace, then rest in peace.
May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you. (Jude 2)
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Grace and peace,
Linda
P.S. I will be having surgery Thursday, May 30th, so I will be out of commission for a while. I would appreciate prayers for a safe surgery and swift recovery. Thank you for your patience while I am unplugged and away from the office. Many thanks to the Psalm One Prayer Team for walking with me.
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
― Anne Lamott
From time to time, my spiritual life needs a jump start. A chance to shut down completely and rest, then reboot with renewed energy and vitality. A bit of stretching and nurturing to refill my tanks and rekindle my love for Jesus. Time to pause and assess halfway through the year.
I often have the best of intentions to take time away with the Lord, but sometimes those intentions never become reality. Having some encouragement and accountability helps me when I gather with a few fellow pilgrims as we spend time seeking God alone together.
Could you use any of that? Come away with me June 28-30 for a Refocus and Refuel Retreat.
Who’s invited? Men and women, anyone hungry for a deeper connection to Jesus. 48 hours to let the whirlwind cease, to let the noise subside, to let the dust settle, to be able to discern the important from the urgent, to keep what is valuable, to let the chaff blow away.
What do we do? The weekend begins with time in the Word, considering the state of our souls, and heart preparation. We end with time in the Word, reflecting on what God has been whispering, and prayer as we return home. In between these gatherings, we are in complete silence except for great conversation and lots of laughter over meals and meeting with me for spiritual direction, prayer, or just a listening ear if desired.
When: June 28-30, Friday dinner through Sunday lunch.
Where: Cincinnati, Ohio. Your own private room and bathroom. Delicious meals. Beautiful quiet space to stretch out, gorgeous chapel, gardens, scenic neighborhood to walk, wander, pray, process, and be refreshed.
How much? $225 ($275 after June 14) which includes all housing, meals and materials. Space is limited and we cannot hold your spot until paid in full, so register soon!
“For me, being at the Refocus and Refuel Retreat was like stepping out of the jungle into an oasis! It was a place where I was nourished, refreshed, lovingly challenged and encouraged by God as I quietly meditated on His Word, prayed and worshipped through nature walks with Him. God has uniquely gifted Linda Kline with the ability to greet pilgrims right where they are and provide an atmosphere that shepherds weary pilgrims towards increased faith in God, through well studied biblical teaching, powerful photography, and hilarious laughter! “
This is for men and women--anyone who desires a deeper relationship with God! This is especially life-giving and replenishing for those who pour themselves out in ministry to others. Come and clear out the cobwebs through life-giving time with the Shepherd. Set aside this time to devote to the Lord. It will be time well invested.
If you’ve done something like this before, you know how God meets us where we are and gently leads us where we need to be. If you’ve never done anything like this before, do not fear! There will be plenty of guidance and freedom for you to experience the presence of Jesus. Spaces are limited and Early Bird ends June 14, so register soon at: https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel
Psalm One Bible Study:
We are studying 1 Peter online on Tuesday nights at 7:30 pm Eastern Time and would love to have you with us. This letter is jam packed with wisdom on how to walk as strangers and aliens in this world, yet chosen and beloved of God. We're getting so much out of this study! This is for men and women, single and married, anyone who wants to go deeper in the Word and walk closer with Jesus. Sign up online to stay in the loop: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study (We’ll be skipping a few weeks as I recover, but you are welcome to hop in at any point after then.)