Devotional Touched by Grace Blog

Burn

I've been reading a book and it is thought provoking. A quote at the beginning of one of the chapters says, "What is to give light must endure the burning." Viktor Frankl We are told to be light to those around us. We are told that light dispels the darkness. "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine." It is engrained in everyone who has been in church. This is not easy to do, and the quote above makes that clear. In order to give light we have to burn. The burnin

Deep

I've been told I am a deep thinker. Last night watching a movie I listened for the deep quotes, thoughts and comments that should make us think. It wasn't even a movie most would consider "deep!" There is good and bad to being a deep thinker. Sometimes it takes the life out of a party. Sometimes it stops the flow of life when I have to "think through" every decision. Doing my best to be spontaneous, and finding it hard some days. Going with the flow can be challenging... Thin

Y

Yes, a simple Y. A letter that brings many memories to me. I was reminded of this letter a couple weeks ago when I painted trees at one of those Paint and Sip places. Then, last weekend on my way to and from PA to see a good friend, I saw the bare trees as the leaves fell and I was reminded of this story again. Years ago when I first started learning about Israel and customs and teachings from Bible with Jewish understandings (since they were the ones who wrote the Words), an

What to do... Halloween

The end of October is fast approaching and that means a day that I dislike - Halloween. There is a lot of junk connected to this day. Stuff I really don't want to be a part of. In the last 15 - 20 years there has been a process started by Christians which is the thought that we can "redeem the day." It is the idea that churches host a Harvest Festival or Trunk and Treat so children can enjoy a safe place to have fun dressing up and getting candy. While I understand the though

A Psalm

I realized as I pulled out the Shabbat prayer book this morning that I have not been putting in as many Scripture verses recently. It doesn't mean I have forgotten them. Love them... So, here is one to start the day. Psalm 99:1-4 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim ; let the earth shake! Adonai is great in Tziyon; he is high above all the peoples. Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy): “Mighty king who loves justice

Depend On

The prayer that is in this blog today is a favorite of mine from the Shabbat Prayer book. It covers the basic need of dependence on God, and yet acting in a way that YOU can make the difference. This prayer is exactly what the world needs right now. The world needs people who are fully dependent and trusting a God who cares and loves them, but acting in ways that make a difference. LOVE those around you. Bring JOY to the hearts of those you see. Stop calling others names and