Christmas Gifts

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by notofworks

At Christmas time, I loaded the bottom of the tree with many amazing gifts. When the evening of the 24th came, I continued our family tradition of sitting the kids down and having them perform several things first before I gave them their gifts. Just recently on Christmas Eve, I made my older son throw a baseball 90mph. He kept saying, "Dad, I can't do that. You know I'm not good at baseball, my sport is basketball", but heck, I had my demands and I wasn't about to give him his stuff before he did what I said.

So I stood there with the radar gun and had the kid throw. I felt bad for him at one point because he was topping out at 77mph, which is decent but WAY short of where he needed to be.

Eventually, his shoulder started hurting. "Too bad", I said. "Tell you what, we'll try again tomorrow and I'll have someone come over and teach you how to throw harder."

But that didn't work. These kids, I'll tell ya.

So I bought him a book about baseball and that didn't help either.

I had him prayed for.

I got the church to do a 24-hour prayer chain.

He managed to get the velocity up to 81, but WAY short of my requirements, but too bad, you know, I have my rules and I have the way I do things.

I thought enticement would help so I told him how AMAZING his gifts were and I'll tell ya, he BEGGED me for them. But rules are rules and I will NOT give that kid his Christmas gifts until he does what I say he has to do.

But it's January 9th and I'm starting to think the kid just isn't serious enough. He's just not throwing the ball the right way. But he'll need to figure it out or......no gifts.

Just wanted to tell you about my Christmas.

Grace came. Unmerited. Not earned (or "qualified" -- Lord knows I didn't QUALIFY to be saved either sheesh). Of no condition. Not of works lest any man should boast. The gift of God. Lavish, prodigal love to a beggar, to a castaway, rebellious son. It didn't make sense. The elder brother had a fit. This doesn't sound like how the Story should go. But it is. Grace. So amazing. Our free gift. A gift not provoked by any obligation on God's part. No "you do this, and I'll do that." Just grace.

No greater Story in all the world.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Socialite

Grace came. Unmerited. Not earned (or "qualified" -- Lord knows I didn't QUALIFY to be saved either sheesh). Of no condition. Not of works lest any man should boast. The gift of God. Lavish, prodigal love to a beggar, to a castaway, rebellious son. It didn't make sense. The elder brother had a fit. This doesn't sound like how the Story should go. But it is. Grace. So amazing. Our free gift. A gift not provoked by any obligation on God's part. No "you do this, and I'll do that." Just grace.

No greater Story in all the world.

Seems very simple, doesn't it?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Socialite

Grace came. Unmerited. Not earned (or "qualified" -- Lord knows I didn't QUALIFY to be saved either sheesh). Of no condition. Not of works lest any man should boast. The gift of God. Lavish, prodigal love to a beggar, to a castaway, rebellious son. It didn't make sense. The elder brother had a fit. This doesn't sound like how the Story should go. But it is. Grace. So amazing. Our free gift. A gift not provoked by any obligation on God's part. No "you do this, and I'll do that." Just grace.

No greater Story in all the world.

I'm discovering that biblical grace is down right scandalous. A man faithful to church, all the traditions, standards, codes of conduct, etc. can be lost because he added to the cross, thus making himself his own savior.... while a vile, sin filled, abominable prostitute can call on the name of Jesus trusting ENTIRELY on His finished work upon the cross and she be forgiven of all sin... past, present, and future. She is then declared righteous and holy according to Christ's imputed righteousness and holiness... and she will be welcomed into eternal glory.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I'm discovering that biblical grace is down right scandalous. A man faithful to church, all the traditions, standards, codes of conduct, etc. can be lost because he added to the cross, thus making himself his own savior.... while a vile, sin filled, abominable prostitute can call on the name of Jesus trusting ENTIRELY on His finished work upon the cross and she be forgiven of all sin... past, present, and future. She is then declared righteous and holy according to Christ's imputed righteousness and holiness... and she will be welcomed into eternal glory.

In his book, "Grace", Andy Stanley says, "Anything in addition to grace, isn't grace."

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by notofworks

In his book, "Grace", Andy Stanley says, "Anything in addition to grace, isn't grace."

[jmspiers]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I'm discovering that biblical grace is down right scandalous.

A friend on Facebook posted a link to Mark Lowry talking about grace. It was really good. He said that God spreads grace like a 4-year-old spreads peanut butter; He gets it over everything.

Originally Posted by Aquila

A man faithful to church, all the traditions, standards, codes of conduct, etc. can be lost because he added to the cross, thus making himself his own savior

Such a great, great point. Those who attempt to be justified by the law are severed from grace (Gal. 5:1-4; a very apt way of putting it since he was talking about circumcision. I love Paul haha).