Legalism - The Elephant in the Room
There is no AA for legalists. At least not officially. But there ought to be, and it should be called your local church.
There is no AA for legalists. At least not officially. But there ought to be, and it should be called your local church.
Legalism doesn’t always appear as rule-heavy fundamentalism or hell-fire and brimstone. That kind of legalism is obvious and portrayed in Netflix documentaries. The vast majority of Christians can avoid this kind of craziness because it is so easy to identify. However, a more subtle and common legalism is far more difficult to recognize because, sadly, for much of Christianity, it is the thrust of the message being preached, the theology being handed down, and the direction we are being led.
Legalism is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot in Christian circles to the point that it loses all meaning and power because of its ubiquity. Too often, everyone who does not belong to our preferred flavor of Christianity becomes a “legalist.” When everyone can be labeled something, no one recognizes the proclivity in themselves.
Have you ever noticed that no one ever admits to being a legalist? You never hear someone say, “I am a legalist” or “I go to a legalistic church.” There is no AA for legalists. At least not officially. But there ought to be, and it should be called your local church. Because whether we like to admit it or not, we are all law-loving legalists. ………………………
Read the whole article at Legalism - The Elephant in the Room (1517.org)
![[Sunday] Held Well - Comfort Comfort](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1708700477496-8BQJHSVFI9W7F7AIYF24/Comfort3a.jpg)
[Sunday] Held Well - Comfort Comfort
To the lost souls feeling orphaned, the lonely drawing water in the heat, the outcasts fearing rejection, and those trembling before evil's seeming victory. Jesus comforts, "I am your hope, and darkness has no hold on you."
To the lost souls feeling orphaned, the lonely drawing water in the heat, the outcasts fearing rejection, and those trembling before evil's seeming victory. Jesus comforts, "I am your hope, and darkness has no hold on you."
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![Habitat for Children Clinic in Action [Photos]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1743775958834-NGYSRJHNXPLBYBJ28YDO/487204084_964799482509376_8992233462930826021_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg)
![[Sunday] Is It I? - Kingdom Way - Matthew 26a](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1743127054247-ZE8MXJVR10Y1BOA7NARW/KW+20a.jpg)
Getting Sober ...... Again
I begged Jesus to turn this wine back into water, but my prayers went unanswered.
I begged Jesus to turn this wine back into water, but my prayers went unanswered.
You have heard the story before. You know how it goes. Once upon a time, a sad and lonely agnostic boy from a broken and abusive home turned to drinking and drugging to comfort his heart and mind. And then on his 19th birthday, with a belly full of booze and a brain full of chemicals, God spoke to him: “If you keep doing this, you are going to die. If you follow me, you will live.” Miraculously, he quit partying, became a committed Christian, and within a short amount of time, a Youth Minister (obviously).
At no point in this transformation did I think that I had an addiction, disease, or allergy to alcohol that compelled me to drink. Rather, the real problem was that I was spiritually dead and needed a Savior. I stopped drinking because a spiritual transformation had been accomplished by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I was not one of those self-righteous straightedge kids who showed up at the hardcore shows with a freshly scrawled X on his hands to flaunt his inner strength and determination to remain out of step with the world by avoiding the crutches of drugs and alcohol. I was the humble Christian kid with infused righteousness who showed up at the hardcore shows with an oversized ><> sharpied on his hands to proclaim his dependence on the Savior and commitment to following him. And I was now extra-friendly in the pit, even to (most of) the tough guys.
I wasn’t counting the length of time I had been sober; I was counting the length of time I had been a Christian…………..
Read the rest of the article at Getting Sober … Again - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
![[Wednesday] Lent 2 - Speaking Comfort Comfort](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1708702552023-7N8LTU1IOBESLNFASF1K/speaking+2.jpg)
[Wednesday] Lent 2 - Speaking Comfort Comfort
How would you share the hope?
Sorry The stream got Started late.
Dinner Potluck 5:30PM
Service 6:30PM
How would you share the hope?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] The Thing We Hate - Kingdom Way - Matthew 26b](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1743730439101-6C4N0W2IL1JTKUJI7LSX/KW+21a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Troubled Hearts - Comfort Comfort](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1708108735951-5X95EFSL2CZB4DOATYW8/Comfort2a.jpg)
[Sunday] Troubled Hearts - Comfort Comfort
Jesus knows Peter is going to deny Him. Jesus knows our own failures. But while speaking to Peter and our failures, Jesus brings comfort to troubled hearts, and He makes room for us.
Jesus knows Peter is going to deny Him. Jesus knows our own failures. But while speaking to Peter and our failures, Jesus brings comfort to troubled hearts, and He makes room for us.
New Song This Week.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
New Song, How Deep the Father's Love For Us
Newer Classic
Here is Grace’s Recording for Sunday
On Feb 18th 2024 we are singing
How Deep the Father's Love For Us
1. How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
2. Behold the Man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.
3. I will not boast in anything
No gifts no pow’r no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Ending.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Listen to the Orginial.
Grace’s Version is up Top
![[Sunday] Ash Wednesday - Comfort Comfort](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1707758665176-EZVA8K4STO5T8SS80ZFO/Ash+Wednesday+wide+a.jpg)
[Sunday] Ash Wednesday - Comfort Comfort
Jesus love them to the end.
He Loved them to the End
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras February 13th
Fun times before Lent
Join us for Fat Tuesday. February 13th
Food and Music from 6-8PM
We are serving Pancakes with all the toppings and bacon!
Seating will be outside under string lights with live music.
Our hope is that we would sit with good company and make new friends while growing closer together.
Here is the History of the Fat Tuesday
Mardi Gras refers to events of the Carnival celebration, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is known as Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual Lenten sacrifices and fasting of the Lenten season.
Related popular practices are associated with Shrovetide celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with the penitential season of Lent. In countries such as the United Kingdom, Mardi Gras is more usually known as Pancake Day or (traditionally) Shrove Tuesday, derived from the word shrive, meaning "to administer the sacrament of confession to; to absolve".[3]
Comfort Comfort - John 13-17 - Lent
Before Jesus is arrested and is crucified, Before Jesus is arrested and crucified. Before all the pain and agonony. Before the diciples feel lost and alone. Before our own confusion and heart ach, Jesus speaks words of comfort as a rod and staff in the midst of the dark valley.
Before Jesus is arrested and crucified. Before all the pain and agonony. Before the diciples feel lost and alone. Before our own confusion and heart ach, Jesus speaks words of comfort as a rod and staff in the midst of the dark valley.
Reading Plan
Read around the readings for Sunday
2/14/24 - Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:13-29
2 Cor 5:20b-6:10
John 13:1-21
2/18/24
Isaiah 40:1-8
James 1:12–18
John 13:36- 14:7
2/25/24
Isiah 40:1, 12-14
Rom. 5:1–11
John 14:22-31
3/3/24
Isaiah 40:1, 15-20
1 Cor. 1:18–31
John 15:1-17
3/10/24
Isaiah 40:1, 21-26
Eph. 2:1–10
John 16:16-24
3/17/24
Isaiah 40:1, 27-31
Heb. 5:1–10
John 16:25 -- 17:5
3/24/24 - Palm Sunday
Zecheriah 9:9-12
Phil. 2:5–11
John 17:6-26
3/31/24 - Easter
Isaiah 25:6-9
1 Cor. 15:1–11
John 20:1-10, 19-23
![[Sunday] Easter Peace - Comfort Comfort](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1711647392840-QTG12C7K4VU48BL704D6/Comfort8a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Hosanna - Comfort Comfort](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1711065348620-WTT2YIN7EGEC3VXWNWCB/Comfort7ba.jpg)
![[Wednesday] Your Story - Speaking Comfort Comfort](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/de74e3a7-8a4c-44c4-b5c9-2da8ba33e37a/speaking+6.jpg)
![[Sunday] Plainly Overcome - Comfort Comfort](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1710513068049-67AOKCWMTHNNKN6PKH8P/Comfort6a.jpg)
![[Wednesday] Isolation and Community - Speaking Comfort Comfort](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/c958b9d1-75b6-49ac-bc8b-b9799ab63a5c/speaking+5.jpg)
![[Sunday] Blind Joy - Comfort Comfort](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1709911427560-LBNNRDXQIRRA67VHLSXJ/Comfort5a.jpg)
![[Wednesday] Death to Life - Speaking Comfort Comfort](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1709736399238-XALJC19OT2IT2DI54PK8/speaking+4.jpg)
![[Sunday] Clean Vines - Comfort Comfort](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1709235970952-F4GD314ECNROI20Q0WW8/Comfort4a.jpg)
![[Wednesday] Speak Freedom - Speaking Comfort Comfort](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/21931597-792e-4a33-a903-18ba3888497a/speaking+3.jpg)
![[Sunday] Send Me - Called Ephesians Ch 5-6](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1707492899506-R3EVD3F9FKPXI4JT8DH9/Called+4a.jpg)
[Sunday] Send Me - Called Ephesians Ch 5-6
We are called to walk in love, just as Isaiah sees he is a sinful man among a sinful people, and he yet is sent cleansed. God cleanses us to walk in love and gives us the defense of His armor.
We are called to walk in love, just as Isaiah sees he is a sinful man among a sinful people, and he yet is sent cleansed. God cleanses us to walk in love and gives us the defense of His armor.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] Paul Called Ephesians Ch 4](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1706891957980-21572Y4BQB0GN1VDLKYE/Called+3a.jpg)
[Sunday] Paul Called Ephesians Ch 4
Paul, after seeing his own life change from putting people in prison to now sitting in prison for the gospel. He looks at us and says live a life worthy of the calling.
Paul, after seeing his own life change from putting people in prison to now sitting in prison for the gospel. He looks at us and says live a life worthy of the calling.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![Black Tie Blue Jeans and Bingo. [Family Meals]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1706285483173-WIINMG61XOGW405RXB3F/421540586_726884289448065_6648072173632596410_n.jpg)
Black Tie Blue Jeans and Bingo. [Family Meals]
We will be holding our annual charity dinner and fund-raising event on FRIDAY , (new day) February 9, 2024, from 6 PM till 10 PM at the Barn at Oleander 6851 Oleander Ave in Port St. Lucie,
Family Meals, Inc. was launched to help Treasure Coast families understand the importance and value of sharing family meals. We do this by providing meal ingredients, and table-talk materials to help the working poor prepare and enjoy family celebrations for three special occasions throughout the year. Uncooked meals are delivered to the doors of those families so they may prepare the meals themselves, in the privacy of their homes, allowing them dignity and respect they deserve.
As we continue to grow, it is important that we have adequate funding to underwrite our programs.
To help us offset expenses as the community needs grow please help us by attending this gala.
We will be holding our annual charity dinner and fund-raising event on FRIDAY , (new day) February 9, 2024, from 6 PM till 10 PM at the Barn at Oleander 6851 Oleander Ave in Port St. Lucie,
Our Black Ties, Blue Jeans & Bingo Event promises to be a great event with four bingo games and four bingo prizes, each worth $500.00.
Limited seating– buy your tickets today!
Please partner with us to make this event as effective as possible. We are humbling requesting you support Family Meals, Inc., as a sponsor for this event. There are three Sponsorship levels available for this event.
![[Sunday] Moses Called Ephesians Ch 2-3](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1706237609738-7PE8GFQGT7U5IKWOVK1M/Called+2a.jpg)
[Sunday] Moses Called Ephesians Ch 2-3
Moses sees the bush on fire, not burning up. God, out of the bush, calls this outcast to announce the good news to those in captivity. For by grace we have been saved and sent to bring good news of Christ who saves.
Moses sees the bush on fire, not burning up. God, out of the bush, calls this outcast to announce the good news to those in captivity. For by grace we have been saved and sent to bring good news of Christ who saves.
Updated Version of O Worship the King this week!
Listen to it here.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Fun with Games at Walter League
Fun with Games
Join us next time for games and fun together.
The Glories of Being a Nobody
I don’t have to make anything of my life.
Read the whole article at The Glories of Being a Nobody - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
Thank God that you don’t know me. I don’t mean that I’m some sort of monster, and you shouldn’t know me. But if you’re reading this, you likely saw the name “Alex Sosler” and thought, “Huh, never heard of him.” I am largely an unknown nobody.
I used to think that my obscurity was some sort of burden to overcome. I had aspirations, after all. My ambition saw my privacy as an obstacle to conquer in order to be known in the wider world. It’s primal, this ambition. Ever since the Greeks and Romans, honor and glory have been the great achievement of life. Immortality came through having a lasting name and legacy. Surely, the Sosler name could live on by being known. Maybe not through my heroic acts but I have something to offer. Right?
If I was known, if I wasn………………………………………………………
Read the whole article at The Glories of Being a Nobody - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
Updated Song "Oh, Worship the King"
Just a little update of a classic
Here is Grace’s Recording for Sunday
On January 28th 2024 we are singing
O Worship the King
1. Oh, worship the King, all glorious above.
Oh, gratefully sing his pow'r and his love;
Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
2. Oh, tell of his might; oh, sing of his grace,
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space;
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
And dark is his path on the wings of the storm.
3. The earth with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, your pow'r has founded of old,
Established it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it has cast, like a mantle, the sea.
4. Your bountiful care what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light,
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain
And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
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5. Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In you do we trust, nor find you to fail;
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
Our maker, defender, redeemer, and friend!
6. O measureless Might, ineffable Love,
While angels delight to hymn you above,
Thy humbler creation, though feeble their lays,
With true adoration shall sing to your praise.
The paradox of becoming what we hate finds its resolution in the cross, where darkness is not fought but absorbed. Matthew Chapter 26b