A study of the grace of God is a study in contrast, a contrast between the desperate plight of mankind and the abundant and gracious remedy God has provided for us through Christ Jesus.

We have all been there–those large, social gatherings where we’re supposed to nibble on finger food, balance a glass of cheer, and chat with people we barely know. Aside from being awkward, the talk can be surface and unfulfilling.

“The Convent of the Blessed Virgin Mary” reads the arched sign above the door. There’s precious little peace and quiet in a mother’s life, but here I am, standing unexpectedly at the entrance to this chapel. The open doors draw me in. I don’t even try to resist.

Sharing your faith with friends or neighbors creates anxiety for a lot of Christians, but at Christmas, people are more open to talking about Jesus than at any other time of year. Maybe you’ve been praying about someone for a while now.

Paul never got over the fact that at one time he had been determined to destroy God’s church. Yet to him, the memory was not an occasion to revisit guilt, but one of great thankfulness to the merciful God who transformed him from a persecutor of Christ’s body to an apostle of the church.

When we travel often to the same destination, there comes a time when we no longer need a map [or directions via GPS]. That’s because we’ve memorized the route by heart. It is similar in our spiritual journeys.

It was Picasso who said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” What I believe Picasso is referring to is a loss of imagination. Imagination is the force that trespasses on the impossible.

The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope.

The goal of spending a year with Jesus is to learn how to pray. Our prayers do not start with us. They start with Jesus. Before we ever open our mouths in prayer, Jesus is praying for us. Despite much talk to the contrary, there are no secrets to living the Christian life.

My friend Ellie Lofarro is a “Why not?” kind of girl. She’s always up for an adventure. She recently went on a mission trip to Costa Rica. Afterward I had to smile when she wrote: The mission trip to Costa Rica was like all mission trips: amazing.