YES to GOD study: Ch. 1: An Open Door

So glad you have dropped by for the summer study of



Hope that you all had a blessed weekend celebrating Father's Day.
On Sunday morning I was at the kitchen table writing my Father's Day post keeping a watchful eye on Alivia. She was insistent that she make and serve Gene breakfast in bed. All by herself.




So she sprayed the skillet, cracked all 6 eggs, scrambled them with a whisk, poured them into the pan, heavily salted them, peppered and stirred them.
She toasted a piece of bread, buttered it, dropped it on the dirty floor, picked it up and without losing her rhythm spread jelly on it.
I gagged.
She made 4 pieces of bacon and a cup of cappuccino in the microwave and even made a package of instant grits.
All by herself.


She got out a cookie sheet, put a placement on it along with an index card with the message HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! Love, Alivia she then went and woke him up.


I knew a little dirt wouldn't hurt him so I just smiled as Gene took a bite of the toast.
He told her how good it was and she beamed.
Knowing the dirty toast was being served to the man that ate this last year, I just let them enjoy their moment.
All by themselves.


He was blessed, loved and full.
Conveniently too full to eat all of the overly salted eggs.
I just pray if I get breakfast in bed anytime soon from Miss Alivia that she serves me cereal. Suddenly I'm allergic to toast and eggs that make you thirsty.

Okay...

CHAPTER 1: AN OPEN DOOR

Anything in blue is a quote from the book.

I loved the beginning of this chapter. I imagined Liz standing in the front door of her home just welcoming us in. To say that I'm glad to see you is a major understatement. Thrilled is more like it. Curb my enthusiasm? No way. Not when it's you.

Can't you just see Jesus saying that to us when we arrive in Heaven?




After inviting us into her home, Liz tells us That's what this visit is all about: slipping off the old and putting on the new. Letting go of the past and embracing freedom with our whole hearts.



Ms. Higgs has God's Word splashed throughout this chapter as if to back up the words from her heart.

1 Timothy 6:19b

Take hold of the life that is truly life.

The forgiven life. The grace-filled life.

That is one thing that really captured my attention with this book. Over the last year I have been told numerous times through e-mails and comments left of how much grace I have shown my teenage daughter who if you don't know, have given birth twice in one year. I do feel that I have shown her some grace, but I have also made the choice to watch her walk out my door covered in a coat of shame that I put on her.

So, how do I change? How do I clothe my girl in grace instead of shame?

It begins with an embrace, which is more than an elegant word for hug.

Hugs are short-lived and friendly...

An embrace is more intentional. Longer. Warmer. Far more personal.

Before reading this, I have never thought of the differences between a quick hug versus a embrace with intention.

We simply let the strength of our embrace express the depth of our thoughts and feelings.

I believe in you.

I support you.

I treasure you.

I love you.

Liz goes on to tell us that it doesn't matter where we have been, what we have done in our lives, that we are already wrapped in the Lord's embrace. Held close by nail-scarred hands.

She goes on to tell us that He is waiting for a return embrace from us. To accept the gift he's offering you. To listen for the whispered words you've longed a lifetime to hear:

You are loved. All is forgiven.

We are told the purpose of this book we are discussing:
Embrace Grace is for those hard-to-imagine days when the gospel seems too good to be true.

She wraps the chapter up with the sweet reminder that God has plans for us according to

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

She encourages her readers to follow Him, saying it is the key.

God will be there for you, however dark the hour, however tenuous your faith.


How reassuring to know that no matter how dark the storm gets, God is there.

He is the One that will lead if we will just follow.


At the end of this brief, but power-packed chapter Liz had 3 questions under a section called Before You Turn the Page...
I really urge you to take the time to answer the questions she gives us.

In the comments below if you want to answer this question please do so:

What words do you wish God would whisper in your ear?

If you have more to share on your own blog, then please sign up under Mr. Linky below so we can come visit you. If you don't have a blog and are reading along you can leave your thoughts in the comments section. If you haven't picked up your book yet and you want to join in, you can join in anytime...we'd love to have you!

Have a wonderful rest of the week and don't forget to answer the question. Even if you're not reading the book, join in.

~Many Blessings~

Next Tuesday read and be ready to discuss chapter 2:

Embrace Doubt