becoming a leader · being a minister · Bread of life · going to minister · grace to Grow in grace · Make a difference · Uncategorized

I used to fall in the cracks……but now I fill them!

Laura GraceLeave a comment

What do I mean by this? Well honestly, I did used to think people were hurting me on purpose! Excluding me! Sorry, but I did. Whether they did or they didn’t, the Lord knows my heart. I know now most of them didn’t (do it on purpose) because I have a more mature view of things. Therefore, “get mature” ……

I have always said to him: “SHOW ME” IF I am wrong and then I tell him all my feelings, woes, hardships, or sorrows. He did say cast our cares on him! (SO I do!) 

God does not always show us we are wrong immediately. Sometimes we make the same mistakes for years and it’s HORRIBLE when we finally find out about it. I can testify, it doesn’t matter if you “prayed about it” You may STILL be wrong about a few things. It’s hard to realize, and even harder to imagine how God could just “let that happen.” 

Years ago God started saying “Bloom where you are planted” And “If you think something should be done, you go do it.”

Later after I’d done that awhile He said, “You do make a difference,” And here lately he’s been telling me clearly what I do who I am, and what he has in store for me.  Oh and there is the infamous “THE RIVER FINDS A WAY.” 

Too often, I’ve been stuck in “the proper way to do things,” Or “How stuff happens” according to someone else. You don’t need to go to Seminary to be a minster, you already are, or should be (becoming one) as we are all priests according to the bible. The thing is, will we step INTO What God has already said we are? 

I was not approached nor picked to sing in the church I am currently in. I asked to sing, because I didn’t see specials being done, so I offered to do a special.

The pastor said yes, the congregation liked it, so I did it again. Then I got a vocal partner to harmonize with and it went from there. This all led to a job filling in the cracks at the school, when they had no music teacher and I had a Fatnastic experience there! I have filled in cracks as a sub, and became a dog watcher for someone …….Many ‘cracks’ I have just gone and filled, as it needed to be done. 

IN EVERY AREA (so far as I know) That I’ve been hurt, or went through a terrible trial, God has made me strong in that area to fill in the cracks, and minister.

Just today- I was explaining when a person is abused, going through terrible trials at home (beyond the comprehension of many) they do not need to be scolded for not going to church all the time, or have someone quote a bunch of scripture on not fearing (and stuff like that) WE HAVE GOT TO stop and pray about these things! They may need healing emotionally and it may take years. Maybe they just need a friend to listen right now……

Whatever I was NOT GIVEN I freely give! that’s how I learned to fill the cracks and not fall through them.. “Give what you hope to receive!” Think someone should do this or that? YOU DO IT! You pray with someone, or listen, or give them the daily bread God gave to you! It’s the same with Jobs, I just fill in the cracks, where I see a lack. If you hear a story that is terrible just stop and think (and pray) What would I have wanted to have said to me in this situation? Don’t do what was DONE TO YOU Do what you WISH had been done to you! It’s not that complicated! If you Pray and God does not speak, then do what you think is best (TO HELP not hurt, to HEAL NOT DEAL! We all must remember that God didnt send us out to be sin sniffers with a big stick trying to straighten people out! 

So I saw my friend may need pictures of her wedding, I just did it. They needed a guitar player, so I played. I gave up on MY WAY or the Highway mentality! It’s God’s way or bust, for me now! 

now think about this (God showed me this, this morning) when the Disciples wanted them to go away and eat Jesus said “You give them something to eat.” They are standing there like WHAT? Well it’s not just loaves and fishes, take what you HAVE IN YOUR HAND and hold it up and bless it. Start doing stuff for Jesus! You don’t have to fall through the cracks. Just …what do you have right now? A song? A desire to go encourage people? A word of encouragement? You have and are bread– if you have been with Jesus very long. Pray over what you have, ask God to bless it, and just start going, and doing, and filling in the cracks, every time you see one! 

Maybe it’s a tidbit of understanding God has a testimony of what GOD DID FOR YOU In that same situation. shown you. Or maybe an encouragment, or a psalm or just whatever…..I filled in the cracks helping with music and Donna jumped in and became a ‘crack filler” too! Just do it! and if they won’t let you do it in church go do it elsewhere! What are you waiting for? A Green light from God is a green light from God! Guess what else God showed me? FIRE BAKES BREAD! 

if Jesus is “the bread of life” so then, are you! Astounding, isn’t it? Yes, it is! 

Father help us to let to of our petty little selves and just DO What needs to be done! Help us not to worry about rewards or getting paid or any of that stuff so much as we just concern ourselves with Following you Father! And if our job happens to be filling in cracks, so be it! IN Jesus’ name! amen 

-Laura Grace 

christian friends who don't help · disciplesofchrist · gracetogrow · Gracetogrowrealstories · gracetogrowstudy · having compassion in the body of Christ · insults to injury in church · jobs friends · the story of Job · Uncategorized · with friends like that who needs enemies

Adding insult to Injury: Job’s Friends

Laura GraceLeave a comment

In the book of Job we find these words:

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil”

I just love old Testament stories! There is so much to be gleaned from there, especially when one does not use it as a gathering place for more correction. Just look at the story, see the man, see the woman of God (as they are) and let God paint the picture for you.

An overview of the story, is that satan went before God- and said that if Job were to lose everything, he would curse God and not worship him. He said “If you take away your protection” (paraphrased), your righteous man will be righteous no more.

 My take on it is:

God was protecting Job from satan, and this was pre-Jesus, as he had not yet come to earth to die for our sins. Satan accused him, and there was no one there yet to defend Job. He had no advocate. No one to intercede for him. So while he was in his trial, he basically interceded for himself, and God answered him. 

So satan didn’t waste any time, once he had “permission” and notice nobody was praying for Job (I say again) and Jesus had not yet come to earth, to save and redeem us.

Job lost everything, including his health, for a while.

His friends came to comfort him, and started out pretty good (sitting with him for 7 days) but then their true colors came out. Whew! The things they said (oh boy!) Reminds me of church people sometimes. 🙂 Read it sometime! 

Job got accused of self-righteousness, folly, a need to repent, that he had brought this on himself, or that God was chastizing him. Worse  yet at one point, it was suggested he just curse God and die. 

Not a good thing.

His friends went on and on, until he finally called them “miserable comforters” and in Chapter 16 said his friends had “withered him up.” In other words, what satan could not do, his friends were almost able to do. (DO him in completely).

In the end, the only way the friends could be okay, is if Job prayed for them. God’s rules. God’s Justice, In action “If you pray for them,” (God said)………….they’ll be ok. 

     Sounds like Jesus! 

See, we see what we think we see, but God sees all (the truth) from heaven. Job’s friends had a bad case of “tunnel vision.” and looking through their naturalThey did not see things from God’s perspective, they were just speculating, and looking through their natural eyes.

So often, even in our zeal to “forgive and forget” (which is a great thing) We fail to understand the Holy Spirit MAY want to use us, to bring some conviction. 

Poor Job did not need help feeling miserable, and yet his friends just added to it. So my question is, if Job can say “You are miserable comforters” (and he was such an upright man) why is it considered so terrible to say the same thing, when someone adds insult to our injury? What is so terible about saying “YOU HURT ME?”

How else will they know? this is what I mean by “taking the mask off” (tell the truth!) stop being a Zombie christian! In some cases you must just “say” what is on your mind. Amen? There was a time I did not. I was intimidated by those “religious ones” who knew the word of God better than I did- so they beat me up! 

FINALLY- I learned the word of God myself and learned to stand

(against the bullies) 

Yes, bless them! (Job did, he prayed for them) but maybe they ought to know what you are praying for, and get just a bit of conviction out of the deal. Yes, forgive them. But in some cases don’t miss the chance to be real (and honest) with people-especially your friends! It just may be they need your mercy, along with some truth. (so they can know what not to do in the future!) Amen! 

Laura Grace 

Author, writer, speaker http://www.gracetotherescue.com

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Anouncement: Speaking! I have a word for God’s Church (People)

Laura GraceLeave a comment

BROCHURE PIC

LISTEN! I have a lot of words for God’s people. Get God out of that box! Side step the Sacred cows! Growing VS Knowing (I know we all THINK we know how to grow) 

But you have not heard it like this (before) it’s fresh bread! It’s Testimony Time! 

What could I say that has not been said already ? Ask me to visit your group, church, and have me speak (you’ll find out!) It’s more of a pleasant surprise than anything, unless you are religious, in which case you better pray first! 

First off, YOUR congregation is not the whole answer. WE have branches of the military in the Army of the Lord! (Navy, Marines, and so on) we even have some civilian support! My new book “Relationship is Everything” with God and others 

will be coming out soon. Are you stagnating? Praying to return to your first love or praying things like “REVIVE ME?” …..

Have me speak! God has things to say through me! I have testimonies to share, things to say that will actually help you (unless you don’t need help in which case, PRAISE GOD!) ……My love to you all-        Laura Grace “Send me Father, send me!) 

sisterzeal@yahoo.com gracetotherescueministries.com http://www.gracetogrowdaily.com

Gods healing power · Gods love · Gods Mercy · growing in GOD · growing up in Christ · healing · Uncategorized

One out of 10 came back to Thank Him

Laura GraceLeave a comment

In Luke 17 there is an interesting story: It is the story of how Jesus healed 9 Lepers. Now Leprosy was a very harsh thing (no cure for it). So Many times people cry out for miracles and get them but they never return to Glorify God with their lives. Jesus already knew why they didn’t come back to praise Him.

He wanted US to notice this happens otherwise, this passage of scripture would not be here! and Guess what? His dismay over this did not stop him! What an Example! 

What a Mentor he was! What a great High Priest! Father your Mercy endures forever. Let this story be an example and reminder to us, not to stop doing good things , even when only one out of 10 come back to praise you! We do it for that one! Amen! Praise Jesus! See the story below: a HEALING scripture

11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (NKJV) 

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Church should be, Psalm 23

Laura GraceLeave a comment

grow sheep.png

At the beginning of this year the Lord spoke to me and “I’ve put my love in you for the church.” See for a long time I was like that jaded teenager that gets mad at the parent who made mistakes.

I have come to see a lot of the anger I had was from very deep hurt. Yes I’ve forgiven them, and let me tell you something, God has put powerful things in my heart to share with his people both IN And out of church. How do I know?

Some of the very same things have happened again, and I didn’t even flinch LOL Ok I flinched a little…..but didn’t run!

The truths of God are timeless, but we need to go with the times and not wear this outdated religious “clothing” so to speak. We all need to be spiritual pioneers, venture out into new territory, let God expand our horizons, get out of that tunnel vision and walk out of the stuck in the mud ways!

Platitudes are not going to work we live in a world that wants REAL answers, a REAL testimony of God’s power and the church can’t be just a club house anymore.

It needs to be filled to the top with testimonies of God’s love and power From EVERYONE in the church! We need ALL Of the Body parts to function and share!

CHURCH SHOULD BE Psalm 23! this is what the Lord has said to me. and not just for some for EVERYONE THERE …..
Green Pastures, Still waters, Restoring your SOUL!

THEN Go out! Don’t send wounded soldiers back to the battlefield! Get them Healed up! LOVE YOUR Brethren!

People come in hurting they don’t need to get scolded, or hear how they are not measuring up or not attending enough or whatever. THEY NEED SOUL HEALING! Let’s learn to be spiritual doctors! bandage em up! Pray for their healing!

Well that’s just the beginning. ………there is more!

LOVE YOU CHURCH (and People of God) I LOVE YOU! Laura Grace 

Grace to the Rescue Ministries http://www.gracetotherescue.com

communication · growing in GOD · marital solutions · my spouse makes me so mad sometimes · no more fighting · peaceful solutions in God · solving emotional fights · Uncategorized

How God solved a fight with a solar garden! by Laura Grace

Laura GraceLeave a comment

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Being real here; ‘The solar light garden” and how it came to be Well, I hope this helps or encourages someone out there.

I’m not just showing off my tiny landscaping project, as there are much better ones out there. But what is significant about this one is, it was born in the midst of a quarrel about “Lights.” I love lights! Christmas lights, all kinds of lights! so when Solar lights came out I was like wow those are COOL!

I got some, lined them along the sidwalk. Tim has a riding mower now (exciting for him) he has to pull them all up for the mower to go over the sidewalk AND pick up sticks and branches and rocks. So he was not too keen on the lights along the sidwalk last year.

I thought well he’s right and put three by my deck this year and he decided to mow close to he pulled those up too (my lights) breaking one! OH LORD I was so upset about this!

He isn’t into my lights I’m not into his mower woes! HA All kinds of things went through my head. “UNFAIR” My mind screamed I do all kinds of inconvenient things for YOU! (Love me love my lights!)

ha ha ha

Oh My What a big battle can arise in our minds from tiny things!

So I prayed “Lord please help me not be so upset how do I solve this?” I came in the house “let’s make a solar garden!” With Bricks around it! So we did. Tim dug up all the grass and did the actual landscaping. See, he does love me!

🙂 aint’ it grand? Every day stuff God helps us with! Love it! -Laura Grace Speaker, Author, Writer……..every day person like you!

having faith isn't so hard when · Uncategorized

WHAT DO I DO? Different Kinds of Faith

Laura GraceLeave a comment

owfaith in GOdSo We know the scripture! “THE just shall live by Faith” and all the stuff we’ve heard. sounds pretty lofty doesn’t it? I’m sorry but we can’t possibly cover all the examples of faith in one little meme’ or passage or even a blog! The various ways a person can HAVE FAITH (Just Have Faith) Is as endless as the types of jobs in the world or even dare I say (brands of cereal?). 

One put mud in his eye (In the Bible) by the way that’s where the saying came from “Here’s mud in your eye!” (a Reference to a bible story!) One did this another did that and one lady touched Jesus and another cut a hole in a guy’s roof! IN NONE OF THESE CASES did Jesus run around saying “who can I heal today or who do I WANT TO HEAL?” Tell me where he just randomly chose okay “You, you and you” I will heal and “you you and you” I will not heal. Didn’t happen. 

WE have something to do with the outcome. IF you are seeking him and he says go to the doc go..if he says put mud in your eye well, I would do it! would you? I am NOT afraid to do what the world considers crazy to get a miracle. I Am NOT Missing out! 

How about you? 

Think about that for a minute. READ your bible you’ll be amazed (and forever changed) and read it like a person who Expects to understand it BY FAITH!!!! that’s the biggest thing I’ve done by Faith in my life time. I read my bible expecting the HOLY SPIRIT To help me understand it. No I don’t care what the pope said, or what he said or she said or they said. NOPE sure don’t! The Holy Spirit is my teacher (John 14, 15, 16) there are severeal references to this I AM accountable to HIM. I have FAITH he will correct me! I have FAITH he will guide me! and guess what? HE DOES!!! This lonely ol’ girl from MT of whom if you don’t accept my testimony that’s fine. God Made it! HE WILL DEFEND IT! 

amen Laura Grace Author, speaker, minister in training and in internship with Jesus.  Love ya! MWAA! 🙂 now grow grow grow! 

Alanon · Christian divorce · Uncategorized · when christians get divorced

When Christians get divorced…..

Laura Grace4 Comments

One good side effect of gay marraige is the whole church world will come to realize every piece of paper obtained for marraige is not a union arranged by God. Either that or they will succumb to peer pressure and decide it’s just okay

I am not an advocate of divorce but it happens. People who have no other way to get free should not be condemned over this and i’ve said it before (and will say it again).

Just seperating is a wonderful ideal but we live in a world the other person would be pursued for their bills and everything else so in some cases, yeah the person just needs to pray to “Free themselves like a gazelle” from the bad promise they made.

(book of Proverbs)

I was researching amazon about the topic and was amazed to find how many people have written that God showed them the very same things he showed me about the topic.

He talks about liars going to hell but yet Abraham lied (to save his wife) or was deceitful. God did not condemn him for it he was in a very big pinch. 

He said honor your Father and mother but he didn’t mean for little children to take abuse and say thank you for beating me please whip me again and kill me next time.

We need to see the very heart of God about things. I’m sure he uses whatever pain is driving people to defend gay marraige to bring about good in more ways than we can count

GOD is into TURNING OUT FOR GOOD what satan intended for evil! We have to stay focused on the good he will bring! We have got to Learn to say “USE THiS For your GLORY!”

That’s what I have done with all the heartaches and harships in my life “turn it out for good” “Let me help people’ Let me enourage them they are not alone” …….

Drug addicts get free, everyone rejoices. a person who gets their whole sense of self worth in taking care of someone who wants to stay addicted, messed up, and fights God’s ways at every turn ALSO needs to get free from that (type of) addiction.

The problem is very few rejoice with them when they do. In Order to set at liberty those who are bruised, see the captives set free, and see revival come To America, we need to see everything through God’s eyes, and not the natural man.

A Holy Ghost filled person in Love with Jesus is not going to just “toss a good marraige aside” nor anything else God has given them. So Do not fear! We need to start Trusting When a person is saved and Spirit filled we WILL KNOW WHO THEY ARE! There is coming a day we won’t be able to tell with our natural eyes who is who.

We will have to be led of the Spirit to survive (what is coming). Pray for souls to be won (to Jesus) and for people to be made whole. That is God’s heart for his (lost) people! Salvation being reunited with Him and RESTORED (made whole) that’s what he wants!

He is not sitting in heaven like a big dictator getting all hot under the collar about sin and mistakes. He is weeping for their souls, He just wants them to come to him and receive what he paid such a bloody price for ……..

HIS children! He bought them back! and heaven help anyone who gets in the way of HIS KIDS coming back to him! I’ve written a mini book “a Christian case for divorce” and I will publish it. Let me know if you want a copy send me your email. With Love,

Laura Grace 

I don't wanna go to church · I love church but sometimes I need to rest with Jesus · sometimes I don't go to church · Uncategorized

Green pastures…..and still waters

Laura GraceLeave a comment

WOW beautiful lake.jpg

Do not fear. Do not Worry. Do not doubt. 

There are all Kinds of commands in the New 

Testament. Do not Here’s a biggie: Jesus said, 

“BE PERFECT” Try doing that one by yourself!

It’s time we realize we don’t keep all the commands, 

so what is the point of walking up to someone and 

saying by the way “The bible says’ Not to forsake 

the gathering” and imply they are not right with God 

if they missed church last Sunday? 

Sometimes I want to say “really, are you perfect yet?” 

God spoke to my heart he said, “Church should be like

Psalm 23″ It Restores you, you are fed Still Waters, 

Green pastures. “He restores my soul.” 

Whether you spent the day with Jesus (the Shepherd

of your soul) Or with other sheep, (of his pasture) remember

this, God approves of you, and loves you! SO long as you 

are in HIS adpotion process you are His! HIS and no one 

elses! ALLOW HIM to direct your paths, K? 

Keeping in real (as Doc Lynch would say) BE Blessed! 

Laura Grace