I do decorate a tree. I do put up some snow men I really love at Christmas time. I am a Holy ghost filled born again Christian woman and yes I do love Christmas! I do not bow to or honor any pagan gunk I simply love that many times people are nicer this time of year; more ready to smile willing to greet you and say “Merry Christmas.”

When I was younger and sometimes even when I was older I would get way too stressed out at Christmas time. I’m not sure if any men get stressed (maybe when they see the bank account diminishing) but for the most part it’s usually women that get stressed out at Christmas time if someone is going to! Why? Because it’s on us to make it happen!

If money is no object: it’s not so stressful I’m sure. but if you are broke wow …..and if you have kids with big expectations? Double wow!

I”ve had some marvelous Christmas’s I’ve had some very hard ones; I just feel led to reach out to you today and say this: GOD CAN and will restore your Christmas Spirit if you ask him! I had a friend tell me this year she was praying for me to have Christmas Spirit.

She didn’t have any for quite awhile after her husband suddenly passed away. I have prayed for her constantly over the past few years and I will say her loss caused me to treasure my own husband even more: and notice his faults ‘even less” because her traumatic loss was a reminder to me how quickly life on earth can suddenly end.

Christmas is a time of wishes and hoping they come true. Whether it’s wishing to see family; wishing for gifts or wishing for a marvelous dinner like Tiny Tim had after scrooge got his scolding from the ghostly visitors: People tend to have unmet expectations at Christmas. Usually the response to this is huge disappointments and so “WE” either wind up finding something to be thankful for or we wind up huffy!

Well I’ve gotten Huffy; disappointed: THE PRESSURE of Christmas (for mostly women) brings out the best or the worst of us it seems. I want to point out when Water is Roaring through a broken; damaged or faulty pipe system the pipe will break! Bad it broke: good you found out you need some new plumbing! So my contention is this: Are we going to let our leaky plumbing upset the whole day? Or ask God to make us all new inside? We have the choice you know. That’s what being a Christian is all about; being made new (year after year after year) and if we are going forward in our growing; I dare say we will like ourselves a whole lot more. if we like ourselves more: it’s going to show and people will want what we have. Then The spirit of Evangalism can truly happen!

PS: Let your Christmas be Merry and bright! Let God shine (upon you) his glorious light! and let’s not have a Martha Stewart Christmas; not if striving for perfection makes you feel unhappy. Better to rejoice with a crust of bread than have feasting with strife! amen?

With Love:

Laura Grace (author)

The art of encouraging others actually springs from a heart of love (and mercy). So many times we wonder why some are great at encouraging and others are not.

One of the ingredients of a great encourager; is they know what it is to suffer. Have you ever had a situation where you were really suffering and someone came along and said; “what wrong?” and then you told them and they scowled at you and said, “Oh that used to happen to me all the time, it’s no big deal!” Did you feel better? Why or why not?

Worse yet; Have you ever had the shock of having someone tell you they had a way worse problem last week; that you really have nothing to complain about at all? Now that’s harsh!

It can be a really fine line sometimes; trying to determine when we are giving too much sympathy and when we are being too harsh.

I’ve made so many mistakes in my lifetime; saying the wrong thing at the wrong time; there are times I have seemed to make things worse instead of better as I struggled to help.

Here’s the thing; We have a far better hope of offering the right type of encouragement if we ask our Heavenly Father for guidance.

We can all be great encouragers if we really set our minds to it. It takes Growing to do this; did you know this?

So you tried to encourage someone last week; last year; maybe even yesterday and it seemed to do no good! Get up and try again! Pray you can be better at this! You will get there! Practice makes perfect!

say this with me: “I am an encourager.” “I am a blessing” “the Lord teaches me new things every day and I am growing! Father I forgive myself for all my past mistakes and thank you this is a NEW DAY with no mistakes in it! and by the way:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Let your light shine!

Rescue me Jesus from the trials and woes. Save me Lord Jesus from my head to my toes. Deliver me quickly; from the doctrines of men. Renew by your Spirit again and again.

Rescue me Jesus: again and again; from all evil power and the snares of men. I believe in You Jesus; in your power and love. I believe in our Father who presides up above. I don’t blame you for trials, for troubles or woes. I know you deliver us; from all of our foes.

You are good, you are good; that is just what you are. You brought us back to the Father; when the road was too far. You don’t want us in sin; cause it just causes trouble. And when it comes to your blessing: I believe you for double. You fill us cups full; and fill us with wonder.

You sent us your Spirit; to make up for the plunder. The enemies’ defeated; we believe you to win. We believe for your blessing; again and again.

We love you Lord Jesus; thanks for coming to Earth. To show signs and wonders, and to give us new birth. Thanks for you blessings: we do love you so! You’re the wonder of wonders; you defeated our foe!

Wherever I’m at: wherever I stand. I believe for your guidance; in a very sad land. I believe for your Joy, I believe for your love. I believe for your angels; sent from above. I believe for your Power; I believe for your grace, I believe for your mercy; help me finish the race.

You talked to the sinners; you set many free; Oh let me be one: whose once blind-eyes can see. Let my ears be wide open: let my heart be so rich; with your love and your blessing; I fall in no ditch.

Oh Keep us from stumbling; and make your ways plain. We trust you Lord Jesus: again and again. You are the Highest of all; you are first born all sons. You are Lion of Judah; whom the world wants to shun.

We love you Lord Jesus; come rescue us all! We receive restoration; you help when we call. All the glory to you; forever and ever. We receive in our hearts; Your words; which we treasure.

Rescue us Jesus! you’re here when we call. We declare that you’re Lord; over all, over all.

By Laura Grace 12-20-2015

I want to talk a little bit today about being chosen versus feeling chosen. A lot of people strive to “feel” what the word of God says they are. I remember Jesus saying “you did not choose me, I chose you.”

The bible also says: Many are called but few are chosen. Do you know why this is? I used to wonder. For years I strove with God about whether or not I was chosen. Every time I was not chosen for something in the church; every time someone did not choose me for anything I questioned again whether or not I was chosen.

The root (of rejection) ran very deep; because all the way back to grade school; I was not chosen for the kickball team, not chosen for the 1st string on basketball, not chosen for many things that seemed to be important at the time. I remember running for a class election and school and getting about three votes. Oh My goodness it hurt! I was teased on the bus; made fun of for my clothing (in school) and even for the shoes I wore that were not “in style.” Life was brutal; and back then nobody cared about bullying.

So honestly; I never did consider that all these accumulated life “hurts” was affecting me at times; after I’d been saved and filled with the Holy Spirit and found myself at many times, in many places; feeling rejected. Every time I had another rejection happen; I found myself wondering if I was even chosen by God; or had he forgotten me? Was I not good enough, skilled enough; or talented enough? What could possibly make him choose me, I wondered.

First of all, in Galatians 2 Paul talks about false brethren. So there is such a thing (or he wouldn’t have mentioned it). Therefore: sometimes we are dealing with this type of people; while other times we are dealing with someone who just does not see our potential and/or calling. The reason few are chosen is few find that narrow path where they believe with all their heart what Jesus said about them no matter what. If you choose to follow (Him) You are indeed chosen; because you have chosen to be chosen. Don’t believe me? Ask God if I’m right! he will tell you; I know he will. Ask for confirmation on this.

 [ Glory Only in the Lord ] For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 1 Corn

And why would God not call the wise according to the flesh? It’s not that he doesn’t want to; It’s that they cannot hear him.  They are too full of themselves and the wisdom of this world to hear him calling. Ever heard the saying “turning a deaf ear?” Some are so focused on what this world has to say they do not hear the voice of Jesus anymore.

This is the type of subject matter I am dealing with in my study guide “Grace to Grow” study guide (soon to be published.) I want to put to rest this idea you cannot be chosen; That God is somehow leaving you out because people who say they are of God refuse to choose you.

We have a high Priest (book of Hebrews) and his name is Jesus. He is the High Priest of your life. Not man. He decides who is chosen; Not man. You can choose to be chosen! With love and affection for you all:

Laura Grace

I was reading the passage in Matthew 25 today what you did for the least of these (my brethren) you did for me. (Jesus said). So when you care for a person who seems to be not that important or not that significant or not that “popular” Jesus said you did it for him Personally.  (the least of his brethren). Incidentally Paul called himself “the least” as well and the “chief of sinners.”

We need to not worry about people who “think” they are so important and just do what God tells us to do. Bless who he tells you to bless and who he puts on your heart to bless. I’d love to sell more books but frankly if I have to tout myself as being the guru of society to do it I guess it won’t get done. I am seriously put off by a lot of Marketing tactics I see. I trust this; If you need any book I have written God will surely get it into your hands.

So count on this: if you give so much as A Quarter to someone God wanted you to bless you will not lose your reward! Words of Jesus.

Laura Grace (Author, minister, mom, grandma, wife, friend and always willing to pray for you. Peace!  

When I was in high school what stood out to me about Christmas was the music.

I was raised in Lutheran church so every year the songs at Christmas were the times I truly felt the Holy Spirit. We’d sing Angels we have heard on High and Oh Little town of Bethlehem; I know we sang “do you hear what I hear?” and many others. I felt God’s presence at Christmas time in church. I would see the lights against the dark sky and think about God and his light shining in the darkness. Christmas ministered to my heart.

When I was a kid we always read the bible story about Jesus and his birth. I would think about Mary and Joseph and how hard they had it (every single

year). I appreciated the family devotional time which happened at Christmas in our home. It was very special to me. Mom made fudge and popcorn balls and the house was full of wonder and good smells all the time.

She made all kinds of things and there was the holiday dinner to look forward to. Presents sat under the tree. The air was full of excitement and wonder all the time all during The Christmas season.

When I got older and was in church With my own children, I remember one year we decided to celebrate Hanukah. This was because I had read that Christmas had “pagan roots” and I was troubled about it, so we celebrated Hanukah that year. The kids had fun but thought it was a little bit weird.

In the process however; I did learn about Hanukah and that was a lot of fun. Every year my kids were growing up God did some sort of miracle for me at Christmas time. One year it was angels on my tree. Another time a friend bought me a real tree. Another time yet; I had no money for a tree and someone in church handed me 20.00. And yes all those years my mom sent us packages. she was always faithful to send us her never ending love and gaily wrapped packages.

I didn’t teach my kids about Santa because I felt it was a lie so I didn’t want them not to trust me because they found out later Santa wasn’t true or real. that was just my decision; but they always knew I was praying about Christmas time. I remember the year I made “quilted decorated tins” with my friend and prayed to sell them to have Christmas money. another year it was selling ornaments and sachets I had made. God even had to provide the materials for the crafts I couldn’t come up with it on my own. Every year I said “It’s Christmas Lord, I know you care” and every year he did care. Finally there came that year at the end of 2012.

Tim had lost his job and I had no gifts for anyone. Determined to not lose the Christmas spirit I prayed and felt led to hang cups on the tree and I also wrapped coffee cups and put them under the tree.

I prayed over each gift that the person who received them would be blessed with their cups OVERFLOWING ….that they would be granted desires of the heart and their cups would overflow. I know for sure two families that received those cups were super blessed from what I can see. It’s all I had to give that year:

My prayer and a cup that was empty and praying each one who came to receive one would be blessed. that year a total stranger came to my door I had said “whoever comes” will get one of those coffee cup packages.

So I told him I had prayed over the cups and he looked at me like I was touched in the head but he took a gift and said thank you. that following year brought a series of miracles financially that took care of us and we did not lose our home as we thought we might. We didn’t go bankrupt as we knew could have happened. the enormous pile of stacked up bills we had no hope to paid are for the most part paid now.

Christmas for God and I is a very special time. I have no idea why -but at Christmas

I always expect miracles……

I really do……..and if a day is Holy to you it is holy (My bible says) so

“OH HOLY NIGHT” Oh holy Christmas…..

THANK you FATHER for this remarkable celebration of your love.

Hi there! Well I wanted to share today something the Lord imparted to me. I want you to look at the Beatitudes in Matthew again. You know the one: “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled. “Blessed are the Merciful.”

Have you ever heard of someone who was not comforted while in mourning? I have! Why do you suppose that is?

Did God lie to us? (Certainly not!). If we refuse comfort when it’s offered we will not be comforted. If we refuse preaching on righteousness we will not receive it into our hearts (and minds.)

Nothing of God is automatic. We are not on auto pilot with our Salvation just because we Gave our hearts to God years ago.

The truth is we have to receive a gift in order to benefit from it. Take it out; Look at it; Cherish it; and discover all the gift has to offer. What all could we use it for? I say God’s gifts are multi-faceted and much more versatile for use in our daily life than we first expected.

Have you taken out the gift of his word lately and asked him just what it might apply to today (in your life?) and have you asked him how his word applies in your life personally? He wants to reveal (uncover) and show you all the many benefits of the words he spoke through his servants; and I dare say: even branch out more levels of Revelation to you as you grow to become his Mighty Tree (of righteousness!) amen

Laura grace, Author of Grace to Grow Grace to the Rescue and Grace to Grow Study guide.

I love Christmas: but I also know, a lot of unrealistic expectations do happen at this time of year.

For some it can be a very depressing holiday.

I really don’t want to mince words when I say there are many who have no family at Christmas time and there are children for whom “Santa” will never show up.

There are sad people, homeless people; Hungry people and people who have no Christmas presents to give.

If you have some great Christmas memories: blessed are you! Every year I Think about how Jesus was born in a manger IN a stable because there was no room for him at the Inn. 

Angels were proclaiming his birth; and wise men were listening and following a star to find him and give him gifts. He came to Earth on the biggest mission ever known to man- and hell was so upset they got on a king’s case to try and kill him by murdering hundreds of innocent children in the hope to get rid of him.

And yet, Jesus did not go away. He stayed and completed his mission so we could all be saved if we would only receive him and receive the gift he gave to us: Reconciliation with God and eternal life.

It really is a gift nobody can match as far as love, sacrifice, and the highest price possible in Heaven was paid to show you just how valuable your soul really is to God the Father. There is no way I would trade a paltry tree, gift or even millions of dollars for my experience of God loving me and saving my eternal soul. When I think of his gift of love and shed blood and sacrifice being trampled on like it’s a common thing all I want to do is weep.

Jesus says to me “do not weep child” just rejoice your name is written in the book of life. “Receive my love and receive my gift to you” all I ask is that you worship me and acknowledge me as your King.”

What better gift is there? Nothing! Father I thank you for sending your son Jesus to save me. There is no greater gift in heaven or on earth than what you have already given me. I praise you thank you and adore you. Let me life a life worthy of the sacrifice you have made for me. In Jesus’ name.

-Laura Grace

Father in the name of Jesus, be with me today as I write from my heart; where you truly do dwell within me. Amen.

I’m having my coffee time today with the Lord and thinking about Family. I know I’m not the only one who struggles with the unfulfilled expectations of others, especially in the realm of our beloved families.

My children? Well I love them unconditionally. I may become disappointed at times or even angry if I feel they are making grave mistakes: but my love for them? It never changes.

As we learn and grow in our relationship with the Lord; things can become pretty complicated (at times).

Here we are: born as individuals; having things inside us that seemed to just be there when we were born. Maybe it’s that love for poetry and your mom wanted you to be a baker. You could have cared less about baking so you felt like a big disappointment (and failure) to this woman you loved so very much.

Or maybe you wanted to be a mechanic and your mom was busy teaching you how to do girl things. I remember one day my daughter said she hated dresses: she was so pretty I wanted to dress her in dresses and show her off to the world; but at heart she was really quite the tomboy.

Mom and Dad statements can be a pretty powerful thing; and we (as people) have no real idea how much of an impact our words have sometimes. Tender hearts can be hidden in rough and seemingly brazen “outsides” while at other times; those who seem to be the most pliable are really hardened inside; and not really listening to a word we say.

Only God knows the heart of a person; and just because someone is nice does not mean they necessarily have a beautiful heart. In our hearts are all the pains we have ever experienced in life: and only God is capable of truly healing us and rooting it all out.

Therapy helps (at times) so does talking to a friend; but when the rubber hits the road I still say only God can heal a wounded heart. Then we have the fact that the person WITH The wounded heart has to “want” to be healed. Some do not wish for this; they would rather wear their pain like a badge or an identifier of who they really are.

Trust me when I say: when I wrote Grace to the Rescue I did not think “this is who I am” (victim) I thought this was the pit I crawled out of with the Help of Almighty God and I am going to tell everyone; everywhere, any time that I know for a fact when your beloved doesn’t love you and you feel like your world is going to pieces: God is there, will be there and will not forsake you.

I don’t believe in recipes, pat answers or clichés. Every story is different, every person is unique; and only God can really know the road to your personal healing and restoration.

In the mean time we have to deal with the people in our lives closest to us; right?

I want to challenge you in one area here. our relationships are only going to be as deep as we allow them to be. Shallow (surface) is what we will have unless all involved want to go deeper. the old saying “it takes two to tango” really is true after all.

The saddest thing of all is when a husband and wife cannot get close- because one wants to be shallow and the other really wants to know their spouse inside and out.

I’ve lived that one. We as people need to realize (I believe) that God gave us the relationships in our lives. We talk about how Jesus said “let the dead bury their dead, follow me” and what he was saying was: His agenda takes precedence over any other desire (yours, family and whatever else) and that he wants to be on the throne of your heart. He wasn’t saying to go around discarding family members like they are old shoes.

God gave me the family I have; and it took me a long time to realize this. I would look at pastors and pastor’s wives with their kids; (all serving God) and at one time in my life felt pretty robbed I did not have the ideal family unit. It scared me. We talk about the last days and begin to learn God’s holy word and to be quite frank: it can scare the poo out of us.

Read proverbs sometime: you will see what I mean. It says stuff like “bad company” corrupts good morals. Is my family member bad company? (You may wonder) or we talk about how it’s better to cut off our arm and enter heaven with one than to have both arms and be dragged into hell! God doesn’t mess around or mince words; and we as Christians know this (or at least we should!)

Sometimes it takes us a long time to get our bearings enough to where we can actually share with our family what our beliefs are. We are so busy getting grounded in what we know is ETERNALLY important we may fail to keep up with what family sees as important. I know I did. It’s not that I didn’t love my family; it just takes a lot of time to get to know God and his ways. It takes effort, dedication and can be very time consuming (like college?).

A family member who boasts their daughter is off to college looks forward to that one time a year or whenever they can see them “cheering them on.” oh if our families would just cheer us on instead of telling us how much we have disappointed them or let them down. Wouldn’t that be a grand thing?

See; everyone is different. If your heart is wounded and so is your sister’s or brother’s or mom or Dad then what should we do? Well we pray of course: and we ask for healing and love. What else can we do? It’s the Christian way. Looking for the good in someone is also the Christian way. While we dodge the fire filled darts of words that seem to come against us “telling us” what a big failure we are we must muster up the courage by the Grace of God to carry on, do our best: pray and Trust God with all the rest. Don’t you think?

and I want to remind you of a beatitude here.

“blessed are you” when someone speaks evil about you. Why? Because God is about to use you to prove them wrong. 🙂 with love and affection;

Laura Grace