Every day life as a Christian: It gets messy sometimes .How to pay the bills, believing for a miracle! I have a tire on my car right now that needs replaced, I wanted to travel, and can’t. Is it my fault?
Every time I go to the store the prices seem higher. What cost 5.00 a few months ago is 10.00. I had illness, unexpected this, unexpected that. I think ONE THING we need to remember today, is nothing surprises God. He saw it all coming……..
One of the reasons people love “prophetic words” is they want to know what’s coming. They are tired of being taken off gaurd. I know just recently I was struggling with something big I never saw coming and I wrestle with God over it. “Why Didn’t you TELL ME?”
I just can’t believe sometimes God “let this happen” (certain things) when I know he was powerful enough to stop it! The main thing is forgiving ourselves, for our part in the collateral damage. “if Only I had known Father” “I prayed, I asked you what to do! Why do I find myself in this MESS!!!? ……..
What we forget, is that God PAID the price through Jesus for your whole growing up process. When he said you are REDEEMED that means you are bought with a price (his Blood!!). And He is NOT going to let you go, just because you messed up. He gives us more grace, and when the time comes to give out Grace, yes he’s going to expect us to give it. None of this “I’m a self made person” and I had to “save myself” so YOU Do TOO!! ……He isn’t into all that.
He wants our testimony to be “I SAVED YOU” from yourself your mistakes, your disasters, your “own wisdom” and now you go, and preach my gospel of Grace to others. What you have been given “freely give”………
So Father, for every time my flesh rose up and wanted to punish anyone for hurting me, forgive me. I’ve hurt plenty of people in my time, when I was bumbling around being a “Messy Christian” ….Help me Recieve Grace, Give Grace, and preach the gospel of grace. We are saved by your Unmerritted Favor Father! May we never forget, and if we do “SPANK US!!” ….amen! Your friend and fellow traveller,
I have thought about writing this book for many years now. Every time I thought about it, I shelved the idea, thinking I was a bad person for even wanting to write such a thing. But hereâs the truth: The stories of Tim and I and the journey of our marriage, (and the food fiascos that went with it), have made many women laugh with relief, because they too, had many adjustments to make before they could truly be âhappily married.â
    So, this is for you Tim, and for all the women or men out there who have struggled with this great thing called marriage. Just remember Tim, youâre the one who said, âIf you need to throw me under the bus to help others, go ahead!â And I will add, if you want to do the same to me, write your own book! -Laura Grace Stainbrook: Sept 14, 2025.
Chapter 1: It was fun for awhile
When I first married Tim, I was so excited to bless him with my hard-won, acquired achievement. Cooking. That was almost twenty-five years ago.
We talked about expectations, and I remember asking him, before we got married, what are the most important things to you, as far as what you expect from a wife?
Tim, (a man of few words) said, âFeed me.â I wanted him to elaborate, so I asked, âWhat kinds of food do you like?â âIâm not picky, âHe said, âNot very fond of chicken, but other than that, Iâll eat about anything.â Whether he meant to or not, itâs probably the single âuntruthâ he ever told me. Although, I donât believe it was deliberate.
Having been married before, and having that marriage end in divorce, for very justifiable reasons, I really had no experience being married to someone ânormalâ who would keep a job, go to work, and basically promised to always do that if I would âwake him upâ and âfeed him.â It seemed simple enough to me.
I was feeling relief that there was no pressure to be the perfect wife, so I did what Laura always does; I went the extra mile and offered him all my services on a silver platter.
Life was grand. Tim liked sausage, with buttered toast, (real butter) and 2 or three over-medium eggs. His first job, he had to leave at 6 am, so I was up at 5 am to drink my coffee, wake up, and start cooking. I was so joyful to be married to him, and eager to please.
The best part was the compliments, like âYou are so good to me, thank you, those eggs are perfect.â I was undaunted when he pointed out heâd really like his toast to ânotâ be cut in half. I was learning what my husband liked, and excited to be faithful and give my best.
I remember making his favorite potato salad, complete with green olives, very hard to slice up perfectly, and there were a lot of eggs to boil and peel for his momâs famous salad.
Now, keep in mind, I never liked cooking, did not ever have a fun time with it, but I had prayed for years to become more virtuous, and learn to at least have joy in the process.
I have noticed, some women do love cooking, but I was not one of them. Still, the bible says to strive for excellence, and I was determined to be an excellent cook.
The first year, things were wonderful, as I would look forward to Timâs happy face as I made all his favorite meals, and being a woman who thrives on affirmation, I was just so happy when heâd want seconds and tell me how wonderful dinner was.
I didnât realize how praise motivated I was, until one day, Tim just didnât say âThank you,â that was good, anymore.
Which led to me asking why, which led to some fierce discussions.
âDid you like it?â I asked, missing the usual compliment.
âYes, it was good, Tim said, âbut there was not as much cheese as last time.â
I got all defensive. âWe were low on cheese, you know itâs expensive,â I said.
âThatâs fine, you asked, so I told you.â
I was feeling deflated, at that moment. Dark clouds gathering around my mind, the enemiesâ minions whispering, âHeâs sick of you already.â
And Iâll tell you something I did not realize then, but I see it now. Maternal voices from my past had already planted the seed, when it was said âI feel sorry for your husband when you get married, you donât want to do anything the right way.â
I was not aware those bad seeds had already been planted, leading to my reaction.
I started a fight with Tim. âWell, why canât you just say thank you, instead of mentioning how much cheese the dinner was lacking?â
âYou asked,â He said, âIf you donât want the truth, donât ask me.â
Let the refining begin, and it certainly did, with or without an invitation.
This is the backdrop of the story, which ends in mutual understanding, acceptance of one another, and grace to grow (up) together in Christ.
The characters in this story are Laura-the sensitive feeler, who needs reassurance sheâs not a failure, married to Tim the truth-teller, who refuses to have emotional arguments.
And the refining fire, in this case, happens to be their disagreements about how food ought to be prepared, as well as a few other topics that might get thrown into the mix.
In the first year of our marriage, as with most people, we were very focused on being extra nice to each other, not always telling the truth, and wanting to keep the euphoric newness of our relationship alive.
As time went on, as with all marriages, the raw truth of who we really are will come to the surface. Why? Because nobody can pretend forever. Iâm not going to write a book that is not honest. Iâm not going to tell you if you do A, B and C, you will have a perfect marriage.
Are you ready for this? I dare you not to judge either one of us! Laughing, as I write this.
The Body of Christ: Complement VS Conflict: The Shoes of Peace
God spoke to me quite clearly, that the shoes of Peace are no small matter. How many times do we feel like war is what we need, when we need to speak the gospel of Peace? Romans 16:20 says âThe God of Peace will soon crush satan under your feet.â
What does that even mean, exactly? We want power, God wants Peace.
I can remember years ago, I was in the bathroom crying, because I was in conflict with someone who refused to see my point. In my mind, it was a life-or-death matter. In fact, it had to do with raising my children with a spouse who did not agree to Godâs ways.
I was afraid for them, and I really believed I needed to convince my spouse to see things Godâs way. In my mind, he needed to bow down and acknowledge Jesus, but I was not going about it the right way. I was in fear, not faith, and this led to arguments and quarreling that was not always of God. I wanted victory, and I wanted it right now!
A precious woman of God came up to me in the bathroom, asking if she could pray with me. I was obliged, and after prayer, she gave me Proverbs 16, about how if we are righteous, even our enemies will be at peace with us.
I remember pondering this all the way home, and later in my life, the passage would come up again, when I found myself wrestling with anger over injustice.
Itâs not easy to see Peace as a powerful weapon of God. Images of hippies saying âPeace manâ often come to mind when I hear the word peace. But making peace with all men (as much as possible) does not mean compromising righteousness.
What it often means, is standing our ground in our own beliefs, (What God has shown us), and giving up the right to try and change someone elseâs mind. Thatâs tough when we want to walk in agreement with someone, especially a spouse.
How many conflicts arise, even in the body of Christ, when two people do not see eye to eye? How do they go forward in Peace? Should we just âsubmitâ to someone we donât agree with? What if their leadership is compromised, tainted, and not Godâs best for our lives? What if your spouse is asking you to do something you know is unrighteous?
God sent his son to say âPeace on Earthâ but he also said his word will bring division, because his word is light, and the world, in general lives in a very dark realm.
Navigating the path of Peace with God:
Youâre staying in his righteousness may mean that others will not agree with you. I can tell you that Apostles, Prophets, teachers and pastors will often be part of the edification process, helping you learn how to walk in the shoes of peace, when there is spiritual war all around you. If you are walking in Godâs righteousness, anyone who is not walking in that light with him, will most likely persecute you. Your very presence and decisions to follow Jesus will make them feel uncomfortable. Some will try to convince you to take a different path, while others may mock or ridicule you.
To be at peace with your decision to follow Jesus, you must realize itâs not going to be an easy path.
When I got saved, I told my flesh, âYou will be at peace with God, and his ways.â It was a decision. This meant if I didnât feel like sitting through a church service, if I didnât feel like studying, and if I didnât feel like listening to what his spirit was telling me, My spirit man (who is right with God, and wants to do his will) would command PEACE to my flesh saying âYou will do what I say.â Do you see where I am going with this?
If my flesh can surrender to the will of God, that means when I walk into a room and speak PEACE, the people in that room also can choose to be at peace with me.
Luke 10:5-9 The disciples are told to speak peace to a house when they enter, and if they are going to promote peace, the peace will remain. Sometimes we will be sent to preach Peace and good news, and after we depart, the persons we spoke to will decide they donât really care about being at peace with God (and his ways). If that is the case, we can still be at peace, and they will continue to be in war and conflict.
So, letâs do a re-cap. Your Shoes are Peace. We want to reconcile men to Christ and cause them to be at peace with him (and his ways) just like we are. Satan doesnât want peace, he wants war. When we declare peace, we are crushing satan under our feet.
Righteousness is our breast plate, (Ephesians 6). We are saved by Grace, The Lord gives us HIS Righteousness and wants us to walk in the spirit, becoming more and more like him. Whoever walks after the Spirit of God WILL become more like Jesus (and reflect his righteousness). If you see someone calling themselves a Christian, and you never see any fruit, growth or changes in their life, something is wrong.
Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, teachers and Evangelists are sent into our life to build us up and strengthen us, even to the point of helping us remember to âPut onâ the armor of God (so we can stand against the wiles of the evil one).
Those offices should not conflict with each other but complement each other. The Apostle may be talking about strengthening your breastplate of righteousness. The pastor might be reminding you of your Helmet of Salvation.
The Prophet may be helping you sharpen your sword. The teacher helps you flesh out the whole truth, in a passage of scripture. The Evangelist, reminding you how to be at peace with God (and men, if itâs possible). You take up your shield of Faith, and when the devil tells you to be in conflict over all of it, tell HIM to get gone! Amen     -Laura Grace
The Body of Christ: Complement VS Conflict: Introduction
This topic has been a long time coming, and the Lord finally asked me to address it, after a week of obeying his spirit and asking him to âFill me with righteousness.â
That turn-around came from a very sticky situation, with a family member being falsely accused, unjustly punished, and a whole lot of injustice going on, and I became extremely angry about it. And in the process of being angry, I found myself less and less at peace.
I found comfort talking to a friend recently, who is a born again, spirit-filled Christian, but said a situation containing much injustice, nearly drove her off the edge, at one time in her walk with the Lord.
Trust me when I say, this injustice is huge. And yet, God is telling me to rest in his Peace.
My friend and I both laughed about God âgetting on our casesâ that this kind of anger does not produce the righteousness of God. I will address this more in the Part 1 and Part 2 of this message (Forthcoming).
I’ve experienced conflict (in my own heart and mind) over many things my brothers and sisters in Christ have said through the years. My son is a pastor, I raised him, and yet, he and I donât always see eye to eye. My husband has marks of a prophet and the gift of help, and I often have found myself in conflict with him, as well. Have you ever been in conflict over “different viewpoints?” If so, why?
Recently, I got upset at someone who I really do admire, all because she seemed to be contradicting me when she was talking about Godâs will being done. I was not at peace though, and I knew it was not of God. And this may seem silly to you, but I was focused on how God told me to pray, and her input seemed contradictory to the direction the Holy Spirit was giving me. I felt like one of us had to be right and one had to be wrong. And as usual, now that God has straightened me out, I feel pretty silly about it all.
Anyway, the conflict was the last straw for me, and I decided to really press in and ask God what he thinks about all this âconflict.â What he showed me was rather amazing, and at the same time, I got corrected by him (once again) to notice what is pure, lovely and good report, versus finding fault with those who donât agree with me on every single point.
Weâve all had those moments, one person may be led by the spirit of God to correct someone, while another may be led to show mercy. Still another might be led to pray for them extensively, and God may show someone else to be quiet and just set a good example. The Body of Christ is the Body of Christ. In other words: His Body!
Those who are not truly born again and acting like they are saved so they can mingle in and upset Godâs apple cart, are an entirely different story.
Itâs high time we start to see how God wants to bring unity and peace, highlighting the virtues in his people, versus tearing each other down. I was just so surprised at what he showed me. Truly, we have come into a time when if we know all mysteries, speak the tongues of angels, and have great revelatory knowledge, it all sounds like clanging cymbals in Godâs ears if we have not LOVE For his people (the Body of Christ). Selah
Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God, I will be exaltedâŚâŚâŚâ
I pray Father you use what you have given me to bless others, in Jesusâ name. amen.
In this video I talk about why breaking tradition is sometimes necessary, but how I have in the past been overly zealous, not explaining why it needs to be done. This video is eye opening and helpful to those who find themselves wondering how to view traditional churches verses contemporary churches. I hope you are blessed. -Laura
Matthew (7:12): âIn everything, do unto others as you would have done unto you……”
……I want to be candid here. I have lived 62 years, and I find this passage doesn’t always work so well IF I treat it as a stand-alone scripture. My Mom taught me this one when I was very young. “It’s the Golden Rule” she said to me.
Throughout my life (and I took it seriously) I have brought people gifts because I really love to receive gifts for no reason! My Own mom for a long time said “You should save for Christmas or birthdays, why are you giving me a gift for no reason? Or at times, she did not like the gift. She wished I hadn’t “wasted my money” on this or that.
People whose love language is getting help will offer “Help” but then you run into someone like me, who had to always do it alone and is not comfortable with giving directions on HOW to help. We who always did it ourselves (and got used to it) don’t mean to reject your offer, itâs just we don’t know how to “not do it alone.”
I’ve had times I hit the nail on the head with a gift, while other times someone felt like “they had to return the favor” and wished I had not given them a gift at all! I’ve offered hugs to people who don’t want one. I’m sure others I failed to hug because that’s what they truly needed! The verse “Do unto others as you would have done unto you” does not work all by itself. Why? Because everyone has different expectations and needs. We are different.
A piece of advice that helps one person might offend another. “What do you think I’m stupid?” (is how they may feel!!). It takes a brave person to go out and “TRY AGAIN” when you have heard all the time how much you have failed to “hit the mark” On doing for others (the right thing at the right time!!).
But there is another thing my mom said to me, “it’s the thought that counts.” When I was a kid, and I was sad because I got a puzzle (and I don’t like puzzles) she said, “Just think they thought of you.” “They took the time to wrap it” and she would make me sit down and write a thank you card.
Growing up is hard. Especially in relationships. My prayer life and asking God “What do they need?” “What do I say?” “Please guide me” comes from the pain and heartache of failing.
Honestly, if I hadn’t failed, I probably wouldn’t have turned into this crazy Christian that prays about EVERYTHING. And still, even at that, I make mistakes. I don’t always hit the mark. I always don’t say the right thing at the right time (or get the right gifts!!). But my heart really is set on being a blessing (everywhere I go). I guess if I had one wish it would be “Please see my heart.”
We are all (hopefully) Growing up TOWARD the head which is Jesus…….Let’s not be so hard on each other. Let’s just cheer each other on. -Laura
I am posting a video today (of a series I’ve been doing) but I will start writing you some sermons as well about “the Giant of Religion.” It really is a giant and it has to fall!
Hi Everyone! I just realized, I really should find a way to share videos I’ve been doing on Beauty from Ashes Ministries since November of 2021. It seems I have graduated to to that ministry, (for a time) until I can find more time to write here again. Beauty From Ashes has been gracious enough to share my books on the group as well.
I will pray I can return soon and share more with you friends! Until then the Lord Bless and Keep you, and remember I am always available for prayer. You can write me at sisterzeal@yahoo.com. Peace and Blessings!
To Be at Peace with God, means to be at peace with his words. Knowing he loves us does not bring Conflict, it brings peace. Peace can come because we find out he agrees with us about injustice, and helps us to solve it, while other times, he may say to just let it go. Either way, we need to make up our minds, and be determined, that we will be at Peace with God.
To be at peace, means to be free from turmoil (and conflict).
Peace is a wonderful thing! Many do not have peace with God however, because they have conflict and turmoil over at least SOME of his words.
If we read our bible long enough, it’s likely at least something (if not a few things) will bring turmoil and conflict to our hearts and minds. I can remember for example, how When I first read: “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out!”
I remember what turmoil that passage brought to my heart and mind.
Instead of arguing with God, throwing my bible down in despair, I began to ask him why he said it, and what it meant (to me personally) and, He was faithful to answer me.
It’s no wonder so many of the letters in our bible begin with statements like “Grace, Peace, and Mercy” be upon you.” God knew his words would often bring (inner) turmoil. We don’t want to be found fighting against him.
When we lack peace, the first thing we should do is, “Make Peace with God” (and his word.) If we can’t do that, we should ask him to help us.
Just because we are not in compliance with is words, does not mean we can’t be at peace with it.
Ask for Understanding! Seek his help! Your Salvation is what he longs to help you with, above all else.
Believe me, He knows how much we need him. HE IS our Saviour! He is always ready and willing to help, and most especially, with things that concern our relationship with Him. With Love and blessings, Laura
It gets messy sometimes .How to pay the bills, believing for a miracle! I have a tire on my car right now that needs replaced, I wanted to travel, and can’t. Is it my fault?
gracetogrowdaily 