Category: Grace

“Grace is not the absence of God’s high expectations. Grace is the presence of God’s power.”

November 28, 2022

You know the story of The Giving Tree? I don’t love it. (If you do—that is fine! Many people do! But you probably won’t like this post haha.) In the story, the tree gives her apples, then her branches, then her trunk to a boy she loves until she is just a stump. I’ve sometimes … More “Grace is not the absence of God’s high expectations. Grace is the presence of God’s power.”

Our redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, came to pay a debt He didn’t owe, because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.

November 26, 2022

In 1741, George Frideric Handel composed “Messiah.” Handel had all the proceeds for the performances go to releasing people who couldn’t pay their debts from debtor’s prison.  Because of his donation, one hundred and forty people were released from debtor’s prison.  An appropriate use of funds for a song about the Messiah, wouldn’t you say? … More Our redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, came to pay a debt He didn’t owe, because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.

“When we’re tempted to give up, we must remember God is long-suffering, change is a process, and repentance is a pattern in our lives.”

October 10, 2021

Warren Cowdery wasn’t as quick to convert to the gospel as his brother. Even after converting, he felt the weight of disapproval from those around him. He wrote in a letter to Oliver, “I have a thousand times wished I could have that evidence that you have had.” (Revelations in context) He longed for a … More “When we’re tempted to give up, we must remember God is long-suffering, change is a process, and repentance is a pattern in our lives.”

“When we turn our lives over to the Lord, the power behind us is always greater than the obstacles before us.”

July 31, 2021

My sister and I were learning how to do a backflip on the trampoline when I was about seven years old. My dad was spotting us. Every time my sister did a backflip with my dad, she would yell “keeeeyaaaa!” (Yes, this is the same one who hook-kicked a kid at the ward party). She … More “When we turn our lives over to the Lord, the power behind us is always greater than the obstacles before us.”

There is joy in sorrow, light in darkness, hope in failure, redemption in sin, a balm for pain, a way when lost. His name is Jesus Christ.

January 21, 2021

Joseph Smith’s first baby passed away at birth. Emma almost died after the delivery as well. And just two weeks after this tragic time in Joseph Smith’s life, he learned that Martin Harris had lost the Book of Mormon manuscript. Joseph began to sob. “Oh, my God, my God,” Joseph groaned, clenching his fists. “All … More There is joy in sorrow, light in darkness, hope in failure, redemption in sin, a balm for pain, a way when lost. His name is Jesus Christ.