more on grace

These are quotes from Captured By Grace by David Jeremiah.  I like how he describes grace:
" It means unmerited favor or kindness shown to one who is utterly undeserving...It is not merely a free gift, but a free gift to those who deserve the exact opposite, and it is given to us while we are without hope and without God in the world."

"At the heart of the mystery is the essential concept: the idea of mercy.  We must understand grace, at least within the limits of our comprehension; we must understand mercy.  And we must be clear on how the two ideas intersect."

"The truth is more elusive, like the words themselves.  Think of it this way: Mercy is God withholding the punishment we rightfully deserve.  Grace is God not only withholding that punishment but offering the most precious of gifts instead.
Mercy withholds the knife from the heart of Isaac.
Grace provides a ram in the thicket.

Mercy runs to forgive the Prodigal Son.
Grace throws a party with every extravagance.

Mercy bandages the wounds of the man beaten by the robbers.
Grace covers the cost of his full recovery.

Mercy hears the cry of the thief on the cross.
Grace promises paradise that very day.

Mercy pays the penalty for our sin at the cross.
Grace substitutes the righteousness of Christ for our wickedness.

Mercy converts Paul on the road to Damascus.
Grace calls him to be an apostle.

Mercy saves John Newton from a life of rebellion and sin.
Grace makes him a pastor and author of a timeless hymn.

Mercy closes the door to hell.
Grace opens the door to heaven.

Mercy withholds what we have earned.
Grace provides blessing we have not earned."

"A moment of grace can change a lifetime.  In fact, a moment of grace can change an eternity."

"Grace can only shine in its ultimate brilliance because it emerges from ultimate darkness."

"Pardon takes away the punishment for a sin.  Justification erases any record of your transgression...Forgiveness says, "I'm going to let you slide this time."  Justification says, "I'm going to remove the offense from all memory, as if it never occurred." It forgives and forgets."

I'm sure I'll have more to add and I do LOVE sharing what I think are the highlights of books.  In fact, maybe I'll post them more often...but for now I think I'd like to add a few of my own thoughts.
Mercy stopped me on a self destructing road of earthly hell.
Grace gave me a story of redemption and resurrected my life.

Mercy allowed my friend to hold her baby son, to live, to create memories.
Grace allowed her womb to carry another life, her breast to sustain another son while she grieved, and allowed laughter back into her life.

Mercy allowed a person who had never been through some the things I put myself through to help me walk the road to begin healing.
Grace allows me to call her friend as I keep traveling the journey.

Mercy means I don't walk alone even when I'd like to.
Grace gives God's hands, feet, and hugs to other humans so I can feel them.

Mercy allowed my Daddy to live in the '70s when a 1000 pound belly pan fell on his head (they came to get him in the hearse).
Grace allowed him to marry my mom and then allowed me to call him Daddy.

Mercy allows me to know I'll see those I love again.
Grace allows me to carry the memories now.

Mercy allows me a job, a home, a car, and MANY other blessings!
Grace allows me to enjoy them, even the work involved.

Mercy allows me to heal from sin.
Grace allows me fresh chances that I should not have.

Moments of mercy and grace are such life changing, even eternity changing glimpses of heaven that I sit and marvel that a holy God could so transform a wretch like me to even see them....and hopefully offer them.  I am simply amazed!!  Even as I write this I'm sitting here praying to my Abba Father and all I can manage is "Wow." I could sit here for days telling of punishments that have been withheld from me and blessings bestowed that I will never deserve. It truly is an amazing, awe inspiring start to my day.