Grace

The Day of the Second House

by Andy Wood on September 23, 2008

in Five LV Laws, LV Cycle, Principle of Freedom, Principle of Legacy, Waiting

I have a friend who’s living in-between.  He once had a position of ministry and fulfilled calling, and believes he’ll have another one again.  In between, he waits – preparing for the day of the Second House.

I have another friend who was blindsided by an unwanted divorce.  He has suffered the loss of a family, a vision, and a sense of being at home.  Still, he waits – convinced that he will see, in some measure, the day of the Second House.

I can relate to both, but for different reasons.  More than 10 years ago, I began a Second-House journey of my own – explainable only by the stunning grace of God.  I have watched in awe as dreams I had given up on, callings I had once felt, and opportunities I once squandered began to be fulfilled.  More than a God of second chances (which He is), He has shown me that He is a God of second seasons, second lives, sometimes second families, and even second callings.

He’s the God of the Second House. [click to continue…]

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The Name You’ll Never Hear in Heaven

by Andy Wood on September 18, 2008

in Five LV Laws, Principle of Freedom

Imagine you’re through the pearly gates, roaming the streets of gold getting the lay of the land.  It’s heaven, baby!  Not a concept or a wish, but the real deal.

There are people there – some you know, many more you’re still meeting.  Famous people and unknowns.  A few claims to fame; myriads upon myriads of testimonies of God’s grace and love.  Names from every tongue and tribe known to man.

Let me tell about an introduction you’ll never hear:

“Hi!  I’m the woman caught in adultery.”

On this side, that’s all we know to call her.

On this side, that or something like it may be all somebody may be able to say about you.

Reputations and memories can be brutal, unforgiving things.  But the one thing more relentless than a disgraceful legacy is the scandalous grace of God.

This nameless woman had a name her parents had given her.  Maybe it was Ruth or Mary, Joanna or Phoebe.  But she had one, and used it.

She’ll also have a new name written down in glory.  One known only to her, fresh from the whisper of God.

This was a woman whose world was rocked and life was changed by five words: [click to continue…]

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A Product of Grace

by Andy Wood on August 1, 2008

in Five LV Laws, LV Alter-egos, Pleasers, Principle of Eternity

(This is a piece I wrote a few years ago after meditating on 1 Corinthians 15:10.  It amazed me how quickly the words came, and it always seems to get a surprising (to me) response.  I recently received a very nice note about it from someone I’ve never met.  Since I’m traveling today, I thought I’d share it with you.  I hope it’s an encouragement.  And, of course, if you are encouraged by it, I would be encouraged if you would encourage somebody else with it by clicking “Share This” below.  Most of all, I hope you can say it’s your testimony, too.)

I am a product of grace.

No measure of performance could ever achieve in a lifetime

what the grace of God performed in an instant.

No failure to perform could erase

what the Spirit of God has completed for all of eternity.

I am a product of grace.

No nod of any human’s approval could compare with the fulfillment, the joy,

the wonder of knowing my Heavenly Father has turned His face toward me.

No amount of mortal rejection can change the fact that my Lord God

has made me accepted in the Beloved.

I am a product of grace.

No sin of the past, no matter how grave,

can resist the transforming power of a Risen Lord.

No future failure can change the fact that I am an heir of God, a joint heir with Jesus Christ.

I am a product of grace.

No situation, no pain, no frustration can rob me of my hope.

No force without or within can deny or change the fact that I am a new creation in Christ –

that every old thing is passed away and everything has become new.

I am a product of grace.

And grace never sleeps.  It never gets tired or weak, old or crippled.

It’s as new as the sunrise, and as powerful today as it was the first Easter.

Grace is my testimony and I its trophy.  There is never a time when grace is not

covering my sin or revealing me as God’s work of art.

I am a product of grace.  And I have a story to tell.

Once I was lost, but now I’m found.

Marvelous!

Once I was blind, but now I see.

Infinite!

Once I was afraid, now I am at peace.

Matchless!

I am what I am.  That’s grace.

But I am not yet what I will be.  That, too, is grace.

Oh, how amazing!

Grace.

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The Wreck (Part 2)

by Andy Wood on May 21, 2008

in Gamblers, LV Alter-egos, Turning Points

Narnia BattleIn my previous post, I told the story of a rainy head-on collision between a bicycle and a car – and I was on the bicycle.  Here are some lessons I have learned or been reminded of since.

The Christian life isn’t a joyride in the rain, but a war.  If that analogy offends you, or if you’ve never experienced life on the battlefield, chances are you have never taken your relationship with Christ very seriously.  This war we are engaged in is one we’re destined to win.  The Lord Jesus has conquered sin, death, and the devil, and those of us who belong to Him are heirs of that purchased victory.  But until He comes again, you face the realities of spiritual warfare on a daily basis.  In your struggle against the forces of the world, the flesh, and the devil, you will find no peace talks, no negotiations, no cease-fire orders.  You’re in it for the duration.

[click to continue…]

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There’s Something to Be Said for Grace – The Story of a Father’s Love

by Andy Wood on February 27, 2008

in Life Currency, Love

LisaLisa Collins is a friend, a ministry partner, an extraordinary worship leader, and a bride-to-be.  In response to my request for love stories, she wrote to me about how her father modeled God’s grace.  I think you’ll like it!  Here goes….

The casual observer might glance at my Dad and not notice anything that distinguishes him from any other man. He is average in height and build. His hair is showing some gray-which is expected of a man in his sixties who survived raising two daughters. His home is modest and under a mortgage. His job is nothing that will bring him acclaim, wealth or notoriety – he is a plumber. He is a husband. He is a father. He is a “B-Poppa”-short for “Big Poppa” in case you don’t speak his granddaughter, Daphnee’s, language.

[click to continue…]

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