We’re examining the power of secrets this week. If you missed the first few, here they are: Hidden Away, Our Hiding and Secrets & Hiding.

Let’s admit two things:
1. I hide my secrets
2. You hide your secrets

While we might protect our secrets for good reasons, sometimes we don’t. Not only that, but sometimes our secrets are the very thing that holds us back from making hope-filled, positive decisions in life.

We stay “stuck.” Stuck in place. Stuck and not making positive changes in our lives.

We’re examining the power of secrets this week. If you missed the first two, here they are: Hidden Away and Our Hiding

I hide.
You hide.
They hide.

Why Do We All Hide?

“There is one thing”, explains Stephen Covey, “that is common to every individual, relationship, team, family, organization, nation, economy and civilization throughout the world — one thing which, if removed, will destroy the most powerful government, the most successful business, the most thriving economy, the most influential leadership, the greatest friendship, the strongest character, the deepest love.”

Any guesses?

Bad foundations in relationships lead to relationship-rot.

A bad start to a relationship does not have to be a deal-breaker, but it usually is.

Why does it happen that way?

Because broken people break people, and hurting people hurt people.

– When people assume others will abandon them, they choose not to invest.
– When people assume others are suspicious, they choose not to trust.
– When people assume others will take rather than give, they selfishly protect.
– When people assume others are means to an end: “Greed meets a need.”

That sounds so fatalistic, but it’s not.

Believe in people.

Yes, believe in people, but not too much.

Beware “relying on human beings”, wrote C.S. Lewis.

(They’re) going to let us down.
The best of them will make mistakes;
all of them will die.

We must be thankful to all the people who have helped us, we must honour them and love them. But never, never pin your whole faith on any human being: not if he is the best and wisest in the whole world.

There are lots of nice things you can do with sand; but do not try building a house on it.”

The text of Wild Grace was adapted from Max Lucado’s book Grace. Gray boxes behind the text indicate places where new words and stories were added by James Lund specifically for our teen readers. 

If you read my review of Grace you know I enjoyed it.  I was interested in finding out how Lund adapted Lucado’s book for teens.

I Liked

Lund expands on Lucado adding, “One dictionary definition of “grace” is “unmerited divine assistance.” Sounds simple enough— God giving us something we don’t deserve. But do we really get grace? And even if we do, does it have anything to do with our lives?”

I follow Max Lucado on Twitter. 

When I read tweets like these I began to be excited to read his most recent book Grace.

“To discover grace is to discover God’s utter devotion to you, his stubborn resolve to give you a cleansing, healing love”

“Your identity is not in possessions, talents or accomplishments. Nor are you defined by divorce, debt or dumb choices.”

“Mercy pardons us. Grace empowers us.”

I love what I read in the tweets.
I assumed that they were quotes.
I assumed wrong.

Despite that, I love the book.

This the final entry in a three-part series on chains that lock us down.

To review, “Gotta Be My Way” people and “Drama Draggers” need gentleness; the gentleness God provides will certainly be sufficient.

When we’re chained to self-pity, we “Something I Can Never Have” envious people, need to rest in gratitude and contentment for what they have.

These chains:
Shackle us to selfishness
Clamp our compassion
Fasten our desire to offer forgiveness
Latch us to loneliness
And padlock our potential

There is another chain that anchors us to our past.

Headlines announce the news of the day.

You a Jersey Shore fan?  Did you know that  ‘Jersey Shore’ star Snooki was hit with $7 Million lawsuit?

Maybe you love Jersey but don’t care about Jersey Shore. Did you know that, All 5 aboard a plane died when it crashed ON an interstate highway in New Jersey?  Or, maybe you heard that Jersey-born Jon Bon Jovi was dead?

We want to know accurate information.  We want to know the truth.

The Truth

No, Jon Bon Jovi is not dead.

Peace Is Vulnerable

If you asked me, “Are you a fear-filled person?”, I would respond no.  On the other hand there are subtle ways on a daily basis that fear sneaks into my mind, heart and soul.  This week in fact I realize that my fears arose and my personal peace was compromised when:

- When I expect Amy to be available to answer my phone calls, and she wasn’t for hours.
- When I’m driving & speeding and a police car with it’s lights on races up behind me.
- When I have to talk to someone and ask for a donation to TreeHouse.
- We had a three-hour outdoor activity planned for hundreds and the weather forecast was sixty-one degree and rainy.

When I was a young man my friends Steve Schesvold, Dave Murphy and David Villringer would tease me for my recklessness.

One morning at the conclusion of a Grace Community Church pancake breakfast I needed to dispose of my paper plate.  Being “blessed” with both laziness and misguided self-confidence I threw away my plate. Unfortunately, I attempted to throw away my crumb-filled, syrup-laden plate from across the room, over tables, around other people and into the trash can.

I failed.

I cannot recall all the specifics, but I know I missed the can and hit an innocent bystander with my less that aerodynamic plate.