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Scrabble tiles that spell out grace on a white background with blue flowers on the left side.

Psalm 22:23-31; Genesis 16:1-6; Romans 4:1-12

Genesis 16:1-6, which is the opening of the story of Hagar and Ishmael. This tells about how Abraham’s wife wanted a child so badly that she offered up her slave Hagar to Abraham and Hagar conceives. They took the promise God had offered in Genesis 15 into their own hands.

Romans 4:1-12 talks about Abraham’s faith being credited to him as righteousness.

When you read those two passages side by side it is shocking.

Abraham acts in a way that is anything but righteous. He impregnated a woman that is not his wife and he then leaves this woman to be abused by his wife.

Yet, Romans 4 reminds us that this righteousness that was credited to Abraham was not based on anything he did. It was based solely on the promise that God made. His righteousness was credited to him before this scene plays out.

Think about that.

Abraham is deeply flawed, deeply sinful, and in many ways pretty awful. So was his wife.

Yet, he is considered righteous in spite of this.

God’s grace is so overwhelming that even a man like Abraham can become the spiritual father of the nations. God’s faithfulness is greater than any man’s. God’s grace is beyond anything that we can ever imagine.

I am reminded by this passage that I don’t need to take things into my own hands. I can trust the God of grace to bring his plans to fruition. When I trust God there is rest.

Good morning! May you persevere with joy today. #MorningMug #MorningBlessing ☕️

A coffee mug that reads, “New Zealand” in front of a fireplace with an inviting fire.

I watched Iron Claw yesterday. It was intense, slow, heartbreaking, and absolutely fascinating. I think I enjoyed it. 🍿

There’s not much better than a Red Wings victory over that team from Colorado. #LGRW 🏒

Hey micro.blog community, if you’re looking for a theme that just “works” and is highly customizable, check out Tiny Theme by @Mtt. He has really crafted something useful.

I’m pretty proud of myself at the moment! I dont' know anything about html or css but after some googling, I figured out how create a clean little “hamburger menu” for The Pastor Next Door and few other little tweaks. Now, if I can just figure out how to center the profile pic, title and subtitle…

Hanging out on my patio on a February afternoon in Michigan? I will take it!

Dan Rose smiling while sitting on his patio on a glorious February afternoon.
A man's fist extended upright, signifying a sense of self-righteousness.

Psalm 22:23-31; Genesis 15:1-6, 12-18; Romans 3:21-31

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

All of these passages are remarkable.

I am amazed by the fact that in Genesis 15:12-18 Abram is told there will be a time of enslavement. This promise from God is not going to be simply roses and puppies. No, there would be hardship. There would be need of saving.

Then, this passage in Romans 3 is always one that leaves me shaking my head in awe and amazement. Why? Because it undoes so much of my self-righteousness. It is the great reminder that is Christ’s faithfulness and God’s action that sets people right with God. We don’t add a thing to it. There is nothing that we do.

God in God’s grace sets the world right by Christ’s faithfulness.

The grace that God lavishes on God’s creation is without limit. It is effective and unstoppable. God’s grace brings about its intended result.

I am recognizing again that I need to keep on killing off my ego. There is so much self-righteousness in me that has yet to be dealt with on so many levels.

Today, I’m wrestling with this question, “What do I trust more, my own self-righteousness or God’s grace in Christ?”

This just makes me even happier that I have made the switch to micro.blog.

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This week we launched a new pricing model with up to 5 blogs for Micro.blog Premium. See Manton’s blog post for why we made this change and what it means for existing accounts.

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Good morning! May your morning beverage bring you joy and may you be content today. #MorningMug #MorningBlessing

A coffee mug on side table. The coffee mug reads, “let the adventure begin.”

These are some of the best of nights.

Good friends.

Lots of laughs.

I think I am about it ready to begin podcasting again. Here’s my current thought:

Begin by transforming my series of posts on disentangling (deconstructing) faith into podcast episodes and seeing where that takes me.

A few of you know me a bit by now, what else would be of interest? 🎙️