Grace: Plenty For All

Our Sunday night church group has spent this whole summer talking about grace and how our view of grace affects the way we interact with the world. 

• What it looks like
• How it is shown
• How do we act on grace
• How do we become those who pour out grace on others
• What is our responsibility concerning the giving of grace
• Why are we supposed to extend grace
• Why is grace vital to our world
• Why does just a little bit make such a huge difference

I have spent the summer reading all of the different passages that talk about God's grace and how that applies to our lives. This is a list of what I have come up with. If you know of or think of more, leave a comment and I will add it to the list (I did omit greetings of grace and peace to not overload this list).




John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.


John 1:16

Out of his fullness we have all received grace inplace of grace already given.


John 1:17

For the law was given through Moses; grace andtruth came through Jesus Christ.


Acts 4:33

With great power the apostles continued to testifyto the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was sopowerfully at work in them all.


Acts 11:23

When he arrived and saw what the grace ofGod had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lordwith all their hearts.


Acts 13:43

When the congregation was dismissed, many of theJews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked withthem and urged them to continue in the grace of God.


Acts 14:3

So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there,speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace byenabling them to perform signs and wonders.


Acts 14:26

From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, wherethey had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had nowcompleted.


Acts 15:11

No! We believe it is through the grace ofour Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”


Acts 20:24

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; myonly aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has givenme—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.


Acts 20:32

“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace,which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who aresanctified.


Romans 1:5

Through him we received grace andapostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith forhis name’s sake.


Romans 3:24

All are justified freely by his grace throughthe redemption that came by Christ Jesus.


Romans 4:16

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that itmay be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—notonly to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith ofAbraham. He is the father of us all.


Romans 5:2

Through whom we have gained access by faith intothis grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of theglory of God.


Romans 5:15

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if themany died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace andthe gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,overflow to the many!


Romans 5:17

For if, by the trespass of the one man, deathreigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’sabundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign inlife through the one man, Jesus Christ!


Romans 5:20

The law was brought in so that the trespass mightincrease. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,


Romans 5:21

so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace mightreign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ ourLord.


Romans 6:1

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning sothat grace may increase?


Romans 6:14

For sin shall no longer be your master, because youare not under the law, but under grace.


Romans 6:15

What then? Shall we sin because we are not underthe law but under grace? By no means!


Romans 11:6

And if by grace, then it cannot be based onworks; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.


Romans 12:3

For by the grace given me I say to everyone of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but ratherthink of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God hasdistributed to each of you.


Romans 12:6

We have different gifts, according to the grace givento each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance withyour faith.


Romans 15:15

Yet I have written you quite boldly on some pointsto remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me.


1 Corinthians 1:3

Grace and peace to you from God our Father andthe Lord Jesus Christ.


1 Corinthians 1:4

I always thank my God for you because of his grace givenyou in Christ Jesus.


1 Corinthians 3:10

By the grace God has given me, I laid afoundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each oneshould build with care.


1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am,and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder thanall of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.


2 Corinthians 1:12

Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifiesthat we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relationswith you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not onworldly wisdom but on God’s grace.


2 Corinthians 4:15

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace thatis reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to theglory of God.


2 Corinthians 6:1

As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace invain.


2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the grace of our Lord JesusChrist, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that youthrough his poverty might become rich.


2 Corinthians 9:14

And in their prayers for you their hearts will goout to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.


2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace issufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I willboast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reston me.


Galatians 1:15

But when God, who set me apart from my mother’swomb and called me by his grace, was pleased


Galatians 2:21

I do not set aside the grace of God, forif righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”


Galatians 3:18

For if the inheritance depends on the law, then itno longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it toAbraham through a promise.


Galatians 5:4

You who are trying to be justified by the law havebeen alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.


Ephesians 1:6

to the praise of his glorious grace, which hehas freely given us in the One he loves.


Ephesians 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, theforgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.


Ephesians 2:5

made us alive with Christ even when we were dead intransgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.


Ephesians 2:7

in order that in the coming ages he might show theincomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us inChrist Jesus.


Ephesians 2:8

For it is by grace you have been saved,through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—


Ephesians 3:7

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift ofGod’s grace given me through the working of his power.


Ephesians 3:8

Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’speople, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles theboundless riches of Christ,


Ephesians 4:7

But to each one of us grace has beengiven as Christ apportioned it.


Ephesians 6:24

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christwith an undying love.


Philippians 1:7

It is right for me to feel this way about all ofyou, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending andconfirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.


Colossians 1:6

that has come to you. In the same way, the gospelis bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has beendoing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.


Colossians 4:6

Let your conversation be always full of grace,seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.


2 Thessalonians 1:12

We pray this so that the nameof our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace ofour God and the Lord Jesus Christ.


1 Timothy 1:14

The grace of our Lord was poured out onme abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.


2 Timothy 1:9

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—notbecause of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,


2 Timothy 2:1

You then, my son, be strong in the grace thatis in Christ Jesus.


Titus 2:11

For the grace of God has appeared thatoffers salvation to all people.


Titus 3:7

So that, having been justified by his grace,we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.


Hebrews 4:16

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace withconfidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us inour time of need.


Hebrews 12:15

See to it that no one falls short of the grace ofGod and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.


Hebrews 13:9

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strangeteachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not byeating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.


James 4:6

But he gives us more grace. That is whyScripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”


1 Peter 1:10

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spokeof the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with thegreatest care,


1 Peter 1:13

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fullysober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when JesusChrist is revealed at his coming.


1 Peter 4:10

Each of you should use whatever gift you havereceived to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in itsvarious forms.


1 Peter 5:10

And the God of all grace, who called you tohis eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, willhimself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.


1 Peter 5:12

With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithfulbrother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying thatthis is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

What Is Church?

Lately, I have been wrestling with the notion of church.

• Is there a right way to do it, a wrong way to do it? 
• How do the actions, reactions, and interactions of the members affect the way that the church is seen? 
• Why do we differentiate between one church or another? 
• Aren't we ALL part of the body of Christ? 
• How do we determine what is tradition and what is right?

The only thing that I have come up with is this: FAMILY. The church is supposed to be your family, is your family. How often do we treat some members with love and respect, yet refuse to extend it to others? How often do we actually get to know our fellow believers in a way that we can encourage them, pray with them, cry with them, and laugh with them? 

A Little Background:

I grew up going to the same church for my entire life. They quickly became my family, and I will always consider them as such. It was very hard to move away to college: I would miss my family deeply. How could I join somewhere else and leave them? Lately, though, that family has changed. Some have moved away, some have moved in, and others have gone to be with Jesus. With all of these changes, it has been hard for me to connect with the church. I just want my family back. I don't want the change, and I happily admit my selfishness.

In all of the gatherings I have been to, I never thought of each as a part of my church. But Jesus had other plans. Through His unending love, mercy, and grace, my hard heart has been softened. I am able to love my family once again. My family may not be in the same situation, but it has grown! God knows how much I love the idea of large families, and He has given it to me in a way that I would never have expected. My church is not the one that I grew up in or the ones that I am attending now. My church is BIG! It is as big as the WORLD! My church is the one that Jesus desires! 

We are one body! 

United with Christ, through Christ, and by Christ! 

We are the CHURCH, and we are ONE FAMILY!

I think the best way that we can be the church is this: Laugh so hard with one another that we clench our stomachs for the pain, cry with one another because one person cannot bear the emotions alone, sing with one another because our voices are stronger when we are united, pray with one another because Satan holds no power when we remain founded on Christ, and rest with one another because it is good for the soul.

Just Another Day... With The Green Ball!

Charlotte has finally discovered the joy of fetch! It finally clicked! Charlotte also likes to tell everyone that she is very ready to play! (If you couldn't tell from the video!) Ruby tends to just follow her and try to steal the ball from her.

Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend, But A Ruby Is Part Of The Family

Since my last post, we have had several interesting additions to our house. The most prominent and permanent being our second Border Collie puppy named Ruby. She has already stolen our hearts in the week that she has been here. Charlotte and Ruby get along very well, and they play until every last drop of energy has been used. They could wrestle for days if their bodies allowed it. Ruby and Charlotte have two completely opposite personalities that blend perfectly together. Charlotte is a ball of energy who would give the Energizer Bunny a run for his money then put him to shame. Charlotte loves to play ball, frisbee, tug-of-war, and tag. Ruby, on the other hand, is a very laid back puppy who thinks she is in charge of everything. There are only a few things that Ruby likes to do: eat, sleep, cuddle, and drive Charlotte crazy. We have secured the fence in our backyard, so they can now go outside to play for a little bit without us having to be out there with them, which is one of their favorite things to do. We have a red plum tree in our backyard, so we are always visited by birds, squirrels, and such, but the girls have definitely let them know whose yard it really is. We are also getting ready to host a baby shower for Jeshua tomorrow, so it is quite busy in our house right now. The last thing is how many people are living in our house right now. As of today there are 5 adults, a 3 month old baby, and two puppies living in our house. Tomorrow we will have 2 more adults moving in with us, 1 adult moving out, and on Tuesday Josh, Juliana, and Jeshua will be leaving for Georgia. This is going to be an exciting weekend!

Update On Charlotte

I made a video showing what Charlotte has been up to during her first 5 days in the Tripp Home. She has been a busy little "bc" (border collie). Please enjoy! We are definitely enjoying having her home!

Charlotte Is Home!

Well, yesterday was quite eventful! Joshua and I woke up at 6:30 (I don't even think we knew it existed) and made the 2-2 1/2 hour trek to get our Little Miss Charlotte Blue Eyes. There was hardly any traffic, which was very nice. When we arrived at About Ewe Border Collies we took a few pictures and enjoyed some time with Claudia and some of her beautiful dogs. We loaded up the Jeep, and do I mean loaded it up. Food, toys, treats, and a box full of puppy! Funniest thing was that Charlotte slept the ENTIRE way home! I got her out a couple times to play with her, but she just kept looking at me like, "Mom, I want to go back to sleep!" We stopped at Chic-Fil-E to eat, and everyone that walked past oohed and awed over her. Once we got home we experienced the Border Collie Bursts, as I like to call them. The Border Collie Bursts are short bursts of high intense energy followed by a complete crash and burn nap. One minute she would be playing hard with her toys, then she would just lay down and be instantly asleep. She slept fairly well last night, and only had to go out 3 times between 10pm and 8am. We have discovered that she loves her hot water bottle, and that helped her sleep longer when we put it in her crate. As of right now, she is crashing in her crate. She is such a great puppy! She has not had even one accident in the house. She whimpers when she needs to go out. I took some new pictures of her! Hope you enjoy them!

Truett, Charlotte, And Random Things That Don't End In "Et"

Ok, so I realize that my last post was a month ago. I have been just a little bit busy. Joshua and I have moved into our new house (pictures soon following along with organization). Also, for an update on Jeshua: He is still in the hospital and having fairly frequent heart rate drops. He will not be able to go home until he has made it a full 72 hours without even one heart rate drop. We feel this is best because he is surrounded by such great doctors and nurses. 

As of right now we are in Waco, Texas visiting Truett Seminary at Baylor University. We are having lunch with a friend today, and going to Greek class with her this afternoon. The official Truett Tour begins this evening at 5:00 and will continue until after dinner tomorrow evening. On Saturday we will be heading back to Arkadelphia. The exciting part about heading back, though, is that we will be stopping in Pittsburg, Texas to see our precious Charlotte. Here are some pictures of her to enjoy!

Update Beyond All Other Updates

So, I have been quite unfaithful to blogging the last few weeks. I do have an excuse (or five, or more, shall we count them? I think not).

To begin with, my best married friends were 30 weeks pregnant and expecting their first child. Well over the course of seven days, Joshua and I rushed them to the hospital and brought them home, then we rushed to Little Rock because Ju was in pre-term labor. Baby Jeshua wanted to come a little earlier than expected (about 9 weeks earlier, to be exact). So, the doctor told him, "No," and that "He would have to wait." Baby Jeshua simply laughed and in his already rebellious nature, kept on coming. Once the doctor decided there was no coming back and that Jeshua could be born, Mr. Rebellious Pants decided that he was quite happy where he was. So basically we stayed in Little Rock for 36 hours, and baby Jeshua Alexander Micah Nathanael Stewart was born at 6:56 pm on February 6, 2012 via emergency C-Section. He was 4 pounds and 17 1/4" long.

So, to skip through every little mundane detail, here is the newest update. Jeshua is off the ventilator. He is sucking liquids on his own. And he is maintaining a steady weight. He should be coming home in 2-3 weeks! I cannot wait!

Since then, a group of us have over-hauled Josh and Ju's apartment (quite a feat, but we did do it). I am planning a baby shower for once Jeshua gets to come home. My homework has exploded. Tests have officially begun. I am doing more reading for classes now that I ever have before.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

That should do the trick. A little better I guess, but the craziness still persists.

Next on the agenda is the fact that we are moving (AGAIN), for the 4th time in less than a year. I must have lost my mind! But it's ok. We have found a great house to move into in March, and we CAN live there until we graduate in December. I am already dreading the packing and unpacking. I have stopped hanging things up in our apartment since we are only going to be here for another 3 1/2 - 4 weeks.

On the bright side of the whole moving ordeal, we are getting a puppy! After much consideration, we decided on a Border Collie, and the breeder search began. Websites took us from Alabama, to Utah, to Maine, and finally to Texas where we discovered About EWE Border Collies and Claudia Wheeler. Please check out her website, and I eagerly invite you to consider one of her puppies if you are considering owning a Border Collie. Here are some of her beautiful dogs:

I think that is all for now! Hope you all have a lovely week! God bless!
Ashley

He Still Can't Live It Down

So, our wonderful friend Neil made a vlog about our wedding. Maybe you can guess why... We still tease him about this one!

What Happens At 2am Never Stays Secret!!

Just thought that I would share with you guys what happened at our apartment over Christmas break! You never know what will happen!

A Little Bit Of This, And A Little Bit Of That

The truth is that wherever a man lies with a woman, there, whether they like it or not, a transcendental relation is set up between them which must be eternally enjoyed or eternally endured. ~ C.S. Lewis

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, I used everything you gave me. ~ Erma Bombeck

I pray that when I die, all of Hell will throw a party to celebrate the fact that I am no longer in the fight. ~ CT Studd

Let us make much of the cross, let us not be ashamed of the cross, and let us allow Christ to manifest his cross through our lives. ~ Dr. C. Marvin Pate

The best things to do with the best thing in life is to give it away, not to keep it for ourselves. The blessings of God are too good to keep for ourselves. ~ Shane Claiborne

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love. ~ St. Francis of Assisi 

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be. ~ Ann Frank

Whom have I in Heaven but You? And the Earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my life and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. --Hebrews 12:1-3

God gave us memories that we might have roses in December. ~ J.M. Barrie

To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God. ~ William Temple

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Once love, true love, is demonstrated, you will be mesmerized by it for the rest of your life. ~ Jack McCarty

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8

To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else. ~ Emily Dickinson

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself, take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. Mark 8: 34-35

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. ~ Winston Churchill

A New Song For A New Heart

Kim Walker - I Surrender

The Beginning Of A New Year

As the weekend gets closer, I wonder what amazing things God is going to do... He never does anything short of amazing at any moment of any day, so I know that this marriage retreat will be no different. I have never been to anything like this before, and Joshua and I are at a different level than the rest - we haven't even passed our one year anniversary, yet. It is still over four months away. We are also the only couple without children. But, no matter what our situation, I am grateful that the Lord has blessed us in such a way. 

I am reminded of the vows that we shared, the promises that we made, and the first steps that we took together in front of our friends and family. The moment that has meant the most to me, though, was when I finally found a song that truly fit exactly how I felt about marrying Joshua, the love of my life, and singing it to him on our wedding day.

The Day Before You - Matthew West

I had all but given up on finding the one that I could fall into On the day before you I was ready to settle for less than love and not much more There was no such thing as a dream come true But that was on the day before you

Now you're here and everything's changing Suddenly life means so much I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and find out this promise is true I will never have to go back to the day before you

In your eyes I see forever and it makes me wish that my life never knew the day before you Oh, but heaven knows those years without you were shaping my heart for the day that I found you And if you're the reason for all I've been through then I'm thankful for the day before you

Now you're here and everything's changing Suddenly life means so much I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and find out this promise is true I will never have to go back to the day before you

It was the last day that I ever lived alone And I'm never going back No, I'm never going back

Now you're here and everything's changing Suddenly life means so much I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and find out this promise is true I will never have to go back to the day before you