Episode 114 - Amazing Grace

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Grace means good will, loving-kindness, or favor. It is that extra something that comes our way whether we deserve it or not, and often when we least expect it. We don't have to earn grace, nor do we have to be someone special to receive it. It is an unconditional gift from the Divine. Grace is also something we can give to others when we decide to be gentle, let annoyances go, forgive, or find some other way to give someone a break. It's easier to give grace to people we barely know, and much harder to those who seriously challenge us. In this episode we share our experiences of receiving and giving Divine grace, and we learn the historical story behind the famous song, Amazing Grace.

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NOTES

Paradoxes of God:

Father and mother

Transcendent and immanent

Principle and personal

Law and grace

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‘Grace' in the bible is derived from the Greek word 'cheris.' Means Good will, loving-kindness, or favor. Also Divine mercy, or unearned aid.

That extra something that comes our way whether we deserve it or not, and often when we least expect it

We don't have to earn it

We all experience grace, whether we are aware of it or not

Grace is like having the wind at your back

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Sometimes we call it luck or a break your life

Those times when Spirit brings ease to our lives, or maybe clears our path

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God’s will for you is perfect life, perfect wisdom, perfect love. This will, this divine desire is so intense, so continuous, so great that it even seeps through our willfully closed minds ... There is nothing mystical or puzzling about it; it is a very simple explanation of a process of life.” Eric Butterworth, author of Discover the Power Within You

Receiving Grace:

Being open and awake to all the grace we receive brings us to a place of gratitude

It lifts us up

Giving Grace:

When we give grace, we choose to give others a bit of a break

We choose to be the wind at their back, whether they deserve it or not

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Some ways to give grace:

Show (undeserved or unearned) kindness

Be gentle with words

Let annoyances go

Give the benefit of the doubt

Show appreciation

Forgive

Be Light in the darkness

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Amazing Grace, the song, was a message of forgiveness and redemption

Written in 1772 by John Newton, an Anglican priest and former slave trader 

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John Newton

Silent on the slave trade for 34 years 

Published a pamphlet called, "Thoughts Upon the Slave Trade" describing the horrendous conditions on slave ships

“It will always be a subject of humiliating reflection to me, that I was once an active instrument in a business at which my heart now shudders.”

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Pamphlet sent to every member of the British Parliament

In 1807, under the leadership of William Wilberforce, the transatlantic slave trade was finally abolished

Major change happens when consciousness is sufficiently raised to meet it

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Do we give him grace? Do we give others like him grace? Do we give ourselves grace for our own moral blind spots?

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During my run-up, I mention a blog post that I wrote on William Wilberforce and the abolition of the Transatlantic slave trade. If you are interested, you can find it here.

If you are interested in some interesting renditions of Amazing Grace you can find them here and here.

Dialogue and Inquiry

Share a story about receiving grace. Whathappened? What was the result?

Share a story about givinggrace. What happened? What was the result?

What metaphor do you think bestexplains grace?

What is the true gift of grace?

Who needs our grace today? 

How does giving and living as gracechange you and the world?

Closing Thought

God gives me grace without conditions. I do not have to work hard or earn divine blessings. My worthiness does not depend upon my actions. I am worthy of grace because of who I am. Grace takes action, too, showing up as delightful goodness in my life. I allow grace to overflow from my heart in free and joyous expression. I live and give in the fullness of grace.

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Episode 115 - Reclaiming Innocence

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Episode 113 - Awakening Consciousness Now