The Pace of Grace Blog
When Christmas Isn’t Picture Perfect
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’” —Matthew 1:22-23 (NKJV) It’s Christmas Eve, and because we…
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How Can I Be Thankful in All Circumstances?
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV) Have you ever been floored by a crisis that hit at the absolute worst time, in the worst way? And you can’t imagine how you will move forward…
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Why Does This Suddenly Feel Like Sin?
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” —Romans 6:22 (ESV) Our attentive server whisked over to our table with a small dish holding two brightly seasoned wedges of freshly baked focaccia bread.…
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When God’s Will Doesn’t Include Healing
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he…
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Why Should I Meditate on Scripture?
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word.” — Psalm 119:148 The sliver of moonlight penetrating a thin gap between the slightly short blackout curtains on my bedroom window grew more intense as drawn-out minutes of sleeplessness turned into hours. I lay wide awake—yet again—trying to…
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Trusting God With Our Best-Laid Plans
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” —Proverbs 19:21 ESV I was happy to see a familiar face behind the customer service counter as I hopped into line at our local Hobby Lobby. This sweet young lady had checked…
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Hoping for a Back-to-School Reboot?
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” –Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) Every year, the back-to-school season awakens an excitement in me for all things new. The appearance of aisles and aisles of crisp, colorful school supplies, the scent of freshly sharpened pencils and perfectly tipped crayons, and the return…
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The High Cost of Control: Learning to Trust Our Creator
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’ But you were unwilling.” –Isaiah 30:15 (ESV) Last summer, a Bible study I was working on gave me a new perspective on the interwoven relationship…
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Clashing With Spiritual Siblings? How to Show Honor When You Disagree
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” –Romans 12:10 (ESV) As with your biological family, it is easy to love your spiritual family, brothers and sisters in Christ, until they adamantly disagree with you. Unfortunately, social media makes it even easier for fellow believers to tear one another…
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Moving Past the Prayer Emoji
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” –Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) Although I know it’s not a healthy habit, I often find myself rolling over in bed to check my…
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Why Impatience is Costing You Peace
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him…” – Psalm 37:7ab (NKJV) Last year, an unexpected opportunity prompted my family to seriously consider making a significant change: moving from the bustling town we’d called home for more than 15 years to a rural property in the Colorado mountains. Although my husband and…
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Hope is a Person—Not a Process
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.” –Hebrews 6:19 (ESV) A quick scroll through your social media feed at the beginning of a new year will likely reveal countless New Year motivational quotes and affirmations that sound…
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