GMI 3:18

James 3:18

James 3:18 

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among those who make peace.

The Message Reads as Follows...

13 Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts.14 Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom.15 It's the furthest thing from wisdom-it's animal cunning, devilish conniving.16 Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.

17 Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced.18 You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

 

Continue on... In the Journey... Beleiving for the Best for Everyone...

Grace & Peace

 

Norrow Roads

For all of us there comes a time in our lives, when the road we are on suddenly narrows before us...  The unforeseen now becomes visible... Clarity is defined with our ability to narrow our vision beyond the blurriness of the Masses...  The Road Narrows, meeting it's impeding Fork in the Road, the inevitable "Y" is now looking us Face to Face, demanding a choice...  Our Destinations will Determine our outcomes & will play a pivotal part in the road in which we are to choose... With our Hearts gripped with the decision yet to be made... we here an unhearable Voice prodding us in the way we ought to go.... We shall heed this nudge and find ourselves on the Journey which leads to Life of Guttural Satisfaction, beyond that which words can describe, or we can take the road of least resistance, and find ourselves right back here again, sometime in the near future facing the same decision...

In these Critical Times, in which we are living, Life Givers are being called upon to bring the needed Life to the weary and downcast of our World... The Narrow Road, which is filled with much destruction & debacle, must be traveled if we are to bring the needed relief to those for whom we are being sent....  Hearing the unhearable Voice becomes more attainable, when we find our selves on the Narrowed Roads of this Life... God continues His tug, calling many to bring the needed Life...

Lord, we believe in you, we know your plans are for Good... We follow where you lead, embracing all that is in our way with the Grace that we have encountered... Knowing that All is Good, that which comes from You... We are amazed at your goodness, of which we could  never have earned, as we travel the Narrow Road...

LOVE... NOT to GET! Ego Blind...

“...Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. Don’t allow love to turn into lust... You can be sure that using people or religion or things just for what you can get out of them—the usual variations on idolatry—will get you nowhere, and certainly nowhere near the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of God.” Ephesians 5:2,3,5

 

In a culture submersed with the mindset of... “How can this person help me to get where I am going, what can they do for me, or how can I use them to get what I want?” It's not surprising to see the breakdown of relationships, amidst our Cultures Gathering Points... The desire [PASSION] to be “somebody” or to get “somewhere” is often glamourized and applauded, but in some cases, when the veneers are pulled back, the findings can be detestable...

EGO IS BLIND... & when it's out of control... “On-Mission,” it plummets through peoples lives, with no genuine concerns, other than getting what it wants out each & every interaction... We have all experienced this at one time or another, as we have interacted with others, & there is no doubt that at times, we have been guilty of doing it ourselves. Lord forgive us!

The casualties that are left behind, from encounters with those who are so desperate to “get what they want” are many times stupefied, & left with a numbing emotional coldness... & Yes, & I can hear EGO stand up & say... “just deal with it, get over it, be tough” the blindness continues... doesn't it!

How we respond to our engagements with those who are “Conquering & Dividing” is crucial... As Christ followers we are not to just let the damages continue... on the contrary... Addressing the Issue is a must... Warning be known... the Messenger who brings confrontational news to EGO, will in no doubts, probably take a tremendous hit... Remembering that an EGO who has “SUCCESS” on its mind, is usually blind, & will have a tendency of wasting our time... Deceptive, with all sorts of games of “chutes & ladders” & “control & confine,” we must be careful not to get trapped in EGO's design.

Breaking free & getting a glimpse from a distance... helps us see it more clearly & empowers us to understand how we can most effectively respond...

As Grace filled agent for change, we are able to see through the “smoke,” having a glimpse into EGO'S Shenanigans, & therefore we are able to respond by addressing the issues with courageous considerations, while valuing the addressee, being willing to pay the price (take the hit), & be willing to move on if we are not taken to heart.

We can only control ourselves... We can control how we respond to others, & for sure we don't have to be a push-pin for others as they stomp their way through this World... We need not worry about the confrontation... for out of them we learn much of the needed lessons for living with purpose, on purpose, & for a purpose.

“The basic task of LEADERSHIP is to Increase the Standard of Living & the Quality of Life for ALL Stakeholders”

“I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10

Beyond the "F-U" Factor...

Amazement & Bewilderment continue to come our way when we experience the "F-U" Factor...  It seems that the Pretense for many of these experiences are rooted in Ego based Controlling "Outfits" The Old "My Way or the Highway!" thing again...

Arrogance creates Divisiveness, & when the Arrogant can't control... Another Rule is Written, Dangling the "Carrot" of "are U In or U Out?"  Masked with the Smoke-screen of "Protection"...

It is'nt always so plain & easy to see... but if we look closely... we are apt to find the "Ugly Bird" clinging to its clutch... The Results lead to Higher fences of Exclusivity, which leads to Internal Blindness, & then the Illusion of Elitism...

The way of the Axe... the "F-U" Factor... (Forget You)... is the easy way out. 

Especially when it comes to Leadership issues...  Business  Owners - Church Overseers - Institutional Leaders..  Everyone ~ All of Us We must learn to Work It Out... Down from the Towers we must go into the real world of reality, willing to reflect, reform, & reunite... 

Wow let’s just say this... We have all experienced the F-U Factor... & in Ain't 2 Pretty... This is a time for Collaboration... "LIFE IS VERY SHORT" Much is at stake... We can work it out...  The BEATLES  Paul & John can help us all on this...  WE know they had their fair share of times of "Working it Out!"

Watch Video

http://youtu.be/eN-Ee7uXKYo

 

PARABLES...

 

Parables...

Welcome to this Open Study of The Parables of Jesus....

 

We will read one Parable each Week & have open discussion on each Week's Parable...  The Discussion will run from Wednesday to Wednesday...  Post Comments as you Study & Reflect on the  Parables...

 

The First Parable we will look into is Commonly Called:

 
The Unprofitable Servants  Luke 17: 7-10

7  "Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’?   8  "But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’?   9  "He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? 

10   "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’"

We will be posting some ?s to stir our Interactiveness...

Open...

 

 

The Royal Wedding

From a Commoner to Royalty...

It's been said that Kate Middleton has found herself an escape, into the World of the Fairytale Life of Cinderella...

No doubt, she has found herself at the Alter of Historical change, for Herself & for Her Family Bloodline for Generations to come...

The Royal Wedding will be a Beautiful Event, filled with W 
ondrous presentations of Glory & Pomp... Royalty Cascading thru every glimpse...

As we Observe from a distance, via media Glances thru LCD Screens, we should watch with Amazement & Capture the Spirit of the Moment as the Wedding Procession strolls thru the Beautifully Decorated, Scenic Avenues of London, leading its way to the Westminster Abbey. The Views will be Amazing... Watch it all...

As we Engage this Historic Moment, & as our Hearts get Filled with Awe & Wonder, let us do our very best to capture the Spirit of The Royal Wedding, & as we do so, let it be a significant reminder of our Distinctive Royalty in God's Family...

Everything is Sacred, when we capture ourselves in the World of God's Royal Priesthood...

We to are Commoners who have been called into the Royal Family... Let us Live with Amazement, knowing that our Hope is a Living Hope, filling us with Awe & Wonder of our Entrance one day, into the Tangible Kingdom of Heaven... Today we Live with the Royal Kingdom Bursting in our Hearts... Commoners being Transformed into Royalty...

I will be Watching, with Eyes Wide Open...

THE ROYAL WEDDING.

Beyond R Controls...

                                    

Much is happening in the World Today... Catastrophic Change is Rocking the World... Echoes from the Transformation can B heard Loud & Clear.... This can become very burdening as we continue 2B informed on all that is transpiring around us... It is crucial that we R able 2 Get a Grip on our Personal Situation & Circumstance & B able 2 put it & keep it all in Perspective ~ Context... Context... CONTEXT !  As a Reminder, it will help us 2 know, that We do Have the Ability 2 Choose our Response 2 all that is going on around us... Not just a flippant response... but a deep seeded guttural Response, that keeps a Perspective of what really matters... Materials that were tirelessly worked 4 can disappear in a Flash... GONE!  Just Like That... People who we thought were their 4 us vanish without a mention... So Much... So Much... Is Changing so Fast... Its Crazy !! Therefore 2 KNOW & I mean 2 Really Know that We have the Ability 2 Choose our Responses is Critical 2 our Surviving & Enduring the Times we R Living in...  If we find our Value & Purpose in the non-Material... In Value of Human LIFE... & Cherish the Gift of Life Herein we find our Pathway 2 a Perspective of the Sacred... Our Values (what we value most) play a pivotal role in our ability 2 choose our Responses.... Most challenges 4 us in the West is based on "Wanting More"  More Notoriety ~ More Fame ~ MOre MORe MORE STUFF... all which can B Dismissed in a Momentary Flash... Gone Gone Gone...  God help us 2C the Value of the Human Lives... the Precious Lives that R around Us... & let those Amazing Creations of God Inspire Us 2 Choose the Best Responses We R Capable of Making... For Me it Goes Like This:

1. Today... I am In the Grace of God         (therefore)
2. Today... Is an Amazing Gift from God        (so)
3. Today... All these Problems R Privileges       (blessed) 

Grace & Peace

Gary Garris

Squeeeeezed in a ViceGrip ..

We Will B Crushed @ Times...

John 16:33  

Could very easily read ' I have told you in fact I can guarantee it You will feel like you are in a "Vise-Grip" of Oppression, Pain, & Suffering @ times as you walk out the Paths that are before you... You will feel as if the walls are closing in on you, the circumstance may become to difficult to handle, the Stress & Anxiety will Blur your vision... the Pains will be Overwhelming... But Hear Me Clearly, I Promise You that you can do it if you try... BE of GOOD CHEER for I Have Overcome all of this Brokenness...You can Find your Peace in Me... I have told you these things that IN ME You would Have PEACE '

We are Praying for everyone we know that all of us would find our Peace in the Christ... Many continue to go thru very challenging times of uncertainties & Hardships... Jesus has promised that He will B with Us until the End of the Age... We Rest in  this Understanding & Pray that Grace, Mercy & Peace would continue to guide all of us toward our God Given Directives... Everday a Gift...

Grace & Peace

Gary  & Charisse Garris & the Boys

GMI ~ Every "Chisel" Brings Forth Hidden Image

Finding our Image of who God has desired us 2B... Enables us 2 Make Decisions that bring about Opportunities for Becoming the Person God Desires Us 2B... He knows who we R

Grace & Mercy International will B Starting a In-depth Look into SOUL-PRINT... A new book from Mark Batterson...

Stay tuned 4 Dates-Times-Places... 

We R Blessed 2 Have this Opportunity...

Grace~Mercy~Peace

the Garris Family

2011 GMI Continued Introduction

Our HOPE is Refreshed when we continue taking action steps towards our desired directives in LIFE...  Grace, Mercy, & Peace....

The Journey Continues... Blessed to have this Opportunity...

However we got to this place, of introducing to this Generation a Reflective, Responsive, & Reformative understanding of what it means to be a Christ Follower & what it means to be the Church, is a long story, of which we look forward to sharing our journey, which has brought us to this juncture in life.  If we are confident of one thing, it would be that we know for sure that Changing is a Lifetime ongoing process, filled with all sorts of shake-ups, break-ups, & make-ups.  This has been our reoccurring "sounding bell" as we have continued our quest, as a Family in pursuing what we believe to be our God given abilities & directives.  Our hope is that we can become as Transparent as Humanly possible, as we share the journey & process of us introducing Grace & Mercy International GMI to this Generation. We desire to clearly define, in vivid living color, our experiences, expressions, & examples through the use many different multimedia methods.  There is one very important Common-Thread that will be Interwoven through out this interactive dialog, "No Elitism ~ No Best Way ~ Nothing New Under the Sun, but just Spiritual Renewal."  With that in mind,& as a foundational understanding, there is also the concept of what we would like to call "Fresh Perspectives."  Historical Truths only become 'New' because we finally have stumbled across them, & in our finding them, or in them finding us, it feels as if there is this sort of New- Beginning that happens (a Paradigm-Shift).  Fresh Perspective, sometimes pushes us to uncomfortable places, which are filled with limitless potentials, for bringing about positive, influential change... We call this "Catalyst ~ Tension," the frictional energy for change. Our introduction for GMI  (( Grace & Mercy International )) in the context of this particular application, will 'push of shore' with the following statement, which is filled with limitless Interactive ~ Inflection.

"To Live a Lifestyle of Grace has been the most challenging endeavor I have ever experienced as a  human being!"   gary garris

This statement should bring about some intriguing & interesting questions, with the hopes of opening our Hearts, Spirits, & Minds for Interactive ~ Inflection. 
See some potential interrogatives, hereafter. 

• Like, I thought Grace was an easy, passive type of thing...
• What do you mean by a Lifestyle of Grace...
• How can Grace be Challenging, I don't get it!...
• To live in Grace means to live, how...
  
• What is Grace anyway...
• Why Grace...
• GRACE

Any type of input is welcome... We hope all responsive inflection will be done with a courageous & considerate voicing... You can interact via facebook or in this format.

We considerate it a profound blessing to have this opportunity to encourage & empower each other  towards becoming the best person we were all created to be.

Grace & Peace...