Yes. This is it, as far as grace goes. Chuck Swindoll is always brimming with wisdom and practicality. It'll change your life if you're not ready for it.

Read this a long while back and well worth revisiting. Hasn't lost steam or relevancy with time.

A Great eye opener for anybody, that like to cry about anything and everything. Look up and have faith. Be grateful and content.

currently reading as an alternative to a small group study on another grace book by steve mcvey

A little redundant, but an inspiring read. Chuck's fervent position on the notion of grace makes for a double take of one's own way of life, whether a fellow Christian or not. I was skeptical that a near 300 page book on grace could hold me (not that I don't appreciate grace) until its conclusion, but Chuck does a fine job in providing diverse content and expounding upon it without being painfully meticulous.

Tremendo, tremendo! Es de admirar la gran y amplia perspectiva con la que el autor va desarrollando el tema de la gracia tanto apoyando a los que están a favor como exponiendo a los "asesinos de la gracia".

Me encantó que su visión no quedó corta a la gracia encontrada en la cruz y la que vemos en el Padre(verticalmente) sino que cómo se aplica en un ámbito terrenal con nuestro prójimo(horizontalmente). Sobretodo, impactó mucho mi vida el tema del legalismo, y qué tan frecuente es en nosotros en que aún siendo ya libres por fe preferimos seguir siendo esclavos del pecado.

Grace Awakening:
Chapter 1: I will appreciate Gods gift of life, salvation, laughter more.

I will spend less time and energy critical of others and less time on the petty.

I will be more tolerant and less judgmental. Externals won’t matter so much.

No guilt trips.

I will take a giant step toward maturity.

Grace is grown up freedom.

Chapter 2: It’s not what we do for God. It’s what he has done for us.

I am not a master of my fate or captain of my soul: that’s focus on self.

The law has no power to restrain us because no one can keep it. Where sin increased, grace abounded. Where sin overflowed, grace flooded in.

Sin is finite. Grace is infinite.

GRACE written on test grades and any accolades. It’s all any of us have to claim. It’s not about grades or awards. It’s not about our own glory.

Is Christ the master of my fate?

Chapter 3:
Guard against extremes. There isn’t a black or white

Treat grace as an undeserved privilege rather than a right

Grace to me freely but cost Jesus his life

Instead of praising, they pounce…

Jesus meet us with open arms, not a club

God is not stamping out cookie cutter Christians. He likes variety.

Am I seeking the favor of God or men?


3 types of legalism: Galatians is the book of GRACE
1. Those who distort the gospel.
Salvation is not be faith alone. We have to do works. This is heresy.
Does not require human achievement.
2. Eccleseastical harassment. Going crazy over little things.
Give up my lists of do’s and don’ts. And don’t force other people to do my do’s or don’t do….
3. Hypocrisy: don’t fake it in front of others. GET OFF THE FENCE. Sheep follow shepherds.

KEEP STANDING FIRM IN MY FREEDOM. Stand my ground.
Stop seeking the favor of everyone.
Start refusing to submit to bondage. The anxiety that comes with me trying to follow the rules.
Continue being straightforward about the truth. Live honestly. If I don’t agree, say so kindly.
No one expects perfection, but they do expect honesty.

You don’t have to be a professional counselor to help others

I will never give you my list of dos and don’t to follow. Don’t give me yours.

Where sin increases, grace abounds

Why do I compare?

What magnifies grace?
Romans 14:1-4
Accept one another, regardless. Dont regard with contempt based on clothing, movies, makeup, beach, devotions…

Be easier and accepting than others were to me

Never assume a position I’m not qualified to fill. I don’t know all the facts or the big picture.

Don’t sabotage others who might be weaker or not believe the same. Don’t make their lives miserable.


Write your criticisms in dust and your compliments in marble.

Always leave room for an opposable viewpoint.

Don’t assassinate in an argument. No mud slinging

If you don’t get your way, get on with it.

Sometimes best solution is a separation.

Grace means I don’t have to keep up a perfect front

Generosity with personal possessions

Encouragement in unusual settings

Life beyond the letter of the scriptures, not the Old Testament law

Liberty for creative expression

Release from past failures

Shame is debilitating
Shame-based spirituality

1. Having problems is sin
2. Emotions are sinful
3. Compulsive disease is sinful
4. Having fun is sinful
5. Spirituality = perfection
6. Sexuality = sin
7. Success or its lack is sinful
8. Becoming a Christian fixes everything within me
9. If I am not healed, it is due to my lack of faith

Healthy spirituality:
1. Problems are a part of my human condition. I can bring them to God and my fellow Christians
2. Emotions are neither good nor bad. It’s what I do with them.
3. There is a difference between disease and sinful behavior.
4. There are many ways to delight in gods goodness
5. Living within grace, not legalism
6. Sexuality is a part of who we are and to be enjoyed
7. Prosperity or poverty is not due to deficient spirituality
8. Accepting Christ in my life enables and empowers me to face issues
9. Having illness is not a sin. I can avail myself of the best treatment available

Grace in a marriage: the top 5s are so different

How and why we give is more important to God than how much or what.

I won’t have all the answers, but I have all of God.

We accept grace when we release all our expectations

Final thoughts: Grace Awakening is a book on FREEDOM. Best example - fall of the Berlin Wall.
Social, economic, and religious bondage all can be conquered by grace.

Bondage from without (stones in the walls): GRACE KILLERS!
Legalism, expectations, traditionalism, manipulation, demands, negativism, control, comparison, perfectionism, competition, criticism, pettiness.

Pride, fear, resentment, bitterness, insecurity, guilt, shame, gossip, unforgiving spirit, fleshly effort, hypocrisy

Classic read

Chuck Swindoll does a good job of defining grace in its different aspects. It prompted a lot of discussion in our men’s discipleship group as we read through it.

Awesome!

This was the first Chuck Swindoll book I'd ever read, and I'm not really used to reading books by evangelical pastors. That being said, it was rather good. I found that his thoughts corresponded closely with Phillip Yancey's "What's So Amazing About Grace?", though this book had much more Biblical exposition and less engaging stories. Still, it was a really solid message and I think I'm a little bit of a fan of Pastor Swindoll now.

Actually turned out to be quite good. Going into it I thought it might be mundane and typical, but it wasn't. A lot of really good thoughts about grace and living it to the full extent. The only somewhat negative thought I had was why I had to sign a form to not drink alchohol in order to go to DTS.

The first half, on what God-given grace is, was incredible -- eye and heart opening for me. I know I'll be reading my Bible with a new lens of freedom because of this first part. The second part, what living a gracious life can look like, was less so (somewhat culturally dated in the edition I read).