I wasn’t born yet when Dick Sargeant replaced Dick York as Darrin on Bewitched in 1969, but you’d better believe I noticed in the reruns. My sister and I spent many a summer morning watching TBS in the 80s, and Bewitched was one of our mainstays. It didn’t seem right that they could just switch the actors and not say anything about it.
When I talk about grace, I have to talk about Jesus. Sometimes I wish it didn’t have to be that way, wish that I could offer more to the general market, wish that I could keep it all generic and one-size-fits, wish that I could switch Darrins and nobody notice. It would be easier. But it wouldn’t be true.
True grace, the real kind that is free, the real kind that comes without strings or expectation, only Jesus can extend. So to talk for a month about grace and to leave out Jesus would be cheap. It might be more comfortable for me, but it would leave giant holes and life-sized gaps. To talk about grace without Jesus would be like casting the second Darrin and not saying anything – It can be done, but it doesn’t feel right.
So even though I may not always say his name, just know that the only kind of grace worth thinking about for a month is the true kind that comes from his hands.
I struggle with this, too. It would be so much easier- way more comfortable, but certainly not as meaningful. Thanks for the clever reminder.
amen! His grace is the only grace that matters.
alisa´s last [type] ..New email subscription option
Strange how that happens. Somehow THAT word keeps slipping in–Jesus. Aaw, who needs generic anyway? Leave that for Wal-Mart….give me Jesus.
Tammy@If Meadows Speak…´s last [type] ..The Scales of Grace-Oh Ye Of Little Measure to Self
My thoughts exactly!!!
Oh, I was so mad about that Darrin incident. It never pays to try and trick people, they always find out in the end.
melissa @ the inspired room´s last [type] ..31 Days of Autumn Bliss Day 2- 12 Tips for A Welcoming Fall Entry
Please never ever be mainstream! I don’t come here for mainstream. I come here to breath. To find something soft and pretty. Something that makes me think. More often then not that thinking leads me to my knees. Many times reading here makes me smile. I love it here. It feels like home.
Please, never, ever, EVER try to please the world. Just keeping pleasing Him.
A to-the MEN! He is the only true, real, lasting kind. 31 days and beyond!
yes I agree!
when i saw darren i knew i had to comment. oh what a way to start! there’s no way i can think about grace without thinking about jesus. i started listening to eat, pray love, and when she started talking about how she began to pray to god and then she began to justify that by saying she could just as easily replace god with any other of those (false gods–my words) names i turned it off. i couldn’t listen. there’s no alternative for the one true god. no acceptable substitute.
I’m happy you decided to share true grace and not mainstream grace. I’m new to your blog as of the last couple of days, but I’m already impressed with your honesty and candor.
ashleyanderic.blogspot.com
Ashley Hasty´s last [type] ..A little childhood glamour
i’m new to your blog. thank you for being uncomfortable. we all need that reminder.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 1 Peter 4:12-16
take care!
melissa´s last [type] ..EAT
Thanks for this post. Wonderful… we all need to talk about Jesus when it comes to grace. I had the chance to talk to my dad (who has stage 4 lung cancer) about Jesus. He even said ‘thank you’ when I told him that a lot of people were praying for him. I think God did give me the moment to talk about Him and his beloved son, and hopefully bring my dad closer to knowing Christ.
Kim´s last [type] ..OK- time to fess up
Sounds like the introduction to your next book….
Funny, too, that if you hadn’t seen {known} the original, you may not get it. But once you do, nothing will ever compare!
Looking forward to the real deal,
Stacey
stacey´s last [type] ..The Friday Five
There is no substitute for his grace.
Love this post.
“Life-sized gaps…”
Kelly Langner Sauer´s last [type] ..3 • from here and there- “street life”
Talk about starting the month off right! Thank you for clarifying what grace really means.
Thank you for sharing the truth and honoring our precious Lord! You are right that He is the only source of grace. We must know Him, believe Him, obey Him, and share Him with others! Dare to be unpopular by spreading the truth! “By standing firm, you will gain life.” Luke 21:19 May He bless the work of your hands.
I, too, spent too much time watching Bewitched reruns.
Thank you for talking about talking about ALL of grace — even the uncomfortable parts.
Esther´s last [type] ..My Favorite Things…Rain- Rain- Go Away
Oh, how He has extended so much grace!
He is the author of grace and extends more than I can ever hope to.
So true! It is so much easier to do mainstream… but the ring is often hollow with the knowledge that something’s missing.
Thanks for the touching reminder. Jesus is the master when it comes to grace ^_^
Henway´s last [type] ..What makes Medifast transition easier
So very true.
Mrs. Sojourner´s last [type] ..Thursdays Travel Tales & Tips- My Trip to Kenya Pt 3
Amen.
Imperfect´s last [type] ..Tomorrow We Run
eloquently said & so right. lovely post!
Emily
I appreciate that you can’t not talk about Jesus.
and that you do in it a way that is still ,
well,
you know what I mean.
don’t you?
deb @ talk at the table´s last [type] ..perfectly imperfect
Amen! Aren’t we all thankful for Jesus and God’s grace! Loving this series!
Connie
Connie´s last [type] ..Ive So Missed Him!
now your preachin’
xoxo
lara´s last [type] ..stay tuned
precious
Well said! We don’t have to mention it every moment, every sentence. But to deny that it underlies everything we say, that would be untrue to the grace we have been given.
You’re right. Speaking of grace and not mentioning Jesus is impossible.
Southern Gal´s last [type] ..Schoolhouse Rock!
Very true…Jesus is grace…without Him we would be nothing!
allison morrison´s last [type] ..Special Teachers for special children
You are right, Emily. There is no substitution for the grace of Jesus. Looking forward to this month on ‘grace’.
You are so right that grace and Jesus must be spoken of together for without Jesus, grace would be nothing.
Linda L´s last [type] ..This Past Weeks Menu Plan
AMEN! John 14:6
Thank you for being courageous enough to share about true grace and WHO it comes from :’)
Debbie´s last [type] ..Organizing My Tools
Emily,
I WAS born when the two Darrins got switched – and you’re right, it WAS weird!!
God will honor you for honoring Him – He is the one who gives true grace – the undeserved kind of grace that only a merciful and compassionate God could give. His grace had a face – our dear Jesus!
GOD BLESS!
Sharon Kirby´s last [type] ..QUAINT WORDS
funny how I have stumbled here…I lost my sister seven years ago and her battle with cancer lasted only 40 days…God has me writing for the next 40 days on what He has done the past seven years! I think it is not by chance that I have stumbled here…Thanks!
Amen Emily. Sometimes you just gotta say it.
)
dawn´s last [type] ..something pretty- something meaningful- something gross- something fun
It always bugged me when they had 2 Darins. It didn’t feel right.
Thank you for being so honest on Day #2 what your message is all about!
Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer´s last [type] ..Day 2 Perfectionism- Learn More About Yourself
I get this. I never ever ever talk about religion on my blog, ever. I even had second and third doubts about referring to Pope John Paul as “His Holiness” on my blog – a sure give away to my religious background. That part of the post was in and out and back in 1/2 dozen times in the edit process.
My reasons are different, though – it’s not because I care about appealing to a wider audience, but because I fear being casted as some role model. I don’t want to be branded as a Christian blogger – lest someone turn to me for answers. My flaws are too great and I would simply fail at being casted as a mouthpiece of His church. So rather than fail at a topic so great, I leave it in the hands of those who are better equipped.
I hope I can walk the walk through my blog – even if I never talk the talk.
I admire that you are strong enough to walk and talk.
darcy @ m3b´s last [type] ..Shooting fast vs Shooting Slow Day 3
I was six years old when Dick Sargent replaced Dick York, and I loved Bewitched. I’m not sure I noticed the change right when it occurred, or later when I watched the show in re-runs. But you’re right–the two Darrins looked similar, but they weren’t quite the same. Yet I guess it worked okay for the show because they were ALMOST the same.
Gosh, it’s scary to think what things in our world might look ALMOST the same as real grace to people. It must be because we haven’t done a very good job of letting God’s real grace shine through to people. Once people ever get a glimpse at the real Jesus, no lookalike will ever do.
Thank you for having the courage to speak of the real thing.
Richella´s last [type] ..Show us your life- the dining room
That is so funny! My sisters and I used to do the same thing! We so wished we could just twinkle our noses and our rooms would be clean!
Amen on the two Darrins, and AMEN on true grace! I’m a couple of days late, but have been soooo looking forward to this series, bring it girl!
Melanie H.´s last [type] ..Our Summer in Pictures-Third Installment
my MIL named my husband Darrin from this show! He blushes if you ever mention it in front of him. He HATES to be reminded of this fact!
Mary Jean´s last [type] ..Decorating with Definition
Amen!!! Thanks for going ahead and saying that upfront! I love me some Jesus…and I know He loves me!
Mrs.B´s last [type] ..Goodbye
O, Goddess, give me patience.
Singing “None but Jesus” right now in my head. Love this.