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In a world of polarizing opposites and unrealistic expectations, I choose to live
ON THE SIDE OF GRACE. Join me by following along on this blog about peacemaking and self-grace. I'm so glad you're here!

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You can find my blog archives below. For more recent writing, check out my Substack here.

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Vanessa Stricker

Apr 5, 20232 min read

Redemption

It's Holy Week. As we finished up our Lent series at One Life City Church, I had the opportunity to preach about redemption. This felt...

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Love to the End: An Excerpt from Lent Reflections

Vanessa Stricker

Feb 22, 20233 min read

Love to the End: An Excerpt from Lent Reflections

Today is the first day of Lent, the liturgical season in which we remember the life and death of Jesus in order to prepare our hearts to...

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Hope: An Excerpt from Advent Reflections

Vanessa Stricker

Nov 28, 20222 min read

Hope: An Excerpt from Advent Reflections

HOPE. I wonder what that word brings to mind for you. Sometimes we might think of hope as seeing the world with rose-colored glasses or...

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Vanessa Stricker

May 27, 20221 min read

It Could Happen Here

“It could happen here” That’s what his friend said The words circle in his mind He repeats it to me Pleading with his eyes For it not to...

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Vanessa Stricker

May 25, 20221 min read

It Shouldn't Be Normal

It shouldn’t be normal The incessant headlines of tragedy It shouldn’t be normal The repetitive cycles of grief It shouldn’t be normal...

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Vanessa Stricker

Apr 2, 20211 min read

What Kind of God Does That?

You took on a body, made yourself susceptible to pain. You felt every lash, every thorn digging into your scalp, each crash of the hammer...

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Vanessa Stricker

Jul 22, 20201 min read

Still in This Place

We’re still in this place, Longer than most of us thought we would be. We’re still home. We’re still distant. We’re still living each day...

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Vanessa Stricker

Jun 17, 20203 min read

An Invitation to Repent

Forgiveness and Repentance. These are both central facets of the Christian faith. And yet we often rely more heavily on the assurance of our

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Vanessa Stricker

Jun 10, 20206 min read

There Has to Be a Better Way

I heard a knock on the door and opened it to see my 10-year-old neighbor standing on my front porch in tears. “My dad was just killed,”...

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Vanessa Stricker

May 9, 20202 min read

Why We Ran

Our family ran yesterday morning. We ran knowing that our run was not enough. We ran understanding that it was not true solidarity...

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Vanessa Stricker

Orange County, CA

onthesideofgrace@gmail.com

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WELCOME

Redemption

Love to the End: An Excerpt from Lent Reflections

Hope: An Excerpt from Advent Reflections

It Could Happen Here

It Shouldn't Be Normal

What Kind of God Does That?

Still in This Place

An Invitation to Repent

There Has to Be a Better Way

Why We Ran

READ MORE FROM VANESSA ON SUBSTACK

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