Grace, Grace, God's Grace

"Grace, Grace God's grace

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace Grace God's grace

Grace that is greater than all our sin"

On the first Sunday of the new year, my pastor began a year long sermon series on GRACE. Yes that's right, we are spending a year, as a church, on GRACE! Such an amazing concept. A concept, that unfortunately has been lost in many churches these days. On that first Sunday, my pastor said something so simple yet so profound. He said "Grace is not an action, a verb, or, a thing to be grasped. Grace is a person. To know grace, you must know the person of Jesus Christ." Chew on that for a moment. I think its easy for us to separate grace and the messiah. We want one without the other. So many times, we come wanting Grace but not wanting the Savior. Grace is the Savior. You cannot know Grace without knowing the Savior. I'm looking forward to a year spent on Grace. I believe it will be a time of immense growth for our church family. Even the worship will be centered on Grace. I'm looking forward to leading our time of worship with Grace center songs with my fellow choir members. Today for the special we sang "Jesus Saves" this is one of my favorite songs and so I leave you with the lyrics.

Hear the heart of heaven beating, "Jesus saves Jesus saves"

And the hush of mercy breathing, "Jesus saves Jesus saves"

Hear the host of angels sing, "glory to the newborn king"

And the sound of joy repeating, "Jesus saves"

See the humblest hearts adore him. "Jesus saves Jesus saves"

And the wisest bow before him. "Jesus saves Jesus saves"

See the sky alive with praise, melting darkness in its place

There is life forevermore. "Jesus saves. Jesus saves"

He will live our sorrow sharing. "Jesus saves. Jesus saves"

He will die our burden bearing. "Jesus saves. Jesus saves"

"It is done" will shout the cross "Christ has paid redemption's cost"

While the empty tomb's declaring, "Jesus saves."

Freedom's calling, chains are falling, hope is dawning bright and true.

Day is breaking, night is quaking, God is making all things new.

Oh to grace, how great a debtor. "Jesus saves. Jesus saves"

All the saints will shout together. "Jesus saves. Jesus saves"

Rising up so vast and strong. Lifting up salvation's song.

The redeemed will sing forever. "Jesus saves. Jesus saves"

Snow And A National Championship Title

Sunday afternoon a winter storm hit my city. It was beautiful but a bit nasty. Pretty much everything in the entire city was closed down. Thats what happens when you live in the South. So since class was cancelled I stayed in my orange and blue flannel pj pants and BCS National Championship tee all day. I was able to watch several pregame shows and then my lazy day culminated in snuggling up with my Auburn snuggie and watching Auburn win the national championship!!!! The roads seem to be clearing up and hopefully class will resume tomorrow. I will be proudly wearing my Auburn polo if we do. Finally, I must end by saying "Its great to be an Auburn tiger"

First Choir Practice Of The Year

Tonight we resume church choir practice after several weeks off. We have been off since the week of the Christmas program. The week that saw my brother and another choir member pass away. I'm looking forward to walking into the choir suite and seeing everyone and reading over the new music. But a part of me can't help but be a little emotional. You won't be joining us, brother and that is a painful reality to accept. I know some people are absolutely tired of me bringing up the firsts but i'm dealing with my grief as best I can. I'm taking it day by day sometimes hour by hour. I miss you. Sing a beautiful song to our Savior and King in the heavenly choir tonight. I love you, brother.