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.

A Lot Can Happen In A Month

Oh how much can happen in a month. For me, losing 2 friends is what happened in a month. I can see my perspective has changed in the past month. While a part of me will always be the free spirit and the dreamer, I'm starting to focus more. I'm leaning more on the guiding of the holy spirit and less on my understanding. I'm taking life day by day. Grief can do that to a person, I guess. But I choose to see it as a good thing. A lot can happen in a month.

Beauty For Ashes

Christ promises to give us beauty for ashes. I'm holding tight to this promise. In the past year, I have seen my marriage fall apart before me. Later in the year, I sat in a hospital for a week only to see my best friend and "big brother" die. This year has been a year spent in the foundry. Its been a year where God has placed me in the fire for the dross to come to the top and be swept away. Its been a painful year. But I hold true to the fact that I have been promised beauty from these ashes.

Perfect Timing Clarkston

Its amazing how our monthly mission trips to Clarkston always seem to come at the perfect time. My first trip to Clarkston was the Saturday following my ex-husband moving out of our home. This weekend's trip is the weekend following my best friends funeral. These trips are great relief from pain. They give me an opportunity to focus on serving others as oppossed to focusing on the pain that I'm currently in. Once again, Clarkston, your timing is perfect.

One Phone Call From Our Knees

"She got the call today, one out of the grey/And when the smoked cleared, it took her breath away/She said she didn't believe 'it could happen to me'/I guess we're all one phone call from our knees"

I got the phone call last Wednesday. A friend of mine called me to tell me that my best friend and "big brother" went home to be with his savior the night before. I think the memory of her saying those words to me will forever be burned into my memory. When the fog of shock lifted the lyrics to this song came to mind. We really are all just one phone call from our knees.