Transforming Grace

I've been reading this book lately called Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges. It's an excellent read so far with the basic premise being that God's grace is completely unmerited and it is nothing we can earn. That's a difficult concept to take in sometimes. To think that I have absolutely NO control whatsoever on my eternal state. Obviously, I ask God to save me from an eternity apart from Him, but I'm told that I was dead to sin and it was Him who made me alive. So, my very salvation is completely unmerited. It's mind boggling to grasp this because I like to think I control most things in my life. However, God controls this.

Then, I was reading in Zechariah and in chapter 3, Zechariah sees Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord and Satan was standing beside him ready to accuse him. Then, the Lord rebukes Satan and He has the filthy garments that Joshua was wearing taken off of him. In verse 4 the Lord says, "...See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes." Imagine that: You're standing before God and you know you've broken His laws that separate you. Then, you get before Him and Satan busts out a list a mile long of your worst sins and he's ready to start reading them off before God to get you in the worst kind of trouble. Then, God rebukes HIM instead and says, "this is MY child and I've made him clean!" It's like a giant boo-yah, in your face to your accuser. So, even though I don't understand how salvation is outside of my controlling sometimes, I read verses like that and become a little more excited that it's all God and not me. After all, if I was standing before God and all I had in my name was a few of my good works compared to the list that Satan was holding, I might not be in too great a standing with God...

Unredeemed

This video doesn't have the best sound quality, but I loved the beginning of it with the story of the song. I make the mistake and horrible judgment of thinking many times that so many Christian artists really don't believe what their singing. I mean, I hear people sing about how if God puts them in the valley that they'll just keep on singing and smiling until their death. Then I think, really? Would you seriously? When Todd (the singer in this video) said that about his daughter, I was floored. I just kept thinking how horrible that was and then listening to the words and really seeing how this song could be meaningful to him. But, I've been a fan of Selah since their first CD where they told their personal story of "It Is Well With My Soul."

In a practical sense, I love to say I have a truck load of faith in theory, but it's in the tough situations that we're really tested do we see that faith lived out. But, like Todd said, there are good days and there are horrible days, but we have to choose to continue to serve and praise the God who promises redemption and restoration of hearts and lives.

What Love Really Means

It's seldom that I find a song that really connects and hits something in me that triggers more thoughts than I can process at once. This song cuts me deep because it really brings out the emotion of the Gospel message. It's difficult as humans to really grasp the concept that salvation is all about God's glory because we are so prone to think about self. But, even in that built-in selfishness, God still chooses to reach out and love us. Even though our praises might only reach so far, He still wraps His love around us. This song makes me realize that even though some people may seem like they are so far from God or maybe I just see them and judge thinking that they'll just shoot me down if I try to tell them about Christ, maybe they are seeking for someone to love them. Maybe they really are at their last straw begging for a Savior and needing that love. There are a lot of people who do need someone to love them despite what's going on in their lives.

Mama's Bible

I thought this joke was pretty humorous... :)


Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors and lawyers and prospered. Some years later, they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who lived far away in another city.

Milton, the first said, "I had a big house built for Mama."

Marvin, the second said, " I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the house."

Michael, the third said, "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her."

Melvin, the fourth said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can't read anymore because she can't see very well. I met this preacher who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire bible. It took twenty preachers 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it." The other brothers were impressed.

After the holidays Mom sent out her Thank You notes.

She wrote: "Milton, the house you built is so huge I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."

"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home, I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."

"Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could hold 50 people, but all of my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture though."

"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you!"