Graced

Graced was the theme of our Christmas program at church this year and it was held this past weekend.  Thank you so much to those of you who made the trip, near or far, to come and watch it.  I hope you were blessed by it as much as I was!

Check out this clip! (I think it works)

Amazing Grace

Last year's program talked about turning your life around, it was titled 180 degrees.  Jeremiah and I were both blown away by the production of the show and the strong message, so much so, I decided to be in the choir this year.  And I'm whipped!  5 performances in 3 days was enough to exhaust me mentally, physically, emotionally...but I'd do it all over again!  

The practices and performances were so uplifting.  After each practice/performance I was so filled with joy and love for the Lord.  Our choir director, Tammy, taught us how to turn music into worship.  Her energy (and I'm talking LOTS of energy) was so contagious!  Her love for God is SO contagious.  She is just an amazing women.  Spending so much time focusing on learning the words to the song really made me think about the lyrics...

"my chains are gone...I've been set free"

"amazing grace"

"my broken heart and soul reclaimed"

" like a flood, his mercy reigns"

"you are holy Lord, worthy of honor and praise"

"freedom can never be found behind those walls, so just let 'em fall"

"you have carried the weight of your secrets for way to long"

"Faithful God you REIGN FOREVER"

"because of your love for me...I'm free"

Seriously!?  How encouraging are these?  Christ died for us so we don't have to carry all of our sins!  "Because of your love for me...I'M FREE"  With all of the sin in our lives, we don't deserve God's grace and mercy...but every day we receive it!  How can we not praise him each and everyday!  

I recently got news of a young mother who was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Her and her husbands deep love for God, were evident as they praised God for finding the tumor early, for it's slow growth, for the doctors.  There wasn't a "why me attitude".  WOW!  During the Graced performance, there was the story of the Judson family who have dealt with 2 rounds of different & major health issues.  Again...they praise God for what he's done! 

This was such encouragement to me.  I looked at my life in the past 12 months and thought about the MANY ways I've been graced.  God has given me more friends.  When I had to move from Waterville, I was devastated at the fact I was leaving so many good friends who had babies M's age.  What did I get in Cbus?  Friends...with babies M's age!  I still dearly miss my Waterville friends, but God has provided.  My family/friends are in good health.  I've got a home.  It's not the one I want but it comes with perks, has allowed me to meet some sweet friends, and quite honestly it's just fine for a family of 3.  He's also provided us with renters for our Waterville home, even though it hasn't sold when we wanted.  Since we've moved, I've been able to make/find time to join a Bible study, become more involved in church and learned more about our all loving God.  The list of things could go on and on...the point?  God graces us in SOOOO many ways.  Even if we can't see it at the time...God has a plan.

James 1:2-3 says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

Thank you Lord, for your amazing grace.