Amazed By Grace

This might be a recycled title, and if it is good we should never ever treat grace as common place something that we tuck in our back pocket. Christ didn't go to the cross and endure all that he suffered for nothing. Sadly, alot of the evangelical community I feel don't have a real grasp on this concept. And if they do I hope that this would serve as a good reminder/refresher/encourager.

We treat the concept of grace and forgiveness sins as a elementary school permission slip to sin. If we/you have true regenerate heart your attitude towards sin should be one of waging war against it hating when you do do it, and avoiding it at all costs. Grace is there as an assurance of forgivness not as a means of permission. The concept, that we can do anything that merits even an ounce of righteousness is foolish. I for one used to be this person. Who thought that I could be good and do good deeds can merit me righteousness or favor with God. The realization was so relieving because the previous lifestyle was tiresome cause you worked to so hard to please God.

The ultimate realization, that we are totally depraved and there is no good within us and we cannot do anything enough to make us good and it is only through the shed blood of Christ that we can even hope to attain righteousness. In Christ God is already pleased with us, through Christ's sacrifice he views us as he does his son...Blameless....provided that we have confessed our sins and believe on and in the name of Christ.

I for one am amazed by grace. There is so much wrath that I deserve and right so, and there are so many things that I have been given that I don't deserve as well.

I'm grateful and thankful the covenant faithfulness of God my King.

Where The Time Goes.....I Haven't A Clue

My sentiment is exactly as the title says....Where has time gone the last time I was with you all (the Blogosphere) it was the end of March and the crispness of cool was still in the air at least is was here in Merry ole Wake Forest.

Well, where do I begin, there have been several developments in the this seminarian's life. We're in the last two weeks of the semester and we are full speed ahead at maximum warp. I've been as late really at study in the Epistles especially Corinthians in which God really revealed to me that ministry is to be about proclaiming one thing and that one thing is Christ and him crucified (ref. 1 Cor 1:22). That we should glorify God in all things even in our bodies because we are not our own that we were bought with a price (ref. 1 Cor 6:19-20). I have also been in study around abouts 1 John in which God is showing the evidences of those who truly know him. In recent weeks here @ Southeastern in chapel we've heard from the likes of Johnny Hunt who for one never disappoints, and James MacDonald who offered a message of perseverance in ministry from the text of 2 Timothy 4.

And, The most significant of all the events that have taken is that God has blessed me with the woman I think and I am confident is the one that I have been waiting for. Her name is Rebekah(yes, spelled like the Hebrew a plus!!). She is native of Wake Forest and North Carolina(my momma always wanted me to find a Carolina Girl). Our relationship is so unique and we fit together and compliment each other so well that it can only be the blessing of God. Our relationship is also special is because Christ is our treasure first and foremost and our love for each other flows out of our love for Christ. She is so special to me and it is funny there are things about her that I can remember praying to God asking him for. As of this posting we've been dating for a little over a month. I couldn't ask for more.