Only Grace

There are very few songs that take me back to a particular moment...in fact only two that I can think of. I happened to hear one of those songs today on the radio and like usually it took me back.

It took me back to South Carolina, Summer project (SBP), five summers ago, in the pew at Garden City Baptist Church, turquoise carpet, beautiful wood ceilings, I was probably sitting next to the sweet old lady with the walker (I always did). The pastor's teenage son got up to sing this song, I could see him if I looked straight, but if I turned thru a sea of people I could perfectly see Baja, head in one of his hands he was crying...probably colser to weeping, the other lifted up to the Lord. For his younger brother had died a quite unexpected diving death the day before. Never have I ever witnessed so perfectly visible, utter pain and sorrow met with the complete praise of the Lord. Never has there ever been such an example of how Christians should grieve

Take a listen if you want

Happy Valentine's Day

So I normally would not write a Valentine's Day Blog Post (or maybe I would since I am), but Saturday afternoon I witness something that made me smile.
I was checking out at Meijer and I was in the Express lane (I think I had 15 items don't tell). There was this older woman, maybe 70, in line behind me. Her hubby came next to her a heart shaped brownie cake in his hands, he said "Happy Valentine's Day". If that was not cute enough she ask him when he got that and he said something about seeing it on the way in and then my favorite they discussed how it would be good the next morning, instead of oatmeal, with their coffee! She them processed to check it out herself. It took all I had not to turn around and say, "You guys are adorable!"
They were indeed cute, in the we've been together for a long time and know each other well way!

Hanging on...Still

Note: you may want to look back to Hanging on...

So a very similar thing happened today, Helen was over and I realized the dogs had not been outside yet. I figured I could let them upstairs to go straight outside and then send them back down, maybe Helen would not even realize. NO CHANCE! That little girl cried and cried and cried. And again, even after the dogs were on the other side of the door to the basement she still cried.

I said something to her about how there was a door and knocked on it, as if to show her how solid the door is...which then got me thinking about how there is a door in life that the Lord has provided between me and what I am afraid of. There are many doors that the Lord puts up for my safety, none as complete though as the Gospel of Christ. That although, I am a sinner and God cannot be with sin, that Christ the sinless, died my death so I could live. No matter what situation/fears I face in this life, a solid door in the Gospel separates me.

Jonathan

I met this boy in a basement dorm room early our freshman year and he has become a dear brother. I am grateful to know him. He has seen me crazy and stayed for tea. He has encouraged me to go on SBP (I am so glad for this) and then encouraged me by writing letters all summer. He has left me both phone messages directing me to scripture and lifting me up in his prayers. He has walked me places and filled my gas tank after dark. He has left encouraging comments here in this very blog. He has seen me grow and I have seen him grow. The Lord was indeed kind to let us do this whole college and post college thing together.

I have known for quite some time his heart is attached to New York and that this state can not hold him here. And in fact Michigan's time with him is drawing to an end. In some ways this is sad (for me), but in other ways this is joyful. I am excited to see and hear stories of my dear brother seeking and professing the name of Jesus, my Lord in New York City and who knows where else. I am exciting to get emails, texts and phone calls telling me of his ministry and how I can be praying for it, both in the highs and lows. And those prayers will be a joy to pray, for as Paul says we are partners in this great Gospel.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. -Philippians 1:3-6

Only J Wells himself will know how happy I was to find a photo of the green chair! This is one of the key spot were we cemented our friendship.

This is the other...apparently he did not like it much (I found more then one photo like this)

This is prove he enjoys hanging out with me (or maybe he just enjoys studying)

This is an artsy photo of him...

THE END