4th Anniversary

Today is the 4th anniversary of the 1st Sunday that I visited Grace Covenant Church (now Sovereign Grace Church) in Greenville SC. It blows me away to look back at what God has done in the past 4 years. To see how He's changed my plans, directed my steps and radically changed my future from hopelesness to one of hope and joy.

Praise God for His lovingkindness! Praise Him for His unending patience. I'm eternally grateful that He didn't give up on me. When things seemed worthless and the world walked away - my loving Savior was there with open arms - securing me in Him! Wow!!! I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes as I think of that first day - to me the music was horrible and the sermon was boring! Ha! Praise God that He continued to work! Thank God for families being willing to open up their homes and say "come on over." Its the joke now that that's why I kept coming back. If they stop feeding me, I might leave.

Praise God for His working - He knew what would draw me - the kindness and generosity of the folks at my church - and He placed me in the most precious place possible to experience that kindness first hand. Over and over again. His love has been shown to me abundantly in the past 4 years. How grateful I am for my church. How kind of God to lead me here (and bring me back numerous times). How sovereign is His mighty plan - working in me to change me to a new creature.

Sovereign God, You are amazing. I stand in awe as I look back at what you've done. You knew 5 years ago when I was quite literally in the ditch, that today I'd be here - rejoicing in your power. You have become real to me for the first time ever - its not just a religion anymore. Thank you for that work! Thank you for my "family." I love them and am blown away by the love I've been shown. I deserved hell. I deserved judgment and instead I was shown overflowing love and kindness. Even when I treated them with contempt they followed you and "loved their enemies." I pray that you would do that same work in my life - that I would be a light to others as my friends have been to me. Thanks for the physical examples to follow. May I imitate them as they radiate you. I LOVE you Lord - you are so wonderful.

I Stand In Awe
You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depths of your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you