amazing grace.

Isn't the concept of grace amazing? I was listening to the song "How Deep the Father's Love."  Here, I'll just insert the lyrics. They say much better what I want to say...

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Amazing. I was a wretch...but the wounds of Jesus have paid my debt, have made me God's treasure. My sins are forgiven and forgotten by Him. Thats amazing. I sure haven't forgotten all of my sins. He's washed me clean through His forgiveness. His dying brought me life. Everlasting at that. I get to be a treasured daughter of God. Wow. And it had NOTHING to do with me. Nothing. Nothing that I did. Why do I get the benefit of this horrible death. Why? But his wounds paid my debt. I'm so undeserving. But thats when its not about me, how I get to stand in grace and boast in God's hope. Not mine. Romans 5:1-2 says....

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God."

Praise you Lord. Thank you for giving me what I don't deserve. Thank you for loving us, and wanting us in relationship with you. Thank you. A thank you is so miniscule Lord. Want my life? You can totally have it. I trust you with it. I trust you. Wow. In a world full of things, people, lies, that we can't trust...You're perfect and fully trustworthy. Take my life. Help me never to get over Your gospel, Your amazing grace.

reflections

It was a blessing to return to the College of Charleston, my alma mater, to share with the students about my time in Argentina. What a wonderful opportunity to answer questions about what God is doing in the city of La Plata. I was invited to share at two weekly meetings in Charleston, one at Charleston Southern University and one at The College of Charleston. At both of these I had the chance to share how the Lord gave me a heart for the world and how He's been developing that ever since. It was good being back at the College of Charleston. I loved seeing friends that are younger than me and see their growth as well as the growth of the movement in Charleston. (First picture below is the CofC group and the second is CSU.)

I have also enjoyed speaking at Bible studies, small groups, sunday school classes, to the congregation of SGPC, and even to the Camilla Garden Club of Batesburg! Reflecting on the past 14 months has been a wonderful challenge. From the amazing things God did, to the hard days when I didn't feel like sharing the gospel or when there just seemed to be other important things to do, even when I was feeling like coming back home and just hugging my mom; it was all worth it. Every tear, every exciting adventure, every frustration, every moment of rejoicing...it was all worth it to serve the Lord. I love sharing the great stories with people standing up in front of a group but I want to share that it was a tough year. The ways I was pushed, stretched and grown by Jesus surpassed my expectations. All of those hard experiences were used by the Lord to refine me and deepen our relationship too. Wow...He's so worth it.