Amazing Grace

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  Romans 10:13

Just like all of his birthdays since we have lived in Knoxville, Elliott once again got to milk his sixth birthday over an extended period of time this year.  To start the month of June off, one of Elliott's grandparents came up to Knoxville to visit and showered him with several birthday presents.  On the day of his birthday, we took our family along with Elliott’s two best friends to the TN Aquarium in Chattanooga .  On the week of his birthday, we took Elliott to the Mexican restaurant and they surprised him singing happy birthday and an ice cream.  Finally, this week, Elliott is enjoying a week at the beach in South Carolina with Alicia and Elijah.  Despite all of celebration and the gifts he has already received, Elliott still has some expectation of receiving a gift each time he sees another family member or friend.

To some extent, we are all childish with the gifts we expect to receive, but there is one gift that is given freely to each one of us-the perfect gift-the gift of God's grace. 

There is nothing you need to do to receive this gift other than calling the name of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and accepting that His death on the cross is that which saves you from sin.

If you haven't accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, what are you waiting for? 

The Love You Save

I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it.  Revelation 3:8

In the most simplest of statements, God’s purpose for each of us is to receive His love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness and then turn around and express it to others.  He wants a relationship with us so that we can experience His love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness on a daily basis.  When our focus is directed inwards, it is hard to share God’s love with others. 

We all need our alone time and Jesus often spent time by Himself after teaching or performing miracles.  It’s when our focus is strictly on seeking our own personal pleasure at the expense of relationships with family and friends that we are not following God’s master plan.

We are all promised eternal life with our Father in heaven , so our days on this earth are numbered.  Make the most of everyday by putting your relationship with Jesus first, other people second, and yourself last.

Amazing Grace

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  (Romans 10:13)

Just like all of his birthdays since we have lived in Knoxville, Elliott once again got to milk his fifth birthday over an extended period of time this year.  To start the month of June off, we took a family vacation to Disney World.  On the weekend of his birthday, we took Elliott and one of his buddies to play putt-putt and have ice cream.  Finally, this week, another set of grandparents came to visit and brought him the rest of his birthday bounty.  Despite all of celebration and the numerous gifts he has received, Elliott still has some expectation of receiving a gift each time he sees another family member or friend. 

To some extent, we are all childish with the gifts we expect to receive, but there is one gift that is given freely to each one of us-the perfect gift-the gift of God's grace.  

There is nothing you need to do to receive this gift other than calling the name of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and accepting that His death on the cross is that which saves you from sin. 

If you haven't accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, what are you waiting for?  

Wildflowers

God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.  1 Corinthians 1:27

Driving around Knoxville the other day, I couldn't help but notice all of the beautiful wildflowers that had grown on the side of the road and inside the median on the interstate.  The wildflowers brought back a memory from when I was in kindergarten and proudly gave my mother what I thought were flowers but were actually dandelions, or ‘glorified weeds.’

Certain weeds are actually quite beautiful and it makes me understand that God still sees the beauty in us even when do things that He finds unpleasant.  Think of the many people in the Bible that did not exactly live their lives beyond reproach.  David was an adulterer that sent a man to die in a war so that he could have his mistress all to himself.   Paul persecuted and killed Christians before his transformation on the road to Damascus. The point being, that we have all let God down at some time in our lives; I know that I certainly have and thankfully, God continues to love us, forgive us, and extend His grace to us despite our many shortcomings. 

We serve an awesome God and He remains steadfast and patient with His mercy and grace.  Don't ever sell yourself short and think that He cannot and will not use you to advance His kingdom on this earth, no matter what you have done wrong over the course of your life.

Amazing Grace

God saved you by His grace when you believed.  And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  (Ephesians 2:8)


My dad traditionally waits to the last minute to shop for gifts at Christmas.  It was my freshman quarter at Auburn University in the fall of 1993, and I completely 'bombed' and almost failed out after a quarter of debauchery.  I strategically planned to intercept my grade so that my father wouldn't see them before he went Christmas shopping, but it was too late...he arrived with an arm full of presents for my mother and sister and simply handed me an opened envelope from Auburn University.  My parents were disappointed in me to say the very least, and aside from a few pieces of clothing and the Allman Bros. Box Set, it was a very light year for gifts.

Thankfully, God saves each one of us because of His mercy and grace alone.  He loves us and approves of us regardless of what we do or don't do and He has paid the ultimate price to forgive us of our sins.

The fact that this is God's gift and something that we can never repay, should be a great comfort to each of us and should also provide hope and security.

When you accept God's grace as you accept any other gift that you receive, you will fully enjoy His peace, blessing, and benefits.