Thanks for preaching grace…
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
I want to make sure that I let you all know that there are many, many encouraging emails I receive every week. If you are a ‘golden retreiver’ kind of Christian like me then it’s usually easier to remember the critical statements, but this amazing note of encouragement came this morning:
I wanted to say keep preaching what you are preaching!! We NEED to hear and understand Grace. I was a covenant child raised by christian parents at large ‘First Presbyterian’ type church in another city. I knew the catechism by heart, had regular quiet times, and attended church every time the door was opened. I heard the gospel over and over and knew the right answers, but I did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It was all about checking off the items on a list of “being a good christian.” As you can imagine that the works oriented faith was empty and like the prodigal son I ran to the big wild city in college. I went wild and was eating with the hogs - thankfully God opened my eyes and heart when my campus minister through RUF shared the gospel with me. Although I had heard it a million times it took me being on my knees in the mud to realize that I had nothing I could bring to the table.
Please realize that even though I became a christian it has been very easy to slip into works oriented faith. Even well meaning ministries and churches have made it easy to slip into checking off the list instead of spending time with God because we have a heart that NEEDS it. Keep Preaching! We need to hear it over and over! This is the first time in a long time I get excited about coming to church and spending time worshiping.
We just want you to know that we thank God for sending you to Southwood and are praying for you and your family. Keep preaching these gut wrenching sermons!! We NEED Them!
*edited for anonymity
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Comments
Anonymous | March 29 2011 at 9:31 am
This is a test to resolve spam filter problem.
Anonymous | April 23 2011 at 4:06 pm
I agree! Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and rather than getting myself and family all prettied up; I think I’ll just come as I am. I know how wonderful Easter is for us, but I’d rather rejoice over the day to day sacrifices God is still making on my behalf than the just the one ultimate sacrifice He made a millennium ago. Everyday that I live is a celebration of his resurrection, not just Easter day. So why should I pretend to be more thankful on Easter than any other day? I’m reminded every day of His sacrifice(s) to save me from myself at all cost to Him when He shields me from harmful situations I blindly or stubbornly walk into, or the way He takes the burdens off of me that I keep trying to put on myself. And in those moments my soul cries out in pitiful thanks to Him. Without His grace, yes I know I wouldn’t be saved, but without His grace my everyday life would be a living nightmare. So though I’ve been taught to go to church, especially on Easter, in my Sunday best, I think I’ll just go as I am, with nothing to offer but my thanks. Everyday is Easter in my messed up life.