A Wise Friend.

"What I do know is this: I am as capable of saving myself as a corpse on the bottom of an ocean being eaten by some kind of amoeba. I am as deserving of salvation as a mass murderer. I am as good as dead. It has taken me too long to see that. But, because of Christ, I am alive. I have been given another glimpse of who I am without Christ. I no longer desire to be who I once was. Out of joy of what God has done I want to live a life for God’s glory as Shelby did. No longer do I long to waste my life, but to live it to the glory of God.
So what? There is no such thing as a coincidence. God is chasing after you + will tackle you down with His love. Today is the day of salvation.” -Noel Aker

Check out Noel's blog at http://brotucky.tumblr.com

Reason Why.

Grace.  Grace is a word with huge meaning to me.  I don't think there is one word that makes me feel as overwhelmed but yet so at peace.  My first true encounter with grace was hard.  It's that situation in your life that puts everything into perspective. I experienced what you could say was a life earth quake. It shook hard and torn down a lot with the quake, to say the least.  Am I thankful for the mistakes, no.  Am I thankful for the lessons, without a shadow of a doubt. 

During this time my parents wrote these letters.  Rereading these letters that had been placed in a "relationship memory box" I relived memories, those that are good and horrific but most importantly reflected upon a situation that molded a faith in God that has been a constant rock through the thick and thin of the years between now and then.  I learned that God desires you.  He wants to romance you and thrill you. 

At one point in a letter my dad wrote:

"Now we are on a journey together.  This road is long, winding and has hills and valleys.  There will be times where we cannot see what is up ahead, there will be time where we are uncomfortable and want to quit.  We will have mountain top views that are beautiful and then low places that don't look very appealing.  But we will take this journey and we will find the forgiveness that God offers, the cleansing that he promises and the hope of eternal life in heaven that will motivate us to live a life that honors him."

Inline with tonight, the common line you hear, "forgive and forget" I do believe holds some truth but by looking back on those types of moments you discover tiny miracles.  You see just how present God was through all those scenarios.  You are reminded and can realize that even in the future God will be faithful and He will be there continuously.  He is dependable and will not allow you to walk this life alone. Now I am able to see just a glimpse of the divine plan He has at work in my life which would be a completely different plan if I had not opened my ears to hear or my heart to move. 

I encourage you to take some time to reflect upon those moments that have molded you.  They may be a great moment or they may include those moments you are not too proud of.  Whatever your unique story holds dwell on the ways in which Christ has been making himself present in your life. What are those undeniable moments of grace like in your life?