more Grace

With fall semester over and spring semester about to start I thought I would reflect on what I have learned in my first semester at seminary; and while there is so much packed into my head now the greatest lesson I have learned (and am still learning) is GRACE. See knowledge leads to pride and I could tell in some of my reactions to people while I was home for the holidays that I was judgmental or prideful, and I didn't like the way that looked. Grace is a FREE gift given from our Creator that He did not have to give, and I am no more or less deserving than the murder sitting on death row or the pastor behind the pulpit. God has shown me this in numerous little ways and I am blown away by His love, His patience and His sovereignty. While I absolutely love the song, Amazing Grace doesn't begin to explain how wonderful and precious this gift is. Think about Paul. . . He deserved the severest of punishments for his mistreatment of people and yet by the Grace of God he was an apostle and a mouthpiece for Christ. We all have been given something so astounding and all we have to do is put our hands out and accept it. Can you believe that?! I'm ashamed that I have not always extending this same gift to those around me and I am thankful that I am not only forgiven, but continually given more grace. I just think that is something we should all take the time to ponder. How wonderful our world would be if we all showed the grace to others that has been shown to us. I am currently reading the book The Grace Awakening by Charles Swindoll for one of my classes and if you can I highly recommend reading it. I will share more as I read and learn more. Be thankful and praise God for His grace.