Today Wayne Anderson spoke on Grace (the granting of what we truly need verses what we deserve) and it was powerful. Of course you really can’t go wrong when you talk about the unfailing kindness of our Lord and Savior towards his people despite their wicked wanderings.
Lately I have personally been so overwhelmed at how the grace of God has fully enveloped me for the last 10 years… Actually Michelle and I were talking at a breakfast the other day and I mentioned that I don’t even feel like the same man I was ten years ago– in a good way– because of grace. For me, it was a good change. Thank goodness my wife agreed with my assessment too (ha ha)!
We read I Corinthians 5:10 that says, “His grace to me was not without effect.” For whatever reason, I was completely overcome with emotion. I think that, in part, this was due to the fact that I had slipped into a checklist Christianity during a few dark days in the past. Now, I would never say it, but I measured fruitfulness by “doing more and doing better.” Control, perfectionism, and moral conduct seemed to dominate the day. I don’t even know how it got to that point. But God’s grace has slowly corrected my course adjusting my measurements of holiness by my inner abiding and not (unhealthy) elevated external markers. God’s great grace has been all the difference– and has had a profound effect!
Without a doubt, there have been hard lessons where I couldn’t understand the pain or even struggled to see the sun-rays in the fog. However, trials gave way to joy and greater depths in character. I can’t get the following passages of grace and joy out of my mind: Psalm 126 and John 5:1-14a (made well again).
I know today more than ever that I can approach the throne of grace with confidence and Christ will supply my every need; especially for His sustaining grace in all circumstances. The Lord is… gracious (slow to anger, abounding in love, good to all!)!
Tonight Alan Fadling talked about stages of abiding and pruning in such a rich way. For the first time in a while, the role of faith, truth, doubt, and dedication in fruit production seemed to really click. I can’t wait to process these thoughts a bit more and then begin to share them with the people I have opportunities to lead.
Well Michelle and I had a great time on last week’s trip to Petaluma and Healdsburg. Our first stop was the 
Well my wonderful wife, Michelle, told me the other day that she wants to get a tattoo. The location, her foot. She stated so confidently that she now knew what she wanted; a flower. Needless to say, it’s not my thing considering I totally hate needles and blood (and have a non-permanent indecisiveness). Who knows… she could be inked soon.
I’m so excited (okay, go ahead and fill in the rest… )! Michelle and I are heading to a 
This past week was such a great week; probably the best week of the year actually. My beautiful wife planned a wonderful trip to the Santa Cruz mountains area. We stayed at the