Good Morning Friends!
The title of this blog is “Grace Notes.” I write to share what the Lord is teaching and showing me as well as to keep those of you either a part of or interested in theBridge abreast of what’s happening therein. I think it is safe to say that anything the Lord shows me is infused in some way with a fresh understanding of His amazing grace. Anything worth sharing in this forum about theBridge will almost certainly be delivered with an eye to identifying the unfading grace of God at work within our church family.
In short, it is by grace that I am saved (Eph. 2:5) and it is only by grace that I stand (Rom 5:2). Without the rescuing and sustaining grace of God, there are no “Grace Notes,” no Bridge, no Pastor Tim, and ultimately, no Tim of any kind worth knowing! Real life is all about Jesus and walking with Jesus is all about grace.
Here’s a fresh bit to savor…
Last week, Susan and I hosted another “Membership Information Gathering” for theBridge at our home. We have these small get-togethers every other month or so to explain, in a relaxed setting, who we are, who Foursquare is, and what theBridge Community Church is all about. The meetings are usually attended by 6 to 10 folks who are “checking out” theBridge at a deeper level. Some join, others decide not to, but either way, we spend an evening enjoying each other’s company and talking about the things of the Lord. It’s really a pleasant evening.
The meeting last week was much the same. As the gathering concluded, I was explaining to the group that my desire for them was to pray and ask the Lord if this was the church family that they were to connect to / covenant with. If so, they should sign our Membership Covenant, give it back to me, and we’d introduce them as new members to theBridge in an upcoming worship gathering.
After we prayed together to finish our meeting, one of the men there pulled me aside to speak privately. This guy had only been coming to theBridge for a short time so I did not know him very well. He’s probably a “head taller” than me (which isn’t saying much) but is an outspoken-rough-around-the-edges-type. He’s also a sweetheart whom God has been simply breaking down and healing over the last couple of months. (That has been a treat to observe.)
This man looked directly at me and said this: “Tim, I’m ready to join the church. I’m ready. I mean, I’m the biggest redneck in the world – I really am! I’m an alcoholic. I love NASCAR. I’ve lived a rough life; but, God has grabbed hold of me, you know? When I get up in the morning, I say ‘Good Morning, Lord’ and I know he is smiling on me. I bought a new truck the other day and I told the Lord, ‘This is Your truck, Lord.’ I tell people all the time: ‘That’s the Lord’s truck – not mine.’ Tim, I’m a different man. I reached out to God and He met me. I reached out and He wrapped His big arms around me. It’s just like a daddy reaching out to a little kid with skinned knees. He drew me in. It felt so, so good! I wonder know why it took me so long to get that hug? Tim, I love Him.”
I was choked up as this man finished speaking. I wasn’t expecting that kind of a testimony. I was so excited for my brother in Christ!
Can I be entirely candid? About half of pastoring is really good. About 25% is dreadful. But that other 25%, (that portion includes conversations like the one I just recounted,) is unlike anything else on earth; that part is divine! The “divine 25” is why I know, in my heart of hearts, that there is no other place I can invest my life. It’s what fuels me in the ministry I’ve been given.
I don’t know that I will ever be able to communicate the depth of humility I feel when I am able to be around someone who is experiencing God like this man is – for the first time in his life. I don’t feel worthy to be in the room! Who am I? How is it that I, a fallen, broken, struggling, and striving man myself, get to hear the words of a lost lamb come home? How is that I get to see the joyful gleam in blind eyes restored?
I am not worthy…except for grace.
Please keep my new friend in prayer. He’s on the honeymoon right now, but there will be challenges ahead. I do believe he will make it, though. As long as he keeps reaching out for that ever present embrace, he’ll receive all the strength and grace he needs to finish the race. He’ll make it – just like we will.
Celebrate His grace today!
Tim
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