04 Monday Feb 2008
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Yes, it is 2008 and I’m sure we will hear of blue states and red states. But, here a blue vs. red state map even more colors on it. It represents the predominent denomination in any county in the US. It comes as no surprise to me that we are surrounded by Baptists. It also came as no surprise to me that the area of Upstate New York that we lived in was primarily Catholic. This really does help us understand the world view of the people in the community around us.
04 Monday Feb 2008
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About a year ago, we were introduced to Chris Tomlin’s arrangement of Amazing Grace. It has become my favorite version. Second place would go to Todd Agnew’s “Grace Like Rain.” One of the reasons I like it is that it stays true to the original version, adding the “my chains are gone” chorus. I like that Tomlin brought back the original last verse. He does leave out the fourth verse and when we do this song in church, we put it back in — singing vs. 1 and 2 — chorus — vs. 3 and 4 — chorus, and then the original last verse.
The poem Amazing Grace was written by one John Newton – a slave trader at one time. He even called himself an infidel. Sunday morning, Pam asked the question, “Is grace unfair?” It absolutely is. I’ve said it many times, “there but by the grace of God, go I.” The whole nature of grace is unfair. It is unmerited favor, which means we can’t earn it. I am thankful for God’s amazing grace — I think that’s what has made me a bit of a softy this past weekend.
04 Monday Feb 2008
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Last Monday, I was in Roanoke for a Day of Learning with our district leadership. The District Superintendent of the West Michigan District presented some very interesting statistics regarding the churched and unchurched and how that relates to planting churches. Many of the facts he presented are presented here.
