Waves of Grace

Romans 5:1-2  "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God."

It's one of those news days...breaking news, historical news, world events and change.

Sunbathers in Tunisia, their beach towels soaked in blood, a mosque in Kuwait blew up and something happened in France...

Washington D.C. glows like Skittles, a rainbow decision.


A dangerous, escaped prisoner, maybe two soon, brought down.

A flag may no longer fly in the South.

A President sings "Amazing Grace" before a grieving city, a city that knows these words by heart for many decades.

And I reel it back in to my little circle.

Should I get a new swimsuit and try out the pool? Should I let another summer go by without the refreshment of a swim?

I retook my driver's test after missing one-too-many the first time around for a renewal I had let slide. I can proudly say I am legit now.

I have big lizards in my yard.  They're pretty cool.

I live...I mean love, the pictures on social media, of every one's vacations to wonderful places,  and then there is Pinterest.

My tomatoes are doing well;  my peppers not so much.

I can't go to Disneyland now until late August.

Did I use too much water today?

I'm looking for that bright yellow, black-winged oriole (I think) to come back in my yard long enough to get a picture. I've seen him twice, swooping in for a drink of water.

This is what he looks like!  

And then there are the prayers for my outer circle:  A third job lay-off,  an abusive ex., two young mothers and their addictions, prodigal adult children, debt, cystic fibrous, cancer, depression, suicide, pain and recovery, chronic disease.

...and the President sings "Amazing Grace..."

 I have it... and I know it... and I live it... and I cherish it!

Only because He Gave It!  God,  through His Son deemed it so for this broken world. I believe. I read His unchanging Word.

And I need to give more of it. Be it. 

For the little circle ripples out to the bigger circle, whether a boulder hits the surface or a pebble.

Waves hit the shore, from sea to shining sea.  My water fountain for the birds ripples in the winds of change. God so loved the world...

Amazing Grace Lord, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. 

Waves of Grace, wash my eyes out to see more of You in all my circles. For you friend, I pray for peace, love, compassion, healing, provision and protection. I wish for you to know Amazing Grace and seek His purpose within your own circle. May God not hide His face from us, but empower us to be salt and light. Amen.

Casting Crowns: If We Ever Need You Lord 

Song of Praise for a Soldier

Isaiah 42:10-13

New International Version (NIV)

Song of Praise to the Lord

¹⁰ Sing to the Lord a new song,
    his praise from the ends of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,
    you islands, and all who live in them.
¹¹ Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices;
    let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice.
Let the people of Sela sing for joy;
    let them shout from the mountaintops.
¹² Let them give glory to the Lord
    and proclaim his praise in the islands.
¹³ The Lord will march out like a champion,
    like a warrior he will stir up his zeal;
with a shout he will raise the battle cry
    and will triumph over his enemies.

Sing to the Lord a new song

  

you who go down to the sea and all that is in it, 

you islands, and all who live in them 

Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices;
    let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice.
Let the people of Sela sing for joy;

                            Let the people of Sela sing for joy;

                                          let them shout from the mountaintops.
                             Let them give glory to the Lord

                                   and proclaim his praise in the islands.
                               The Lord will march out like a champion,
                                   like a warrior he will stir up his zeal;
                       with a shout he will raise the battle cry
                                  and will triumph over his enemies.

Father God, we sing, we pray a song of praise for a soldier today.Thank you for our sons and daughters, our brothers and uncles, our own fathers and mothers, for friends who served, for friends whose children now go, who serve our country as a warrior for freedom. We pray for their security, their leadership, their fellowship, but mostly we pray for their hearts. Fill them with courage, both in the battlefield and as they face the realities of home, a different battlefield. Heal the wounded, Lord. We sing a song of praise Lord, for those who paid a price, gave their all for us in sacrifice; we pray for their families. Lord, bring comfort to those who do not return, but live forever in our hearts. Fill us Lord with the same courage, to soldier on for peace, for forgiveness, for triumph over our own enemies, whatever keeps us far from Home. Let us march to the drum of Hope, proclaiming Christ is Lord of all. Amen. 


Written in honor and memory for my friend Tammie,  her son Josh, KIA in Afghanistan last summer. God Bless America, God Bless our troops. 

Josh and his canine soldier buddy, Sirius.