Sunday, 9:40pm, I’m safe and sound at home thinking back over the day. It was dark when I woke; the electricity flickering while dressing for church. Checking my phone for weather reports (it’s what we do in the Sooner State) overnight there’d been thunderstorms and flood warnings, and I slept right through it all. Uhh, hmm 🙂 Slipping my phone into my back pocket, I was assured there would be light should the electricity go off. (The electricity did go off, but I was well on my way to Oklahoma City.)

Entering the church, I couldn’t miss the various-sized buckets spread here and there—evidence of the fierce Oklahoma downpour.

Joining for early morning prayer before service, one of the pastors commented on the rain that had made its way into the building, sharing more than a comment, more like a heart’s desire—that the rain be symbolic of God raining down His mercy on His people in this place.

The rain stopped, the sun shone, and buckets were put away before cars began pulling into the parking lot. Father God, You are so good. Thank You!

Alone, pondering this Lord’s Day—His presence in the worship, His joy in greeting one another, His peace in confession, His truth in the preaching—remembering Jesus’ life, death, burial, and RESURRECTION (the message was from 1 Corinthians 15) and then partaking in Communion, praying together—what a glorious day full of Almighty God’s mercy!

My heart is full and filled with hope! I can’t help but praise my Savior and Lord—Jesus. And the most-sung song in all of Christendom comes to mind, and I sing. This song is the story of you and me—each one of us–called by the Name above every name—Jesus. Thank God, His mercy and amazing grace continue to be poured out, and will continue until the day of Jesus’ glorious return!

“Amazing Grace” written by John Newton, 1772)*

1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. 2. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed. 3. Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. 4. The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and Portion be, As long as life endures. 5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace. 6. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who called me here below, Will be forever mine. *7. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun. *Verse 7 anonymous

Hope Whispers and also Roars! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4). 🌻