If you'd like to read my interview with author Jane Kirkpatrick...

...check it out on my October 28th and 29th entries.

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I've been thinking a lot lately about the grace of God...

We went to the Mark Lowry concert Friday night (more on that later), and one of the most powerful songs he sang was called "Isn't It Amazing?" It was all about the overwhelming, staggering, awe-inspiring grace of God.

Not for the first time in recent months, it got me thinking about how incredible God's grace has been in my life.

Most people who have known me for years will tell you that I was something of a "goody two-shoes." Part of that was out of a genuine desire to please God and my parents; part of it sprang out of my general make-up of just being the kind of person who didn't want to make waves or upset the apple cart.

However, I think I became a little self-righteous...a little judgemental. And that frame of mind is NOT one that tends to make you realize just how dependent you are on God's amazing grace.

In recent times, though, I've had occasion to once again have my eyes re-opened to...and my heart be overwhelmed by... the awesome, loving, restorative grace of God. He has shown me just how indebted I am to His grace, how needy I am for it, and how deeply grateful I am for it. Not only the grace He has directly shown me, but the grace He has shown me through people in my life who extended it to me during times I needed it most.

Wow...I get a little emotional just thinking about His grace. No wonder they use the adjective "amazing"...there are few words that can really describe it.

By the way, if you'd like to hear that Mark Lowry song on RealPlayer, click here:


http://easylink.playstream.com/marklowry/Some_Things_Never_Change/ISNT_IT_AMAZING.rm

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Speaking of the Mark Lowry concert...

It was fun, and a genuine blessing! We kind of made it a family affair. Doug, Elizabeth, my nephew David and I helped take tickets. Ray helped work the product table.

Mark is truly funny...there was a lot of laughter. But what gets overlooked sometimes because of his crazy personality, is that Mark is a gifted vocalist. Not only does he have a great voice, but he also has the ability to interpret a song in a way that gets every ounce of meaning across to his audience.

When he sang his "Mary, Did You Know?"(he co-wrote it with Buddy Greene) I was blown away. The lyrics are so great anyway:

Mary, did you know, that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary, did you know, that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know, your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know, that your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you've kissed your little baby, then you've kissed the face of God.

Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb.

Mary, did you know, that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know, that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy was heaven's perfect lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great "I am".

Backed up by the Southern Gospel trio "Lordsong," Mark gave me the most stirring rendition of this song that I had ever heard. It was wonderful...and worth the price of admission (if I had paid, but I didn't have to! :))

Lordsong was great...a little reminiscent of the Martins. And Stan Whitmyre on the piano was super, too. In fact, we bought one of his CD's for Elizabeth. She loves piano music.

In all, it was fun evening.

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A not-so-great eating experience...

Well, OK, not only was it not-so-great...it was actually bad.

Have you ever eaten at a restaurant that looked nice, was clean, etc, but just had really lousey food?

That happened to us the other night. Nothing was really wrong with the food...I mean, it wasn't dirty or unsanitary or anything like that. It just tasted BAD! Just...yucky. And since it was the general consensus of all of us at the table, and we had ordered a variety of different food, we had to conclude that the place really just didn't have tasty food.

Doug and I talked about it later, and we were both reminded of Giuseppe's...of how we eat there cheaper than anywhere else (including the unsatisfactory place), and we all always get satisfied. I mean, I honestly can't think of a bad eating experience I ever had at Giuseppe's.