GRACE

If in me a light does shine,
Tis' because the Lord is mine.
Saved and sanctified within,

Serve humbly, now for Him.

I cannot claim His bloodstained robe,
except by grace on me bestowed.
My life falls short of all I owe,
I've surely missed the mark.

Sin takes it's toll for I have seen,
in me dark shadows stand between,
my God, my Lord and all that's clean,
Save grace that's made me whole.

Tis' grace that comes to those who seek,
the freedom of new life 's mystique.
The knowledge of the truth, the One,
Discovered through the Son.

Amazing grace, so undeserved,
Yet Jesus life and death reserved.
For us new life He has secured,
With Him we'll dwell through time!

And now for you, the Lord awaits,
your sin and sins He will replace,
With grace that others have embraced,
Now yours forevermore.

The everlasting crown now yours,
protects, preserves, makes heaven yours.
Ensures your presence on the shores,
With Jesus their to dwell.

Gary Laws

A New and Welomed Challenge

The Church experience is many things to many people. For Pastors it is, of course, unique. For the better part of the last 32 years, Church has not only been an experience, it has been a ecclesiastical responsibility. Through the week it involved sermon study and research along with much prayerful consideration. When other tasks would impose themselves there was the occasional 'Saturday Night Special'! Then there was planning the service, choosing the music and other elements of the the worship service.

When Sunday morning would arrive it meant picking people up who did not have transportation, greeting the faithful, always with an upbeat demeanor even when the spirit was down and the body was tired. Always feeling the need to 'perform' so as to make certain all were happy and had a meaningful time.

Since entering retirement and bidding farewell to those daily and weekly responsibilities, Church has taken on a new form and meaning. A new challe

nge, if you will. Now I am learning to be content sitting in the congregation, listening to the sermons of others and often critiquing them as the words are offered.

Mostly, it is now an experience within which I must learn, once again, how to worship! Now, you may think this sounds strange coming from a former cleric, yet it is a very real challenge.

Now I must prepare for the Sunday Worship experience in a much different way. I am free to concentrate the whole of my time on preparing MY heart and MY mind for this new role.

How nice it is to blend in. No more superiors to please. No more performance standards to meet, except as it regards the performance of my heart and mind. Only occasional sermons to prepare, as I have opportunity.

Now I have the time to concentrate the whole of my being on heart readiness and spirit submission to the One who has provided, and continues to provide, the needs of my soul! GDL