Monday, December 29, 2008

coming back

I find God's grace amazing in how God not only converts sinners to his way, but how he brings them back in his grace time and time again. How many times in big and little ways do we get off the way onto our own way? Plenty. But God puts us back on, not with us kicking and screaming, but by his work of grace, so that we want to get on and are sorry when we fail to remain there.

What we do does matter. We need to keep that in mind. Sometimes that means confession, and I mean confession of sin to others and before God. If I sin in front of someone, then I need to confess it to God. On Saturday I was quite peeved as we were stuck in a parking lot in which we could hardly turn around due to snow drifts that had not been cleared out. I wasn't in the best of moods, because in spite of the good in the movie we saw, I was put off with all the wrong in it (But why should I be surprised? What should we expect from "the world" and from sinners?). And then this. But my words and attitude were quite unedifying to Deb, and when I saw how it was grieving her, I apologized and led us in prayer to God confessing my sin. We ended up continuing on with a nice day in celebrating her birthday.

But over other matters as well, I am thankful to see God's hand and heart of grace touching my life. So that I want to rise and sin no more. And I know I'll continue to need that grace throughout this earthly sojourn.

What would you like to add to these thoughts?

5 comments:

Mark Newmeyer said...

Ted,

Not sure if you remember me Mark (Paul & Judy Newmeyer's son). Sadly, I am just discovering you are in Cincy. I just relocated from Cincy (after seven years) to Columbus.

Lanny said...

I think that would have been my favorite part of a birthday. Not that you had to go all sideways over the snow and movie but that you saw so quickly what it was and repented. As Christians that is what we should desire in each other more than anything eh?

Ted M. Gossard said...

Mark,
I'm from Ohio, namely Lima, and I used to be a big Cincy Big Red Machine fan in the 70's, but I'm not from Cincy, so you're probably confusing me with some other Ted Gossard. Just the same, thanks for stopping by and hope you make contact with the Ted you know from Cincy!

Ted M. Gossard said...

Lanny,
Yes, I think God blessed our day in part because of that. There's no way that train of cars could get over those snow banks- humongous. Thank the Lord for his faithful work of grace in our lives to bring us back and to repentance!

Anonymous said...

oh! happy birthday deb !!!!!