Speaking of Grace

Speaking of Grace

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"At Calvary"

My Aunt Grace lived in Memphis, Tennessee, and I always loved going to visit her. She had an organ and a piano in her living room, and when she sat down and began to play that organ, she would just about blow the roof off of the house! On the piano, her fingers would literally roll up and down the keyboard as she played song after song, never missing a beat as she went from one song to the next. She never even used any music because she could play by ear, and could she ever play! I've never heard anybody play the organ or the piano like my Aunt Grace.

The Lord greatly blessed her with a special gift, and she used her
gift to glorify the Lord in one of the best ways I can think of,

through music.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to
serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in
its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as
one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves,
he should do it with the strength God provides, so that
in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.
Amen.
1 Peter 4: 10-11 NIV

God has given each of us a unique and special gift, and as Christians,
we should use our gifts to the fullest and to the glory of God.
No, we can't all be great musicians, but we can all be thankful for what
God has given us and use our gifts to the best of our ability to glorify Him.

"Do what you can,
with what you have,
where you are."
Theodore Roosevelt

"Use what talents you possess.
The woods would be very silent
if no birds sang there except
those that sang best!"
Henry Van Dyke

The hymn playing in the background is a lovely arrangement
of "At Calvary" by Margi Harrell, and I thank God for people
like her who are willing to share their talents with others. This
song reminds me of my Aunt Grace as she played the piano,
and the words to the hymn are just as beautiful as the music.
Please take a moment to read them and to reflect on their meaning.

At Calvary

Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary.

Refrain:
Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary.

By God's Word at last my sin I learned;
Then I trembled at the law I'd spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary.

Refrain

Now I've given to Jesus everything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sing
Of Calvary!

Refrain

Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary!

Refrain:
Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary.

Because of God's abiding love and amazing grace,
because of Calvary, we can have eternal life with
God and Jesus Christ, in heaven. We can enter
into His presence through "The Pearly Gates."

The Pearly Gates

A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the pearly gates. St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."
"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."
"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!"
"Three points?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life, and I supported its ministry with my tithe and service."
"Terrific!" says St. Peter, "that's certainly worth a point."
"One point? Golly. How about this; I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."
"Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says.
"TWO POINTS!!" the man cries, "At this rate, the only way I'll get into heaven is by the grace of God!"
To this, St. Peter responds, "Come on in!"

The only thing I can think of to say in response to that is "Amen."
I could have filled this page with my own words trying to illustrate
the fullness, the abundance and the power of God's saving grace,
but I don't think I could have said it any better than that.
Of course, the Word of God, through the Holy Bible, says it best.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God:
Not of works lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2: 8-9 KJV

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Web site created by
Marcia G. Phyfer

Music by Margi Harrell
www.llerrah.com

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