Today was a bonus day! I walked into Starbucks (what's new right;)) Anyway, they asked me if I wanted a Vente Mocha for free, I thought bonus! I did my Bible Study and read from Don Miller's book Through Painted Deserts and then wanted a refill of coffee before I left. I got another free Vente coffee and Christy asked if I wanted a free Frapachino, bonus! Last night some friends gave me a $25 gift card to Starbucks, bonus. I have just been given so much that I don't deserve. It got me to thinking about God's Grace. Grace is getting something we don't deserve. I don't deserve anything good. I am a sinner. I sin more than I like to admit. I envy, lust, covet, have evil thoughts, etc... I wish it weren't true but it is. But God who is rich in mercy loves me anyway. Bill Hybels talked about that last week at Catalyst. Grace has hit me like a ton of bricks over the last year. I lived under no grace for years. I believe it made me cold and I looked at everything in black and white. But God's grace changed that. A New Kind of Christian by Brian McClaren was a book that I could relate to. In fact, I could have written it. My church growing up showed no grace. We were right and the rest of the world was wrong. When I went to Samford I was warned about "liberals." I was involved in Campus Outreach that was very legalistic. I joined a church in Huntsville and went on staff with that pastor in Atlanta that showed no grace. I think I have been going thru "detox" when it comes to God's Grace. His grace is enough! His Grace amazes me. His Grace is the fuel that keeps me going. I am grateful for a wife that has shown grace to others. I watch her and am amazed at her love. I thank God for that. I have learned to be more graceful. Year ago I would have thought I was a "liberal" to feel the way I do now. But I would rather err on the side of Grace. His Grace is enough!