Thankful Thursday - AMAZING GRACE

I'm BACK!! I haven't been around for Thankful Thursday in quite a while, due to my crazy schedule, but I am super excited about sharing today.  Before I even start this post, I need to share that my heart is about to burst with emotion as I type.  So much has been going on this week, that to begin to try to share it all, may result in a marathon-mish-mash of a blog post that could possibly send you away dazed and confused... For that, I apologize in advance! 

I just want to take a minute to day and thank Jesus for his MARVELOUS, INFINITE, MATCHLESS GRACE!!

• GRACE that saved my soul at eight years of age, and never let me alone until I was completely and totally SOLD OUT to God's plan and vision for my life...
• GRACE that patiently waited for my husband to realize that he needed once and for all to SURRENDER to that very same Lordship, and when he did, continued to woo him to long for more...
• GRACE that caused life-change to happen to a precious, tender, sweet, and wounded heart at our One Prayer gathering on Monday night...
• GRACE that brought guitarist C.C. Deville, of  the band Poison, to his knees and caused him to give his life to Christ...
• GRACE that caused Pastor Pete to show up at a Poison concert to nurture and disciple C.C. Deville.  (YOU HAVE GOT TO CHECK THIS OUT!!! Seriously!  GO READ IT NOW!!)

To give a little background on how deeply that last story of grace has impacted me, I need to share few more details.

Last week, on the way out of town for the 4th, we chose a bunch of 80s "big hair" tunes for our play-list.  (I am a huge Bon Jovi fan, and KISA loves it all!)  The kids were sleeping, and the song "Something to Believe In" by Poison came on the iPod.  We listened and sang along, and after the song was over, Chris looked over at me and said, "How did that speak to you?"

So often since we have begun this Church Planting journey, God has used some seemingly ordinary, average, "worldly" things to prick our hearts and burden us for souls that are far from Him.  I replied that the world is searching... seeking... for something, ANYTHING, to believe in... to give them purpose, and a reason for being.  (BTW: That song is nearly twenty years old!!) I went on to say that if we as believers are not missional and intentional about sharing Christ, THE TRUTH, with a hurt and broken world... then what are we even here for???

While I was playing Guitar Hero the other night (Rocking out with Aerosmith, I might add!! ;-)) Chris was on the couch reading emails and blogs.  Pete had just twittered (yes, I said TWITTERED!!) about praying with C.C. backstage.  To say the least, we were floored!  We had just been talking about this band a few days back!! I think I may have actually said, "I wonder if any of them have ever found Him? Jesus... the one, true Something to believe in??"  HOW CRAZY-WILD IS THAT!?!?!

This morning, as I read the whole story, all I could do was cry.  My heart is so full!! Full of awe and wonder for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who's SOLE mission on this earth was to seek and save that which is lost!!  Full of appreciation for the fact that He is still today SEEKING and SAVING souls.  Full of urgency and passion to see those far from God be FOUND IN HIM.

The fact that C.C. asked Pete to watch the show and "tell me if you see me do anything that would not be honoring to God" is SO AWESOME!! Would that we all would that same attitude as we go about our daily lives, jobs, routines and schedules.  C.C., himself appears to be amazed at the change that has occurred in his life!

If nothing else, this story proves one thing to me.  No one is ever too far gone!! We should NEVER lose hope, or think that someone is beyond help.  GOD IS SOVERIEGN!! ...and I am ever-thankful that His GRACE is "greater than all our sin"!!!

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

And oh yeah, I'm with KISA... I'm Glad God Loves Big Hair, and I can't wait to hear C.C. play "Amazing Grace"!