I couldn't sleep last night.  As I tossed and turned in bed, I kept reflecting on this "spiritual journey" God has taken me on the past 30 years. 

1979 was surely a year of pain,  as the sin my wife and I had sowed in our lives was beginning to reap a whirlwind.  Our marriage was a thread away from divorce and the deep love we once had for each other was gone. 

There is nothing more powerful than to be an eye witness to God's great transformation process in someones life - especially your wifes'.   When she gave her heart and life to God, a miracle happened that changed forever the course of her life - and as I watched this up close and personally, I couldn't help but be drawn to this wonderful light.  8 months later, April 1980, I to accepted the Lord as my King and Savior. 

Interesting how God works sometimes.  My wife and I became heavily involved in our church.  What we didn't know at the time was that, little by little, we were being spiritually trained in a very legalistic church.  25 years in a church where standards and rules and laws were the primary message of the day,  I found myself, little by little, losing my spiritual vitality.  No grace, no mercy, no geniune love; just how are you comparing to your brothers and sisters in works and keeping the standards?  Oh yes, they loved you as long as you followed their rules, but just cross over their line and the love disappears. 

As I said, its interesting how God works sometimes.  The appostle Paul begins every letter with Grace and mercy be with you, I think because he knew what it meant to be bound by legalism.  He rejoiced, as I do now, that its by God's grace we are saved, not by standards, rules or works, lest anyone should boast.  Its a free gift and its called GRACE.  Unmerited, undeserving love from almighty God.  We can't keep enough standards to earn it, we can't try hard enough to win it.  It's free.