laughing pastor

i've heard the word 

grace all my life.

i was taught 

"grace" is the one theological concept 

that made us presbyterians unique...

especially among those of us growing up in the south. 

i've now lived in 

texas, kentucky, arkansas, and tennessee

all who claim to be in the

bible belt region of 

CHRIST'S 

body.  

i haven't lived in the buckle of the belt

but i lived close enough

thank you very much. 

many people who joined

the church where i grew up...

(first presbyterian church in conroe, texas)

said they joined because of grace...

that their last experience in church 

had not been grace filled nor grace focused

and they were filled with new hope and life

because presbyterians had the courage to 

talk about and live grace. 

i suppose people like me 

who grew up in the presbyterian church...

even in less progressive areas of the country

have taken grace for granted

so much so 

that we have failed to speak and live grace

in this particular era 

when many in the presbyterian church 

have chosen 

righteousness over 

and above grace. 

"those who seek righteousness

are welcome to the table."

this was the pastor's invitation

to the table that does not belong to him

but to the one we call 

our LORD and SAVIOR. 

it seems this righteousness over grace emphasis

leaves some in the church believing 

they have the ability and authority 

to judge if and when 

a person is seeking righteousness,

is living in a righteous manner

and whether or not it is appropriate 

for him or her to fully feast in GOD'S kingdom.

faith centered on grace
rather than righteousness

is exactly why i chose not to leave 

the presbyterian church.

you see, around the waist of CHRIST...

(especially in the bible belt region

but also in other parts of the body, 

because now i live in new jersey...
though i'm reminded often 
that i still live below the mason-dixon line

and even in new jersey 
bible belt mentality is alive and well.)

...there is an over 

abundance of folks feasting 

on "righteousness" as if it were 

the sole gift GOD came to offer. 

i for one 

made a choice 

a long time ago

to remain in the presbyterian church because 

of the emphasis and the celebration of 

GOD'S unconditional grace....

i experienced first hand

the down side of  "righteousness" based believing.

i finally read the small print...

the side effects that come 

with over dosing on 

righteousness

focused faith.  

i made a choice

to remain rooted in grace

despite the charges from those who 

root themselves in righteousness.  

by GOD'S grace

and GOD'S grace alone...

i am accepted and claimed a child of GOD.

because 

jesus the christ 

did what i could never do.

i am welcomed to the table 

to feast...

to fully feast 

on the gifts of hope and life

and 

so are you. 

GOD'S grace is not cheap...
is not superficial 
and is not secondary or weak.

GOD'S grace
comes with the overabundance of love
love that will not 
let go...
love that cannot be broken. 

i pray 
the church i serve
will run into the direction of 
GOD'S grace
especially as we prepare to 
gather in the city of pittsburgh
to discuss, debate and vote.