Freedom --

All summer our Church has been going through the book of Romans --  It's deep and we leave each Sunday challenged to think it through and re-examine.  

After a thorough study of the doom loop in Romans 7 and the battle of spirit and flesh in the earlier chapters -- I admit I was eager to get to the passage in Romans 8:1 - -"there is NO Condemnation for those in Christ -- whew! 

Diving deep into Romans 8 in worship today -- I couldn't help but be moved by the songs - before the message we sang, 

So Will I --  if the stars were made to worship -- so will I!!! -- 

What was discovered just now -- Our Creator God put in place way back there on the 4th day of creation.

With this week's new telescope discovery of galaxies and stars just now seen -- it reminded me that 

The moon and the stars govern the night and HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.  PSA. 137

"God determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name"  Psa. 147

The sermon from Romans 8 reminded us that in Jesus -- we are free and have no doubt of what lies ahead for us. It concluded with the song "The Goodness of God"

Nobody can belt it out like CeCe Winans - I tried to link it and couldn't-- however the words relay what is in my heart -- the message of how very faithful my God has been in my life and it is the heart song of what God has done for me.  I got weepy as we sang!!!!

The Goodness of God

I love You, Lord

For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I've been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I've known You as a Father
I've known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)

chorus

'Cause Your goodness is running after
It's running after me
Your goodness is running after
It's running after me
With my life laid down
I'm surrendered now
I give You everything
'Cause Your goodness is running after
It's running after me (oh-oh)

. . . . singin' it twice

chorus

It once again reminded me how very gracious our God has been to me.

Gracing me with the gift of my husband, giving us two beautiful children, Bethany and Marshall after we fought the infertility battle, bringing in two children-in-love as the mates to our kids - Mat and Katie

and further gifting us with 6 wonderful grands, Campbell, Sydney, Jack, Clara, Charlie and Calvin

He has guided and taught us as we worked in churches at home and on mission trips.  .  . showing us His goodness in the people He gave us to serve.  

Modeling for us as Master Teacher as He put us each in various classrooms and workshops we held.

He has lovingly cared for us through illnesses and bound up our broken hearts during major losses.

My sister friend, Marinelle stitched my life verse for me from Psalm 16 for my retirement:

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places -- surely I have a delightful inheritance.