PRAISE

By: Chuck Spangler

Grace Memorial Parishioner 

Saul was a leader of the fundamental Jewish faith at the time of Jesus.  He was apparently well-educated (fluent in Greek, Latin, and Aramaic), and probably a man of significant wealth (evidenced by his Roman citizenship…an “honor” bestowed upon him by the occupying Roman government).  He was devoted to Jewish law and bitterly opposed Christianity until his miraculous conversion shortly after Christ’s resurrection.  
“Saul” became Paul, and set out to travel around the Mediterranean basin preaching the gospel and helping to establish and nurture the early Christian church.
St. Paul was a prolific and gifted writer, having authored more New Testament books than any other (16 books of the New Testament are attributed at least in part to St. Paul).  He also was instrumental in breaking down the barrier to allowing “Gentiles” to become Christians, as many of the early followers of Christ (most notably St. Peter and St. James, the brother of Jesus) were initially reluctant to allow non-Jews to follow Christ.
One of arguably the most inspirational passages authored by St. Paul is found in the book of Romans.  Paul wrote his letter to the infant Christian church in Rome during his third visit to the new Christian church in Corinth.

“What shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, shall be able to separate us from the love God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  ~Romans 8:35-39

During Lent, some invariably are embarrassed by their shortcomings and unworthiness:  a natural result of inward reflection and honesty. 

​The message of the following music is that God accepts us as we are, warts and all!
 
Ryan Stevenson is Christian musician and songwriter from Oregon.  His formative years were spent in the Navy (as a Corpsman) followed by a 7 year civilian career as a paramedic.  Since he launched his music career in 2003, he has placed 6 songs on the Billboard charts, including “No Matter What” in 2018.
 
Cut:              “No Matter What”
Artist:           Ryan Stevenson

​A lot of us grew up believing, At any moment we could lose it all.
And at the drop of a hat, God might turn His back, and move on,
A lot of us feel like we blew it, Thinking that we're just too far gone.
But I want you to know…There's still a hope for you now.
No matter what you've done…You can't erase His love.
Nothing can change it, You're not separated, No matter what.
There's never been a better time to get honest…There's never been a better time to get clean.
So come as you are, Run to the cross and be free (oh, be free).
No matter what you've done (no matter what you've done)…You can't erase His love (you can't erase His love)
Nothing can change it, You're not separated
No matter where you run (no matter where you run)…He's always holding on (He's always holding on)
You're still a daughter, you're still a son, No matter what (no matter what)
Don't know what you've been taught, Don't know what you've been told
All I know is my God Will never let go of you, no
I don't know what you've seen, Don't know what you've been through
All I know is my God Will never let go of you…He'll never let go! He'll never, never, never let you go, oh
No matter what you've done (no matter what you've done)…You can't erase His love (you can't erase His love)
Nothing can change it, You're not separated
No matter where you run (no matter where you run)…He's always holding on (He's always holding on)
You're still a daughter, you're still a son, No matter what (oh, no matter what)
You're still a daughter, you're still a son…No matter what