"How You Have Loved Me"

   I became a born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ thirty eight years ago today, on September 17, 1975.  Each year on this anniversary, the thought occurs to me of all I would have missed had I never come to know our blessed Savior.  It's a truly frightening thought, both for time and eternity.  It also reminds me of all of you, who so graciously allow us to add to your already full email boxes with these messages.  Thanks so much, and be sure that I thank God for you.  Your friendship and fellowship are gifts I wouldn't have wanted to have missed!

    The words below are the lyrics of  a song I wrote last week that seem appropriate for this day.  It's called "How You Have Loved Me," and speaks to the main thought that always crosses my mind on this day each year, namely, that the Lord has been so graciously and undeservedly good to me.

"How You Have Loved Me"

Heavenly Father, how You have loved me,
so much more than words could ever say.
And when I think of all Your undeserved blessings,
my heart is filled with grateful praise...

O Heavenly Father, how You have loved me.

I know that all comes to us because of Jesus,
He is the fount of every grace.
For the wonder of Your heart is that You see us
enrobed in righteousness our Savior gave...

O Heavenly Father, how You have loved me.

Eternity won't be long enough to praise You.
Forever will not suffice.
But in this moment, Father, I praise You,
as deep within my heart I realize...

O Heavenly Father, how You have loved me,
how You have loved me.

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast."
(Ephesians 2:4-9)