thanks to dinko, i've been listening to a lot of Third Day these days. i never really liked them much in high school except for maybe "God of Wonders." it isn't until recently that i started to appreciate their lyrics. that was probably the only reason why i went to the Billy Graham Crusade on saturday.
i remember when Billy Graham came to San Francisco back in '97. i was just a 7th grader and i really didn't know any better. when Billy did the altar call thing, i remember seeing almost the whole yg going down to "accept Christ." i remember just sitting at my seat not knowing what to do. later, one of my friends told me to hurry up and come down so that people could pray for me. *shrug* they gave me a book, tape, tract, and the gospel. i think along with the pressure, i went down "just in case" i wasn't saved. man, i've come a long way since then.
these days, i've been feeling really dry with reading and praying. it's been pretty burdensome for me to do quiet times even though i do them consistently. but today, i was reading through Romans 8 and was taken aback by the last verse of the chapter: "...nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." i think it's amazing how NO sin can separate us from God's love. no matter how much we abuse grace (every single day), there is nothing that can keep us away from Christ's work on the cross. like i always say, with so much sin there is always so much more grace! i'm reminded of the common expression: "once saved, always saved." freakin' profound.
just like seven years ago, Dr. Graham had the altar call and there were masses of people going down to the field. i'm sure there were many who are already saved but just lacked assurance. as discouraged as i was, i tried to look at the good things of that night. i'm sure God uses those altar calls to really bring people to Christ too. and besides, singing "Your Love Oh Lord" with Third Day and the thousands of people was really cool. there were many moments where i'd just stand there and look around the packed stadium. so many christians. so many ages. so many ethnic groups. so many different backgrounds. all praising God. just a tiny glimpse of heaven...
Revelation 7:9-10-"After this I looked and there before me was a great mulititude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.""
Thought of the Day: Starting over.
Song of the Day: Third Day-Thief