Grace Alone

Do you like to sing? Do you sing in the car or maybe in the shower? My husband and I sing in our church Chancel Choir. We are currently still on a Covid sabbatical in that the choir has not gathered for practice nor performance in over a year. We hope to reconvene soon with special protocol in place and likely a smaller group. Even so, I look forward to that day.

In the meantime, our choir director has relied on soloists to assist with musical contributions to worship. My husband is one of those who loves to solo in church. It feeds his soul and certainly adds depth to worship for our church participants. One of the beautiful pieces Dave sings from time to time is a composition with words and music by Scott Wesley Brown and Jeff Nelson with arrangement by Carl Seal. The title is GRACE ALONE and was composed in 1998 and based on Ephesians 2:8-10.

If we pause for a minute and recall the 1990s when the piece was composed, it is often remembered as a peaceful and prosperous time. According to the website History.com “…the Soviet Union fell thus ending the cold war, while the rise of the Internet would launch a new era of communication, commerce and entertainment.” There were woes, though. We witnessed the first World Trade Center attack and the Oklahoma City Bombing. Dave and I had an opportunity a few years ago to visit the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial Site. It is a silently moving display of love and memories both good and bad. Perhaps you have memories from the 90s too. After all, when they ended, we were in a new century!

Back to GRACE ALONE…

Every time I hear this selection sung I am moved. Here is a portion of the lyrics:

“Every promise we can make, every prayer and step of faith, every difference we will make is only by His grace.

Every mountain we will climb, every ray of hope we shine, every blessing left behind is only by His grace.

Grace alone which, God supplies, strength unknown He will provide, Christ in us, our cornerstone.

We will go forth in grace alone.”

Those words are beautiful to me. They speak of peace, trust, mission and of course, grace. If you get a moment, find a rendition of GRACE ALONE on YouTube. You will then *hear* the beauty of these words in addition to simply seeing their beauty.

Until next time…I wish you grace.