Amazing Grace!

This is a copy of an email I just sent to a good friend, who had written to thank me for the music CD we'd given to him when we visited him last weekend.  Sandy and I had gone to a concert by the group, "New Acoustic Quintet", the previous night.

You are quite welcome, Steve!

Glad you like the music.  It is all the more enjoyable for us since we know all of the artists, all of whom are committed followers of Jesus.  Saturday night's concert by the group (at the Delphi, Indiana Opera House! Who knew Delphi had an opera house? ) was the most fun performance I've ever attended.  Did I tell you the hammer dulcimer player, Scott F. (a retired air traffic controller) is a former national champion?  He played with Alison Krause as she was just beginning her successful career.  Mark M. (who, like two others in the group, plays in our church worship band) is so saweet on the saxophone.  Our son went to Lafayette Christian School with the drummer's son.  The guitarist, Mark B., (an electrical engineer at Purdue) is in our small group.  The joyful music, and the fact that Mark B. is battling aggressive prostrate cancer, poignantly juxtaposed the sweetness and the brevity of life.

By the way, an interesting coincidence occurred as I listened to the album at Rusty's house, while the girls prepared lunch.  With the music playing in the background, I leafed through Dr. Lutzer's book, (The Church in Babylon) which someone had brought back from church that morning. (I've since read it.  Great book!)  I happened upon a reference to John Newton, in which Dr. Lutzer reminded us that Newton was the writer of Amazing Grace.  At the moment I read those words, "Amazing Grace" in Dr. Lutzer's book, the song, Amazing Grace, was playing on the CD.  What's with that!?  That can't have been a mere coincidence.  If intended by God, what did He have in mind for arranging it? 

Maybe He simply wanted to remind me:  
His grace is amazing!

... As if I should need another reminder, with all the grace He has already shown me.  Like, for example, in making us friends, Steve. You and Barb - and Rusty and Ann - are truly gifts from God.  

May He richly bless you all.

Kevin

God-honoring music and God-honoring friends:  Two of God's greatest gifts, enjoyed best when they are gratefully accepted as from a loving Father. 



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