Mercy, mercy me!

Today, Dave and I (and Owen :) ) returned from a marriage conference that we attended with our church and group of churches (Sovereign Grace Ministries). Dave and I have been processing and reflecting on all that we've learned, heard, and experienced over the past few days, and I don't even think a week of posts would be able to contain it all! Truly we have received grace upon grace.

The conference was on "Marriage and the Mercy of God". I am so freshly aware of God's amazing mercy towards me in every minute of every day. I also have a deeper understanding of what mercy truly is and the cost and call to mercy, compassion, forbearance, forgiveness, and love that we've been given. The messages were excellent and I am looking forward to listening to them all again to really soak them in. One of the highlights for me was when, on the last evening of the conference after Paul Tripp's message, we as couples were able to confess where God had convicted us in not showing love and mercy to each other and then pray and be restored to each other and to God. It was a sweet time.

One of the speakers, Paul Tripp, wrote a book, Whiter Than Snow, and it's 52 meditations on Psalm 51. Here is an excerpt:

"I come to the Lord with only one appeal, his mercy. I've no other defense. I've no other standing. I've no other hope. I can't escape the reality of my biggest problem--me! So, I appeal to the one thing in my life that is sure and will never fail. I appeal to the one thing that guarantees not only my acceptance with God, but the hope of new beginnings and fresh starts. I appeal on the basis of the greatest gift I ever have or ever will be given. I leave the courtroom of my own defense, I come out of hiding, I admit who I am. But I'm not afraid, because I've been personally and eternally blessed. Because of what Jesus did, God looks on me with mercy. It's my only appeal; it's the source of my hope; it's my life. Mercy, mercy me!"

Oh, I am looking forward to spending some time over the next few weeks meditating on my Savior's mercy! May God's abundant and unending mercy that I daily receive flow through me to all around me!