Moments of Quiet Truth

     T he man sitting in front of me at the folk dancing program smelled as if he had just come in from wasting a cigarette - I could barely breathe at first! I didn't know how I would last the program in that seat, but there was no moving elsewhere. I prayed for grace to endure and to breathe.      The clothes thrown in bags in the back of the van for the church give away reeked of smoke. They were tightly sealed in big black trash bags when they reach the church so that the church doesn't pick up the odor. I was disgusted and full of self-righteous indignation. Didn't they know how badly they smelled and how quickly others could pick up the same odor by being in contact with them or standing next to them? Didn't they care that their habit was so inconvenient to the 'purity' of those around them?      I got to thinking. I was so disgusted by the smell of someone's sin and so full of pride and self-righteous indignation at ...

" E v'ry morning that breaks there mercies anew.    Ev'ry breath that I take is Your faithfulness proved;     And at the end of each day, when my labors are through,      I will sing of your mercies anew.  When I've fallen and strayed, there were mercies anew;    For You sought me in love and my heart You pursued.      In the face of my sin, Lord, You never withdrew,       So I sing of Your mercies anew.  When the storms swirl and rage, there are mercies anew.   In affliction and pain, You will carry me through;    And at the end of my days, when Your throne fills my view,     I will sing of Your mercies anew.  And Your mercies, they will never end;    For ten thousand years they remain.    And when this world's beauty has passed away,     Your mercies will be unchange d." - Mercies Anew ...