Happy Friday!

Well it is official! I am a full time student at Brite Divinity School. I picked up my parking sticker today. I will begin classes on Tuesday morning. I must admit it felt a bit strange not to be putting together a classroom today and putting the finishing touches on a classroom. However, it has been great fun fielding text messages and phone calls all day from Geni as she prepares for her first day as a long term substitute in a LINK classroom. This is a classroom of special needs children ranging in grade levels first grade through 5th grade. We are so proud and excited for her. She has already made lesson plans and really seems to be on the right track. Please keep her in your prayers as she begins this new chapter in her life.

Prayer: Lord, sometimes I feel so unworthy. My sin, my failures and my poor attitude all feed my need for your grace. So many times I base my value on how I perform, how successful I am, what possessions I have, what job I hold, or what relationships I have. Let me see life through Your eyes of grace. Let me see myself like You see me—forgiven, cleansed, and valuable. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your blood, for Your forgiveness, and for the richness of Your grace. I love You, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Ephesians 1: 7,8 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.”

I was blessed this past spring with gift cards for one of my most favorite stores - Brighton. Usually Brighton is out of my price range, but with gift cards I could “redeem” them and make purchases through the kindness of others. I did not do anything to earn these gift cards. They were unmerited gifts given by the families in my classroom who knew I loved Brighton merchandise.

When something is redeemed it means to “release by paying a price.” To redeem something means to make a purchase. God purchased our salvation by the blood of Jesus on the cross. We had to be purchased or “redeemed” and only God could pay the price. His grace paid the ultimate price for each of us. We are so valuable to God that He sent His son to pay that price. Our value is not determined by our own estimation of ourselves or what the world thinks of us. Our value is determined by the love of God! That is grace!!! Grace is based on who God is and what He has done - not on who we are or what we have done. God has given us His grace to forgive us, cleanse us and let us know how much He loves us. Let us walk in His grace today!

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Walk in His grace today. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.