Hello There.
GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN

MARVELOUS GRACE OF OUR LOVING LORD,
GRACE THAT EXCEEDS OUR SIN AND OUR GUILT!
YONDER ON CALVARY'S MOUNT OUTPOURED,
THERE WHERE THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB WAS SPILT.
REFRAIN
GRACE, GRACE, GOD'S GRACE,
GRACE THAT CAN PARDON AND CLEANSE WITHIN.
GRACE, GRACE,GOD'S GRACE,
GRACE THAT IS GREATER THAN ALL MY SIN.

SIN AND DESPAIR, LIKE THE SEA WAVES COLD,
THREATEN THE SOUL WITH INFINITE LOSS,
GRACE THAT IS GREATER, YES, GRACE UNTOLD,
POINTS TO THE REFUGE, THE MIGHTY CROSS.

DARK IS THE STAIN THAT WE CANNOT HIDE,
WHAT CAN AVAIL TO WASH IT AWAY?
LOOK! THERE IS FLOWING A CRIMSON TIDE,
WHITER THAN SNOW YOU MAY BE TODAY.

MARVELOUS, INFINITE, MATCHLESS GRACE,
FREELY BESTOWED ON ALL WHO BELIEVE!
YOU THAT ARE LONGING TO SEE HIS FACE,
WILL YOU THIS MOMENT HIS GRACE RECEIVE?

"For by grace are ye saved by faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the 
gift of God"    Ephesians 2:8 
God's Riches At Christ's Expense

JUST WHAT IS GRACE?-To me grace is the attribute of God that compels Him 
toward a goodness to mankind that is beyond understanding. I find myself 
best able to express myself in sermon/study format. Here is a subject that 
is generously revealed from Genesis to Revelation.

The opening three chapters of Scripture tell an amazing story of the rise and 
fall of Creation and its crowning glory-man. When man fails his test, the 
amazing fact is that God comes seeking for him-grace. In His infinite 
wisdom, God removes man from his specially prepared home. This would seem a 
harsh judgement; but to leave him there opened the possibility of dooming man 
to live forever in a "hiding" mode. God who seems to desire fellowship with 
his creation is driven by grace to make a plan-grace.

Hear words of grace from Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason........". 
These are a rebellious people who have been favored by God. Fickle choices 
have yielded failure to them repeatedly. Sin has left them with deep stains. 

God reveals His power and grace in His offer to cleanse and restore.

Honesty to the context demands that verses 19 & 20 be considered. We need to 
be reminded of the awesome powers of free will and reason that separate 
humans from all else of creation.

We need to learn that the effectiveness of grace in our lives is increased or 
negated by our willingness or rebellion. I could really "open a can of 
worms" doctrinally here; but enough to say that we dare not impose on the 
grace of God. Big word-antinomianism.

One of the earlier, general invitations of Jesus is in Matthew 11:28. It 
begins "Come unto me......:. Words of grace issue to those that are "weary" 
and "heavy laden". A relief from pressures of life is sorely needed in every 
era. We see the desire of God to establish fellowship with mankind for the 
benefit of man. There is only one way to interpret this passage-graciously.

The words of Revelation 22:17 must be considered as of sufficient import for 
God to wish them to be left in the memory of the reader. Verse 21 uses the 
word "grace" to leave it fresh in our heart. The message is "Come".

The heart of God is revealed in the entirety of the Bible as being full of 
grace toward us.

A teaching chorus was taught to our Junior High group by our pastor. 
Remember?

I AM NOT UNDER LAW, I'M UNDER GRACE,
IT WAS GRACE THAT RESCUED ME,
IT WAS GRACE THAT SET ME FREE.
I HAD SOUGHT, I HAVE FOUND A RESTING PLACE
I AM NOT UNDER LAW, I'M UNDER GRACE.
A PERSONAL QUESTION-Have you accepted saving grace? If not, do it today.

ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN-You expressed great appreciation for my use of Romans 8:18 
last week. One reader wanted me to be certain that no misunderstanding 
occurs over the word "reckon". To "reckon" is not to suppose or speculate. 
"Reckon" is a navigational term that means a conclusion that is absolutely 
certain. "Dead reckoning" means that you can stake your life on the findings 
in the matter. Hallelujah!

HOLIDAY TOMORROW-It is Veteran's Day. Did your church even mention it today? 
Is this a "sofa celebration", forgotten except as for an occasion for more 
sales? 

A PRAYER NEED-For a pastor. Several months of painful episodes in leg and 
back, medication with negative side effects, tests and more tests await him. 
Some numbness is beginning. A miracle is needed here. Thank you for 
praying.

I LEFT IT ALONE-But, you won't. The subject of music styles in the local 
church. I don't want to ride proverbial "hobby horses" week after week. 
This setting is not a proper forum for the resolution. I received a long 
e-mail from a church leader expressing his opinion. That the various 
generations in the church body need to minister to each other in love through 
music. He insists that content must be regarded. This would be an area of 
pastoral involvement and guidance.

THEM BOWMANS-Are busy folks. Country style gospel music has got to be a 
larger part of the radio scene than I realize. Blaine wrote me about two of 
their new CD's. One of them is entirely made up of old hymns. The other is 
entirely praise and worship choruses. They are rejoicing in the use of their 
coach type bus. Many months of travel using an extended cab pickup is an 
experience with two teenagers.

THANKSGIVING-Is nearly upon us. I am hearing of plans with children and 
grandchildren.

This season brings much travel. My sister is here for about six days this 
month. My brother goes back to Mayo Clinic for more tests on November 26. 
Jeanene is off for Seattle on the 24th for the holiday with family there. 
Please pray as people travel. I learned this week that some special friends 
from So. Dakota (The Blaylocks) are planning about six weeks that will 
include Thanksgiving and Christmas in Austin. 

GOD HAS A PLAN-Often different from ours. Certain areas of Southeast Asia 
are noted as difficult fields for American style missionaries. Thailand 
(Siam) is among the most difficult. God has chosen the prisons as places to 
establish centers of worship. Those would not be the choice of most church 
planters. But, then again we need to keep in our mind that the church is a 
purchased possession of one greater. (Acts 20:28)

ELECTION PAST-At the risk of sounding as less than a patriot, I'm glad that 
it is over. Was this the most hostile election ever where you live? In 
Texas, there was so much "mud-slinging" that it seemed I needed to choose a 
rascal. Of course, I voted. I told the repeated callers on election day; 
that I voted early and often, as usual. 

ONLY BECAUSE YOU ASKED-I have never, nor will I, use this letter as a 
personal fund-raising tool. Many of you know that we live on tight monetary 
restrictions.

Yet, I share about work being done, trips and other matters that cost money.

Firstly, let me state that credit cards etc. are foreign to us, and have 
always been so. The only other statement I can make, is that I am amazed. 
God proves himself faithful through family and friends. When a need is on 
the horizon, here comes the money. It is a wonderful system. I do not plan 
to change. 

HAPPY? BIRTHDAY-A special thanks to many of you for making my birthday happy.

His,
Ron Krantz