God totally used our pastor this morning.  I love the fact that this man is only two years older than me and is so annointed!  It is encouraging to know that this love is so real for so many. 

We are starting a new series on Romans 12.  As a start to the whole series, the pastor actually walked us through the first 11 chapters of Romans.  It was unreal the way he used scriptures to continually hit home the message of salvation.  The message of Jesus.  He gave an interesting analogy...a fabulous one!  He had been summoned for jury duty.  While waiting at the court house, the process ended up taking longer than expected.  So, they invited everyone into the court room before the jury selection had begun.  As the trial began, he saw that the defendant was a man around his age.  The judge began reading charge after charge that was brought against this man.  He then referenced how this will be us one day.  Standing before God, as he looks over every law we have broken.  I do not look forward to this day.  But, I had an image in my head as he was speaking of how I will be standing there before God, as he reviews every offense I have committed in my lifetime.  Everytime I think about this moment, I want to cry.  I know all of my mistakes.  They are numerous...and will continue.  But, then as I'm standing there, Jesus will be right next to me.  Because, I have placed my trust in him, he will stand there to defend me.  God will see this...and I will go 'free.'  Oh the image...I wish I would write better to truly express this.  But, it just makes the reality of Jesus and what he really means to me so much more real.  This man is the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with.  No. Matter. What.<><