“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,”
– Titus 2:11-12, NIV
The grace of God can be very obvious. It is seen by all. It is not sophisticated, and you don’t have to jump through any ‘hoops’. Everyone can see it. However, there are a couple of things that will block it. The sins of ungodliness, and the passions of this world system. These will short-circuit His grace– sort of like dumping a glass of water on your computer’s keyboard.
It is ‘grace that teaches’. We learn and take our lessons from handling God’s grace in our own lives. We receive our education from that grace, it tutors us and we grow in understanding as we understand His love for us. Grace comes, and we receive our lessons, and take notes. We begin to understand others, and get a handle on life and all its imponderables.
Grace educates, but legalism never does. The Law has absolutely no ability to educate our hearts and minds. But God’s untiring mercy explodes on us, and we begin to download all that He offers. Learning grace expands us, and we develop abilities that we never dreamed of. We start to do things that amaze us.
One of the most amazing things is that we learn to say, ‘No!’ This is perhaps the ultimate ability–to just say no. Saying ‘no’ means we will not step in that particular direction. We won’t travel down that road. ‘No!’ is in a sense is saying, ‘Yes!’ to what God wants. Learning to do that is what we are doing here.
Grace is so gentle, and she is a perfect teacher. She teaches me to be merciful and forgiving. All that she has, she imparts to me. When I receive from grace myself, I become gentle and joyful and kind. When I receive from grace, I become a much more fulfilled Christian.
There are things that work contrary to this. Ungodliness and the lusts made by this world’s system. The dynamic of grace somehow gets “turned-off” when we get diverted into these sins. And this happens all the time, it seems. But developing a self-controlled, upright and a godly life will give us a deep and eternal perspective.
We are not created for living in a garbage dump. We are royalty–we are meant to rule and reign, as Kings and Queens. We have been made ready by Grace for this place.
For your voice is pleasant,and your face is lovely.”
Song of Solomon 2:14, NLT
Jesus really loves people, a lot– and very deeply the Church that He’s saved from destruction. That dear ones, has never been an matter of debate. But honestly, how much does He love us? Please tell me again and again, because I forget so easily. (Someone, help me remember again.)
The opening verse is spoken by a young man who deeply loves a young woman. But his love seems to be a pale and anemic word, for it doesn’t begin to describe his passion and fervor. He loves this girl, and it’s a crazy, powerful love.
A minor thought, but I must share it, this book of Song of Solomon is frequently misunderstood by many– mostly because it’s not really doctrinal– it’s a Kiss! It is not fully understood because people read with their minds; but this one must be read with the heart. This book is 99.9% potent passion. It tries to explain God’s full heart to us who desperately need a crash course in the vigorous love of God.
Kisses are often reminisced over and seldom forgotten. They’re kept in the heart’s treasure chest. And you really can’t define a kiss– not a real one anyway. It can only be experienced. If you’ve been really kissed, you will understand. It can seem like a cross between being struck by lightning and a four-alarm fire. It can be gentle and soft, like the sun on a still, mountain lake.
The young man needs to see his girl. He delights in her face and voice. He has an incredible love for her. He madly yearns to see her– but she is hiding somewhere in the rocks! The chapter context tells us that she feels unworthy. Perhaps all she perceives is her ugliness and her shortcomings. She avoids him, hiding in her “safe place” of rocks and brush. It seems people still have many strategies, and varied ways to hide from God.
The certain love Jesus has for you is outrageous! It is a lot like drinking from a firehose! It really isn’t rational. But saints– we have a problem. Somehow many can’t absorb His passion for us. I’ve been told that there are people who cannot absorb certain vitamins or minerals. Doctors step in and must find ways to compensate to help their patient.
There are some among us who really can’t take in God’s real love for them.
They may nod their heads, but it seems like they are impervious to a real, lasting love. They need seasoned brothers, and sisters to help them in this critical matter. From Jude 20-21 we read this:
20 “But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.”
God has clearly shown His love for you– over and over. In quiet whispers and also in blasting “fog horns.” The gospel is this: Jesus, God incarnate, was abused, and then crucified for you and your sins. When He rose, it meant you were totally forgiven. The greatest action, or decision you can ever take is to repent and then receive this gift. He loves you, and continuously calls out your name. It is time to turn to Him.
2 “For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.”
2 Corinthians 11:2
“God will look to every soul like its first love because He is its first love.”C.S. Lewis
by Maryann B. Hunsberger | CT, originally posted 8/27/2007
After a long absence from making music, not to mention a series of tragedies—including a divorce and her daughter’s suicide—CCM veteran Kelly Willard is back on the scene.
Since the early days of the Jesus movement, Kelly Willard has been a part of Christian music, recording with many of names associated with the pioneers of CCM before releasing her 1978 debut at the age of 21. With nine albums to her credit, Willard has also been featured on more than two dozen worship projects from Integrity Hosanna!, Vineyard, and Maranatha! Music. Now with the release of her new CD Paga, Willard is finally back on the scene, though she’s never been totally absent. She spoke to us from her Florida home about the things occupying her time for the last 15 years: her family, her recording career, her ministry, and a series of tragedies in 2004.
Your last album was in 1990. What have you been up to all these years?
Kelly Willard It was a priority to be home with my husband and children, since I home-schooled both children. And although I stopped recording my own albums and touring to raise my children, I didn’t stop working in Christian music. I lived in Nashville, so I continued to do session work. I’ve done background vocals for artists, and I’ve done solos on praise-and-worship albums. I’ve always followed what was going on in Christian music, and I’ve continued to do as much music as I could.
It sounds like life has been busy.
Willard Very busy. My mother had Alzheimer’s, so we took her in and cared for her for ten years. I was responsible for her health while my children were growing up. I was home-schooling and doing studio session singing while caring for my mother. I haven’t done much since 2004 because of what life has been like since then.
What happened that year?
Willard It was the worst year of my life. On Valentine’s Day, my father died of pulmonary fibrosis. Later, in March, my 29-year marriage fell apart. I worked so hard on the marriage, even going to counseling. But the marriage fell out from under me because the spiritual foundation of the home fell short. My parents were divorced when I was 13, and I said I’d never divorce. It was so traumatic, because my marriage and family were my life. It’s been hard for me to accept.
Then my 18-year-old daughter Haylie fell through the cracks—on August 29, she committed suicide. She had severe depression and she stopped taking her medication. The divorce was a huge factor in her death. It’s the saddest thing ever. Whenever I sang locally in Nashville, Haylie would sing with me, and mher. And in October, my mother died from Alzheimer’s. So, it really was the worst year ever y son Bryan would play bass. She wrote songs and loved the Lord. Too much sadness just overcame for me.
Did you struggle with feelings of failure during this time?
Willard Totally and completely. For your child to check out of life is just horrific. It’s unthinkable, unspeakable pain.
Does depression run in your family, since it is usually a hereditary illness?
Willard Yes. In 1987, when we had just released Message from a King, my fourth album, I was diagnosed with manic-depressive illness. The medication back then affected me badly, so I stopped taking it. In 2002, the diagnosis was reconfirmed, but with a new name: bipolar disorder. I got on a newer medication and it has worked well. It helped me get through the trauma of the last few years. I believe my mother also had bipolar disorder, but it went undiagnosed.
How did your son handle everything?
Willard Bryan was out of the house already. He had gotten an apartment when he was 18 with his friend Phil LaRue and a couple other guys—he played bass with the group LaRue. Then he began to court his wife Liz and they married. So they now live in Nashville and have a daughter Ariel. He’s 24 now and such a strong Christian—a singer, writer, and worship leader, traveling and playing bass for Jason Upton’s band.
What have the last three years been like for you?
Willard It’s been a time of healing. It’s a slow process and it has taken time, but it is happening. I moved to Jacksonville Beach, Florida for support from Beaches Chapel, a church that took me in and helped me move on after my life fell apart. Haylie and I had sung there in 2002 and they had a real burden for me. When things got bad, Pastor Steve McCoy could see how fragile I was. He would call me in Nashville. He asked me to come down for six months, so I did. I went into weekly grief therapy with a Christian grief counselor for 18 months. I also began taking classes at church. The accountability to my pastor and my grief therapist and Jamie kept me alive, as there were times that I honestly didn’t want to live. But, God hung onto me, even when I felt like I couldn’t hang on.
I read a lot of books about heaven, and I get really excited, because reading them helps me live the reality of what our faith is all about. Also, I met Jamie Wellington at church and he became a friend who stood by me. Eventually, he and I got married and I still live in Florida today. God gave me a brand new start in every way.
Which at last brings you back to recording a new album.
Willard I began working on it seven years ago. I thought I’d never record another solo album, but the Holy Spirit impressed on me to involve my kids in making an album with me. That’s my son Bryan rocking on the bass when he was barely 18. His buddies Miles McPherson and Rob Hawkins also played on it. Haylie, who was 15 at the time, sang a duet with me on “Beautiful Jesus.”
Your daughter had a beautiful voice. Is it hard listening to that song?
Willard I made myself listen to it once, just the other day. I saw her on the other side when I heard that.
Where does the title for Paga come from?
Willard I listened to a teaching tape by Jim Goll called “From Prayer to His Presence.” He explained how the Old Testament priests would take incense behind the curtain and burn it as an atonement. This is called “paga” in Hebrew and it means “to make intercession.” When Jesus became our sacrifice, he made the way for our prayers, praises, and worship to become like that incense to the Lord. I wanted this album to draw people to the Lord and take part in that intercession.
I like your cover of “Charity.”
Willard As far as I know, nobody has recorded that song since Jamie Owens Collins recorded it for her first solo album in the ’70s. Which is bizarre, as it’s a great song.
What changes have you seen in the Christian music world since the Jesus movement music in the ’70s?
Willard The ’70s brought a surge of Christian music with Love Song and all the groups from California. It was a great movement of music. But about 20 years ago, I remember Christian radio changing and sounding just like secular radio with DJs trying to act and talk cool, trying to be hip. A lot of the music seemed to lose something. Then, a little more than ten years ago, I saw a revival begin. Very fresh worship and praise music was coming out. Artists like Delirious, Jars of Clay, and Matt Redman were singing about relationships with the Lord again. It was encouraging to see a turn back to simple relationships with Jesus. That’s what everyone loved about early Christian music when people just sang about what Jesus was doing in their lives and they invited others to come along. It’s gotten back to that in much of Christian music.
“If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other’s feet.”
John 13:14, NCV
Jesus sets out a lot of things and lays them out on the table. We gather around to get a closer look. A significant issue is this deal about becoming a servant. It stipulates a certain fact that drives us all ‘very crazy’. Jesus has stated so much, but now we’re being pushed to the edge. Afterall, there is only so much we can put up with.
But Jesus fully intends to open up this subject, for us to see. The idea is beyond bizarre, He is saying things which are very strange. He dictates that we are to start acting like the lowest slaves in our homes. These slaves have the gross task of cleaning everyone’s feet. This is the sole work of the ‘bottom scum’. This is now the ready place for His followers.
There are many ways we can wash feet in the 21st Century. But the two stages involve #1, stooping down low, and #2, providing beneficial service to our brother on-the-chair. These are the two essential thrusts to our new life of servanthood. It is only Biblical servanthood if we connect with both stages.
Jesus sees all of this, this washing business, as something He has done first-hand. He certainly hasn’t ‘commanded’ us without doing it Himself first. He leads us, and just doesn’t direct us. Many leaders have gotten confused on this issue. But our Lord ‘excels’. He models it, and we begin to understand its glory.
In essence, He states, “Look at Me, watch how I do this. And then you must copy Me’. We believers are always to be looking, spiritually observant. We see our example cleaning dirty feet, and we find ourselves in that same role. Understanding the disgusting concept of feet-washing was very close to the level of wiping someone elses butt. Extremely disagreeably, with zero upside to it. It would’ve been crude, gross and demeaning.
Jesus is disciplining us, and we look unswerving to Him. We will follow and not look back. We are an army made up exclusively of servants. We will take the lowest spot, and we will love everyone we come in contact with.
by Maryann B. Hunsberger | CT, originally posted 8/27/2007 
Broken Believers 