“Grace is available for each of us every day — our spiritual daily bread — but we’ve got to remember to ask for it with a grateful heart and not worry about whether there will be enough for tomorrow.”  Sarah Ban Breathnach

What does the phrase “amazing grace” mean to you?

May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Rom. 1:7, Gal. 1:3, Eph. 1:2; NLT)

I’m pushing “pause” on the happiness thread to make room for today’s link.  About a month ago, Sharon and I rented the movie, “Amazing Grace.”  The movie is the story of William Wilberforce, the brilliant, young British politician, who worked tirelessly for over two decades to convince parliament to abolish slave trade.  It is a magnificent story and the movie itself is no less magnificent…at least in our eyes.

The connection of the movie title to the song “Amazing Grace,” comes from the fact that Wilberforce was inspired by his close friend and clergyman, John Newton.  Newton, the author of the lyrics to that well-known spiritual, had been the captain of one of the British slave trading ships and therefore personally involved in the incredibly inhumane treatment the slaves received as they were transported from Africa to England and her colonies.

This brief history and movie review is all to set the stage for today’s link which was brought to our attention when Dr. Randy Peck, our good friend and mentor, sent it out in his daily devotional earlier this week.  In Randy’s words, “Hearing pastor Wintley Phipps sing gospel music has brought tears to the eyes of presidents, celebrities, and even Mother Teresa. Now through the U.S. Dream Academy, Wintley is using the power of his voice to reach out to the children of prisoners and give them a chance to achieve their dreams.  In today’s Link of the Day, Wintley shares the history of ‘Amazing Grace’ in a powerful way. He says John Newton wrote the lyrics to the song, but the author of the hymn is unknown — probably a slave. Before John Newton became a Christian, he was the captain of a slave ship. Wintley goes on to say ‘Almost all Negro spirituals are written on the black notes of the piano. There are 5 black notes on the piano and those 5 notes keep recurring.’ Then he demonstrates. Wow!!!”

It is indeed powerful — “Wow” describes it quite well.  I find it interesting that since this piece was made available on You Tube almost exactly one year ago, it has had almost 2 million views.  I don’t know what the record is, but that’s about 5,500 views a day, or over 225 views each hour, 24 hours a day, for over a year now.  Pretty impressive in my book.  Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Prayer Power
Lord, we thank You for the reminder of history that the movie “Amazing Grace” provides all who see it.  And we also thank You for the timeless message the spiritual “Amazing Grace” conveys to all who hear and sing it.  May both continue to add to Your Kingdom.

Link of the Day
Amazing Grace by Wintley Phipps

Blessings on you as you ponder the timeless message of “Amazing Grace.”