Gratitude Friday...

Sometimes things just don't work out like you'd planned. Like a gratitude list. Because up until late yesterday afternoon, I had my list all written and ready to go.

And then Chris called with some news.

Our mission church, NorthPointe Baptist, suffered a horrible tragedy yesterday. The young pastor and the grandmother-die-hard-Mavericks-fan Ministry Assistant were attacked in the church. The pastor died and the Assistant is in the hospital.

All night and all day, there has been news coverage, Facebook updates and letters. You can read our pastor's letter here and see the latest news coverage here.

Of course, everyone is shaken and holding firm to the promises of God. Dr. Wiles, our pastor, said in a news conference today that we as a church family are heartbroken for all involved and that especially includes the person or people responsible for murder. The motive is suspected to have been robbery since there are some things missing from the church and the Assistant's car is gone.

And all my heart can think is we would have given them more help than they could have imagined. No one needed to die.

It's sometimes hard to find things to praise the Lord about when looking at such an unbelievable tragedy. But I find it's also a time when praise is what we need.

We praise the Lord for Clint's life and the seeds he planted as a pastor. God's word will not return void.

We praise the Lord for Mrs. Elliot's life and that she will recover. God has plans for her life and thankfully, she will have the chance to love on her husband, children and grandchildren again.

We praise the Lord for faith of our church family and for their submission to God's will. We know He promises no one can even imagine the amazing things He has planned for those who love Him. And we have seen that love displayed in countless ways in the last 24 hours.

We praise the Lord for His sovereignty. We do not know the ultimate purpose of this but we know He is in charge. All things work together for His good. Even sorrow.

We praise the Lord because this is the day that He has made. We praise Him simply because of who He is. Not one of us breathes without His say so. For one more day to praise Him and show His love, He is worthy.

Please offer up a word of prayer for the Dobson family and the Elliot family. Give your loved ones an extra kiss tonight. Pull out the good china more often. Get dressed up for a date with your husband or wife. Crawl around on the floor giggling with your kids for as long as they can stand it. And in all things, let your hearts be overflowing with thankfullness.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

I will stand, I will stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground, all other ground
Is sinking sand, is sinking sand
So I stand