Eight years ago here at Phoenecian I made some opening remarks for the first time.  As you recall, that was September 2001 and we had just experienced the still incomprehensible attack on the twin towers, the Pentagon and the resistance of those brave passengers on Flight 93 led by Todd Beamer.  Someone told me I needed to say something at the very beginning of our time together that week-end.  Since then, I’ve made a few opening remarks every year.  This year I truly believed there was no need to do that.  Nothing was on my heart or mind.  I had nothing I felt called to say to you – until late this summer. While this will be familiar to those of you who read the newsletter, I’ve decided there is just one thought I want to express tonight.  It’s not profound or deep.  It’s really very simple. So simple that I should have understood it years ago… but I think it marks a change that I hope will become one of the distinctives of my life in time.  It was not thought out.  It just happened.  All of my “aha” moments in my life have come from reading, silence or listening to others.  Except one…and that was a few weeks ago.  I was having lunch with a friend and we were talking about the Parable of the Pounds and how we were using our gifts to the best use.  “What are you doing that is going to let you hear “well done” from God?” he asked.  Normally, I would have a list of things to illustrate my productivity and desire to hear God’s approval when the time comes.  Instead, what I heard myself say was absolutely foreign.  My internal editor must have stepped away for coffee. “I’ve already received my well done. When I accepted the grace and work of Christ I also received His “well done” from the Father.  I cannot do anything more.  All I can do now is work out of gratitude – not out of trying to please God any further.”  He stared at me.  If I could have done it, I would have stared at me!  I’ve made talks on the motivating principles of the parable.  I’ve written articles on it.  I’ve even formed one foundation based on the desire to hear God say “well done” in the end.  I’ve never before realized so profoundly the only response that is appropriate for grace is “thank you” and then to work and live out of sheer gratitude. I love the words of Dallas Willard given to me by Steve Beck, “Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.”  How many of us have been looking at the use of our gifts from the perspective of needing to prove our productivity to God?  In the last year I have been with ministry leaders who have been haunted by comparing their own work to others and wondering why they do not see the results that will earn them the well done.  I have been with donors who worry consistently about how effective their giving is and struggle with who to support based on their fear of not receiving a well done from God.  How much of our life has been motivated not by simple gratitude but by the desire to do something more to earn the pleasure of God?  It can’t be done.  For that I’m grateful.  I have my well done…and you have yours in the finished work of Christ.  Does it mean we throw discernment out or give irresponsibly?  Of course not. That is not joy – it is foolishness. On the other hand, I believe it does mean we take a hard look at how we might have, sometimes unintentionally, lost the deep joy of gratitude by letting the giving become a burden and mere duty that does not satisfy.  Let’s not spend this week-end absorbed with earning our way into God’s pleasure.  Instead, let’s spend our time focused on the joyful work of giving that comes from gratitude, grace and a God who desires to be with us.  As Chris Tomlin sang in the music to these slides…”My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.  My God, my Savior has ransomed me…and like a flood His mercy rains unending love, amazing grace.”