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Posted By Aaron Marcelli on June 2, 2009

As I had mentioned before, I went with some friends this past Sunday to Anderson, South Carolina to attend NewSpring Church.  I had been there about 18 months ago for their Unleashed conference but never for a regular Sunday service.  It was at that conference in ’08 I was introduced to Perry Noble, and have been hooked ever since.  Perry is what I would call a “kick-butt pastor”.  He is the founding pastor of a very successful church plant which is one of the 100 largest and 100 fastest growing churches in America.  I follow both his blog and his podcasts, which are encouraging, challenging, and make me feel empowered enough to move the world for Jesus.  Perry did not disappoint this past Sunday, but as I walked out of the service, it was not the pastor’s words that consumed my thoughts as it was a single line of a worship song I have heard many times.

The song “Mighty to Save” was in the middle of the play list for the band Sunday night.  It was actually one of the few songs they rocked that I actually knew, but a line in its lyrics stood out to me as though I had never noticed it when singing along previously.  As the chorus lists characteristics and praises about our Mighty Savior, it refers to Him as the “Author of salvation”.  When I heard that I quit singing, opened my eyes, and stared at the screen to see if I had heard that right.  There was something fresh and new about that description of God and though I know He is all powerful and the creator of all, I had never put or heard it in such exact words as does the line of that song.

As an author, I am consistently trying to communicate things in a clear and appealing manor.  I find myself examining information, hoping to see a different viewpoint so that I can have something fresh and new to add to the conversation.  But the peak of authoring, and that which gives real attention and credibility to a writer, is when they can come up with something completely new.  Rather than just repeating common information and having m voice get lost in the crowd, I long to stumble onto something new, unique, and exciting.  In calling God the “Author of salvation”, He is portrayed as the One who sat down and invented this incredible relationship and system of deliverance for all of mankind.  It is the best idea ever had and it’s God’s.  He was the One who wanted, thought of it, and did everything He needed to to put it into place.  He writes the story of salvation.  He gets all the credit.  Others try to copy or make changes to it, but salvation is God’s invention.  He wrote it.

Mulling over this concept during the service put me in a great position to hear Perry’s message about being crucified to God, allowing Him to have the say in every area of my life.  Also rewarding was the car ride home in which my friends Katy and Matt and I discussed the service, Perry’s message, and general church philosophy.  I’m glad I have church nerd friends who will drive 6 hours for a church service.

Category: Churches, Jesus, Worship, Writing
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