This is our new postcard advertisement created by Diana Bondurant.

         As you can see, it looks very good. It shows off some really good looking people.

        I like the message that Diana implies. God’s grace is in the Bywater because God’s people are in the Bywater. That may sound arrogant to some, but it actually is what Jesus teaches. 

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.(Matthew 5:14-16)

        So the challenge is ours. “Let your light shine.” Let God’s grace flow through you in the place where God has called you, but we can’t forget the other side to Diana’s message. Are we truly in the Bywater? Scripture teaches us that we are not of the world, but we certainly can’t be a light to the world if we’re not in it. Are we indeed grace in the Bywater?

        Perhaps the real answer is mixed. We don’t all live in the Bywater. We have people in Gentilly, the East, St. Bernard Parish, Uptown, and Metairie; but this is the place God has called Grace Church to be. We need to be demonstrations of God’s grace here in the Bywater, demonstrations of His light; and this means we need to do more for the neighborhood than just drive in for church.

        How about you? How are you demonstrating God’s grace in the Bywater?