In Loving Memory...

Grace is no respecter of persons. Neither is God. God covers anyone with His grace IF they call out to him (see Salvation post).

 

Often we look at someone and consciously or not, decide they are not worthy of grace. Or we decide they aren’t saved (why we think we’re God is beyond me).

Take Mike for example. 

He was a man saved by grace.

And boy did he need that grace (By human standards. By God’s, we equally need it).

Looking at Mike, it would be easy to see the Biker Tattoos and notice he was rough around the edges. Not at all how many think a seasoned Christian should look…or act. 

But he was a Christian for many years. His rough edges only highlighted the Cross of Calvary and provided hope to those without any…he was a walking testament that God can and will save anyone!

For those who looked past Mike, or snubbed their noses at his rough edges, they missed out on a great man…a secretly incredible man (check out “Love Does” by Bob Goff) working undercover for God’s kingdom.

You will never see Mike’s name in lights or read about him in the Newspaper (unless you’re reading the recent obituaries) but the things he did, he did from the heart and not for praise or recognition.

Let me tell you a little about Mike, then you decide if you see the stamp of God in his life.

After raising three kids, he and his wife adopted three more.

But there were numerous other kids over the years that benefited from his charity as well.

Like me…though I’m not a kid.

When my own father was ill, he helped build fences to keep the horses corralled. 

When my father passed away, he became my surrogate father, loving me as he would his own.

But none of that really tells you who he was…though they are nice things.

A few weeks before going to be with his Savior (Jesus Christ), he did one last act of kindness. 

Though sick, tired, in pain and losing strength by the day, Mike knew a little girl who needed a flute for band. 

Mike didn’t think to himself, “How am I supposed to help? I’m on my death bed.”

He didn’t say, “Why can’t your own dad provide?”

He didn’t even let things like money hinder him (Mike had been a hair dresser and had to quit working as the chemo raced through his veins trying to beat the cancer at killing him). 

No, Mike saw a need and he went to work trying to fix it.

Speaking of Mr. Fix It. Mike was like my own dad in many ways, especially in being a connoisseur of junk. Things the majority of people throw out, people like Mike collect like priceless art. He would then take this “junk” and piece it together to make something work. It was not only resourceful but remarkable what he could make work. 

But it wasn’t from Mikes “junk” pile that he produced a flute for this young girl. 

Mike went to work doing internet research and phone finagling until he located a person willing to trade one of his guitars for the flute. 

Now you might say he was being generous because he was about to die and he didn’t need that guitar as much as the girl needed a flute. You’re wrong for two reasons: 1) Almost ALL Mike’s family likes guitars and would have wanted it for their own collection upon his passing. 2) He would have done this even if he wasn’t on his death bed…it was just the sort of thing Mike did.

Mike left behind a lot of legacies…some good…some not so good.

Just ask his family.

He wasn’t perfect…no he needed grace. 

And it was grace he received from a loving God who gave His all so that none of us ever have to worry about our “rough edges”.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV

In Loving Memory of Mike Avey, Oct. 16, 2016 

Mike, can’t wait to see you and my own dad some day in heaven…until then, you both are greatly missed.

Bend, Bow, Pray...Rise

Tomorrows Election Day!

Time to cast your vote.

It’s an honor.

It’s a privilege.

It’s a responsibility.

Much has been discussed these past weeks.

We’ve debated.

We’ve researched.

And hopefully, we’ve prayed.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”    2 Chron 7:14 NIV     

                              

We need healing and we need the kind of help only God can give.

Yet, we must remember His ways are not ours. 

His knowledge is supreme.

So regardless of how the election turns out, we are all American’s. 

Whether your candidate wins or loses, the day after elections, we must unite and help make this country a better place for future generations.

The opportunity to make this country a better place doesn’t begin and end with the president…it begins with you.

So remember:

Bend your knee.

Bow your head.

Pray.

Then…RISE and begin working in the lives around you.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV

God loves us all…Democrat, Republican, Libertarian and all the other categories we like to put people.

In God’s eyes, none of that matters.

LOVE.DOES.

I'm not great with technology, but I want to share a powerful song with you. Please follow this link to hear a song that embodies how we need to be for this election and after. "All Rise" by Kalai.

Bend.

Bow.

Pray.

Rise.

GOD BLESS AMERICA...AND HELP US TO LOVE... EVERYONE. 

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18 NIV

 Question:

What are some ways we can show love to those who may disagree with us?

Post for Non-Christian's Seeking Answers about Salvation

 1)   Do you believe there is a God?

2)      Do you believe in heaven and hell?

3)      How do you think you get to heaven?

4)      Can I share a few scriptures with you from the Bible that tells us about God and how we can get to heaven?

 

1)       Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  Everyone sins.  There’s not one person who has not committed some sin, whether it is lying on taxes, cheating on a spouse, hating someone, murder, envy or whatever…we all have sinned.   The size and type of sin doesn’t matter. According to the Bible, Sin is Sin…we all do it.

2)      Romans 6:23, “For the wages (penalty) of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.”  God hates sin.  The penalty/punishment for sinning is death/hell.  You do not get a pass on sin; even “small sins” deserve death.  We cannot be good enough to get to heaven. Doing good things/deeds won’t get you into heaven. There’s only one way to heaven- Jesus Christ. Jesus is God’s GIFT to us!

3)      Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrated His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  While we are sinners.  We don’t have to clean up our acts first.  God accepts us as we are: dirt, sin, and all.  Salvation is a gift; just like at Christmas, you get a gift…you don’t have to earn it.  It is free!  Gifts are Free!!!  So how do we get this free gift?

4)      Romans 10:9-10, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you WILL BE SAVED.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  It really is that simple. Notice it says when you believe and confess (declare) you WILL BE saved. NOT might be, but WILL BE!  Some think that is too easy. But why does it have to be hard? If it were difficult, would you do it?  Why not do something that is simple?  Jesus paid the price. He did the hard part, and all you have to do is believe in His love and grace.

5)      Romans 10:13, “For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’.”  Whoever!  Isn’t that amazing!  Anyone and everyone can be saved when they call on the only true God. 

6)      Romans 5:1, “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  By Faith, that’s all it takes.  You cannot earn it. You only have to accept the free gift.

7)      Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”  

8)      Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”  Once you believe you belong to Christ, you do not have to work to achieve His love or forgiveness, it is freely given.  All your sins (past and future) have been forgiven!

9)      Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   

  

Now that we’ve looked at scripture, ask yourself these questions. 

1)      Are you a sinner? (Yes, everyone is)

2)      What does the Bible say about sin?  (Punishment for sin is death)

3)      Can you earn your way to heaven? (No, it’s a free gift called grace.  You cannot work your way into heaven.  Going to church does not make you a Christian anymore than eating at McDonald’s makes you a Big Mac)

4)      How are you saved? (Salvation comes from faith, believing Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the grave.  Believing and confessing.) 

5)      Would you like to pray and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior?  (Prayer is just talking to God, it's a conversation)

There’s no “magic” prayer to Salvation. It’s simply your heart speaking to God. Here’s a sample prayer to guide you into accepting the Gift of Salvation. Use it as a guide but make it your own. Remember, it’s not the words that save, but confession from the heart in believing something that seems too good to be true. Don’t worry if you still have doubts or questions…we all do. Faith is believing in something you don’t fully understand. Trust me, you will never fully understand God until heaven, but this is the first step to get you there. 

 “Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I deserve punishment for these sins.  I believe You died for me so that I would not have to.  I believe You didn’t stay dead but rose from the grave conquering sin and death.  I ask that You forgive me of my sins and come into my heart.   I ask that You become Lord of my life.  Thank You for Your grace and the gift of salvation.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen.”