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    Posted by Dion Todd
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Amazing Grace

  • Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5'7 WEB.

    A friend of mine stopped by my house one day and asked me to ride to town with him. We played music together on the weekends. He was a drummer, and I played bass guitar. To be honest, I wasn't much of a believer at the time, but he was. He would tell me about Jesus and the Holy Spirit and invite me to church with him, all while smoking a joint. He was a humble person who never looked down on anyone and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, but oh my, did he love the drugs. He often grew his own. Though I didn't really care for drugs or hearing about Jesus at the time, I rode with him to town because he was my friend.

    He drove an old mid 70s Camaro with missing hubcaps, slick tires, and the exhaust pipes dragged under it when you hit a bump. He had painted it by hand using a brush and a roller with a dark blue latex house paint. A knife was stabbed in the dash with an FM converter swinging from it, held by a shoestring. I guess he felt it would have taken him too long to properly mount it under the dash. His driver's license had been suspended. He had no insurance and an illegal license tag. We were just two young and dumb musicians.

    When we started back home and reached the outskirts of Conway, we ran into the biggest pack of police cars that I had ever seen. There must have been at least eight state troopers parked on the sides of the highway, and they were setting up a road check. As we approached, a state trooper walked out in the road and raised his hand to stop us. My heart began to sink. I knew that my friend here was going to jail for a long time, and I could see a big bag of pot sticking out from under my floor mat. This was going to be very hard to explain.

    We were the first car that arrived at the road check, and oh man, had they hit the jackpot. Yet, when we got about 50 feet away and began to stop, the policeman suddenly waved us on through. Then he stopped the car directly behind us. It was like a moment straight out of Star Wars: "These are not the ones we are looking for." When really, we were exactly what they were looking for.

    We drove home uneventfully and in awe. I could hardly believe it, but my friend just smiled. I talked with him about it, and his motto was "Never judge anyone." He took "judge not and you shall not be judged" literally and applied it to his life (Luke 6:37). It certainly seemed to work for him, for he had great grace on his life. In fact, he later painted that on the gas tank of his motorcycle: "Great Grace." Grace is the unmerited, unearned, undeserved favor of God.

    Even though I wasn't really a believer at the time, I learned that having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is priceless, anytime, anywhere. I am not saying that any of this was right, for most of it was certainly wrong. I was just a passenger. I don't do drugs, and my car is insured. I am just telling you what happened that day. That brother loved God dearly, served God just as he was, where he was, tried to not judge others, and God showed him mercy. Love covers a multitude of sins. You don't have to be perfect to walk with Jesus.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for looking down on others, and spare me from the seeds that my words have planted. Let me learn to walk in Your grace and mercy right where I am today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

    Note: FAAD group members (Fight Against Anxiety & Depression) today is"Feel Good Friday!". This event is about lifting up each other up! We all have times when we are weak, but together, we can get through it! We invite you to share anything that may have prompted a good feeling in your heart today. Even if you're having a bad day, perhaps look to encouraging scriptures, prayers or thoughts, and testimonies of God's work. Whether you are suffering from anxiety or depression or just want to help, all are welcome to join!: FAAD Group:


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29 comments
  • 1
Debi Burton
Debi Burton Praise the Lord Hallelujah! Thank you for your Grace, Mercy and Love! ❤️
February 18, 2022
  • 3
Michele  Smart
Michele Smart

Amen.  What a great testimony of faith.  Any update on what happened to the friend?

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd

We still keep in touch occasionally. He stopped by to see us a couple of months ago. Still drumming, had a purple mohawk. Hasn't changed much!

February 18, 2022
  • 2
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Dana Rozell
Dana Rozell

Amen.

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Amen 

February 18, 2022
  • 2
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen❣️Thank you Lord Jesus❣️

February 18, 2022
  • 2
Narciso Salas
Narciso Salas

Good Lord, do you have a camera in my car and house?!..  I pray to God this same prayer and I fight against my old self every single day. Amen and HALLELUJAH!!!

February 18, 2022
  • 2
Perry Robertson
Perry Robertson

Amen! Love Does Cover a multitude of sin, I thank God everyday for his mercy and grace! ;)

February 18, 2022
  • 2
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker

Amen. Thank You for Your Grace and Mercy in my life. I trust You Jesus.  Amen

February 18, 2022
  • 2
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Thank you Heavenly Father for your Mercy and Grace.We love you. Amen 

February 18, 2022
  • 2
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Thank You Father for Your grace and mercy in my life! Amen.

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Amen thank you Father for your love mercy and Grace fullfil your will in my life, you have my complete attention!

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Robert Hayes
Robert Hayes

His Grace is truly amazing! Thank you!

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen Thank You Father For Your Grace Good Morning Everyone 

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Bella Colliander
Bella Colliander

What a testimony. In my younger years, been there, done that. Thank you for your honesty Pastor Dion.  I love it and am grateful.

February 18, 2022
  • 2
Nancy Cavataio
Nancy Cavataio

I just love how Pastor Dion uses his life experiences to get his messages across. Thank you and God bless!

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb

Amen!

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb

Thanks, Pastor Dion, for this personal testimony reminding me that God is focused on the inside. Lord, let me learn to walk in Your grace and mercy, not judging those around me. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen

February 18, 2022
  • 1
David Krull
David Krull

Amen. Yes Lord. Remove the log out of my eyes first. I'm hungry for more of you.

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Thank you God for your love and blessings. Amen 

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Please Lord, in Jesus's name I pray, amen. 

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

Amen and Amen!!! Where would I be without Your "Amazing and abounding grace, my Lord and my God", may it fill me with love and compassion for all those around me, in the name of Jesus, Amen!!

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

February 18, 2022
  • 1
David Fabillaran
David Fabillaran

Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy!

February 18, 2022
  • 1
Marilyn Salter
Marilyn Salter

I love this story. It is amazing how God loves us and watches over us. I can never thank Him enough for all the mercy He has shown me in my lifetime. Thank you Pastor Dion for the reminder of God's Grace and goodness. 

February 19, 2022
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

In Lord Yeshua's name I ask this, Amen. 

February 19, 2022
  • 1
Susan Petho
Susan Petho

Amen!

February 19, 2022