A woman in Scotland now has the distinction of being one the world’s most prolific parking offenders. The unidentified woman has paid over $19,300 in fines over the last three years, but authorities say she still parks her car on Glasgow’s main square every day without paying. She currently owes about $10,000 in fines.

A spokesman for the Glasgow City Council admits this particular offender is aggravating. He says, “She wouldn’t bother to go to the ticket machine and she would get the penalty notice slapped on her windshield and ignore that…She would just ignore everything.” The biggest part of the money the woman owes comes from the cost of sending officers to her home to deliver summons for court dates.” The spokesman added, “She’s clogging it up all day long. We are determined to pursue people like her.”

The city requires drivers to pay when they park on the city’s square in order to ensure a high turnover of spaces for short visits to the city’s commercial center. A season pass to a nearby parking lot only costs about $3,000.

Romans 6:1 “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”

In 1996, a man visiting Stockholm on business stood to inherit about a million dollars, Eduardo Perez had stopped off to pray at a Roman Catholic church and signed the guest book of a man whose body lay there in a coffin. Perez was later notified that the deceased, real-estate developer Jens Svenson, had died without heirs and had specified that "whoever prays for my soul gets all my belongings."

I don't know about you, but that's the strangest story I ever heard about someone inheriting something they didn't deserve. But then again, do we ever deserve what we inherit?

Ephes. 2:8-9 NASB "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; [9] not as a result of works, that no one should boast."

In an interview with beliefnet.com, Bono Vox of U2 said, "The most powerful idea that's entered the world in the last few thousand years—the idea of grace—is the reason I would like to be a Christian. Though, as I said to The Edge (U2 guitarist) one day, I sometimes feel more like a fan, rather than actually in the band. I can't live up to it. But the reason I would like to is the idea of grace. It's really powerful."

— beliefnet.com (February 2001), Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Dave Bootsma

Ephes. 2:8-9 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.

Saturday, January 5, 2002, Charles Bishop intentionally flew a Cessna into a Bank of America Skyscraper in Tampa Florida. Bishop was killed in the crash. The tragedy reminded many of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in September. Bishop even carried a note in his pocket stating support for Osama Bin Laden and saying he was inspired by the September attacks.

The reports of this tragedy included a statement by Joe Formoso, the head of Air traffic controllers Union in Tampa. Mr. Formoso's words reveal how God's hand can be seen, even in devastating circumstances. Formoso told a local newspaper that when Charles Bishop left the airport without clearance, he passed just 1,000 feet above a departing Southwest Airlines passenger jet. Controllers warned the pilots of the airliner and they slowed their descent to avoid a collision. Formoso said, "It was only the grace of God that the Southwest Pilots saw it [Bishop's aircraft]. "

Although the head of union used a common phrase, his choice of words reminds us that God's hand protects even when we are not aware of His presence. None of the passengers on the Southwest jet knew about Bishop's plane, although a collision would have likely killed many of them.

The death of this troubled young man was a tragedy, but his legacy could have been much worse. Some will say it was luck, or fate, which prevented a greater collision or crash. Why God allows some accidents and prevents others is a mystery. Instead of worrying over what might happen, let's look for God's grace (unearned favor) working in our lives. Had Charles Bishop discovered God's grace before he left Tampa's airport Saturday, his life might have been changed too.

—http://www.cbsnews.com, January 7, 2002. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."

Thousands of Dutch residents spent time digging through their garbage after they learned that they might have thrown away a diamond. A local jeweler sent 4,000 clients a mailing marking the tenth anniversary of his store. Two hundred of the envelopes contained a small diamond, while the others contained cubic zirconium, a cheap substitute used in costume jewelry. Many people who received the letter ignored it, thinking it was junk mail and threw it away without looking inside.

When only a few people responded to the mailing the jeweler called several clients and learned most had discarded the mailing without looking at the contents. Though sending precious stones to clients is not unusual in the Netherlands, the jeweler told a local newspaper, “I was very naïve. People nowadays do not trust mailing like these anymore.”

Perhaps the mailing seemed too good to be true to those who read the letter, so they threw the contents away after glancing at the letter. But others didn’t even bother to open the package. That’s a shame.

But a greater tragedy is the number of people who never bother to listen to God’s offer of forgiveness. You’re among the lucky ones; you’ve heard the message today. The only question remaining is what will you do with the offer that God has made to you. Unlike the one the jeweler made, God’s grace is real every time. He doesn’t offer cubic zirconium grace to anyone, yet everyday people turn down his offer and throw away their opportunity at eternity. What will you do today?

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NIV "As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, ' In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."

When Clifford Jones appeared in traffic court, he expected to pay his outstanding ticket. Instead, Jones sang his way out of a fine. He was one of 55 traffic violators who were given the opportunity to avoid paying their tickets by caroling.

Columbia, Tennessee city judge Tom Dubios continued a three-year tradition on the last court date before Christmas by allowing some violators to sing carols and donate canned goods to a local food bank in exchange for having their tickets dismissed. The judge waived fines and court costs in cases of speeding and running stop signs, but still assessed fines for seat belt violations and child safety restrictions.

Police officer Kenneth Lovet welcomed the group to court saying. “This is a good day to come to court. I hope you like to sing.”

Clifford Jones sang “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” to have his fines dismissed. He added, “I’m a little shy, but not about saving a dollar. It was a pretty good Christmas present.” Fellow offender Donald Hatler sang “Jingle Bells” as his punishment. He said, “ It was a little embarrassing. I don’t have the best singing voice in the world, but it was worth it.”

—Associated Press, December 24, 2002, Man sings way out of traffic fine, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Romans 6:23 NIV “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When 22 year-old Kris Bryant returned to her apartment recently she was surprised to find strangers walking away with her belongings. Her television, video games, DVD player, and seven-week-old kitten were already gone. When she asked the people what they were doing, they showed her a legal notice in the local paper saying all items in the apartment would be thrown away if they weren't picked up. The ad mistakenly listed Bryan's address.

Bryan said, "I was freaking out. That's my apartment—there's been some mistake." When Bryan confronted the people at her home, they returned the items they had taken. Before she got home, some $3,300 worth of her belongings had already disappeared.

Police are not sure how people got into the apartment. There were no signs of forced entry and Bryan believes she locked the door when she left. Despite the confusion created by the ad, police are searching for Bryan's possessions. They say those who took them may face charges. Bryan added, "Just that ad in the newspaper doesn't give someone permission to go in and take items."

—Associated Press, Woman's Possessions Taken After Ad Error, August 5, 2005. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

File this story under people who didn't realize the ad was too good to be true. Who in their right mind would think they could enter a home and take the goods that are in there? Unfortunately, some people mistake God's offer of grace as being too good to be true. It is good news, yes, but it is also true.

Isaiah 55:1 (NLT) "Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink—even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk—it's all free!"

In "Blue Like Jazz", Donald Miller writes, "Self-discipline will never make us feel righteous or clean; accepting God's love will. The ability to accept God's unconditional grace and ferocious love is all the fuel we need to obey Him in return."

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV) "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, lest anyone should boast."

In the book, "Bono in Conversation by Michka Assayas", Bono, the lead singer and songwriter for the rock group U2 said, "At the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one," explains Bono. "And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that... . Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff."

—http://www.worldmag.com/subscriber/displayarticle.cfm?id=10892 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Romans 5:6-8 (HCSB) "For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. [8] But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!"

At one time, receiving an extra envelope from the payroll department in December was almost certain. An uncertain future and changing financial structures are making the Christmas bonus a thing of the past for many companies. A lot of firms that do offer a year-end bonus now link it to a worker's performance. A 2005 survey by Hewitt Associates found 59 percent of companies said they would not award holiday bonuses. More than three fourths of the firms surveyed said instead they offered performance-based bonuses that must be re-earned each year. Employment specialists contend tying rewards to performance serves to motivate workers more.

Brian Drum, president of Drum Associates in New York said, "Thirty-five years ago, when I first dealt with a lot of companies that used to pay the so-called Christmas bonus, it was a gift. Today as companies are becoming larger and consolidated, they are giving because it's performance-related."

—http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1127/p12s01-wmgn.html. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (HCSB) "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift—[9] not from works, so that no one can boast."

During game three of World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Saint Louis Cardinals, Taco Bell offered a free gift to every American if certain requirements had been met.A 12-foot-by-12-foot bull's eye reading "Free Taco Here" was posted 420 feet from home plate underneath the scoreboard at Busch Stadium.If any batter, Red Sox or Cardinal, hit a home run landing on the 144 square foot sign, Taco Bell offered to give a taco to every American.

The company planned to add the additional requirement that the free taco could only be claimed during a 3-hour window on one specific day in November. Statistics revealed that about 25 percent of the home runs at the stadium during the regular season landed near the location of the sign.

Taco Bell purchased an insurance policy just in case they had to cover the cost of that many free tacos. Though there were a couple of home runs in game three, not one came near the sign.

—Reuters, Taco Bell Sees Hit in World Series Free Taco Plan, October 26, 2004. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Taco Bell never had to provide a free taco for Americans because no one hit the target with a home run ball.Even then they placed further restrictions on the offer.Jesus knows that no one can ever hit the target of perfect holiness. He doesn't tempt us by offering further restrictions on the gift of eternal life. Instead, Jesus paid the full price to make His gift of grace available to every person.

Romans 3:23-24 (NIV) "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

In the their book Influencer, the authors tell the story of King Rama IX of Thailand who performed an exceptional act of grace on his 60th birthday in 1988. He granted amnesty to over 30,000 prisoners, releasing them from jail. His intent was to be gracious, but removing discipline from these criminals did not turn out to be gracious for his country. Up until then, AIDS was not a problem among the public, but was rampant in the prison system.

As you know, Thailand is infamous for its sex trade and it didn’t take long for the prisoners to find the prostitutes, who contracted AIDS and spread it to straying men who gave it to their wives who spread it to their newborn children.

Within 5 years, an estimated 1 million people living in Thailand were HIV positive.

All because a sympathetic, King ignored truth while practicing grace on his 60th birthday.

--Patterson, et al, Influencer: The Power to Change Anything, 26 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Grace can never be divorced from truth. That’s why when Jesus came, he came full of both grace and truth.

John 1:14 (HCSB) “The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

For more information on Influencer, go to: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/007148499X/fm082-20

When his wife needed a life saving kidney transplant, Dr. Richard Batista gave her one of his. Seven years later, when his wife filed for divorce, Batista decided he wanted the kidney back. Since the kidney was necessary to sustain his wife’s life, he said he would be willing to accept 1.5 million dollars, the estimated value of the kidney. Batista admitted the strain of his wife’s medical issues threatened their relationship at the time. He said. “My first priority was to save her life. The second bonus was to turn the marriage around.”

Medical Ethicists argue Batista will not get his kidney back, nor is he likely to get any money from the deal. Robert Veatch, from Georgetown University says the case won’t succeed for two reasons. First, United States law prohibits buying or selling human organs. Second, Veatch says donating an organ is giving a gift and there is no way to collect compensation for a gift even if you regret the decision later. Veatch added, ”When you give something, you can’t get it back.”

--Divorcing husband wants kidney back, http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008602531_kidney08.html; January 6, 2009, Illustration by Jim L. Wlson and Jim Sandell

We can be thankful that God will never revoke His life-giving gift of grace.

Ephesians 2:8 (CEV) You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own.

World Magazine interviewed journalist Bill Moyers in a recent issue. When asked about his faith, Moyers mentioned growing up in a Southern Baptist Church and said; “Someone recently asked me what the moment was when I became a Christian. And I told them, I never did become a Christian. I can’t turn the other cheek. I can’t sell all my possessions and give them away. I can’t love my enemy. I am not a Christian because I can’t do what Jesus asks. But, I care deeply about that figure. He has instructed my faith; He looms large in my life. But I can’t do what He asks me to do, so I can’t legitimately claim to be a Christian.”

--World Magazine, March 14, 2009 p.25 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

At some point in his church upbringing, Moyers must have missed the message of grace. The whole reason Jesus took our place is because we are unable to live righteously. The Gospel of works is the enemy of the Gospel of grace and we have to fight it at every opportunity. One mark of a false religion is the emphasis of salvation by our own works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLTse) “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

For years, a small village in the Alps has offered a yearly vow to God asking Him to protect them from the advancing glacier nearby. The vow was established in 1678 was simple. The people of the village pledged to live virtuous lives. In exchange they asked God to spare their homes and livelihoods from being swallowed by Europe’s largest glacier as it expanded toward the valley with heavy winter snows.

Recent concerns over climate change have the villagers asking if they can begin seek God’s intervention for something new . Once the concern was the glacier encroaching on inhabited land. As the ice sheet shrinks, the concern has changed to flooding, and one day a lack of needed water. Revered Pascal Venetz of the local church is seeking to change the yearly vow. He recently warned his parishioners, “Glacier is ice, ice is water, and water is life Without the glacier the springs run dry and the brooks evaporate. Men and women face great danger. Alps and pastures vanish and towns die out.” Venetz said their motivation, instead of themselves. Simple. The people have seen changes around them, and realized the glacier might soon need to be saved

Village now seeks favor for glacier, http://www.telegram.com/article/20090807/NEWS/908070395/1052/rss01&source%3Drss, August 7, 2009, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Psalm 30:4-5 (CEV) “Your faithful people, Lord, will praise you with songs and honor your holy name. (5) Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime. At night we may cry, but when morning comes we will celebrate.”

The government’s “Cash for Clunkers Program” means a lot of wasteful old vehicles will be taken off the roads. Sometimes these are cars with lots of miles, cracked glass, and mirrors held on with duct tape. There is another side of the story. All the cars that are traded in under the program must be destroyed and sometimes the lure of getting up to $4500 in trade in toward a new car means people have to say goodbye to an old friend. Gibson Chevrolet in Illinois says they have received a few cars like that.

One such model was a 1987 Chevy Caprice Classic with matching velour seats. Though it was eligible for the program, the huge machine was in good condition which made it difficult to send to the scrap yard. Gibson employees also granted mercy to another classic car. Someone brought in a 1988 Chevrolet with 37,000 miles on it. The car had no dents, and the tan interior was in perfect condition. Dave Gibson, one of the owners of the dealership said, “The older employees, they lost sleep at night thinking this car is going to get cubed.” So instead of filing the government paperwork, the dealership put the car on their used lot with an American flag on the antenna and a sign reading “Clean” on the windshield. Gibson says they hope a collector will be willing to give them $4500 for the car to make up the money they put out on it. There were no immediate offers, but employees remained hopeful because they spotted people outside taking pictures of the car.

Long lines of clunkers await deaths at scrap yards, http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CASH_FOR_CLUNKERS_KILLING_CARS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-08-07-07-09-03, August 7, 2009, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

None of us were worth saving, but God in His grace has made eternal available to everyone through Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Churches and businesses in Boise, Idaho plan to repeat an event from 2004 in which a nonprofit coalition teamed up to pay $7,500 in parking tickets, including one for a woman who cried as a pastor signed a check covering her $555 fine. They designed the event known as the Grace Gift parable to demonstrate Gods’ gift of grace. Dennis Mansfield a former board member of Mission Media, a group that helped organize the events says their aim is not to encourage lawlessness. Mansfield said, “It’s an example of grace. Grace is unearned. It’s an unmerited favor. At this time of the season, we want to show God’s grace. In the process, we help families.”

Montie Ralstin, another participating pastor, explained his involvement saying, “We want to help people understand in a practical way that even though we’ve all made mistakes, God’s grace and forgiveness is received, just by asking.”

--Pastors to pay off unpaid parking tickets,
http://www.idahostatesman.com/boise/story/992182.html; November 30, 2009, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Ephesians 2:8-9 (CEV) “You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. (9) It isn't something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about.”

It may only be a turn of phrase, but Pittsburgh police Chief Nate Harper says surviving a tough year, and seeing a decrease in the number of murders in 2009 was due to good police work, and a little help from above. In an interview conducted at the beginning of the New Year, Chief Harper said the city saw a significant drop in the murder rate. Homicide investigators only handled 44 killing in 2009, down from 79 the year before. Other big events for the Pittsburgh police in 2009 included dealing with the Group 20 summit in which they hosted world leaders, along with thousands of out-of-town officers and National Guard troops to provide security.

The Summit in September 2009 followed a tragedy for the department when three officers were shot and killed responding to a domestic call. The year was also characterized by huge parades and street celebrations after the Steelers won the Super Bowl and the Penguins brought the Stanley Cup to town. Harper said he hoped to continue outreach, especially among the city’s churches and religious organizations, and promoting ethnic and racial diversity in 2010. Looking back on the past year, Harper said, “It was a crazy year, a violent year. But by the grace of God, we were able to get through.”

--Pittsburgh saw 40 percent fewer homicides last year, http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10010/1027142-53.stm?cmpid=localstate.xml; January 10, 2010, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

2 Corinthians 9:8-9 (GW) “Besides, God will give you his constantly overflowing kindness. Then, when you always have everything you need, you can do more and more good things. (9) Scripture says, ‘The righteous person gives freely to the poor. His righteousness continues forever.’”

New York City’s oldest library says their ledgers show that if George Washington were alive today, he might owe a huge fine for overdue books. The library says Washington checked out the “Law of the Nations,” which deals with international relations, along with a volume containing transcripts of debates from Britain’s House of Commons. The books were due November 2, 1789, but there is no record Washington ever returned them.

Mark Barlett, head librarian of the New York Society says the institution is not seeking the 220 years worth of late fees. He suggested the society would love to get the books back if they were located.

--George Washington racks up late fees at NY library, http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gfXMLP40SbzT7wsyX9VisiqzdQgQD9F4VKP80 ; April 17, 2010, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Romans 3:23-24 (CEV) “All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. (24) But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.”

A homeless man in New York City recently got more than he asked for, when an advertising executive handed him an American Express Platinum Card when he asked for spare change. 32 year-old Jay Valentine said he has been homeless for a few years, after he lost his job at a real-estate company that had allowed him to sleep in the office. Valentine says he was low on cash when he saw Merrie Harris standing with friends outside a restaurant. He said, ”I asked for change and told her I wasn’t working.”

Harris asked Valentine if she could trust him, and he replied that he was honest and trustworthy. When Harris gave him the card, Valentine went and bought some things he needed such as deodorant, body wash, a pack of cigarettes, and some vitamin water. The total cost was about $25 dollars. Harris said she was not surprised when the homeless man brought the card back. Afterwards, Valentine said,” She was really lucky it was me she ran into. I was really in need I only had a couple of dollars on me.” He added,” It sets a good example that people in need – like I am or worse – can and should be trusted. Everybody in the restaurant was surprised. They probably thought I would run off with the card.” Harris later told reporters, ”I didn’t have to thank him. I trusted him all along.”

-- http://sacratomatovillepost.com/2010/08/22/a-bum-you-can-trust-honest/, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Would you give your credit card to homeless person in need? I probably wouldn’t. Yet, this is a good picture of God’s grace. In Jesus, God gave us the gift of eternal life, and none of us is worthy.

Romans 5:8 (MSG) But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.

The President’s recent visit to the homes of private individuals has a lot of people asking how they can get the attention of the President. John and Sandy Clubb of Beaverdale, Iowa received a presidential visit, and explained how it came about. They told reporters they got a phone call for White House Staffers informing them they were one of seven families being considered to host the President’s visit in their area. Advance teams had already been out scouting families based on recommendations from Democratic Party officials.

The Clubbs said they had never actively campaigned for the President, but suspected they were chosen partly because of their jobs. Both work in education. Sandy is the athletic director at a local university, and her husband John teaches at a local Catholic high school. They said the deciding factor was probably how their house looked on camera. Sandy said she was told the final decision was their backyard. When asked about being chosen for the visit, the family said, “It’s like you suddenly winning the lottery without buying a ticket.”

--How does a family get picked for an Obama backyard chat? A nice yard helps, http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100930/pl_yblog_upshot/how-does-a-
family-get-picked-for-an-obama-backyard-chat-a-nice-yard-helps; September 20, 2010, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Romans 3:22-24 (ESV) “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”

We are not acceptable to God of political party, job, social status or even our backyard, He loves us because he made us.

P. J. O’Rourke is now living with the joys of raising a teenage daughter. Recently while she was complaining about life not being fair, O’Rourke said to her, “You’re cute. That’s not fair. You’re smart—that’s not fair. Your family’s well off—that’s not fair. You were born in the U.S.—that’s not fair. Darling, you better get down on your knees and pray that things don’t start getting fair for you.”

--The week, January 14, 2011 p. 10 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Many complain that it is not fair that God offers his salvation to those who believe, not to those who deserve it. I am on my knees thanking God that I don’t get what I deserve. I have received grace, whether it is fair or not.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB) “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (9) not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Yusuf Alchagirov is an 80-year-old Russia shepherd. While picking raspberries in a field near the Russian border with Georgia he was confronted by a large bear. Yusuf and the bear had a tussle with the shepherd continually head butting the bear. Finally the bear tossed Alchagirov off a cliff. The shepherd came out of the bear encounter and the fall with some cuts, bruises, and a few broken ribs.

Sometimes like Yusuf Alchagirov and the Apostle Paul we just have to persist against all odds knowing that God’s grace will be sufficient. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

In Toughest people to love, Chuck DeGroat wrote, “In the upside-down economy of Jesus, those closest to the bottom are nearest to grace. Polished and put together, many of us live our lives without a real, palpable need for God.”—Jim L. Wilson

Toughest people to love: how to understand, lead, and love the difficult people in your life — including yourself by Chuck DeGroat, p. 68

Luke 7:47 (HCSB) Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.”

In the NFL offseason two men in the Denver Broncos front office were convicted of DUI. Team president, John Elway suspended both of them, but he did not fire them. When asked why Tom Heckert and Matt Russell were not fired Elway replied, “Heck, I’ve made a lot of poor decisions too. I believe in second chances.”

We serve a God of second chances. After Peter denied Him three times, Jesus repeated His commission to Peter three times. “Feed my sheep.” Thank goodness He doesn’t dismiss us any or every time we make a mistake. --Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

John 21:15-17 (HCSB) “When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said to Him, ‘You know that I love You.’ ‘Feed My lambs,’ He told him. (16) A second time He asked him, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said to Him, ‘You know that I love You.’ ‘Shepherd My sheep,’ He told him. (17) He asked him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ He said, ‘Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.’ ‘Feed My sheep,’ Jesus said.”

In March of 2015, former presidential candidate Mitt Romney said he wouldn't have swapped Terrorist prisoners for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. "I don't think I would have made the trade," said Romney on NBC's "Today Show." Bergdahl was charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, about nine months after he was freed by his captors after President Obama agreed to release five Taliban prisoners from Guantanamo Bay. Romney said that while the U.S. military has a policy of "leave no one behind," the U.S. also has a policy of not negotiating with terrorists.

We too, before we knew Christ, were traitorous. We rebelled against the King and the Kingdom of God, and we sold out to Self and Satan. Jesus came to earth as a man, and paid the ultimate price for our sin, and then set us free from its power. --Jim L. Wilson & Ron Wood

Romans 5:6-8 (HCSB) For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. (8) But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!

Grace

John 3:16 (HCSB) “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Grace

In his book, Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine, Max Lucado writes, “Grace isn’t just a noun. Yes, God Gives us grace, but then he uses that very grace to change us. We become more like him, able to gracefully bestow grace on others.” —Jim L. Wilson

Matthew 6:12 (HCSB) “And forgive us our debts,as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Grace

In his book, In the Grip of Grace: Your Father Always Caught You. He Still Does, Max Lucado writes, “We cannot save ourselves, nor can we keep ourselves saved. Such is the work of God’s grace.” —Jim L. Wilson

Matthew 6:12 (HCSB) “And forgive us our debts,as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Benjamin Watson plays in the NFL. The 255-pound tight end was a rookie member of the Baltimore Ravens in 2004. During the season, his playing ended when he tore his ACL. He did not play in the last part of the season, the playoffs, or the super bowl—, which the Ravens won. Even though he received a championship ring, he didn’t want to wear it. He felt like that honor should be reserved for the players who actually played the game.

According to Watson, it was several years later “when I had a struggle with perfectionism and grasping God’s grace, that I realized accepting that ring is like how we have to accept His grace. We walk around as champions in Christ, as conquerors, not because of anything we did, but because of everything He did.”

Praise God that we can live as champions. Not because we are great, but because Jesus is. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Ephesians 2:8 (HCSB)“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—“

In the hours after the 2006 Amish schoolhouse massacre, Terri Roberts, the mother of the shooter, received forgiveness from the parents of the victims.

Roberts, isn’t content to just receive grace, she continues to give it to others. Every Thursday, Roberts stops by the home of one of the survivors, who has severe handicaps as a result of the shooting, to care for her, and to give her father some relief.

Grace didn’t just flow to her, but now flows through her. —Jim L. Wilson & Jeff DeGiacomo

- Washington Post 10-1-2016 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2016/10/01/10-years-ago-her-son-killed-amish-children-their-families-immediately-accepted-her-into-their-lives/?utm_term=.ebd797d33cff

Matthew 6:12 (HCSB)“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Larry Riddle was expecting a citation for failure to signal a turn; instead, the Billings, Montana Police officer gave him a turkey, provided to the department by a local business person. Not getting a citation, something he deserved, was one thing, but getting the gift, something he didn’t earn, was another. Mercy and grace often go together. Mercy is not getting what we do deserve; while grace is getting something we don’t deserve.—Jim L. Wilson

Ephesians 2:8–9 (CSB) “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.”

When the authorities catch Val Jean for stealing from the priest in Les Miserables, the priest has the opportunity to hand him over to the law. He does not. Instead, the priest lies to the two officers and makes up a story that saves Val Jean from going to prison. He then sings, “I have bought your soul for God.”

The theology is troubling, but the intent is somewhat like the dishonest manager, who used his available means to secure his own security and was praised for his shrewdness. The priest used the means at his disposal: silver candlesticks and credibility with the police, to secure freedom and a second chance for Val Jean. —Jim L. Wilson and Danny Stoops

Now he said to the disciples: “There was a rich man who received an accusation that his manager was squandering his possessions. So he called the manager in and asked, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you can no longer be my manager.’

“Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do since my master is taking the management away from me? I’m not strong enough to dig; I’m ashamed to beg. I know what I’ll do so that when I’m removed from management, people will welcome me into their homes.’

“So he summoned each one of his master’s debtors. ‘How much do you owe my master?’ he asked the first one.

“ ‘Take your invoice,’ he told him, ‘sit down quickly, and write fifty.’

“The master praised the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the children of this age are more shrewd than the children of light in dealing with their own people. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of worldly wealth so that when it fails, they may welcome you into eternal dwellings. Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much. So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will trust you with what is genuine? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to someone else, who will give you what is your own? No servant can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Most of the time, the value of an item is determined by the price someone is willing to pay for it. Believe it or not, Golden Goose, a clothing brand from Italy is selling distressed shoes, complete with the equivalent of duct tape wrapped around it, for $530.00

Amazing! Why would anyone pay so much for damaged goods? While I can’t answer that question as it relates to shoes, I do know that God was willing to pay a high price to redeem sinners. Not because our sinful lives had any inherent value;—even our rightness is like “filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6), but because he is a gracious God.—Jim L. Wilson

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Erik Weisz was born to perform and did so with the help of his brother, Theodore. As with any siblings, the two of them had a rivalry that wouldn’t quit. As Erik became proficient in escaping a variety of handcuffs and shackles, he began to work on escaping from the much-feared straightjacket. He did so by hiding behind a curtain while performing the work. Theodore wanted to make the escape more exciting by performing in front of his audience. He did so by dislocating one of his shoulders. Erik did not want to be outdone by his brother, so he managed to break Theodore’s time for escaping the straightjacket, by escaping, in front of his audience, in less than three minutes. Erik did so by dislocating both of his shoulders. Over time, Erik, or as you might know him, Harry Houdini, managed to come up with more streamlined, and less painful, methods of extracting himself from the straightjacket, and became known as the ultimate escape artist. –Jim L. Wilson and Jeffrey Lemasters Tahir

While Houdini proved it is possible to free oneself from a straightjacket—there are some restraints that can never be escaped from alone.

Romans 5:8 (CSB)“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Burden is a historical drama about racism. It features the battle between the KKK and a Baptist Pastor in Laurens, SC. Mike Burden grew up amid poverty and prejudice and comes under the influence of a KKK leader. He falls in love with a woman who tells him he must choose between her and the KKK.

The film is a little fuzzy about where Burden’s transformation comes from. Some think it is the love of the woman. Others say it is the kindness of the Pastor. One reviewer puts his finger on the real source. He says it is Mike’s baptism, where he feels he has received something completely unearned given his brutish past.

But therein lies the truth. All of us receive from God something we have not deserved. We call it grace. That is where we receive not what we deserve, but what Jesus deserves. –Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.