Love, Says the Lord God, Do Not Hate- The Time is Now! & A Prayer of Salvation

Jesus Christ is the light of the world,

and He offers the light of life.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

(http://www.godisreal.today/pictures-of-jesus/)
Artist Unknown

Thank you, Godisreal.today!

~People in Many Places in the World are Suffering~

I feel so moved that I must write you now.  I had wanted to write such a letter/posting just a few days prior, and so I include those other suffering people in Nice and Paris, France; Brussels, Belgium; Istanbul, Turkey; Syria and countries near and far beyond all over this world; many nooks and crannies, many corners, fields, oceans and mountains; in the USA: Orlando, Florida; Baton Rouge Louisiana; Dallas and Garland, Texas; New York City; Newtown, Connecticut; Oklahoma City and Tulsa Oklahoma; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Overland Park, Kansas... and this listing is completely short and non-inclusive, unfortunately...

To see a listing of attacks on Israeli citizens and others in that country, please look; you will be shocked!  We pray for our sisters and brothers in Jesus' birthplace, land, people, his birthright.  Of God, His Father... Jesus is the first-born of the first fruits:

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Terrorism/victims.html

~Almighty God~

I do not know all of the events, places, and times of inhumanity; they are too numerous for any human being to hold and to remember, but we care about every person.  Do we realize Who created, knows, and holds with Love each and every one of these devastated individuals?  God even cares about the malevolent perpetrators of atrocities, but He will have justice, and He will not wait forever.  The LORD even hardens hearts when He knows that person will never, ever come around and repent! 
Do you know Who knew each one of us before the foundations of the Earth and all creation?  Who knows each one of us- before He created us in our mothers' wombs?  It is Almighty God Himself: Three Persons in One God (only, no other), and yet, God is Spirit...God the Father, God the Son in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit of the Lord.
The Almighty knew the time and complete circumstances of each one of these deaths and was there with His good angels.

~Dave Melton~

(Tuesday, July 19, 2016)
Today in Kansas City one of our own, Captain Robert Dave Melton of the Kansas City Police Department in Kansas City, Kansas, was killed while performing his duties.

This man went to war in Afghanistan and Iraq; he has served his country and his city very well.  He is a holder of the Bronze Star.  It is quite good to tell you who Dave is, but I so wish that it were not in this manner...  What did Captain Melton do to deserve this death?  Not a thing.  Quite the contrary.  I am so grateful to learn from the press conference today (7/20/16) that Dave's death was not an ambush and not pre-planned.  He was on duty with his department "checking on his people," (officers) and pursued a car from where shooting of a gun had occurred yesterday. 

To say that I am thankful and impressed with the chief of police, the mayor of Kansas City, Kansas, and the community of pastors as a whole and individually of Wyandotte County is an understatement!  These faith-filled and caring representatives of our area is unsurpassed.  They have a 20-year history of police and community cooperation.  Yet, they recognize that with the current bad climate in the United States of America and the world at large of senseless evil, distrust, and lack of love and communication, there were even newer talks and prayers planned and taking place between civilians and the police.

We also remember Detective Brad Lancaster just two months ago in May of 2016 whose life was taken by shooting, in the same local police department.  Detective Lancaster was likewise serving and protecting people that day.  Please pray for these families, the police and first responders, and our communities!

~In Heaven~

Dave is what his family, friends, and fellow police officers called him.  He was a bigger than life, a loveable man who was gregarious; Dave was a good man!  He was simply, heroically, and as always, serving in his chosen Life's work- "To Protect and Serve".  Thanks be to the Lord Almighty because Dave had a belief in and had chosen Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior- that is Who Jesus is, do you know?!  Because Dave had chosen Life in Christ, alone, and no other- Dave's family is reassured that he is now in Heaven with the Lord!  (Being good, no matter how good, gets any person to Heaven for eternity.)

~Dave's Family~

Dave and his wife Katie, and their children were members of the Community Life Church in Shawnee, Kansas, for years. (www.communitylifechurch.com)  The children are- Sarah, Ashley, Brad, Brian, David and Lizzy.  The family attended Sunday School, known as KidzLife, and also our church services.  Being able to see their children grow up and become closer to Jesus was and still is a great privilege to remember.  Yes, these kiddos always eager and shining faces- from infancy, preschool and middle school and high school- warmed my heart, their teachers' Sundays, and everyone at church~~~ gatherings for a picnic, to help in the community with yard work, to restore living areas for people who needed homes and jobs, and to plant gardens, etc.  They invited and welcomed friends: new members, believers and people who recommitted to a saving faith in Christ!  We were also able to see Katie, the mom, go back to school and to acquire her nursing degree!  A dear friend Vicky Thomas reminded me on the telephone yesterday that one time the family needed a fence to protect and keep the children safe in the yard. (See Vicky's blog below &&&)   Since Dave was serving overseas, we collected money for a fence, and some of the men of the church built a beautiful fence for them.  What a privilege. 

~Love and Death~

Love edifies and builds up.  It does not tear down.  Yes, God is Love, and He always has the Final/Last Word!

With the events of terrible death that seem to loom around us, we must remember in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 NASB: 54But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55“O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
      58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

If you are ready to accept the Salvation that can be found only in God through Jesus Christ, please tell the Lord in similar words or pray this prayer and believe!  Step over that line of faith into the Kingdom of God, where some day you will pass on to Heaven to be with God, forever!  (No one wants the alternative, to be separated from God and all that is Good for eternity!)  Once you become a Believer, seek out God's plan and will in the Bible, join a great church that welcomes you and studies the Bible, has fellowship and grow in your knowledge and wisdom!

~Prayer of Salvation~

(Taken from Bill Winston Ministries)

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ. You said in Your Word that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) Father, I am calling on Jesus right now. I believe He died on the cross for my sins, that He was raised from the dead on the third day, and He's alive right now. Lord Jesus, I am asking You now, come into my heart. Live Your life in me and through me. I repent of my sins and surrender myself totally and completely to You. Heavenly Father, by faith I now confess Jesus Christ as my new Lord and from this day forward, I dedicate my life to serving Him. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

You are now a true child of God and a Believer in Christ!  The Holy Spirit has come to reside within you, to guide you, teach, and protect and comfort you.  He will never leave, nor forsake you, no matter what.  If you were once saved, but unsure now or have gone away, say a prayer of salvation to God, and you will be absolutely sure!  Your Salvation is something no one can ever take away from you.

~2 Timothy 4:6-8

The Holy Bible, The Voice (written by the Apostle Paul)~ 

6 For I am already being poured out, and the last drops of this drink offering are all that remain; it's almost time for me to leave. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have stayed on course and finished the race, and through it all, I have kept believing. 8 I look forward to what's in store for me: a crown of righteousness that the Lord-the always right and just judge-will give me that day (but it is not only for me, but for all those who love and long for His appearing).

Christians Pray for You

Jesus Says to Love and to Pray for our Enemies

Please know that Christians everywhere are praying for you!!  We are called by Jesus to love and to pray for, even our enemies.  Jesus Himself told us that, and highlighted that truth to me about 7 years ago...has never let that part from me :)  To God first, foremost, and always, and to love our neighbors, as ourselves.  Jesus said these are the first and second greatest commandments!

God bless you richly in the glory and the grace of Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior!  Amen.

~Little, Important Things Needed by Dave and His Fellow Soldiers~

Last but not least, the following are a couple of short emails/a list of things our church got together more than once to send to Dave Melton and his fellow soldier friends when he was serving in our military...oh, how we love them and are praying for them so earnestly~~~!  I am reminded and did want to include our dear Jan Bracken, who is an elder of our church and does many, many things for the church family, including a weekly prayer list and KidzLife (Sunday School) assistance. (See Jan's blog postings below***.)  Her daughter Valerie Dykes is a precious pastor, more than double-time between our church and another in town.  Here we go! ending today's posting with the list of things for Dave from 2003:

From Jan- here is the list of things Dave Melton (our member's husband and dad who is overseas for at least the 4-5th time).  IF YOU ARE ABLE to bring anything on Thursday eve, please do so; no problem if you cannot or don't remember!  Thank you, Donna

Here is the e-mail that was sent out for the box for Dave.  I have one box ready to send this week.  It costs 12.95 to send it so if you could donate to that that would be awesome.  Thanks for any help you can give in getting stuff to put in his box. 

Dave loves:

Peanut M&Ms and anything chocolate

Reece’s peanut butter cups

Trail mix

This is a list from a website regarding sending packages to soldiers. I’m sure anything we send will mean a lot to Dave. I would ask that you would make sure that as part of the package you have notes to Dave encouraging him from your group. That will really be the encouragement that could help sustain him! Thanks for helping with this project. Pick up your box/es on Sunday!! Thanks, Val

Here is a quick list of items these young men & women are wishing for:

• First and foremost - letters of support & encouragement along with pictures of friends and family.(include your name, address, phone number, & email along with a "what can I send you" note if you want to hear back from them).
• DVDs (recently released pre viewed DVD movies are fine, TV shows on DVD are great too), music CDs, & CD storage books
• Coffee, coco, tea, hot cider mix (powdered flavored creamer, too) - not liquids
• Mugs (unbreakable like camping gear is better)
• Microwaveable non perishable just-add-water foods like soups and mac-n-cheese
• Snacks - candy (not too melty),chocolate, trail mix, granola bars, gum, cookies, nuts, popcorn, chips, etc. (Entenmann's Products were specifically requested)
• Slim Jims, jerky, pre cooked vacuum packed meats, & canned chicken - NO pork items
• Canned fruit (pop top is best - not the ones with foil lids), canned veggies(the kind you would eat.)
• Hair brushes
• deodorant (the guys like Old Spice Red Zone) lotion (body & face)
• Beanie Babies, etc. - for the soldiers to pass out as good will gifts to the local children
• Room deodorizers/air fresheners and scented candles (nothing too melty)
• Nail files & nail clippers 
• Toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, & floss
• Hair bands & barrettes for pony tails
• Magazines, books, word game books
• Playing Cards, board games, chess, checkers, etc.
• AA batteries (they have access to all other sizes)
• Blank cards, stationery & pens
• Baby wipes - for when there's no water
• Softball Gloves, softballs, Frisbees, other small outdoor activity items
• Boot scrubbers to get the mud off before entering tents or house slippers so they don't have to wear the boots inside
• Drink Mixes to flavor the water like Kool-Aid, Gatorade, & Tang
• Anything else you can think of that these guys might want/need

Vicky Thomas' blog:
&&&   http://www.activementoringinchrist.com

Jan Bracken's postings on this blog:

***   http://www.thehealingisalwayschrist.com/2012/12/christmas-poems-by-jan.html

and

         http://www.thehealingisalwayschrist.com/2014/03/the-wedding-invitation-and-go-by-jan.html

Donna M.