Eighteen years ago today, my dad passed from this life and entered eternity with Jesus. He was only 57 years old. I have no doubt that he heard the words, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
I know my dad entered Heaven’s gates because he had received the remarkable gift of Salvation one cold February night when he was in his 20’s. That radical encounter changed the trajectory of his life forever. He made it his mission to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ whenever he could. The love of Jesus transformed him in such a way that he was compelled to help others find the truth.
One night after work, in 1975, my dad came home drunk and ready to leave town. He had only been married to my mom for a few short months. His mom (my Grandma Rose) and stepdad (Grandpa Rose) happened to pull into the driveway behind him. It was one of those divine moments planned by the Lord.
His parents realized he was going to leave town, and his mom asked him, “Son, aren’t you tired of sin?” She asked if she could pray with him, and my dad agreed but said he was going to say his own prayer first. He prayed this silent prayer to the Lord: “God, you know who I am and you know what I’ve done. If you are real, I want you. If you are not, I want these people out of my face.”
He prayed this silent prayer to the Lord: “God, you know who I am and you know what I’ve done. If you are real, I want you. If you are not, I want these people out of my face.”
Instantly, he was sober. Instantly, he felt the sovereign, holy presence of the Lord for the first time in his entire life. The love of Jesus engulfed him like a tsunami wave in that moment. They led him in the sinner’s prayer, and he committed his life to the Lord. He felt true freedom. He laughed. Joy filled his heart. He was changed forever.
After that night, he began the journey of walking out of darkness and learning what it meant to lay down his life for the Lord. Although there were setbacks, mistakes, and mind renewals along the way, he was repentant, humble, and allowed the Lord to work out the kinks through his continued surrender.
After receiving the freedom that came with laying his life down for the Lord, just as Jesus laid down His life for him, he couldn’t help but share the Gospel.
About 10 years later, the Lord called him back to minister to the people group he was rescued from: the hard-core 1% bikers.
These are pictures of him at the Sturgis Rally, walking up to strangers and beginning conversations with them about the love of Jesus and the freedom found in surrendering to Him alone. I was told my dad was unafraid to cozy up to any campfire, go into bars, and hang out at gas stations to try to reach those no one else could reach.
I often heard him say that he would look into the eyes of the roughest, toughest biker, and he knew instinctively that they would cry themselves to sleep at night, because that’s what he did when he was in that lifestyle.
…he knew instinctively that they would cry themselves to sleep at night, because that’s what he did when he was in that lifestyle.
My dad is in heaven today because of the decision he made to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He wasn’t perfect, and he made mistakes, but he made it his mission to follow the teachings of Christ and to continue to repent and surrender his old lifestyle and take up the new life in Jesus.
Time is running out, friends! Jesus is coming back soon, and we will all spend eternity somewhere. My dad is in heaven because he believed in Jesus as the Son of God, asked forgiveness for his sins, and laid down his worldly lifestyle. He followed Jesus, and his life bore fruit.
The Word of God says in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” In John 3:16, “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.” And in Matthew 16:24, “Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.’” Finally, in Romans 10:9-10, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
If you want to give your heart to Jesus today, say this prayer with me:
“Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day. I repent of my sins and ask You to forgive me. Come into my heart today and renew me from the inside out. I surrender my life to You. Teach me how to walk in obedience to Your Word. Here I am, Lord, use me.
In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen!”
Let’s make heaven crowded!
Be Blessed, friends!
~ Stephanie
For His Glory, By His Grace 