Hello Ted,

Two Songs:

”IN MY ROOM" and "LOVE & MERCY”

I don’t have the slightest reason why!...

Last night we arrived in Destin for a 3 day stay. We're the guests of our long time close friends, E.J. and Leah. After I went to bed the Beach Boys songs, "IN MY ROOM" and "LOVE AND MERCY" ran through my head over and over again. I have no idea why!!

Brian Wilson was my close friend from boyhood through college. Brian is the founder and lead singer of The Beach Boys.

Several years ago at the Fox Theater following his performance, I told Brian- of all his wonderful songs, LOVE AND MERCY was my favorite because it reminds me of what Jesus Christ has done for me.



TWO REMARKABLE STATEMENTS 

1- Many years ago (about 40) when we lived in Denver, Brian phoned our house and asked our babysitter, Tracy if I was there. She told him I was at a Bible study. Brian responded, “He is the last person I ever thought would be at a Bible study?!” (Because growing up, Brian knew me as a staunch atheist.)

2- About 60 years ago when The Beach Boys were just starting out Brian didn’t make the El Camino College baseball team solely because he couldn’t hit a curve. Brian was a very good athlete. He could throw a football 70 yards, run like the wind when we ran on the beaches of SoCal. I told Brian I would help him learn to hit a curveball. He responded with, "No thanks, I’m going to get serious about music”. I told him, “YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME!!!”

I have no idea WHY I had Brian's songs running through my head last night!!??I had never in all the years have had that experience before.

phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!

However here’s the spiritual application LOVE and MERCY

LOVE AND MERCY Lyrics



I was sittin' in a crummy movie with my hands on my chin

Oh the violence that occurs seems like we never win

Love and mercy that's what you need tonight

So, love and mercy to you and your friends tonight

I was lyin' in my room and the news came on t.v.

A lotta people out there hurtin' and it really scares me

Love and mercy that's what you need tonight

So, love and mercy to you and your friends tonight

I was standin' in a bar and watchin' all the people there

Oh the loneliness in this world well it's just not fair

Hey love and mercy that's what you need tonight

So, love and mercy to you and your friends tonight

Love and mercy that's what you need tonight

Love and mercy tonight

Love and mercy

AS A FORMER ATHEIST and now a long time believer in Jesus, LOVE and MERCY are hallmarks of my personal faith in Jesus. Before claiming Jesus as my Savior from all my sins I could not define LOVE.

RECENT PERFECT EXAMPLES 

We all need to apply the following verses that Al, our speaker for Friday Morning Men’s Fellowship, blessed us with. His straightforward, humble presentation honored God and challenged each of us

“Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him” Romans 4:7-8

NOTICE THE WORD “NEVER”

AL has been an ALCOHOLIC for 40 years. Last Friday he spoke to our Friday Morning Men’s Fellowship. He said he started drinking at an early age (16). He's been through 3 marriages. His 4th marriage has now been sustained for 25 years. He labeled himself a functioning alcoholic for many years. By God’s MERCY he has been clean for more than 10 years. He now attends 2 AA meetings per week. He's a perfect example of how important it is for all of us to be deeply committed to Jesus. I asked him if it's okay for an addict to consume small amounts of alcohol once clean. His answer: "A little definitely leads to a lot”.

In other words, be fully committed to removing alcohol (or any stumbling block) from your life and be fully committed to making Jesus Christ the bottom line of your life.

IN MY ROOM

I really like the deep meaning in this song because it reminds me of my time alone with the Lord. I have found "my room" to be the outdoors alone on a bench with my Bible, unhurried and casting all my care upon the Lord.

IN MY ROOM Lyrics

There's a world where I can go

And tell my secrets to

In my room

In my room (In my room)

In this world I lock out

All my worries and my fears

In my room

In my room (In my room)

Do my dreaming and my scheming

Lie awake and pray

Do my crying and my sighing

Laugh at yesterday

Now it's dark and I'm alone

But I won't be afraid

I really like this song because it reminds me of this: through every trial God’s LOVE is there to shower His MERCY upon us as we cling to His promises.

BETH AND TRINDA

Trinda is our younger daughter; Beth is her close friend 

• Sorority sisters in college
• Both were married to pastors from different church backgrounds for 20+ years
• Each have 4 children- 2 boys and 2 girls (16-27)
• Both have dealt with painful divorces and desire for God to use them to comfort others who are going through similar situations

Tudi and I had the privilege of hosting both of them last weekend. They are truly living out the verses, “iron sharpens iron (Prov. 27:17)” and ”with the comfort you have received from the Lord, comfort others (2 Cor. 1:4)” with one another.

Tudi and I concur- Beth has been a Godsend to Trinda!

and I am sure Beth would say the same about Trinda! They truly are great examples of women of Godly character and strength and a joy to be around.

MY TESTIMONY:

Both song titles- IN MY ROOM and LOVE AND MERCY will be lasting, special memories of my friend Brian.

When I was an atheist no one ever told me about their personal faith in Jesus Christ. However, Brian was one of 3 people who invited me to church. (The other 2: Jim, my college basketball teammate and Tudi my wife of 55 years.)

Each time I've seen Brian over the years I have reminded him of my appreciation for his invitation to church, and told him about my commitment to Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.

Frankly, I think he’s amazed at the transformation….me too!

Ted

Acts 17:28

P.S.

Our wonderful hosts EJ and Leah love to spend each day at the beach from early morning til sunset. Recently, EJ has been deeply studying people’s experiences who come back to life after death. He has shared story after story with us that includes what heaven will be like.

In addition EJ has done an exhaustive study on the Holy Spirit and we thoroughly enjoyed interacting over his findings.

Emma and Heaven

Last night we went to dinner at one of the favorite restaurants that both Leah and EJ have been to often .Our waitress was Emma, a 27 year old graduate from a well known Florida University. During dinner I gave her a wristband that included my testimony. I asked her if she was a sinner- she said yes. I told her we all are, and she agreed. I told her Jesus Christ is my Savior; she said "He is mine too." I then referred to John 3:16, telling her "God so loved Emma that He gave His one and only Son that if Emma believes in Him she will not perish but have everlasting life."

Emma teared up during our entire conversation and kept hand fanning herself. She was overcome with the conversation. As we left the restaurant I said “I will probably never see you again until we get to heaven"; she said "I’ll see you there!”

I will never forget that conversation. Neither will Emma!

Leah and EJ were such caring and loving hosts. We thoroughly enjoyed the food, scenery, weather and the total beach experience!