I received this letter from a member with the Ministry and thought it 
would be good to share with you. We do not always remember what God did 
for us when He sent His only Son to die for the sins of the world but this 
story was a gentle reminder for me.

I hope this story blesses you.


THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA 

After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor once 
again slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and gave a very brief 
introduction of his childhood friend. With that, an elderly man stepped 
up to the pulpit to speak, "A father, his son, and a friend of his son 
were sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast approaching 
storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, 
that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep 
the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean." 

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers 
who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat 
interested in his story. He continued, "Grabbing a rescue line, the 
father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life....to which 
boy he would throw the other end of the line. He only had seconds to make 
the decision. 

The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his 
son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by 
the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, 'I love you, son!' he 
threw the line to his son's friend. By the time he pulled the friend back 
to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells 
into the black of night. His body was never recovered." 

By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew, 
waiting for the next words to come out of the old man's mouth. "The 
father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus, 
and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an 
eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son. How great is 
the love of God that He should do the same for us." With that, the old 
man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. 

Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old 
man's side. "That was a nice story," politely started one of the 
boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his 
son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian." 

"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at 
his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once again 
looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But 
I'm standing here today to tell you that THAT story gives me a glimpse of 
what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me." 

"You see.... I was the son's friend." 


Isaiah 55:6-7 "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him 
while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man 
his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy 
upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

The Bible says today is the day of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2) and not 
to let time pass you by. Jesus is able to save the worst sinner and is at 
the door waiting for the invitation to enter (Revelation 3:20). If you 
have never made the decision to invite the Lord into your heart and life, 
then I encourage you to make that choice today. Remember, Now is the 
accepted time.


In Christ Service, 

Dwayne Savaya 
Gods Work Ministry