In Memory of Alan J. Main

Just recently a friend of mine lost his dad. He had heart disease and so his death was expected. The following comments were posted on Facebook by my friend, A.J., during the final days of his father’s life on earth. With permission from A.J., I've put his comments here because I think they are a powerful testimony to the grace of God. I also added the Bible verses and songs he mentions. Thank you, A.J., for sharing the final days of your dad’s journey with us.

Wed, July 1
Thankful that I have a father that humbles himself enough to let the Lord Jesus Christ live through him. The example he lives is true to the verse Galatians 2:20. What a blessing.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and

gave Himself for me.

Galatians 2:20, niv

Thursday, July 9, 8:00 am
I would like to ask you to pray for Dad, pray that he remains comfortable and at peace with what the Lord is doing. We as a family are around him because the heart pump is beginning to fail.
We serve a mighty and awesome God, to know He is in control of this all is really cool. My dad is ready to see Jesus so it is really cool, thank you for your prayers in advance. Love ya aj

Thursday, July 9 8:30 PM
Even in the toughest of times, even today my father is living out Matthew 5:16 with joy in his heart. I wish you could see the people that he is ministering to in his home today, he is so cool. I have enjoyed watching my father take the charge of finishing strong. If it continues like this, he may be around a while longer, it seems the Lord is still using him greatly. Thank you Lord for letting us experience this.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16, niv

Friday, July 10, 8:00 AM
Well it is morning and the Lord has sustained dad for another day, dad got some much needed rest last night, so round 2 of blessings coming. Keep praying for comfort because he has the perfect peace. The Lord is proving himself faithful with His presence is sweet. Thank you for your prayers. 2 Corinthians 12:9

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9, niv

Friday, July 10, 10:00 AM
God is good, we are getting ready to go to bed, dad is still hanging in there, he has amazed me more today than ever. I just watched him encourage a high school junior to walk in the Lord with all of his being. This young man just surrendered his life to the Lord a week ago but came by the house today to see dad. Great Kid, but the wisdom that my dad was sharing with him from scripture was awesome.
I definitely was put in my place as a youth pastor watching him speak truth into this young student's life. It has been another cool day for us as a family. Time is drawing near but wow what amazing grace from the Lord, even though he is near death, the Lord is using him to speak truth into people. He is getting weaker and has developed a fever, but is resting peacefully. thanks for praying. a proud son named aj

Saturday, July 11, 2:00 PM
Today my father Alan Main Sr. is sitting at the feet of Jesus worshiping the one he loved and served with his life. We read Philippians 3:13-14 and told him to run to the prize. He smiled and began his run, the family was able to worship with him for close to 30 minutes with him singing along to "It is Well with My Soul." I share this because it is true that one can have perfect peace when they know the Savior.

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14, niv

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll.

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back like a scroll,

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descent

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Dad wanted a song named "I Will Rise" sung at the funeral, and we sang it soon after he passed. I ask you to pray for our family but realize that though we are sad it is exciting and comforting to know that he is in Heaven with Christ. I can't wait to see him again. We thank you for your prayers. God is Good.


“I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin
There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise. I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise. I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing, "Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart, "Worthy is the Lamb"

Heard the story behind the song here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BLY5rr24mM

Watch the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKRF8UihM5s

Watch Out for Money!

Money is such a powerful thing. Honestly I have never paid much attention to money until recently. I have been basically a middle class person my whole life. My parents made a decent living & I have earned a decent salary for most of my adult life . . . until recently. And this season of life has given me a new respect for the dollar.

You may be wondering what I mean by that so let me explain. I have been able to see lately just how much money means to a person’s well-being. So much is available to someone who has money and the opposite is true too. For instance, if you do not have money, you do not have access to healthy food. Cheaper foods are high in sugar and fat. They also cause greater health problems that in turn lead to more healthcare costs. And so a person near or below the poverty line will end up with bad health simply because they had no other choice. He eats the cheaper food, has more health problems and ends up getting government aid to help provide the necessary healthcare for his diabetes or cancer. And that is because he does not have enough money. Children in poverty end up living in government housing. Quite often, these neighborhoods are where gangs & criminals live & they dictate the lives of the residents. But if a person gets a decent job & earns enough money to pay higher rent or to purchase a home, he can escape the violence. However if he does not have enough money, this person lives all of his life surrounded by crime and fear.

In other words, money seems to be the answer to every problem. Money can bring healing, peace, safety, and assurance. A person who has money has every need in his life met. But hold on a minute! That sounds a lot like God to me. Isn’t He the one who is supposed to meet every need, give healing and peace and keep people from harm? It is no wonder why Jesus said what He did in the Sermon on the Mount – “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Money really is a powerful competitor with God because we are prone to believe that money is as good as God. And sometimes without even thinking about it. And that is the dangerous part.