Grand Ave Church of Christ

09/07/2026

“God is Waiting Patiently”

Romans 8:31, …If God be for us,
who can be against us?

Come in and hold His hand
At the door He will stand.

Open arms all day long
Waiting for His Children to come home.

He sacrificed His Son
That maybe one day we will come,

Oh, how happy He will be
When He hears us singing gracefully;

Repentance there will be
Baptism we will see;

Thank you, God, for waiting so Patiently!

Romans 15:5, Now the God of patience and
consolation grant you to be likeminded one
toward another according to Christ Jesus:
-earlajah r. miller-

09/03/2026

“Scars Tell a Story”

Isaiah 53:5, But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

A few years ago, on a hot summer day in Florida, a young boy decided to go for a swim in the small pond behind his house. Man, the thought of such a cool swim was tenaciously calling the boy; so, he ran and dove into the water, not realizing that he was sharing the water with an alligator.

The boy’s mother happened to see the frightening alligator from the kitchen window. In utter fear, she ran toward the pond, screaming to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy quickly started swimming to his mother standing on the dock. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him.

From the dock, the mother grabbed her son by the arms as the alligator sunk its teeth into the boy’s legs.

Then began an unbelievable tug-of-war between the two. The creature was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too determined to let go. A nearby neighbor heard her screams, raced over, with r***e in hand, and shot the alligator.

After several weeks in the hospital, the boy survived the ordeal. He bore two sets of scars. Some on his legs that the alligator made, and the fingernail scars in his arms made by his mom.

The marks on his legs represented the evil in this world. But the scars created by his mother were of love.

All scars tell a story. Throughout the years, epidemics, such as Covid-19, have threatened the lives of many. Most every person born before 1970 carries a scar that stopped another epidemic. The disease was smallpox. The scar was from a vaccine given on the shoulder. That scar was a badge of honor that said, “I am protecting my family and neighbors from being infected by this terrible disease.”

I have often wondered why, after the resurrection, the reason Jesus kept the scars on his hands and side from his crucifixion (John 20:24-29). Was it because those scars were a badge of honor which said: “This is what God’s love did for you?” (John 3:16)

If we are living in fear of Covid-19 or anything else, remember what Jesus did for us. Remember the scars.

John 20:20…he shewed them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

09/01/2026

“Lick the Spoon and Bowl”

1 Peter 2:2-3, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word (scriptures), that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

During my youth, mama would allow us kids to lick the spoon and bowl she used to mix the batter of her cakes. Oh my, we knew that cake was gonna’ be very delicious because the mixing bowl and spoon would manifest just how sweet and tasty the ensuing cake would be.

During those days while awaiting that cake’s fruition; positive spirits of happiness, cooperation, and servitude to mama could not help but prevail throughout the house. In our family, if there was anything in this world that made clear sense, it was that we control our unacceptable behavior until the cake (of which we’d already previewed) had been served😊

The Lord previews heaven to us through blessings we experience on this side of life (John 4:12-15; John 6:50-58; 1 Tim 4:8; Rev 21:1-27). The Lord’s hope is that through these previews (scriptures), we will recognize how good the Lord is (Psalms 145:9), and all he assorted for us is sweet (Psalms 19:10) and tasty (1 Pet 2:3).

You know, it’s good (really good) to remember how sweet the utensils of cake batter are (Heb 10:1).

Similarly, it is good (really good) to remember all the effects used by the Lord to mix the tasty dessert He has awaiting us; but if you forget, just ‘lick the spoon and bowl’ (re-read the scriptures).

Psalms 25:14, The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
-tn-

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

“Definite”

Proverbs 20:12, The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

The other day, a public warning went out about the dangers of Russian roulette...It went in one ear and out the other😊

Many antichrists (or spirits thereof) realize not that they are such, nor, is it their desire to be. Nevertheless, they carelessly put forth fruit suitable unto antichrist endeavors and away from the faith of Christ’s word (Rom 10:17); being, unwitting accomplices (Pro 19:27; Acts 18:25-26; 2 Ti 2:14-18).

As adults, we must believe our ears are useful for more than just decoration. Harry told me he was goofin’ (nibbling) at his 3-year-old daughter’s ear; as he said to her, "I'm going to eat your ears". She said "Papa! No! Don't eat my ears!" "My mask will fall off!"😊

To the child, ears weren’t for listening. Even some adults will stop-up their own ears rather than use them to hear something useful unto eternal life (Acts 7:57). They will even close their own eyes; not wanting to see the truth, and then assert, they can’t see what you’re talkin’ ‘bout (Acts 28:27).

Don’t be surprised what people say or will do to shut-out the words of God (Isa 30:8-10). God has contrary children that actually feel they are better than the Holy God, and the souls sent to speak God’s word unto them (Isa 30:11). Yikes!

Be known, God will not be mocked by the antichrist (nor their stumbling gatekeepers), for, if they refuse to repent, God (without fail) will bring their own Christless-spirit right back to them; hmm, then the above jokes (and the ensuing one) will be proven to not be so funny (Isa 30:12-18)!

Notwithstanding, many souls will assert they couldn’t hear God’s word because they’re deaf. My friend told me that he has a hearing loss (deaf in his right ear). I said, "Are you sure?" And he said, "yes. I'm definite😊"

Matthew 13:16, But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
-tn-

08/17/2026

“Moon Walked”

Isaiah 60:19, The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory (Psa 19:4).

In April 8, 2024, San Diego experienced a total solar eclipse, many decades will pass before we receive another such event. You may have heard, another total solar eclipse will occur August 12, 2026, but will not be viewable from San Diego.

I have a pun; What's more useful, the sun or the moon? The moon. Because the sun only shines during daytime, when it's bright anyway, whereas the moon shines at night😊. Well, that’s kinda’ funny but; let’s realize, all light (even light from the moon) comes from the sun, and, the sun works from heaven right where Almighty God placed it (Psa 19:4).

On July 20, 1969, an American astronaut (Neil Armstrong) was the first man to walk on the moon. Many people think Michael Jackon was first to do the Moon Walk😊 Michael Jackson did make that move world-famous, but he did not invent it. The backward-sliding step (then called the "backslide") was performed by tap dancer Bill Bailey in the 1943 film “Cabin in the Sky.” In 1930, Cab Calloway also did similar dance steps, as did various street dancers before Michael Jackson debuted his in 1983.

Needless to say, Adam was the first man to walk upon earth, But there has only been one God that has walked upon earth (John 1:1-14).

The God who put the sun/light in place (Psa 19:4) walked on the earth, not for fame/fortune nor for His own sake, but for our sake (1 Thes 1:5).

I’m glad man walked on earth, and walked on the Moon, and I’m elated that man did a ‘Moon Walk’ on earth.

But with all this in me is, thank you Lord God for walking about earth to find and save me and all other lost souls that desire to be found!

Luke 19:10, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (Ps 119:176; Eze 34:16).
-tn-