RUST NEVER SLEEPS

Pictured: The evidence of overnight rust on sheet metal after rain...

The message of the Cross is foolish for those who are headed for destruction. But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

For many the simple message of Jesus coming to earth to reconcile a lost and doomed humanity with the love, forgiveness and grace of God the creator is too childish to believe. He came and submitted himself not only to His father’s will but to the corrupt authorities and religious leaders of the day. He came to set us free from the curse of sin. To make a way for eternity that all of His creation could live in His presence and be part of a universe without sin. That’s what Jesus has done for you and for me.

I was captivated by this image of rust that had formed overnight on some sheet metal. I realised it was just like sin.. rust never sleeps. The moment the elements of oxygen and water make contact with pure metal, its cancerous process of destruction begins. The only way you can stop it is by cleaning the surface and painting the metal with some form of protection. Jesus death on the Cross made way for us to be clean, His shed blood covered our sins and the reality of His resurrection protects us with His promises of eternal life.

Yeah I know.. It’s an obscure illustration of the Gospel on this Easter weekend when we are bombarded with images of the Cross and Easter bunnies and chocolate eggs… But I thought it was a great reminder of what sin does when we ignore the assurance of God’s love for us through Jesus.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Thanks again for your friendship and support as we seek to get this great message to people across Australia.

Godspeed,

Steve

REST AND RENOVATION

Pictured: The transformed gutter up the side of our home is now a driveway!

For the past two months I’ve been recovering from an asthma condition and on doctors orders told to take it a bit easier until I’m fully recovered. So we’ve delayed getting back into concert tours until later in March. Resting at home sounds like a good excuse to get some long awaited jobs accomplished!!! So we’ve been able to renovate a bathroom and build a driveway with the help of friends and family..

That’s my kind of rest and recuperation!!! We thought you’d like to see a picture of the finished job!!! 

Thanks to everyone who has faithfully prayed for and supported this ‘time out’. The pressure to look at the bank balance and get back out on the road touring is very real but we are grateful for God’s provision during this time. Looking forward to getting back into frontline ministry again soon!!!

WORKING CLASS MAN

Pictured: Uncle Maurice Grace with Warwick, Steve, Ryan, Ritchie and Ced Grace

A huge thank you to these blokes who put in another great day of work on the job site at our home. We now have a laneway up the side of the property which will enable access and further development in the future. I really appreciate working with my brother Warwick who has that ability to get the job done and keep a work crew happy and motivated!!! Thanks mate for the incredible effort you put into life and landscaping. Your love for God and His creation is inspiring. Thanks also to Uncle Maurice Grace and Ced Grace for all your wise old ’tradie’ knowledge and experience!!! Thanks Ryan and Ritchie! You blokes rock!!!

BROTHERS IN ARMS

Pictured: Two good mates making memories together. Jordan and Trent performing a love song written by Jordan that morning.

After an unforgettable wedding and an amazing day the guests were all treated to some impromptu performances at the Boske Family’s property. The best man, Jordan Grace wrote a song that morning for Trent and Amy and invited the groom to come and perform it with him. A special moment and a great memory to cherish as SkyPilot enter a new era. 

Thanks Jordan and Trentan for your relentless passion for God and for good music that changes lives. Thanks for the many miles and memories we’ve all made with you!!!

THE BEST MEN

Pictured: Steve and Kerrie with Ryan, Jordan and Cheyne Grace

Kerrie and I were so honoured last Saturday to see our three sons standing with Trentan Kruger on his wedding day. Trentan asked the Grace brothers to be Best Man and Groomsmen as he married Amy McArdle. We felt very humbled and full of joy witnessing the special occasion. The day before the wedding the guys all hung out together and had dinner with Amy’s Dad, our good friend, George McArdle. George played bass guitar on the recording of Children of the Western World back in 1988. Now, all these years later his daughter has married a musician!! And our boys have grown to become fine men with big dreams for the future. Kerrie and I honour Cheyne, Ryan and Jordan as they trust God with their lives and future. Proud of you.

TRENTAN AND AMY

Pictured: Mr and Mrs Kruger on their wedding day!

Well last May they met at REALITY with Will Graham in Alice Springs, a three day evangelistic event that saw thousands attend and many come to Christ. Both Trentan and Amy were there to serve the campaign. It was during those events that an honest and mutual attraction to each other started. For us it has been a joy to watch a beautiful love story unfold between two amazing people. Last Saturday they married in a chapel in Brisbane and then celebrated their reception on a friends property north of the city. It was a spectacular day!!! God Bless you Trentan and Amy as you begin the journey together.

AFTER THE FIRE

PICTURED: The charred bark of a pine tree in bushland near Lennox Head, NSW.

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens:  a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build up. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-3

Walking through the deep powder grey ash of a burned out forest leaves you with an eerie feeling.. Only days before there were birds in the trees and life everywhere… but now the charred landscape is void of animals and insects. This bushland has been devastated, consumed by searing heat and flame. But quietly and miraculously this lifeless land will again come back to life. In all that God has created exists the ability to heal and reproduce new life for a new season. Many plants and trees actually need fire to reproduce. The seed of a Jack pine tree can only be released under extreme heat when the pine cones are burned. 

So it is with our lives… Sometimes God will allow us to go through a season of loss where everything seems to be taken or destroyed. It is in those times we must choose humility and faith over pride and fear. God helps us to rebuild our lives and bring us into even greater seasons when we put our trust in Him. Just as Christ was raised back to life after death on the Cross… He can do that in every season of our lives.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11: 25-26

Thanks again for your friendship and support.

Godspeed.

Steve

Close Call with Fire

Pictured: Firefighters hard at work in extreme temperatures protecting the homes and properties near Lennox Head last week.

Cheyne Grace woke last Friday morning to see billowing smoke in the distance from the home base of World Missions north of Lennox Head. By 3.00pm the raging fires had crossed the highway and an evacuation call was made for the entire neighbourhood. High temperatures and gusty winds made the task nearly impossible. Air support from three water helicopters enabled firefighters to save the homes in the area including the property where Cheyne is living. After four days the fires are finally under control but it has been quite a tense time. Most of the bushland and vegetation between Lennox Head and Byron Bay has been devastated.

We are so thankful for the thousands of volunteer firefighters and emergency services we have in this country. Lives are saved every week at the moment because others are willingly standing in harms way and protecting people, livestock and property. Thank you, thank you thank you.

For Cheyne Grace its back to work on the Slim Dusty Tribute album, upcoming tours and future planning for World Missions ventures. Thanks mate.

Come Together Namoi

Pictured: Come Together Namoi event, Narrabri NSW

Hey if you live in NSW or QLD why don’t you plan to come and support a great three day event in Narrabri on March 24th - 26th. Steve Grace and Skypilot will be performing and Bill Newman will be bringing the Gospel message for the people of the Namoi region. Sean W. Smith will be doing kids events and there will be heaps of other events happening!! If you have a heart for evangelism in Australia please get involved and support this event. We are believing many lives will be impacted.  
Check out https://billygraham.org.au/come-together-namoi/