Several people related to us during the week how much they were blessed by Tony Gooden’s “Journey of Adoption,” that recounted his family’s adoption of their little girl Grace. We here at 2nd Thief were privileged to be able to provide Tony and JoAnna with a forum to share the joy of this event with others. We will be chronicling the Gooden’s upcoming adoption here on the “Preacher Byline” so be sure to check in with us as this new “adventure” unfolds.

This Byline is being posted on “Independence Day” and therefore it is appropriate that we focus on that for the message. So why do we celebrate “Independence Day” on the 4th of July? Remember we had been at war with Britain since April 1775.

The 2nd Thief Riders “Mountaintop Baggin’ Ride” is ready to roll. The itineraries for all six days are complete. This year is special as a second group of Riders will be joining us halfway through the ride in Galax, VA. That is the night we will be eating at “The Galax Smokehouse” which will be a treat for those of us that enjoy country cooking. Later, just across the street, we will be listening to Bluegrass Music at the acclaimed “Rex’s Theater.” Two different bands will be playing that night and from what little I heard on there respective websites it should be great.

Well two of the studies 2nd Thief Ministries are leading on “Discovering your God-Given Gifts” are winding down. All of the participants agreed that it has been time well spent uncovering God’sWill for our lives by recognizing our gifting and operating in them for His Glory. A third study, for young adults, is being sponsored by 2nd Thief and is beginning this week. The resource materials used will be the Bible and the book “Cure for the Common Life” by Max Lucado.

Some of the original 2nd Thief Riders just returned from the “Highways, Byways and Skyways Ride.” This was our Harvest Fellowship Ride for 2006 and involved riding 1500 miles through VA, TN, NC, GA and SC in four days. We rode the “Foothills Scenic Highway” in TN; the “Tail of the Dragon” at Deals Gap, NC; the “Cherohala Scenic Skyway” located in part of NC and TN; the “Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway” in SC and sections of the “Blue Ridge Parkway” in NC and VA. Needless to say we rode some of the finest motorcycle roads in the Nation.

Want to spend a moment addressing the Grace of God that is available for our lives now. 2nd Thief Ministries repeatedly reminds all of the verse found in Ephesians 2:8, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” It is the Good News that is related to us by the events revolving around Jesus and the 2nd thief on the Cross.