kevin grose - guitar :
Gear:
Guitars:
Jackson Guitars,and Warrior Guitars |
personal story:
I got my drivers license at age 16. My first motorcycle at 18. Started my buisness at 23. Married my wife at 24. Opened a studio at age 30. Witnessed the miracle of birth 3 times. All wonderful and defining moments in my life.
But it was when I was 8, that a particular moment in time on a Sunday night sticks out as a pivotal point in time in my life. Earlier that day I had become painfully aware of what separates us from God. I saw people falling on their faces crying out to God for forgiveness. Weeping and sobbing. After a while they would get up all smiling and glowing. Everyone hugging on them saying things like welcome home and calling them brother.
Well, needless to say, when I got home that afternoon there were a few questions being floated about the house. As the plan of salvation was laid before me and the cost of rejecting it too much for my young mind to understand, I knew what I would do. Why would anyone reject Christ, because when they would die they would go to hell? Well I didn't want that, who does especially at 8 years old! That night my parents sat a little closer to the front than normal, setting the stage for the most important walk of my life.
I have no idea what was preached that night, I was just waiting for the end to come for my chance. As the preacher ended and asked people to come forward, I was the only one. My life changed forever that day as I asked Jesus to forgive me for my sins and come into my heart. A sweeping sensation came over me as I started to cry. I felt love. The kind you feel when you fall down and mom hugs you and the peace and assurance comes over that everything will be okay. I've never forgotten that feeling. It was the most real thing I've ever felt.
At age 15 God would take this gift of love and peace he gave me at age 8 and give me the gift of faith and trust. As my 3 year old sister lay dying in the hospital, just after Christmas, our world was shaken to its core. My parents called everyone they knew asking for prayers. The pivotal moment came when my father was eating supper and he flung himself on the table sobbing "please don't take my baby please, I'll do anything you ask." I stood there crying, scared not knowing what to think, incapable of consoling him feeling totally helpless. My father, the strongest man I knew was on his knees pleading for her life.
Words cannot describe the feelings of that day. Feelings that I've carried with me my whole life. Lessons learned and forever burned into my heart. Three days later my dad called from the hospital saying that Cindy was completely healed and would be coming home. The doctors didn't know why and were completely dumbfounded. But we knew.
Eight and fifteen, the most important years of my life. When times get tough and things seem impossible, I'm but one memory away from peace and healing. Every day that I lay my life before my God, is a day of peace that the rest of the world will never understand.
Eight and fifteen, two acts of total submission to God. Three lives were forever changed and for that, to you oh God, I am eternally grateful.