Scott's Tribute to His Dad

My Dad

In 1935, a young couple married in Atlantic City.  As they began their home, Vance and Arlene longed to have a family.  However, after 10 years went by with no success they almost gave up hope.  Then, in 1945, only weeks after Vance was sent overseas with the military, Arlene found out that she was pregnant.  The baby they hoped for and dreamed about was finally here!  On December 21^st, 1945 Michael Mellinger was born.  It was clear from the beginning that God had special plans for my dad.  Throughout the years this was evident as my dad touched many through his career, his hobbies and most importantly his role as a father. 

He began his career in environmental engineering in the 1970’s.  Over the next 30+ years he helped companies protect the environment from harmful waste and create a safe environment for their employees.  Though sometimes our jobs seem small and insignificant, my dad’s job was neither.  Because of him the earth is a cleaner place and thousands of people have a safer work environment.

My dad’s hobbies are also inspiring.  When I was young my dad began running to get in shape.   Since then he has run countless miles and completed numerous marathons.  Some of our fondest memories have been running together and helping each other complete marathons.  Throughout the years my dad has also enjoyed hiking, especially at famous sites.  Hiking the Grand Canyon down and back in one day is a great memory that we share.  His discipline and stamina continue to encourage me to be the best that I can be no matter what I am doing.   

Perhaps the most significant impact my dad has made and continues to make is as a father.  As a child my dad became my biggest fan as he helped me to pursue sports and other interests.  He coached many of my teams and helped me to train strategically.  Throughout the years of wrestling, running, soccer and baseball my dad never missed a game.  Everyone began to know my dad because he was the one cheering the loudest.  He was also very involved with our Boy Scout troop and Indian Guides.   His devotion and love for me are one of the most significant memories in my life. 

Ever since the beginning, Dad, it has been clear that God has had special plans for your life.  Your concern for me, our family and countless others will have a lasting impact.  Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.  I love you from the bottom of my heart.  I would not be who I am today were it not for you and your love.                      

Love,

“Your #1 son”~ Scott

(an inside joke - because I was his first child he called me his #1 son)

A Day of Questions and Answers

On Tuesday night, September 27, 2011, at 8:20 Scott’s Dad took his final breath after a year and a half battle with cancer.  We loved him very much and miss him greatly.  We all are still in a state of shock that this could happen to a man of 65 who had been the picture of youth and health.  Running was his passion; he traveled the country doing various marathons and spent countless hours training for them.  He was also an adventurer who set off to follow his dreams to climb Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro.  So it seems odd to us, even wrong, that cancer should strike this type of a man. 

Death and sickness in general just feels wrong – and rightfully so.  This was never what God intended for us.  When He created the world – He created a place of peace and joy, and the satisfaction of work and rest but most of all He created LIFE.  Death entered the world only because of our choice to sin and rebel against God.  God made rules – good rules, just like parents make good rules for their children.  But we chose to break those rules and go our own way.  God's Word makes it clear – “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.” (Isaiah 53:6).

So what happens next?  Sometimes when our kids are bad and we tell them they need to obey they ask "Or else what Mom?"  Unfortunately for them the punishment usually gets worse with attitudes like that.  But we know that no child would think that his parents were loving and good if his parents did not rightly punish bad behavior.  In the same way, because God is loving and just He must punish evil.  We don’t have to wonder what the punishment is, God clearly says in His Word that “the wages of sin is death.”  This type of death is not only physical but eternal as well; for a Holy God cannot allow sin in Heaven. 

We know deep down inside, that this is true and right; and we grieve because none of us is without sin.  No matter how hard we try to be good we know in our heart of hearts that we have and continue to do wrong things and have therefore grieved the heart of God.  We must come to grips with this truth – for if we don’t we will deceive ourselves and suffer the eternal consequences.  The truth of the matter is that no matter how many good things we do, the wrong things we have done still need to be punished. 

How then can God be loving?  The answer is simple: Jesus.  Jesus Christ, God’s One and Only Son came to this world to take the punishment for us.  He created this world and created us with His own hands that we might love Him and have a relationship with Him.  So when we sinned and chose the way of death and separation from Him – He was the one who was most grieved.  Because God loved us so much and wanted us to be with Him, He sent Jesus to take our place and to die for us.  “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:6-8)

Many people know that Jesus came to earth on Christmas and died on Easter, and they believe that there is a God.  However, there is something crucial that many people do not know:  God, from the very beginning created us with the ability and desire to choose.  From the start He let us choose to obey Him or disobey Him, and now He lets us choose to accept Jesus’ payment for our sins or reject it.  He does not force or automatically apply Christ’s work on the cross to every person.  Love is not forced.  He does not desire that anyone should perish but He allows us to make that choice.

Have you made that choice?  Perhaps you have known and believed that Jesus is real and that He died on the cross.  But maybe you have never made the choice to accept His gift of salvation for yourself.  Maybe you have been trusting in your good deeds to get you to Heaven.  God clearly tells us in His Word that our good deeds are not able to do that - in fact, compared to Jesus, God says they are like filthy rags.   If you haven't already, consider what God has said and put your faith and trust in Christ alone for your salvation.  Your very life depends on it.  We never know when our last day will come.