Rock In Rio Video (Starkey Hearing Foundation), 2015

For the final post of 2020, we look at a quick video from 2015 and some photos from 2017. Alice, Sheryl, his band, and The Hollywood Vampires have spent time giving back, donating their time and hundreds of hearing aids through the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

William F. Austin, founder, principal owner, and chairman of Starkey Hearing Technologies, founded Starkey Hearing Foundation to give free hearing aids to those in need worldwide. Mr. Austin believes giving the gift of hearing is bigger than him – it’s a lifelong commitment to change the world.

“To give without expecting anything back is what I believe too…don’t talk about it. Do it.” – Alice Cooper

Today, Christmas Day, we celebrate God’s gift to the world, His One and Only Son – Jesus Christ. Therefore, it’s appropriate that we spend some time talking about giving.

In the last two posts, we’ve discussed how backward and selfish the world has become – how humanity has placed itself before its Creator. However, stop and notice what life looks like when we operate as we’ve been designed.

Notice in the interviews, video, and photos, every person is donating their time, experience, and wealth to help. Each of them is smiling and emotional about giving back; they are being blessed in the process (maybe even more than the people they are helping).

It’s by design that we feel this way. It’s through giving and loving others that we find true happiness. Nothing we’ve done or can boast about offers this; instead, it’s a gracious gift.

“For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

God willingly gives us gifts that we must accept and receive, and He offers those with LOVE. Being made in His image, it only makes sense that we were created to provide that same LOVE to each other – friend, stranger, and foe alike.

“And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” – 1 Corinthians 13:2

Plain and simple, without LOVE and compassion for others, we are NOTHING.

“In all things, I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35

As we celebrate Christ’s birth and wrap up another year (one we have all endured with strife), let us NOT forget the greatest gift of them all.

The gift, our Heavenly Father, sent. The one for whom the world had no room. The one who would bring and show us the meaning of true LOVE. The one who came to save us from ourselves.

After we’ve accepted Him and His LOVE, may we pass that on. May we operate as designed. Let us share our talents, gifts, and experiences.

As He transforms us, may we come to know and see life much differently. May we begin to notice that it’s not about us; it’s about others.

Life is about freedom and choice. However, what we do with that freedom defines our level of fulfillment during our journey. Again and again, God’s Word leads us back to the realization of life and the completion of the whole law, “You shall LOVE your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:13-14).

In conclusion, 2020 sucked. There are no mincing words on that fact. However, we have been presented with an opportunity. We know His Light shines brightest in the darkness, and many people will soon see that Light.

As the New Year presents itself, let us tuck the following verses deep in our hearts and march forward towards 2021 with joy in our hearts.

The people walking in darkness
      have seen a great light;
      on those living in the land of deep darkness
      a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation
      and increased their joy;
      they rejoice before you
      as people rejoice at the harvest,
      as warriors rejoice
      when dividing the plunder. – Isaiah 9:2-3

 As we step forward, let us remember that “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) Amen.

That’s all for this year. Catch you next Friday in the New Year!

WE WISH YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY, SAFE, AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

Until next week, Keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!