Hand of Mercy: A Story of God's Grace

By Ann Greenleaf Wirtz

Hand of Mercy: A Story of God’s Grace is a cross-generational account of God’s mercy upon a family. When a car slams into 80-year-old Joseph “Joe” Nowicki causing him to die, twice, from the impact, a story unfolds that captivates the imagination. The two dreams which accompany his deaths are not about heaven . . . but hell. Joe lives to share his remarkable rescues from an eternity without God, with the Lord’s hand of mercy extended to this self-proclaimed atheist. Not only does this story reveal an eternal consequence, it also reveals multiple divine interventions in the areas of faith, healing, business, and the “coincidence” of timing. God’s mercy on this family, and others, gives hope that He is at work in the affairs of all, young and old, ever drawing us to Him, even if we are unaware. Joe experienced a simple truth: life is short and eternity is real, and where we spend it is a choice we make. Gene Andrews, Joe’s son, shares his family’s story so all may have a greater understanding of God’s hand upon our lives. He provides photographs that bless as they signify the heart of living. Readers also have the opportunity to participate in “A Deeper Reflection” sections, found at the end of each chapter. Thought-provoking questions accompany Scripture that is relevant to the story and take us on an adventure of self-awareness and evaluation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ambassador International
• Release date: Nov 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781620204573

Book preview

HAND OF MERCY . . . AND YOU

We all love how a good story grabs your heart! Hand of Mercy does that with a storyline that also intrigues and guides your mind to consider the grace of God in a fresh way. This book deals with issues of life and death by connecting narrative biography with a rich selection of Scriptures followed by thoughtful questions. The author invites the reader to consider things of eternal, spiritual consequence as she also reflects on her own personal connection with God’s grace. Readers will experience God’s grace and be encouraged to place their faith and trust in Christ alone for eternal life.

~ Dr. Stephen Cutchins,

Author, Prove It

Pastor of Worship, Hyde Park Baptist Church, Austin, TX

I love a great story—especially a true one. In fact, most of us are always searching for a story, whether you are reading a book, watching the news, or surfing the web. It is rare to find one that captures our attention and causes us to relate it to our own life experience. Ann Wirtz has done just that in Hand of Mercy. She weaves together a beautiful tapestry of how God works through our joys and sorrows. I found myself asking questions about prayer and miracles. The deeper reflections helped me to wrestle with Scriptures of faith. Ann’s storytelling connects as we are living out our own stories of what God is doing in our individual lives. Even in heartache and struggle, we can know that God redeems and restores.

~ Rev. Dave Marshall, Minister of Discipleship

First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, NC

This book was a blessing to read as throughout I found myself saying, Thank you, Jesus; Praise God; Only You, Lord; and Amen! I’m thankful for this man’s experience, for the account of his salvation, and for the miracles that are now recorded for others to read. Hand of Mercy is beautifully written and reminds us that our God is as big as He says He is.

~ Judy Dearing,

Author, Chrissy’s Moments

Ann Greenleaf Wirtz in Hand of Mercy has woven compelling stories of how the Lord worked miracles in the lives of ordinary people, including her own personal life. Her hope is that the reader will come to a greater understanding of the Bible, of Jesus, and of eternal life in Christ. Her desire is for those who know Him personally to draw closer, and for those who don’t know Him to learn how to seek Jesus for themselves.

~ Carol G. Heilman,

Author, Agnes Hopper Shakes Up Sweetbriar

Hand of Mercy is a perfect picture of the way God works. You can see His hand on every page.

~ Leanna Sain,

Author, Gate to Nowhere Trilogy, Wish, Red Curtains

Hand of Mercy by Ann Wirtz is the true account of Joseph Nowicki’s life—an atheist, an adventurer, an imprisoned Polish veteran of WWII, and a hardworking visionary for his family—this life that suddenly meets death by way of a speeding car. But it’s not a final death, nor is it the end of a story; it’s just the beginning of a healing, of a faith, and of a miracle. The use of Scripture and detailed testimonial will have you searching your own heart and relationship to God and His divine purpose for you.

~ Karin Wooten,

Author, Don’t Tap Dance in the Shower

Table of Contents

Endorsements

Title Page

Copyright Information

Dedications

Chapter One: Grace and Hope

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Two: Eternity in a Day

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Three: A Father and His Son

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Four: Prayer

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Five: Grace Received

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Six: Miracle upon Miracle

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Seven: A Granddaughter’s Illness

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Eight: Power in the Storm

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Nine: Struck with Astonishment

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Ten: Darkness and Fire

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Eleven: Revelation

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Twelve: Forgiven!

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Thirteen: Precious in God’s Sight

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Fourteen: Final Blessings

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Fifteen: Belief

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Sixteen: Dual Power: Faith and Prayer

A Deeper Reflection

Chapter Seventeen: Victory Over Death

A Deeper Reflection

Testimonials

Guidelines for a Six-Week Bible Study or Book Club

Contact Information

Hand of Mercy

A Story of God’s Grace

© 2015 by Ann Greenleaf Wirtz

All rights reserved

ISBN: 978-1-62020-532-7

eISBN: 978-1-62020-457-3

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®,copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from The Authorized (King James) Version.

Cover design and Page Layout: Hannah Nichols

E-book conversion: Anna Riebe Raats

Author Photograph: Sharon Brisken

AE BOOKS

ambassador-international.com

The colophon is a trademark of A&E Books

Dedicated

To Ann’s grandchildren, Divya and Aarush;

To Gene’s family;

And to those who seek the truth,

and to those who petition the Lord for mercy

on their behalf, secure in the knowledge that

God’s love is Faithful, True, and Everlasting,

offered freely as a gift to be received,

so none will perish.

My Dear Son, Dr. Arie T. Greenleaf, took this photograph the morning his son,

my grandson, was born.

This was a moment in time when

lightning and rain could not overcome

the glory of the sunrise.

In life, the Glory and Light of the Son of God, Jesus Christ,

will overcome the darkest hour,

if we, with even the smallest faith, turn to Him.

I’m Deeply Grateful to

Our Dear Friends:

Dr. Bob and Anne Little,

for their persistence in bringing this story to light;

—

My Weavers of Words Sisters:

Judy Dearing, Carol Heilman, Leanna Sain, Karin Wooten,

for sharing the joy of faith, friendship, and words,

so passionately penned;

—

My Dearest Husband:

Patrick Wirtz,

for his amazing love and prayerful heart. He is the one I love and adore.

—

With deep appreciation, as well, for Jack and Helen Wirtz,

their loving encouragement is a blessing for their daughter-in-law,

who could have no kinder, more precious parents;

and for Teresa Tee Presnell, prayer partner, dear friend and confidant,

who sings songs of worship to our Dear Lord and lifts our hearts in praise.

But from eternity to eternity

the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear Him,

and His righteousness toward the grandchildren

of those who keep His covenant,

who remember to observe His precepts.

The Lord has established His throne in heaven,

and His kingdom rules over all.

~ Psalm 103:17–19 HCSB

Nevertheless I am continually with You;

You hold me by my right hand.

You will guide me with Your counsel,

and afterward receive me to glory . . .

But it is good for me to draw near to God;

I have put my trust in the Lord God,

that I may declare all Your works.

~ Psalm 73:23–24, 28 NKJV

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,

and a light unto my path.

~ Psalm 119:105 KJV

—

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

~ 1 Timothy 1:17 NKJV

Chapter One

GRACE AND HOPE

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

~ 1 John 5:11–12 NKJV

Our friend’s father—he died twice, and both times he experienced not heaven, but hell, in dreams, twice. It’s a story that needs to be told, Ann. You could write it. Call Gene Andrews and ask him about his father’s accident, encouraged our good friend, Dr. Bob Little, as we talked on the telephone.

Sounds like an amazing story, and I’m very interested, but I’ve got so much going on right now. I hesitated. Maybe I can call him later.

Months went by, and after several brief reminders about the uniqueness of Gene’s account, I received another phone call from Dr. Bob. Ann, I really think you should talk with Gene and hear his story firsthand. It needs to be shared with others, and you could write it. Promise me you’ll call him.

Feeling guilty for delaying yet another month, I finally contacted Gene one morning with the intention of saying, frankly, that I was unsure I could write this story. I didn’t know if I had the ability to do it justice. I was honestly afraid of trying. I had pretty much decided I would tell him, No, but fortunately, I had the presence of mind, no doubt an inner nudging from the Lord, to first ask about his father, Joseph Joe Nowicki. By the end of our conversation, we were both in tears over the power and mercy of God upon not only his father but also upon Gene and his entire family. It obviously didn’t make sense to walk away from this writing opportunity, but I had to be sure it was the Lord’s direction, so we agreed to pray for confirmation. Within a week, our hearts felt the assurance we needed to go forward.

To begin with, this story is a Christian testimony about the greatest miracle one can ever experience: being made new, complete, and justified before God through a saving faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. It’s about belief, repentance, and salvation; hope and joy; the Lord’s help in the midst of trials. This testimony is about a family’s relationship with God, an astonishing, personal heart-reality offered for consideration.

When self-proclaimed atheist Joe Nowicki died twice one morning, he lived to share two astonishing dreams that accompanied his deaths. These dreams were not pleasant. In fact, they were the exact opposite, for in each instance, he experienced the Bible’s description of hell. Since he was unfamiliar with precise,