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 | Blogs > deepestfaith > Mesianic Viewpoints > Second Church: Testimony Part 2 |
Second Church: Testimony Part 2
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(This is chapter 2 from the First Church: Testimony Part 1 post) The second church was not exactly a church, but a family. From when I was 7, Mark was my best friend. His dad was a doctor and mother a housewife. He had 2 brothers and 2 sisters. All but one brother was older that him and me. Although Mark's family were very strong Christians, I can't remember us ever having a discussion about religion. Believe me we had 100s of opportunities. We would play 3 sets of tennis a day during one summer, and played many rounds of golf together. Most days after school, you found us outside my house playing Basketball. He lived past my house 1 block away. We were the type friends most have where you didn't have to knock on each other’s door. We were each considered part of each other’s families. When we were 10, I asked him to spend the night one time. His mother said they had a family rule that none of the kids were allowed to spend the night until they were 11. Upon hearing this, my mother, being the "A" personality type called Mark's mother up to pursue her to let him come. His mother agreed. For years I was embarrassed that my mother did this. It was their rule and she talked them into breaking it, which in my opinion showed little respect for them. Later in life, upon thinking about this episode. I realized why Mark's parents agreed to let him come, for I would not have broken the family rule if I had to do it at that time. You see; Mark was the type of guy that everyone liked. Like the Richie Cunningham on "Happy Days". Actually all of the siblings were liked. They attended church regularly, but now I realize it was more than that. They not only lived a Christian life but also practiced it. I cannot remember ever not seeing them with a smile on their face. I also never remember seeing Mark in a playground or other fight; he was usually the one breaking them up. I remember when I accepted Christ in 1993; I received a letter from his sister in Houston who was several years older than us. She wrote that although due to our age difference that we never got to know each other real well, but that her and the family had prayed for me often to come to Christ and was so please to hear the news that I had. My father past away in 2002 after 14 months of being sick. I would travel the 300 miles to see him and take care of his affairs 2-3 times a month. Many Sundays while there, I would visit different churches. One Sunday, while visiting theirs, Mark's mother saw me and insisted I sit with them. So there I was sitting between his mother and father. With the long drive and little sleep taking care of my father. You guessed it; I fell asleep during part of the service. Although, I am still embarrassed about that today. I feel in my heart that they understood. The week after Christmas this last year, I was in Orlando with a friend at Disney World. Mark lives about 30 miles away and I phoned him and we were going to go that Sunday to his church and have lunch afterward with his wife and children. Due to my friend’s mother having to go into the hospital Friday night from blockage in 2 veins to her heart, we had to cut the trip short and rush back. When I phoned him, he was understanding. So in conclusion, here was my best friends family that never once mentioned the Bible to me verbally, but spread the gospel to me through their love and actions in a much more stronger way than words could ever do. They lived it. In my First Church: Testimony Part 1 post, I mentioned we can't just talk the talk, but have to walk the walk., and this family in doing that walk had a great influence on where I am today. I now understand why it was more important for his mother to let him spend the night than to uphold a rule. His mother let my mother have her way versus digging her feet in and causing disharmony. It reminds me of Jesus at the well not getting irate with the prostitute, but instead calmly saying go and sin no more. His parents chose to take the calm route and show peace and love. Mark went on to seminary and seeded a church near Melbourne. They started in a space at a shopping strip and he is now the senior pastor of a thriving church with over 1100 members that is continuing to grow. Still today, these memories help me to strive daily to walk the walk with everyone I meet. Christianity for Dummies: Chapter 4 : Go to Church Christianity for Dummies: Chapter 3 : Sin and Repentence Christianity for Dummies: Chapter 2 Salvation Christianity for Dummies: Prologue and Chapter 1 : Praying In the Heat of the Night: Testimony Chapter 4 Judging and Gossiping , Commitment and Covenant: For All (Part 15, 16 and End) Commitment and Covenant: For All (Part 13 and 14) , Commitment and Covenant: For Men (Part 11 and 12 ) Commitment and Covenant: For Men (Part 9 and 10 ) , Commitment and Covenant: For Women (Part 8 ) Commitment and Covenant: For Women (Part 7) , Commitment and Covenant: For Women (Part 5 & 6) Commitment and Covenant: Relationships (Part 4) , Commitment and Covenant: Relationships (Part 3) Commitment and Covenant: Relationships (Part 1 & 2) , Walk the Walk Self Esteem....and the 8-Cow Wife , I am a Christian…So What Now? Communicating According to the Scriptures , Friend vs. Spouse Christ in the cells of our body. , The Love-Hate list |
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5/16/2008 7:27 am |
Our lives should always refect Christ and his love. There is a song for children called "This little light of mine" I'm going to let it shine. It should be for grownups too. God loves you Ethel
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5/3/2008 11:06 am |
People watch our walk and listen to our talk - as Christians it's an important thing for us to walk our talk - from what you say here Micael - exactly that had a profound impact on your future walk with the Lord. Awesome testimony!! Blessings!! How can we NOT praise Him - Marilyn
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4/24/2008 5:11 am |
Wow! This gave me chills! What an awesome testimony! Who was it that said..."Witness continually. When necessary, use words." I may not have quoted it just right, but you know what I mean. If Christ doesn't live through me, then my words don't amount to anything, do they? Bless you, brother! 
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4/19/2008 6:49 pm |
What a blessing! "God has called us to be fishers of men not keepers of the aquarium.  ~Katrina
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4/19/2008 4:16 pm |
I would say it's a coincidence that I have met you at this time, but I believe less and less in coincidence. I see God's hand moving more often in my life....my son has been crying out to me. We're not Jewish, but he is lost, and he knows it. He just doesn't know what to do to come back right now. The church we went to years ago turned their backs on him when he went to jail. The church I attend now is different in their attitude. Any way, just yesterday, my son said to me that the greatest cause of people falling away from God, or becoming atheists or agnostics is Christians who talk the talk but don't walk the walk. He is an agnostic. He has asked me many times to pray for him. Then I read your blog about how important it is for Christians to live what they claim. You are so very right.
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4/17/2008 12:00 pm |
Wow! This gave me chills! What an awesome testimony! Who was it that said..."Witness continually. When necessary, use words." I may not have quoted it just right, but you know what I mean. If Christ doesn't live through me, then my words don't amount to anything, do they? Bless you, brother! BE KIND TO UN-KIND PEOPLE, THEY NEED IT THE MOST!!!!!!!!
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