Stu stopped by and visited an old friend from high school this past week. He had heard that this friend had accepted Christ into his life and was living for Him. Curiosity made him stop in and see for himself since this was a friend that we both had known from the not saved time in our lives. It seemed almost impossible to think of this guy serving the risen Savior. I'm sure he felt the same way about us.
Stu left inspired. He left awed. He left encouraged.
We then accepted and invitation from this same friend to come up to Bloomfield and listen to an evangelist that was speaking at their church for four days. The evangelist was stirring things up and this friend invited Stu and I to come up and hear.
We had a little mini high school reunion that night at that church. Not one but four of our highschool friends attended this church and had all given their lives over to Christ. Knowing who these people were in high school made this a God-glorified experience.
We stood around after wards and shook our heads in amazement over who we had become and gave all that was praiseworthy right back to Christ.
I am so thankful that God allowed us to gather with these friends. I never want to forget how far God has brought Stu and I both individually and in our marriage. I am so thankful that the way we live, though it seems common and calm to us, is speaking volumes to how much of a work He has done in our lives.
Changed lives are perhaps the biggest testimony to His Goodness for His Glory. Thank you God for that.
Praise God!!!!!!! So wonderful! I am so glad He redeems what looks like an impossibility to us humans. Just another reminder not to judge what God can do with our imperfect vessels.
ReplyDeleteI'm still thinking about a post you wrote some time ago about the 'type' of person who would be welcome in a church. I've been realizing that it is easier sometimes for us to welcome an 'obvious sinner' (example: immodestly dressed, promiscuous, alcoholic) than to welcome someone who annoys or irritates us. What do you think of that thought?! Those 'big testimonies', if you will, showing drastic change from a pit of sin to surrendered to Christ are actually encouraging and uplifting.