Ridgell's Originals

My friend Anthony was just born again, baptized a few days ago.  His Mom was baptized a couple of months ago and it was his Mom and Yoseph that the church threw a wedding for recently.  

Anthony has been coming to church for about three months with his family. Loves the singing.  Listens to the preaching.  He never misses our Journey class on Wednesday nights.  He sets up for class, meets and greets everyone, and is happy and eager to learn.

Because all this Jesus stuff is new to Anthony.  He was raised by his Mom on the streets.  His Mom was battling her own demons and Anthony had his struggles and addictions.  

We have been talking about Jesus and seeing people respond.  Anthony was right in the middle of all of it.  Showed up for every baptism.  Happy about all of them.  Helped people at church by delivering furniture.  Went with me to pick up people for church.  Even helped us move some furniture to our new barndo.  

Anthony often talked about wanting to be baptized but just never would make the commitment.  Loved studying the Bible and hearing Jesus stories.  But he always talked about needing to know more.  

He finally came to realize two things.  One is that all he really needed to know was that God loved him enough to send Jesus to die for Anthony's sins.  And then raised him from the dead.  The second thing was that you don't have to know everything to live for Jesus.  In fact, living for Jesus is a whole lot easier when you have the Holy Spirit.  When you are bought in enough to die to yourself to be alive in Jesus.

So he did.

We also often pray for people to get jobs and Anthony was one of those.  God answered that prayer and Anthony got a job at a local restaurant.  The General Manager is a man named Vince.  I got to baptize Vince about 15 years ago and Vince is going to help Anthony live as a believer.  

Only God.  

It is always humbling and amazing to watch God work.  And so great to be a part of what God is doing in our world.   

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM