Turning Points
Life is a journey. It has a beginning and it has an end. All along its path are events, places
and people who are turning points. Here, I relate some of these turning points in my own
journey. Hopefully, the stories will illuminate and maybe entertain some of those who care
enough to read.
Life is a journey. It has a beginning and it has an end. All along its path are events, places
and people who are turning points. Here, I relate some of these turning points in my own
journey. Hopefully, the stories will illuminate and maybe entertain some of those who care
enough to read.
He came in like a storm. Fresh from combat duty in
Vietnam as a newly discharged Marine, Tony Ford’s
presence could not be ignored. Good looking, quick with
the quip, and well dressed, Tony was nonetheless
earnest about his Christianity.
With such a winsome personality, he seemed to have
Vietnam as a newly discharged Marine, Tony Ford’s
presence could not be ignored. Good looking, quick with
the quip, and well dressed, Tony was nonetheless
earnest about his Christianity.
With such a winsome personality, he seemed to have
great potential if his natural people skills could be channeled for the gospel. Soon after he arrived in
the Gibson bible study group in Louisville we were spending time together sharing our Christian
experiences. I was attracted to him as one who could be discipled for Christian service. Being one of
a very large family, Tony got a lot of sympathy from Jack and Helen who felt that he had endured a
pretty tough upbringing.
Tony was active in the Saturday night program with the trainees from Fort Knox and was ideally
suited for counseling soldiers who were soon to be themselves sent to Vietnam where Tony had just
served.
He attracted more than just my attention; Tony soon had the heart of the one with whom I was in love.
So I found myself trying to disciple the guy who was beating my time with Ginny Gibson. That was
pretty tough and I ached in the pit of my stomach when I saw myself losing out in the quest for her
affection. As it turns out, the Lord had someone else in mind for me but that's a story for another day.
Tony went on to marry Ginny eventually and they had three children. They spent time at Toccoa Bible
College and later pastored a small church on the Mississippi coast. But Tony’s affection was
captured by yet another along the way and it led to the end of his marriage.
Despite the difficulties his three children turned out well and reflect immensely on a mother who
demonstrated true grace and Christian character through many years of hardship.
I heard from Tony after more than three decades; he said he had found God's grace and forgiveness
again.
the Gibson bible study group in Louisville we were spending time together sharing our Christian
experiences. I was attracted to him as one who could be discipled for Christian service. Being one of
a very large family, Tony got a lot of sympathy from Jack and Helen who felt that he had endured a
pretty tough upbringing.
Tony was active in the Saturday night program with the trainees from Fort Knox and was ideally
suited for counseling soldiers who were soon to be themselves sent to Vietnam where Tony had just
served.
He attracted more than just my attention; Tony soon had the heart of the one with whom I was in love.
So I found myself trying to disciple the guy who was beating my time with Ginny Gibson. That was
pretty tough and I ached in the pit of my stomach when I saw myself losing out in the quest for her
affection. As it turns out, the Lord had someone else in mind for me but that's a story for another day.
Tony went on to marry Ginny eventually and they had three children. They spent time at Toccoa Bible
College and later pastored a small church on the Mississippi coast. But Tony’s affection was
captured by yet another along the way and it led to the end of his marriage.
Despite the difficulties his three children turned out well and reflect immensely on a mother who
demonstrated true grace and Christian character through many years of hardship.
I heard from Tony after more than three decades; he said he had found God's grace and forgiveness
again.
___________________________________________________
| And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV) |
| Copyright © 2005 leoshoemaker.com |
| Tony June 7, 2007 |
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