"When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him." Proverbs 16:7
Oh man, am I glad I went to church today. At Journey Church today on 34th Street, I received a double dose of entertainment. Worshiping the Lord and a heaping portion of a gangster flick.
You've heard of jailhouse conversions? Well today's testimony gives new meaning to that phrase. The guest speaker today went through two born again experiences but the second one saved his life. Michael Franzese grew up as the son of the notorious underboss of New York's Columbo Crime Family. After his father was indicted in the 60's and sent to Leavenworth Prison to serve out a 50 year sentence, Franzese chose to follow his dad and took an oath on Halloween night 1975 with six others as a Made man he was born (again) into La Costa Nostra, a life of violence and deceit. He quickly rose in the ranks to Captain of the Mafia...and according to the Fed's and Fortune Magazine, Franzese was the top money earner since Al Capone. Destined and groomed for boss at the height of his career, he was raking in $6-8 million dollars a week in scams...accumulating more power all the while.
I watched this charismatic, handsome, impeccably groomed man begin his testimony with a commanding accent to stop you in your tracks.
"Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior is my hero." were his first words. Okay, I am captivated. He went on to talk about the gory details of exaggerated violence, different morality, deceptive ways and the greed that was a fast flowing faucet that came with the Life. He escaped five white-collar crime indictments up against Rudy Giuliani who threatened him with 100 years....
In the mob, they have a saying which I like to practice. "CUT TO THE CHASE"
So I will, he met a woman who changed his life and told him about the Lord. This was the catalyst that moved Franzese to do what no other made man has ever done and gotten out alive; He quit the Mafia. And surrendered to a new Boss.
He spent 3 years of prison in the hole on complete lock down completely hungering for a deeper relationship with Jesus and consuming the Word of the Lord. In which he says is the only way for inner peace and happiness. And like the Apostle Paul, he said he was the least likely Christian Candidate having lived a life in complete contradiction to God's will. Like Osama Bin Laden joining the GW fan club or Hitler converting to Judaism. But the greatest gift of Christianity is everyone is welcome and that God can use your life (no matter your past) to His Glory! He turned his back on his old life and embraced the Eternal...
How's that for a happy ending?
Are your choices pleasing to God or to you?
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