I, like every other Christian on this planet, am saved only by grace. The Bible says, “For by grace are you saved and that not of yourselves lest any man should boast.” Yet boasting can help validate a person’s commitment to Christ as well as their mental and spiritual acuity. The Apostle Paul said this about boasting:
“Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting, I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. Since many are boasting the way the world does, I too will boast. You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. To my shame, I admit that we were too weak for that!
“Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.)
“I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.
“I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Corinthians 11:16-30).
Like the Apostle Paul, I fell off my high horse while still a young man, and it was as if scales had fallen off my eyes. For the first time, I could see things as they really were after repenting with a broken heart while crying like a baby. From that point on, I went about sharing this wonderful eye-opening experience with others, most of whom only spurned me. Even family members and wishy-washy, fearful Christian pastors.
I was born in the USA. I am a tenth-generation sojourner, and was the first to learn my ABCs at the age of four, sang fearlessly in front of my first-grade class, and continue to do so even to this day. And as you know, have been a voracious reader since then, and I excelled in all I ever undertook, from welding as a Nuclear and certified Class A Shipfitter.
I was taking drama courses from the head of the drama department, Ladislao Viada, at MSU. I got the job after answering their ad in the newspaper. That and other jobs – such as professional artist and cartoonist helped to pay the bills. Afterward, I got my first acting gig and SAG card at the same time after auditioning against fifty others. Little did I know that I would one day appear on the Silver Screen as well as the “Boob Tube” and on stage.
Just so you know – I am a professional artist, songwriter, writer of two books, and have my own website as well, all because I gave myself over to Christ, forsaking a meaningless life and rebellious lifestyle. If you want an interesting lifestyle, I would recommend giving your life over to Christ. While it won’t become easier, it’s sure to be rewarding,
Even though my life was exciting, after receiving Christ, I suffered a second divorce for turning down a very lucrative television commercial contract that could have made me a millionaire. My second wife had grown tired of the struggles we went through. And so, my life was shattered for a second time, especially after having lost two beloved children each time. After that, I lost all interest in life and wandered aimlessly for a period of two or three years. My eyes were always red, and heartfelt auditions became less and less.
Just as I was going to give up on life, God intervened and gave me a reason for being, and that was being of help to others and sharing the gospel more fervently. After all, most people in life were going through the same trials and tribulations that I was going through and for which I had the answer – Jesus Christ.
God eventually helped me resurrect my career, and I never had a better time. I have written this personal information so that you might know that I’m no ordinary fool or miscreant. If you know of anyone who measures up, I’d like to meet him.
Since I’m retired now, I have plenty of time to read while most others, and younger people, are still working and trying to make ends meet. These are two little books I recently read:
Book review:
Martin Scorsese, along with Antonio Spadaro, has come up with a little book titled Conversations of Faith. For a writer/director of bad people doing bad things, Martin Scorsese is the last person I would have thought would write about his Christian faith. Albeit he is an avowed Roman Catholic. Having grown up in “Little Italy” in New York, he likes for his characters to talk like the bad dudes, such as saying, “Haay— fagitaboutit.” But I can understand that, since he must make movies that resonate with the public to be successful and make money. Nevertheless, all too often, Christian movie makers come up with dorky plots (like the football player who overcomes a broken toe or some such nonsense).
Martin and Antonio spar about what they consider the Christian life. Both have either not studied the Word of God or have never known God intimately. All is homily, manmade thought, and philosophy. They instead rely on human thought and regurgitate all they have learned in life through other men – never realizing that we all ask these same questions of the Divine. Round and round they go; nothing is resolved – and life goes on as before.
But Solomon (the wisest man that ever lived) said, “Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty,” and if you really want to know God – just do as He says, and you will have His ear (I know from personal experience and the many miracles he’s bestowed on me). Not only that, but he made me to be a fearless person, always available and eager to share Christ with anyone under any circumstance with pity and concern.
YBIC
Jim Towers
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You can write me at jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com or visit me at www.dropzonedelta.com. You can also find me on my newly restructured website www.propheticsignsandwonders.com , which now features the Gospel and videos of worldwide events taking place in present time, as well as proof of God’s existence, the reality of Biblical places, and Moses himself.