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When it comes to restoration of the family, Pastor
Lilly often focuses on keeping a balance between blending the spiritual
with the natural side of life. Genesis 18:19 says, "For I
know him, that he will command his children, and his household
after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice
and judgment that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he
hath spoken of him". This speaks of father Abraham's walk
with God and his relationship with his family that caused the blessing
of God to rest upon them! Pastor Lilly constantly reminds us that
the blessing must rest upon the head in order for everyone else
connected to also reap the benefits.
In this society of healthy and unhealthy family
situations, Pastor Lilly offers us hope for a brighter future
as he directs us to Job 42: 12-13, "So the Lord blessed
the latter end of Job more than his beginning for he had fourteen
thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen,
and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters.
These passages of scripture remind us that it also took not just
the spiritual but also the natural working together to reach
a place of victory in a family! The "later end" implies
that there was something else that took place before Job got
it all together!
RESTORATION
OF FAMILY:
A TESTIMONY
Since becoming a member of Eagle's Summit, my life
has been nothing short of a miracle in progress! Although
I've made tremendous strides with my life, it didn't happen overnight.
A little over three years ago I walked out on my
family. I was blessed with a beautiful wife of over eight
years and a handsome son that would make any father proud. I
didn't know the underlining reason as to why I left. My
relationship with GOD was almost non-existent. I felt that my wife
and son would be better off without me, so I left. I blamed
my failed marriage on everything except myself.
I was trying to live a  single
man's lifestyle: fancy cars, jewelry, clothes, late night parties
and beautiful women. I thought life couldn't get any better.
. .I had gotten so full of myself that I lost sight of my identity
and was not prepared for what was about to happen next.
In just a short period of time I lost everything. The
bachelor pad was no longer affordable and was eventually reduced
to a one bedroom apartment. The SUV was repossessed. I was
deep in debt. The parties and beautiful women were no longer
exciting.
I saw my wife and son increasing in blessings by
going to Eagles' Summit. I asked my wife what was her ingredient
for success and she told me that she put God first in everything
and that I should try praying. Of course, I couldn't see
that, so I tried doing things my way. It wasn't long before I was
back where I started. . . alone and broke.
A friend invited me to a Men's Conference at Eagles'
Summit. I was depressed and broke with no place to go. I
didn't have anything to lose by going. I went in with no expectations
but my life was changed forever! When I walked inside, I felt a
gentle peace that I had never felt before. Pastor Lilly welcomed
everyone and stressed how necessary it is for men to have God in
their lives. I fought the feeling coming over me until I
couldn't take it anymore. . . I was crying for no apparent reason.
. . I knew that I couldn't take my life the way it was so I begged
God to save me. I accepted Christ that night and I felt like a
weight had been taken away. My problems didn't vanish but
I knew that with God I could handle anything. I felt good
about myself for the first time in a long while.
I was embraced like family and entered into New
Members Class where I learned about my church, its teaching and
my Pastors. The Annual Church Picnic will forever hold a
special place in my heart because I was baptized there with my
eight year old son.
Last year, I had my faith tested in a very humiliating
way. I was evicted from my apartment after entrusting my
finances with my roommate and family member. I had a well-paying
job that had credibility in the community, but here I was homeless!!
This was harder to handle than all I had endured
before. But, I was taught that "If God is for you then who
can be against you," that Christians must have a DAILY faith
walk to endure tribulations. Living out of my car and office while
tithing, sowing, and serving as an usher was not fun, but I continued
on because I BELIEVED.
I was too embarrassed to tell anyone in my congregation
nor did I want to admit that I was homeless because "the power
of life and death is in the tongue" and I refused to believe
that GOD was going to bring me this far just to leave me on the
streets. For two months I didn't tell anyone. I needed
encouragement and turned to one of my brothers in Christ who respected
my confidence, prayed for me and gave me so much encouragement
that I stepped into a new level of EXPECTANCY and then floodgates
opened up!
On October 22, 2004 I purchased my first new home!!
A month later on November 20, 2004, I reconciled with my wife!
I was able to purchase the NEW wedding ring before Thanksgiving.
My son couldn't be happier! I look forward to the rest of my life
with my family.
This is no fantasy and my world is not perfect. I
endured this with God's help and the anointed instruction received
from Eagles' Summit through Pastors James & Sandra Lilly, my
spiritual mom and dad. I truly know what it means to be TESTED
in order to have a TESTIMONY!! I give ALL honor and glory to GOD
who makes all things possible.
Darrell Faison
Member
Eagles' Summit Christian Fellowship Church
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