Stylite Tower (circa 420 AD)
Um-ar-rasas, Jordan
Stylite Towers were occupied by the Pillar-Saints a type of Christian ascetic who in the early days of the Byzantine Empire stood on pillars preaching, fasting and praying. They believed that the mortification of their bodies would help ensure the salvation of their souls. The first stylite was probably Simeon Stylites the Elder who climbed on a pillar in Syria in 423 and remained there until his death 37 years later.
What is Your Three-Paragraph Story?
My problem was that
I didn't have Christ in my life.
Born in Mexico and living my first ten years there, we were raised by my parents as Episcopalians; thus, the introduction and indoctrination into the Book of Common Prayer. From then on until my mid-twenties, I remained a fairly faithful Episcopalian. My disenchantment with the Episcopal Church began in the early seventies when I struggled with some of the doctrine related to infant baptism and other related matters.
My first marriage ended in the late seventies, mostly due to my own hubris. I distanced myself from any spiritual engagement for over 12 years and even into my second marriage to Gail. Again, my pride left a lot to be desired as a husband and father. During a separation period, my 14-year-old son, Marc, told me my problem was that I didn’t have Christ in my life. That brought me up short – realizing I couldn’t keep doing what I was doing and be happy. With this newfound awareness, and support from my brother Bill, I attended my first service at Orlando Community Church in 1984.
Through Christian counseling, weekly meetings with John Christiansen, opening the Bible with the guidance of Lyle and Marge Nelsen, and attending small group sessions, I began to understand that I needed a personal relationship with Christ. Prior to this, I had never prayed and actually said the words “Jesus Christ” out loud except in a church setting. Opening the Bible and understanding the relationships of the Old Testament teachings with those of the Gospel was eye-opening to me. The Book of Common Prayer liturgy started to make sense for the first time.
OCC and our church family has been the best thing that happened to me. Yes, we have had our many struggles, and they continue to this very day, but I have been comforted by all those around me, and most importantly by my knowledge that Christ is my counselor and comforter for all that is to come. I will soon be 78, my walk beginning 42 years ago. I look forward to what the Lord has in store for me for the rest of our journey together. My hope isn’t to be placed in what I can do but in what Jesus has already done.
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- Tom
We would like to share your story of how you came to follow Jesus.
Share your story in three paragraphs here:
orlandocommunitychurch@gmail.com
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Use the worksheet below to assist you in writing your story.
We Are a Body Life Church
The Bible often uses the analogy of the Human Body to speak of the Church
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The human body is a unit (one) made up of many parts.
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Each part is important and needed.
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Each part has a function that contributes to the whole.
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Parts of the human body function interdependently.
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Parts of the human body are dependent on the brain for growth, health, and directives.
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Jesus is the Head of the Body and we are members of one another.
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Body Life Defined:
If the Church is to function similar to the human body, then Body Life is how we relate to one another in ways that demonstrate:
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Unity out of diversity … every part is important and needed
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Interdependence on one another … every part contributing to the other parts
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Dependence on the Head … every part living according to the directives of Christ
These are the key passages related to God’s design for the Church:
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Body Life - By Ray C. Stedman - (read online)
The book that inspired a return to the Church's real meaning and mission.