Toni, the Sicilian

     My mother and father came to the United States from Sicily when they were six­ teen years old. They were introduced to each other in their twenties. They were married and in due time their family consisted of six sons and one daughter. It was during these child rearing years that they received Christ as their personal savior.

For many years Mom and Dad said they wanted to worship God directly. Along with their many desires and questions they continued to be faithful to their church teachings. Then one day a preacher came door-to-door giving out Bibles. They received one but were afraid to read it.  However, when my father and the man next door would go to work, my mother, Josephine, and her friend would read the Bible to their delight.

     No longer could they keep the wonderful new things they were learning to themselves. They decided to take their chances and approach the men with their findings:

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man

Christ Jesus..." I Timothy 2:5

     Mike, our neighbor, and my father, Frank Cerami, realized the women had found the answers to many questions. When the traveling preacher returned to check on them, they shared the burdens of their hearts. In time the four asked Jesus to come into their hearts and were saved. Praise the Lord!

"When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them,'They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Mark 2:17

     I thank God my parents realized that by nature, all men are dead spiritually:

"Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart..." Ephesians 4:18

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so

death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned ..." Romans 5:12

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13

     Through the shed blood of Christ, Mom and Dad (sinners) were brought close to God. They learned spiritual life is obtained through faith.

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36

     I, too, believe John 3:16 and Romans 10:9:

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

     Just as my parents accepted the fact that Jesus died as our substitute, paying the price of our sin, I also received Him personally into my heart and life.

"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." I John 2:2 "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." RomansS:6

     I was raised in an all Italian speaking congregation where my father served as an elder. My mother was always entertaining the people of the Lord as well as the unsaved. All of these folks are now dead and I miss them so. When it's quiet, some­ times I can still hear them singing without instruments, "The Old Rugged Cross."

     The greatest gift (inheritance) my parents gave me is their knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior. Mom and Dad's joy came when they accepted God's gift of eternal life. I now share that joy and have the assurance I will be with God and my parents after death!

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

     Thank God for the Bible and His Son!

Toni, the Sicilian