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Post by JBHII on Oct 22, 2004 16:56:33 GMT -5
I guess I should share the full experience because it's a great "God" story.  My church has purchased some new property, and they need to do some renovation and new construction to the existing structure on the property. The total cost is projected to be roughly 10 million dollars over the next three years.  Now, at one time or another, I'm sure we've all struggled with the materialistic side of our watch collecting. If we aren't careful, it can become out of hand, and our priorities can get mixed up. This is something I try to guard against. So, I felt led to sell one of my Rolex watches, and use some of the funds to support my church's new building project. My GMT II was getting the least wrist time, so I decided it would be the one that I would sacrifice for the greater good. It wasn't easy, as I do really enjoy each one of my Rolex watches. On Monday I was considering how I was going to sell the watch in question - I just wasn't sure how would be the best and safest way. I've bought and sold watches on the Internet, so I know how to do it and what to watch out for, but it's still a risky proposition - I was once sent a counterfeit cashier's check in the amount of $2000.00 as payment for a watch I was selling. Fortunately, the Lord protected me from harm in that situation. In any event, as I was considering how best to go about selling the watch, I received an E-Mail from a fellow watch collector located in IL. I've known him for a couple of years, but hadn't heard from him in about six months. After a couple of paragraphs of "catching up" this friend lets me know that he's in the market for a watch - the EXACT same Pepsi GMT Master II that I had been lead to sell to generate funds for my church's building project. I actually read and re-read the E-Mail twice - I couldn't believe it! When I let him know that I had one for sale, he was ecstatic and overnighted a cashiers check. I share this story because I believe it's evidence of God's existence, and that his hand was in this transaction. I'm not suggesting that everyone go out and sell a watch and donate the funds to a church. But I hope you can see from this story that God is awesome and he will help us to be faithful when we ask him.  Have a great weekend everyone! John |
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Post by MikeS on Oct 22, 2004 17:11:18 GMT -5
I guess I should share the full experience because it's a great "God" story. My church has purchased some new property, and they need to do some renovation and new construction to the existing structure on the property. The total cost is projected to be roughly 10 million dollars over the next three years. Now, at one time or another, I'm sure we've all struggled with the materialistic side of our watch collecting. If we aren't careful, it can become out of hand, and our priorities can get mixed up. This is something I try to guard against. So, I felt led to sell one of my Rolex watches, and use some of the funds to support my church's new building project. My GMT II was getting the least wrist time, so I decided it would be the one that I would sacrifice for the greater good. It wasn't easy, as I do really enjoy each one of my Rolex watches. On Monday I was considering how I was going to sell the watch in question - I just wasn't sure how would be the best and safest way. I've bought and sold watches on the Internet, so I know how to do it and what to watch out for, but it's still a risky proposition - I was once sent a counterfeit cashier's check in the amount of $2000.00 as payment for a watch I was selling. Fortunately, the Lord protected me from harm in that situation. In any event, as I was considering how best to go about selling the watch, I received an E-Mail from a fellow watch collector located in IL. I've known him for a couple of years, but hadn't heard from him in about six months. After a couple of paragraphs of "catching up" this friend lets me know that he's in the market for a watch - the EXACT same Pepsi GMT Master II that I had been lead to sell to generate funds for my church's building project. I actually read and re-read the E-Mail twice - I couldn't believe it! When I let him know that I had one for sale, he was ecstatic and overnighted a cashiers check. I share this story because I believe it's evidence of God's existence, and that his hand was in this transaction. I'm not suggesting that everyone go out and sell a watch and donate the funds to a church. But I hope you can see from this story that God is awesome and he will help us to be faithful when we ask him. Have a great weekend everyone! Wow this is a true testament to your faith! Though i do not share or have a passion for church, i can appreciate your gesture! I am speechless that you did this makes you think could i do that? Only God knows that answer! What did the church say about the donation? By the way i am gonna be in Cleveland sometime soon! John |
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claudel
disciple
The fundamental things apply as time goes by
Posts: 126
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Post by claudel on Oct 22, 2004 17:19:02 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing this story. |
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Post by Aaron on Oct 22, 2004 20:26:45 GMT -5
This is a noble thing you have done John and you are a true friend to many people.I congratulate you for what you have done as it is a cool thing.  We have a saying down here and I reckon it would be world wide. Have a great weekend. Aaron |
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Post by MikeS on Oct 22, 2004 20:56:57 GMT -5
This is a noble thing you have done John and you are a true friend to many people.I congratulate you for what you have done as it is a cool thing. We have a saying down here and I reckon it would be world wide. Have a great weekend. Aaron I have an headache again |
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Post by clepsydra on Oct 22, 2004 21:20:27 GMT -5
The fact that you sold your GMT may be of interest to the community.
The fact that you sold it to raise funds for a worthy cause is a noble gesture, and also might be of interest to the community.
The fact that you believe in the "evidence of God's existence" and the fact that you personally believe that "God is awesome" is a totally and completely inappropriate comment on a forum like this.
It's your forum, John, so you'll proselytize as you see fit, but I find it wholly distasteful and embarrassing in this context.
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Post by MikeS on Oct 22, 2004 22:07:34 GMT -5
The fact that you sold your GMT may be of interest to the community. The fact that you sold it to raise funds for a worthy cause is a noble gesture, and also might be of interest to the community. The fact that you believe in the "evidence of God's existence" and the fact that you personally believe that "God is awesome" is a totally and completely inappropriate comment on a forum like this. It's your forum, John, so you'll proselytize as you see fit, but I find it wholly distasteful and embarrassing in this context. I am curious to what offends you? The freedom of speech and or in this case text is a right we have a right to. John is not saying you need to follow in his footsteps or preach. He is just expressing his passion for christ. I do not go to church and will probably never go again but i find no offense to this post. I think that he has a right to say how he feels. I fought for this very freedom in 1990 to 1994 in the Persian Gulf War. I lost many friends to this war a cause with a deeper purpose than most will ever know! Freedom of speech and expression is just no matter how tasteful or distasteful in context. If this offends you then i suggest you take this up with John via e-mail and not broadcast this to the entire forum! I personally think your an asset to this forum with your outstanding knowledge of watch's and i am shocked by your post! |
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Post by JBHII on Oct 22, 2004 23:55:05 GMT -5
The fact that you sold your GMT may be of interest to the community. The fact that you sold it to raise funds for a worthy cause is a noble gesture, and also might be of interest to the community. The fact that you believe in the "evidence of God's existence" and the fact that you personally believe that "God is awesome" is a totally and completely inappropriate comment on a forum like this. It's your forum, John, so you'll proselytize as you see fit, but I find it wholly distasteful and embarrassing in this context. Clep, You are of course welcome to your opinion. As I've expressed many times, your pressence here has been greatly appreciated. As this is my forum, I reserve the right to determine what is and is not appropriate on this forum. I won't appologize for my faith. I am sorry however that you found the my sharing of this incredible experience offensive - such was not my intent. I hope this experience won't deter you from participating in the forum. I certainly don't think any differently of you, and hope you don't of me. Perhaps next time you find something not to your liking, you'll E-Mail me so we can discuss it. John |
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Post by JBHII on Oct 23, 2004 0:10:01 GMT -5
Hey Mike! To me, the donation isn't about the money, it's about priorities - and being able to sacrifice something I care about, for something I care about more. The gift is a small one, and I hope to do more over time. God has blessed me greatly in more ways that I can count or deserve. Our new church facility will be an amazing place to help and heal broken people in our community. Let me give you an example: One of the ministries of our church will be a fully functional auto shop where single mothers and women in need from our local community can bring their cars to get them repaired or maintained for free. Isn't that awesome? John |
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Post by JBHII on Oct 23, 2004 0:10:47 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing this story. Thanks Claudel - I give because much has been given to me. John |
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Post by JBHII on Oct 23, 2004 0:12:43 GMT -5
This is a noble thing you have done John and you are a true friend to many people.I congratulate you for what you have done as it is a cool thing. We have a saying down here and I reckon it would be world wide. Have a great weekend. Aaron Thanks Aaron! The credit goes to God because all that I have is because of Him. John |
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Post by Hamilton on Oct 23, 2004 1:37:19 GMT -5
This is a very nice thing to do, and show your faith in God.
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Post by Klatuu on Oct 23, 2004 23:15:29 GMT -5
It all goes to show you that we all have our passions whatever they may be. And the reward one gets deep inside for doing something toward your passion. Thank you John for sharing yours.
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Post by MikeS on Oct 23, 2004 23:29:26 GMT -5
with us!
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JonH
follower
My Foot is on the Rock and My Name is On the Roll
Posts: 89
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Post by JonH on Oct 24, 2004 15:55:04 GMT -5
It amazes me, you can slag someone off, you can use certain profanitys, people even appear to worship watches in the name of being WIS, however mention Jesus and all hell breaks lose, John, I would suggest you have been obedient to God which is part of our Christian walk, the Christian life (a live as Jesus Christ asks us to live after we have accepted His salvation plan for mankind) is an adventure not for wimps, religion however is for fools and sucks, Jesus continued to knock religion....
I listen to enough of what the world has to offer, why shouldent we shout out and rejoice in the thrill of being born again, I became a Christian at 23, how on earth I thought life was good before that is anybodys guess, and it was purely my choice....Keep on praisin John
PTL
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