Good morning.  I am Tom Marttala. I would like to start by thanking all the people who have given faith talks in the past. It is so helpful to see that others have similar struggles, and that God is faithful. I hope more people will consider giving a talk.

My mother died when I was 18 months old, leaving my dad to raise my brother, two sisters and me by himself. I had no appreciation of what a task that was until I had just one child. Dad did the best he could, with some help from the church and aunts and uncles. One thing I am very thankful for is that no mater what, come Sunday morning we were in church. This enabled God to work in my life even though I was a doubting Thomas into my late 20’s. I was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church, but I had not let God into my heart. I guess I was like those people who witnessed God’s miracles and still chose not to believe. Like the scripture from today that tells us that he is everywhere and we cannot hide from him, I knew that he was there and I am certain that there were times in my life where if God had not protected me I could have died. Yet I chose not to let God into my heart and believe. My confirmation was just going though the actions, and early into my adult life I stopped going to church.  

I was in college and working summers for a painting contractor when a fellow worker invited me to his church. I started to attend regularly. Often they had altar calls, and one Sunday I finally chose to let God into my heart and believe. I am convinced that on that day God became REAL to me, and he came into my heart. I think he was always with me but he just came in a much greater way. Due to a job change and having to move I gradually left God.  At this time I was consumed with my work. Then God chose to work another miracle, Joy invited Joan to go with her to a church meeting in Cleveland where she met my sister. Who eventually introduced Joan to me. I was living in New Castle, about an hour and half away. But after lots of miles Joan and I were married, and due to her job I moved here. Thanks to this gift from God I ended up at St. Stephen, God was calling me back. God expressed his overwhelming love and grace through Joan and the people at St. Stephen’s.

In the lesson (Hebrews 12:1-2) tells us that; therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses we must get rid of every weight and sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set for us, Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

In today’s daily lesson by Oswald Chambers he writes; (The great solution is a simple one “ COME UNTO ME”. I believe that God is always with us, but though our sin and other cares we take our eyes off Jesus and walk away from him, he never leaves us. On my Via de Cristo weekend my eyes were bought back to Jesus once again. I was so blessed by Via de Cristo, and I pray that everyone may experience it some day. So in closing I would like to read you this prayer that I got out from my Via de Cristo weekend.  Father teach us to trust the Spirit you have breathed into us. Give us the grace to believe your word, by which we are made your children. Help us to understand that we belong to you, even though we are undeserving of your love.

Help us to see your judgment and mercy in the suffering and death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Cause us to accept again the new life in Christ which you have given us by faith. Enable us to live without despair and without pride. Lead us to know with joy that you accept us as a whole human being.

Father, teach us one more thing. Show us that in this new life you give, we no longer have to build walls of fear to protect ourselves from others. Help us to live cheerfully and generously, so that others may receive you through Christ’s word in us and begin to live in you. Bless us and keep us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.