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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH (08/31/17)
Voices intermingled and reverberated throughout the church. There were the usual hugs and “welcomes” from individuals seeing “first time” attendees, as well as the hugs from those who were friends within the community.

The praise and worship team had just finished and during the fifteen minute break, before the sermon, a sea of people were moving and greeting, and just talking as usual.
My eyes took me to the cross on the right hand side of the church. I noticed a tall man I’d never seen before standing with his eyes closed, he was moving his lips. Obviously, praying…or deep in thought.

No one was near him. He had tattoos covering both arms. His attire consisted of a tight tee shirt with no sleeves, tattered jeans, with sandals adorning his feet. His bald head along with an unshaven face lent an ominous appearance to his overall demeanor.

People sped by him, taking a quick glance. Some nodded their heads; some ignored him totally, so engrossed in their own business.

I felt as if the majority of those passing him didn’t have any interest in speaking with him. In contrast, I felt as if he had something on his mind. I found myself drawn to this person I didn’t even know.

The Pastor walked up to the podium and began the sermon after a brief analysis of the world and all that was happening in it. Then, the stranger walked up to the podium and motioned to the Pastor. He waited for the Pastor to react, and he whispered in his ear.

The Pastor smiled and announced, “We have a visitor who’d like to give a word or two about God…”

The man walked up to the podium and began to speak. His story was powerful, moving, inspirational, and jarring. He spoke of coming to the Lord, and how he was saved. He quoted the Bible beautifully, emphatically. He pulled a tiny worn black bible from his pocket and kissed it.

Something happened in that moment, the place was filled with the Spirit. People began rising up and clapping, and a luminous light, brilliant beyond words, was on this stranger as he finished his rousing testimony.

He walked away after his talk. The place was rocking with praise for the Lord, and this stranger who came to us, sharing the word. He was clearly anointed and brought the congregation to a different level that day.

We never saw him again, but he became known as the “diamond in the rough stranger” who brought witness to all in attendance that day.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Bonnie Bowden 
09/08/17
It is awesome when God sends us a piece of heaven to earth.

I would capitalize Bible because it is the name of a specific book.
Loni Bowden-Horn 
09/13/17
I liked how no one paid much attention to the strangers. When everyone noticed his brilliance until he had disappeared.

I wonder how many missed opportunities I have miss.

I liked this thought provoking entry.
Loni Bowden-Horn 
09/15/17
CD,

Congratulations on your 15th place overall.

You are such a blessing.