Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to hear the most amazing testimony to God’s Grace and Providence. I was privledged to hear Michael Franzese speak at the Fort Worth Christian Prayer Breakfast.
Michael Franzese grew up as the son of the notorious Underboss of New York’s violent and feared Colombo crime family. At his most affluent, he generated an estimated $5 to $8 million per week from legal and illegal businesses. It was a life filled with power, luxury…and deadly violence. What turned him around? God put a woman in his life, one who lead him away from crime and introduced him to the loving Grace of our Lord. They were married in 1985, and against what would seem to be impossible odds, have built a strong, happy marriage and have raised four children.
Michael Franzese is the only high ranking official of a major crime family to ever walk away from the mob, without protective custodies, and survive.
Michael began and ended his testimony with a prayer request for his father, Sonny, who is serving a life sentence for his mob involvement. Michael continutes to witness to his father, telling him of God’s salvation, but Sonny is a hard nut to crack. Please throw your prayers to heaven for Sonny!
Images of Michael and his wife courtesy of michaelfranzese.com.
My second favorite for this week are these:
Image courtesy of bornshoes.com
These babies are my personal bribe to keep me motivated along my weight loss journey (including learning to run!)….and they will soon be mine. Mwhahahaha! I’ve resorted to bribery? You betcha! Want to learn more? Join the ride? Visit me at Keeping the Faith -Skinny Me! Edition.
This post is linked to the Amazing Hillary’s Friday Favorites Blog Carnival! Hop over to The Other Mama and join the fun! While you’re there, ask her about her new company, Mint Julep Monograms.
Keeping the Faith 
Visiting from The Other Mama…Very cute shoes. I checked out your weight loss blog and I love your reward system you have in place. A few months ago I decided to lose 35-40 lbs thanks to 4 years of marriage and one baby and so far I'm right at 30 lbs down (Thanks to South Beach diet)…I wish I had thought of your reward system. Prior to marrying my hubby I spent way too much money on jeans, so my reward has been getting to wear those jeans again! Keep up the good work!
What a powerful testimony to witness. Love seeing God do what others would say is impossible! And….L.O.V.E. the shoes!!
Those shoes are FANTASTIC!