tribute to a friend

On Wednesday evening, my family lost a dear friend when Felix Castillo went home to be with the Lord. His testimony and what he went through was something that the Lord used; for it makes what I went through look like a bed of roses.

Felix was a up-and-coming boxer who had won the regional Golden Gloves title in 1978. He was also going to be on the United States boxing team in 1980 when President Carter boycotted the Moscow Olympic games. From there; he had gone undefeated in 22 professional bouts and was well on his way to a world title shot when he contracted lupus, which basically destroyed his career. (To learn about lupus; go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupus). At that time the doctors only gave him two months to live...however the Lord helped him to win the biggest bout of all, during that time Felix called on the Lord and was delievered out of his bed. He fought a few more times, but then decided that the work of the Lord was more important.

Was it easy for him? Not quite, he then went through a kidney transplant, left and right hip replacements and three heart attacks (things I cannot imagine going through) and yet continued to give his testimony and shared what the Lord had done through him. While he was at Theo Avenue Baptist Church, I got to know him and become somewhat of a good friend of his. And now he is home....

Whereas he may not have won a  championship"title" while here on the earth, he now has something much more valuable than that, something that can never be taken away. And while the trophies and titles may rust away, he has something of greater worth:  the presence of the Lord, a home worth more than all the mansions of titleholders combined, and a body that will never betray him or fall to any disease. Felix, may the Lord bless you on your journey Home and bless you with the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."