By David Ettinger

The year was 1981 and I had been living in southern New Mexico for two years. I was born and raised in Queens, New York, and had come to New Mexico as a Jewish atheist. However, one reading of the Book of Matthew in 1979 convinced me that God was real and that Jesus Christ was indeed the Jewish Messiah. However, though I didn’t realize it at the time, I was not a Christian; I would not accept Christ into my heart until 1986.
During my first year in New Mexico, I met a man about two years older than me named Mike. The two of us bonded, probably because Mike was from the Bronx; we were a couple of New York City guys living in the desert. Mike also “happened” to be a Christian. Though never rude or overbearing, Mike would boldly, lovingly, and periodically share his faith with me. Knowing my Jewish upbringing, he explained that accepting Christ was the most natural and logical thing a Jewish person could do.
To punctuate his point, he gave me a gift one day in 1981, a “New Testament: Old Testament Prophecy Edition.” In the inside flap, he with great care and affection wrote the following: “To David, For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew which is one inwardly and circumcision is that of the heart in the spirit and not in the letter whose praise is not of man but of God. Rom. 2:28, 29.” He signed it: “We love you, Michael and Debbie O’Hara.”
No need to elaborate other than to say that almost 39 years later this precious gift has grown in significance for me, and continues to be the most precious gift I ever received.
Ryan Callahan
January 29, 2020
That is beautiful sir! God bless!
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dettinger47
February 7, 2020
Thank you, Ryan.
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Chris Hall
January 29, 2020
What a great witness that couple showed to you!
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dettinger47
January 29, 2020
Thank you, Chris, it was. They had a huge impact on me in those early years.
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vicklea
January 29, 2020
I am thankful for that couple who showed you the way to Christ, for in so doing, we have your great wisdom and knowledge.
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dettinger47
January 29, 2020
Thank you, Vickie. That couple is still going strong and forging on for the Lord!
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Bruce
January 29, 2020
Excellent! Thank you for sharing that David.
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dettinger47
January 29, 2020
Thank you, Bruce.
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mrsmariposa2014
January 29, 2020
What an incredible gift! So thankful this couple was obedient to share with you the love and truth of Jesus, all that’s meant for you, and all that we now get to benefit from here! ☺
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dettinger47
January 29, 2020
Thank you so much, Marisa!
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My Way Home Life
January 29, 2020
How beautiful, how miraculous! Thank you for sharing your testimony, David. You remind us of the importance of being loving witnesses.
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dettinger47
January 29, 2020
Thank you for the kind words!
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Angel at Watchyourlifeinpictures
January 29, 2020
That was so beautiful.
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dettinger47
January 29, 2020
Thank you!
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Angela Umphers Rueger
January 29, 2020
What a wonderful testimony of the grace of God!
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dettinger47
January 30, 2020
Thank you, Angela.
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Lisa Beth
January 30, 2020
Wow, the Lord brought two people from NYC for a divine appointment in NM! Thank you for posting this precious testimony, encouraging us to seek and value God’s leading.
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dettinger47
January 30, 2020
Thank you, Lisa Beth. It was a wonderful divine appointment!
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John Eli
January 30, 2020
What a blessing. I actually served on staff with Felicia O’Hara, Michael’s sister-in-law, while I was a pastor in New Mexico. Small world.
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dettinger47
January 30, 2020
Small world indeed! Thank you, John.
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seekingdivineperspective
January 30, 2020
… and the rest is history. 😉 I hope he follows this blog.
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dettinger47
January 30, 2020
He’s a Facebook friend.
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