From Daily Dissection to Divine Direction
My name is Lino Zarrillo, and this is my story.
There have been, on occasion in my life, and I am sure in yours, certain moments in time when a word or group of words cannot be uttered. Oh, we may attempt to muster the effort – maybe even use facial expressions as a type of “visual aid,” but try as we might, words fail us from time to time! In my life it happened twice.
I lived a fairly normal life in a home where the dominant language was Italian and the food was ziti. Religion in the home was a mixed bag, ranging from Catholicism to Jehovah’s Witness. I had plenty of time for ziti, but not much for religion. I did, however, have quite a fascination with the human body. So, in August of 1989, I said good-bye to my family, to the ziti and to New Jersey, and moved south to Atlanta, Georgia, where I began my post-graduate education as a Doctor of Chiropractic. It was there that words failed me for the first time.
I challenge anyone to stand in front of a dissected cadaver and not ponder life for just a moment. “Where did man really come from?” “What am I doing here?” “Where will I be when someone is standing over my dead body?” These were just a few questions that raced through my mind when God Himself began to show me in His own way that you don’t have to see the creator, nor the creative act, in order to recognize his most majestic creation – the human body.
I lived a fairly normal life in a home where the dominant language was Italian and the food was ziti. Religion in the home was a mixed bag, ranging from Catholicism to Jehovah’s Witness. I had plenty of time for ziti, but not much for religion. I did, however, have quite a fascination with the human body. So, in August of 1989, I said good-bye to my family, to the ziti and to New Jersey, and moved south to Atlanta, Georgia, where I began my post-graduate education as a Doctor of Chiropractic. It was there that words failed me for the first time.
I challenge anyone to stand in front of a dissected cadaver and not ponder life for just a moment. “Where did man really come from?” “What am I doing here?” “Where will I be when someone is standing over my dead body?” These were just a few questions that raced through my mind when God Himself began to show me in His own way that you don’t have to see the creator, nor the creative act, in order to recognize his most majestic creation – the human body.
I began to notice “things” – things which became more evident with every piece of information I learned in the years I was to study the human body. The more I pondered, the more I was convinced that God created man and woman – we did not just "evolve." Think about this miracle for a moment. There are so many trillions of different pieces making up the human body. Yet, when we are all opened up, why do we all basically look the same? To me, the evidence was overwhelmingly in favor of a master “blueprint,” and for a master designer! In Romans 1:20, the Bible says, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”
“The more I pondered, the more I was convinced that God created man and woman – we did not just ‘evolve.'”
“Evolution!” you would say? I say, “Evolution is nonsense.” I found it unforgettable that each cadaver was so lifeless. It was as if the soul had departed into eternity and left behind a lifeless, rigid “shell” for us to ponder. The uneasy reality of it all finally set in. Then it hit me. I was not just created flesh and bone, but a living, decision-making soul. I was not just created flesh and bone, but a living, decision-making soul. For the first time in my life, I was speechless. Words failed me. I was so affected by my new revelation that I began talking to some of my classmates and friends about my new “discovery.” I knew for sure that God created man. How obvious that seemed to me! Not many people really cared though. They sort of smiled and nodded their heads – then they turned and walked away.
In March of 1993, I finally graduated from Chiropractic College and moved back home to New Jersey and to the home-cooked ziti. One Tuesday evening, I found myself at my favorite all-night diner with a dear, old friend of mine, as well as with a new acquaintance. We were sitting there with nothing to do, but burden each other with our vain philosophies. Or so it seemed. Through many changing topics, we somehow wound up on the subject of religion. We continued our chat right through the doors into the parking lot. This new acquaintance began preaching to me about someone I am sure you have heard about — Jesus Christ. He began telling me about the Bible account, in the book of Isaiah, of the voluntary agony that Jesus Christ went through for my sins and the sin of everyone else in the world. He quoted Isaiah 53:5-6, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” This man cared enough about my soul and my eternity to be blunt about it. “You and I should have been the ones crucified, not Jesus,” he exclaimed. That penetrated the tough outer shell of my heart like a sharp dagger. “You should be down on your face thanking him for taking the punishment you rightfully deserve.” Humbly, I agreed.
In March of 1993, I finally graduated from Chiropractic College and moved back home to New Jersey and to the home-cooked ziti. One Tuesday evening, I found myself at my favorite all-night diner with a dear, old friend of mine, as well as with a new acquaintance. We were sitting there with nothing to do, but burden each other with our vain philosophies. Or so it seemed. Through many changing topics, we somehow wound up on the subject of religion. We continued our chat right through the doors into the parking lot. This new acquaintance began preaching to me about someone I am sure you have heard about — Jesus Christ. He began telling me about the Bible account, in the book of Isaiah, of the voluntary agony that Jesus Christ went through for my sins and the sin of everyone else in the world. He quoted Isaiah 53:5-6, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” This man cared enough about my soul and my eternity to be blunt about it. “You and I should have been the ones crucified, not Jesus,” he exclaimed. That penetrated the tough outer shell of my heart like a sharp dagger. “You should be down on your face thanking him for taking the punishment you rightfully deserve.” Humbly, I agreed.
“I was not just created flesh and bone, but a living, decision-making soul.”
He told me that the Bible says nothing about purgatory, only heaven and hell. He quoted another verse, Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” I understood that the Jesus Christ of the Bible wanted a personal relationship with me, but, only if I received Him into my heart, by faith. I realized that I had no way of earning my way to heaven.
I was lost and destined for hell. Although I was convinced that God is the Creator, and I knew “about” him, up to that point, I did not know Him as my Lord and Personal Savior. I did not possess that precious gift that Jesus Christ offered me in Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” I did not possess that gift at the time – but, soon I would.
It is all because of the grace of God, and God’s grace is sufficient for you. God’s grace can change your life as He changed me.
That night, God broke my heart. I repented and turned away from all my known sin and trusted Jesus Christ and Him alone for the salvation of my soul. When my soul departs from this “shell,” it will go off into eternity to be with my Lord.
It was so exciting to receive Jesus Christ into my life (the Bible calls it being “born again”). I called my “wife-to-be,” who then was a “Floridian,” to tell her the “good news.” The next day, all day, I had a big smile on my face. I ran into another friend of mine, who had also been born again, and told him that I knew God. I said, “It’s like He is with me right now!” My friend was thrilled to hear the good news. He told me that he and others had been praying that I would come to know Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. I began reading my newly purchased Bible every night. God’s words spoke to my heart and began changing my life forever!I repented and turned away from all my known sin and trusted Jesus Christ and Him alone for the salvation of my soul. When my soul departs from this “shell,” it will go off into eternity to be with my Lord.
It is all because of the grace of God, and God’s grace is sufficient for you. God’s grace can change your life as He changed me.
That night, God broke my heart. I repented and turned away from all my known sin and trusted Jesus Christ and Him alone for the salvation of my soul. When my soul departs from this “shell,” it will go off into eternity to be with my Lord.
It was so exciting to receive Jesus Christ into my life (the Bible calls it being “born again”). I called my “wife-to-be,” who then was a “Floridian,” to tell her the “good news.” The next day, all day, I had a big smile on my face. I ran into another friend of mine, who had also been born again, and told him that I knew God. I said, “It’s like He is with me right now!” My friend was thrilled to hear the good news. He told me that he and others had been praying that I would come to know Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. I began reading my newly purchased Bible every night. God’s words spoke to my heart and began changing my life forever!I repented and turned away from all my known sin and trusted Jesus Christ and Him alone for the salvation of my soul. When my soul departs from this “shell,” it will go off into eternity to be with my Lord.
My values are different. My thoughts are different. Even my desires have changed. I want to live my life in such a way that is pleasing to God. As it says in Second Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
There is such a joy and a wonderful peace that fills my soul when I think about my Savior. To me, God is not just a concept or “wishful thinking.” He is a real, living, loving God, that wants to have a relationship with all those who desire to have a relationship with Him.
There is such a joy and a wonderful peace that fills my soul when I think about my Savior. To me, God is not just a concept or “wishful thinking.” He is a real, living, loving God, that wants to have a relationship with all those who desire to have a relationship with Him.
“I can honestly say that my life has been completely different since I began my personal relationship with the Lord.”
The Lord has blessed my wife and me with four children. We look forward to raising our children for God’s honor and glory. But, most of all, I look forward to seeing Jesus, face to face. I now know I will be with Him for all eternity.
There have been two times in my life when I can vividly recall that words failed me. The first time was when I realized I was created by God. The second time was when I found out He loved me enough to die for me.
It is all because of the grace of God, and God’s grace is sufficient for you. God’s grace can change your life as He changed me.
There have been two times in my life when I can vividly recall that words failed me. The first time was when I realized I was created by God. The second time was when I found out He loved me enough to die for me.
It is all because of the grace of God, and God’s grace is sufficient for you. God’s grace can change your life as He changed me.