Keeping the Faith: A True Story

By Richard Shebib

Richard Shebib is all about devotion and hard work in his Holy Church.

He is a man of few words, but faith has made him inventive, and he sees possibilities when there is no possibility at hand.

His demeanor speaks volumes not in what he says but in what he does. As Jesus said, For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead (James 2:26).

Richard is alive and well, and we are truly the beneficiary of his love and service (Fr. George Shalhoub, the Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary, Livonia).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 17, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984509697

Richard Shebib

I am a first generation American born in Detroit Michigan to immigrants Nicholas and Josephine Shebib of Lebanon. I was educated in Detroit and served my country in the U. S. Army. I retired after working 40 years for an Automobile company, serve my church and was President of the Council of Orthodox Christian Churches. I have organized fundraisers, Icon seminars and church schoolteacher workshops. I owned an Orthodox bookstore and gift shop; organized a committee to begin an Orthodox radio program that is still broadcasting as of this printing. I am a lifetime resident of Michigan in the greater Detroit Area. My prayer for you is to know and believe in God. Trust when He said, I am the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6). If you can do this even when you experience disappointments that test your faith, dont lose hope and you will have a very rewarding life. Cover designed by Richard in collaboration with Elizabeth Symonenko Graphic Design

Book preview

Copyright © 2018 by RICHARD SHEBIB.

Library of Congress Control Number:            2018902953

ISBN:                  Hardcover                      978-1-9845-0967-3

                           Softcover                        978-1-9845-0968-0

                           eBook                              978-1-9845-0969-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard

Version® (ESV®). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 06/01/2018

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CONTENTS

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Chapter 1 My Mother And Father

Chapter 2 My Early Years

Chapter 3 My Education

Chapter 4 Military Service

Chapter 5 Getting Married & Starting a Family

Chapter 6 My Years of Volunteer Work

Epilogue

Appendix

FOREWORD

The story you are about to read is about the life of an extraordinary gentleman. At 81 years young he has authored and navigated the trials and storms of life that we must all face. Richard J. Shebib has been a conqueror, a victor, and not just endured. What sets some people apart from those who fall along the wayside is a mystery that needs to be unraveled.

Within the pages of this book you will discover the keys to his successful life. Richard’s hope in sharing his journey is for you to be able to live long, enjoy every day to the fullest, contribute to the world, and make a difference all the days of your precious life. His wish for you is to appreciate that you are blessed and to be a blessing.

Richard is a breath of fresh air. He carries values and traditions that were rooted decades ago. In my humble opinion, society needs a resurgence and revival of these qualities in this fast-paced, heavily tech-laden world.  His humor will delight and disarm you. It is sweetly woven into the fabric of his master storytelling and account of his life, which he lives fully and with faith.

The world, especially our youth need more Heroes. Models, like Mr. Shebib, to look up to, that emulate Integrity, goodness and concern for others welfare. Richard walks his talk and donates his experience, time and passion to serve many. Stories like this one need to be told so we can all be uplifted and keep the faith.

Ginger Weichers

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A special thanks to

Gail Hutchison for working many hours with me as I developed my story.

Ginger Wiechers who encouraged me to undertake the writing of this book knowing I had never written anything of this magnitude.

This work is dedicated to

Rick and Brad of whom I am so proud. It has been such

a joy for me to watch them grow into the men they are today.

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MY MOTHER AND FATHER

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I didn’t know my father very well. I lost my father when I was only 9. That is when he entered a nursing facility. The last time I saw my dad was two years later, the day before he physically died. What little I remember of him, I learned from what other people that knew him told me and from the time I spent with him. I was told he was a wrestler in the old country (Beirut, Lebanon), athletically built and very strong. Dad was able to lift a 100 lb. sack of potatoes’ by the ears and carry it into the store. I knew him, as a quiet, mild mannered man that always worked hard. He was the butcher in our neighborhood grocery store. Dad would also get up early in the morning and drive to the Eastern Market to purchase fresh produce for our store. I have fond memories of the time my dad would take me with him to the Eastern Market; he would buy me a hot chocolate and I watched, as he bartered with farmers for their fresh produce. I remember going to church on Sunday with my father while Mom stayed home and prepared Sunday dinner. Even though my time with my dad was cut short I always felt close to him.

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I was baptized Christian Eastern Orthodox at St. George Syrian Orthodox Church in Detroit located on East Grand Boulevard. Today St. George parish is located, in a new home, on Maple rd. in Troy, Michigan. Now my church is the Basilica of St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Livonia, Michigan. My parish priest and father confessor is Very Rev. Fr. George Shalhoub. I serve as head usher, greeter-welcoming visitors and explain an overview of our Liturgy to guests that have never witnessed an Orthodox service. I felt it important that our guests have an understanding of the service, which helps explain why our service is 2 hours long. The Divine Liturgy is ceremonial depiction of the ministry of Christ our Lord; I felt the need to give some details they will observe to make there time with us as comfortable as possible.

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