My Testimony

Some of my earliest recollections include my parents reading the Bible aloud by kerosene lamps while rocking me to sleep. Sunday school teachers teaching me Bible stories with little cutouts placed upon a felt board as the story unfolded. On occasion, I was invited to, and attended Vacation Bible School.

I remember an incident happened when I was 4 or 5 years old. My Dad was repairing the brakes on his car. He had to walk 8 or 10 miles to get replacement parts. While he was gone, I evidently played with some of the parts, or accidently scattered them. When he returned he couldn't find them. He searched and searched for the missing pieces, and could not find them. All the time he was becoming more and more frustrated and angry. He told my mother, and she came out to help us find them. My Dad's anger was not a pretty sight to behold. He threatened to 'skin me' if I didn't find those missing brake parts. My mother told me to pray, and ask the Lord to help us find the parts. My mother said I went before the Lord in earnest! Shortly, the parts were found! Praise God! That was my first real prayer meeting. The Lord answered just in the nick of time! During my life I have had many occasions to pray with that same fervency. Mercifully, He has been right there to quell the storms in my life. Time after time, He has answered my prayers! — Although not ALL my prayers were answered that quickly, nor necessarily to my expectations.

Until I was in my forties, I was not saved. I believed in God but I didn't understand anything about the biblical plan of salvation, and I didn't have a desire to serve Him. Fortunately the seed had been planted when I was very young, that there was a God. I never forgot the Sunday school, and the God they told me about. I knew He was real, but did not understand the trinity doctrine, and never had heard of the oneness doctrine.

I had to experience some very significant and hurtful incidents before I seriously considered turning to this prayer answering God. Things, which were the most precious to me, were taken away from me almost overnight. I lost my four children and my wife to divorce. I believe I came close to a nervous breakdown. I contemplated suicide. I loaded my revolver, and held the barrel to my temple. All I could think of was my children, and that was enough for me to lay the gun down.

It took another eight years of riotous living, trying to forget. At this point alcohol had gotten a hold of me, and with it, bouts of severe depression. I remember praying and asking God, "Show me who you are, because I want to know, otherwise how can I serve you? If you are really real; show me."

My second wife and I moved to Bay Point, CA because we needed a house, and scarcely could afford one. Bay Point offered the lowest prices we could find. Not long after, I went through a second divorce.

After the second divorce, a neighbor had an occasion to witness to me and invite me to church. Because of the invitation I attended—at the United Pentecostal Church in Bay Point. Once the sermon was over, and an altar call was given, I went to the altar and repented. Directly after the church service I left, but instead of going directly home, I drove to a local bar I used to go to! I got out of my vehicle, walked to the door which was open. I could see smoke wafting out the door, and could hear country music. I did not enter the bar, but looked inside and saw a couple dancing a slow dance leaning against each other as if they needed each other's support not to fall. In other words, they were drunk. Sick of that scene, I immediately left and went home. I parked in my driveway and just sat there, and began to cry. Then I began to wonder why I left the church after sincere repentance, and would go to a bar! I felt totally confused and ashamed. Then the Lord spoke to my heart, "Do you want to live for me, or go back to your past?" As I continued to cry aloud I said, "No, I don't want to live that kind of life ever again." Then I realized He had answered my prayer that I made a year ago asking Him to show me the way. God has been so merciful and so longsuffering with me!

A few services later, and with more times at the altar, I was baptized in the name of Jesus. A month or so later, I was filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues as God gave the utterance! I have never touched another drop of alcohol since. The Lord took the nicotine and the alcohol addictions away. I now have a wonderful wife who just happens to be the neighbor who witnessed to me. We have been happily married for 25 years.

This same prayer answering God that helped me as a child, whom I didn't really know, had again answered my prayers. He revealed Himself to me, and has given me peace, joy, and hope I never knew as a sinner!