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I thank God for my parents, who both still love us and would do anything for us. There were many times I brought pain to my parents, which I now regret: I was supposed to be an example to my brothers and sister, but fell short in many areas. I was a sinful boy, and later, a sinful man. My dad and mom wept and prayed many prayers for me, especially while attending college at the College of St. Scholastica, Duluth Minnesota. College Corrupts "College Corrupts" goes the saying in the world: in my case, it was quite literally true. The first class on my first day was "Values Clarification" That class taught me to question every belief and moral I held dear, and wore me down to the point of having the attitude that "nothing matters" and that situational ethics and morals ruled, rather than the absolute truths I was taught in church and by my parents. I slid very far from the narrow path.
Needed a New Heart There were many times when the "Jesus People" on campus reached out to me. They could see I was a lost soul and they tried to help. Jesus was reaching to me through them, and I thank God for every one of them who yielded to the Spirit of God, as they showed me His selfless love: They were showing me what I had lost: Simple child-like faith in Jesus. I was lost. And I knew it. The Bible says: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. --Psalm 51:1-5 By the grace of God, in 1984 a professor took me to ONE Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and it scared me straight. Those people looked so ragged, talking about what alcohol did to them, how desperate they became: I was looking at my future. For two years, I refused to drink or do any drugs. God was still calling, reaching to and loving me. God used many precious people during those years at St. Scholastica--including the situational ethics teachers--to reach out to me to question tradition and to help build faith. In the summer of 1986 through Spring 1987, I was in the resume' writing business with two other men and while we worked very hard at it, it never succeeded. I was searching. Jesus was drawing me during this time. I became thousands of dollars in debt. No job. Penniless. My lifelong dream of being married and emulating my parents was almost dashed. I became depressed. I finally came home and ended up living in my parents' house--again--at the same time my brother Terry was living there who was pretty much in the same situation. Terry started attending a local United Pentecostal Church, Elim Tabernacle, located in Greenfield, Wisconsin. One night in the spring of 1987, Terry led me to a place of repentance. I knelt down by the bed in a bedroom I slept in and prayed in many times as a child. Crying, I simply asked Jesus to forgive me. I turned from my wicked ways that night and turned to Jesus. A literal weight was lifted off my shoulders as I wept, thanking Him for loving me and reaching to me all of those years. Shortly after that, Terry took me to Spirit-filled revival services at Elim Tabernacle. One Sunday night service in June 1987, we both received the gift of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in other tongues, as the Spirit of God gives the utterance. (Read Acts, Chapter 2.) Jesus gave me that new heart! We started having a Bible study with a brother from the church, learning the ways of God. I relearned many things from my childhood, and learned many new things I was not taught. The Holy Ghost led me into all truth, including the need to be baptized. "....Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:38-39)
My search was over--Jesus found me! He delivered me and saved me from my sins: I don't have to submit myself to alcohol, or drugs, or lying or stealing--Praise God! This scripture became true in my life: "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5 In March 1988, I met my wife to be, Marsha. We were married April 22, 1989 and moved into our new home in September 1989. In September 1991 we started working in the Prison Ministry, teaching and witnessing together in many local facilities. Marsha and I are grandparents to 5 wonderful children--Kyle, Madeline, Samuel, Nolan and Matthew: In November 1994 we became foster parents to the children of one of the ladies we met while working in the prison ministry, and adopted 2 daughters June 19, 1998. In 2001, we were led to Abundant Life Apostolic Church, located in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. In 2013 we became Legal Guardians of our nephew. Then, in 2018 God led us to True Life Church, located in Pewaukee / Waukesha, Wisconsin. To God be the glory! God has consistently blessed us spiritually, and financially: my lifelong dream of having a family like I grew up in is true, every day: Thank You, Jesus.
Jesus is reaching to us, every day. He's reaching to you, right now. Don't wait--there's not much time left. He's returning soon. Repent of your sins--turn it all over to Jesus. Start going to church. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. He will lead you to be baptized in His Name and receive His gift of the Holy Spirit. As a child simply believes with simple faith: Just do it. It will be eternally worth it.
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