Testimonies – Soldier

I was born into a very well to do family.  My dad was the Senior Captain with Northwest Orient Airlines based out of Seattle, Washington. (Ever hear of D.B. Cooper? – that’s another chapter.)

I grew up with beautiful Lake Washington as my front yard – a fantastic golf course as my back yard. I had a privileged life. I played golf all the time – I was destined, I believe, to be a great professional. It’s all I wanted to do. I was a scratch golfer at 16 years old. Then, Bang! A gentleman ran a stop sign and my back was torn apart. So much for golf.

I had no idea what to do next. I went to work with the Boeing Co. in Seattle – did well – was transferred to California – did well – was transferred back to Seattle as a Supervisor – now 27 years old. I felt as though Boeing was not paying me what I was worth and went into the Real Estate Resort business selling recreational property. Got ALL the Toys. Not happy. “Something” was missing. Went into work on a Sunday – was told by the Sales Manager that I was fired – my tours were costing the company $20 and his were costing $200 – if he kept me the company would fire him and I would be promoted. “Nothing personal – just business – have a good life and disappear.”

Moved my family back to California – now 30 years old and crushed. I sold cars – used up my savings – sold the toys. I was not a good car salesman. The refrigerator was almost empty.

I was watching television on a Saturday night with my daughter, Tiffany. Billy Graham came on and Tiffany said, “let’s watch it.” We did. After, she said “Daddy do you think Jesus LIKED the soldiers who nailed Him to the cross?”

“NO,” I said.

“You’re right,” she said. Then she said, “Daddy, do you think Jesus LOVED the soldiers who nailed Him to the cross?”

“Hm. YES,” I said, because whether they knew it or not they were selected to do just that.

“You’re right again – I’m going to bed.” She was only 6 years old. I thought about it for a while. My mother was a believer – knew Jesus – raised us in church; like many, I had fallen away, even though I was going to church – “ya gotta look good!!!!!”

I went into my bedroom – on my knees – in the darkness – I asked Jesus to forgive me. “Be my Lord, Savior and God.” What happened next might be very hard to understand. I still wonder and ask, “Why me?” A small light appeared in the upper corner of the room, it got bigger and brighter – bigger and brighter – bigger and brighter. It was so bright, I had to cover my eyes with a pillow. A voice said “Follow me.”

I said, “WHAT?” – again “Follow me, listen to me.” I began to weep. My wife came home – asked me what had happened – I told her. She said, “Well I don’t understand but you had better go look in the mirror. My hair had gone from dark brown to grey. You should just believe it!

I went to church the next day – told the pastor what had happened. All of the sudden, I was speaking in church up and down the coast of California. My wife filed for a divorce – I wasn’t partying like I used to and she wanted the “old” life. I continued to speak in churches all over California, Oregon, Washington, and Canada. The altar calls were amazing. You would have to have been there. Amazing.

In Seattle – on a freeway ramp – Jesus spoke to me again – “Go to Florida” – What?! – “Go to Florida.” Two days later, I was in Santa Maria, California. My ex-wife lived there. She said I was crazy and should see a shrink – my mother thought so too. I told them Jesus was going to give them a sign I was not crazy. I went up on the freeway and prayed.

The very first car stopped, it was a red Pontiac with a black leather top. Dennis was headed back to college – he had come home on spring break to tell his parents he had accepted Jesus – they disowned him – they were of the Jewish faith.  His college was in Gainesville, Florida.

Middle of California to Gainesville, Florida – one ride with a newborn Christian. Every time we stopped for gas the tank was full – go figure.  (I was never called crazy again by my ex-wife or my mother.)

I said goodbye to Dennis.  It was a Sunday. I was led to a beautiful church and was asked to attend the young folk’s service that night. Walked in – saw a young man in a wheel chair all crumpled up.

You are NOT ready for this – nor was I.

I walked over to him – asked him if he would like to be healed. A voice from within him said, “leave us alone.” I said, “I am not talking to you, I am talking to him.” Again – I asked him if he wanted to be healed. He got tears in his eyes – they rolled down his cheeks. He said “Yes.”

I said, “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth I command you to be well.” There was an utterance from him that was NOT worldly – his body became straight – he stood up – walked – praised Jesus, a very smart young man. There were at least 100 folks there who witnessed this. I got scared and ran out – I found a tree to sit under and praised, prayed, and wept all night.

Next day – on another freeway ramp. A car stopped with two young ladies in it. I talk about Jesus with them and they invite me to their apartment for lunch. One girl had a terrible scar across her left cheek from her left ear to her chin. Totally destroyed her looks – she was beautiful other than that. She had been bucked from a horse onto a barbed wire fence.

Out of nowhere I asked her if she would like the scar to go away. She said she did not appreciate my humor and got a bit upset. I asked again – “Yes,” she said. I put a finger on the scar starting at the ear and said, “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth be healed,” as I ran the finger down the scar. It went away as if it was never there. We all started crying. They accepted Jesus.

Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Many miracles have happened to me over the last 38 years of my life – I could write books about them but I hope this little synopsis will convince you to accept Jesus Christ of Nazareth as your Lord, Savior, and GOD – as HE is.