By 1971, I had become so sick of organized religion, that I actually became a "card-carrying" atheist. I went out of my way to debate religious zealots who thought it necessary to "save me." When a fellow sailor named Hal Judd, confronted me in 1970 with his faith in Jesus, I made him look like the fool I thought he was - point that will be evident shortly. A couple of months went by, when a former neighbor from California decided he wanted to respond to my cordial-but-no-thanks letter I sent the first time he contacted me; he sent me a pocket New Testament. I remember throwing it across the room in anger.
One night, while standing "watch" with the Blue Angels, I tired of reading my college text for American History. When I searched the office for the usual porn that was usually prevalent, I discovered that someone had "sterilized" the place! There wasn't even a newspaper to read. So I decided to get my Biology textbook out and study it for a while. When I opened my briefcase, there it was! Someone had decided to pick up that New Testament and place it in there! I was, at first angry, but then decided, for laughs, to open it at random and read what I believed was "garbage." What I found was writing so beautiful, that it made Shakespeare's writings seem dull! I had opened to Matthew Twenty-five, was so impressed with its beauty that I called a friend to discuss it.
The next morning, Sunday, January 31, 1971, I was sitting at the dining room table, telling my wife about the beautiful, almost "other-worldly" book Tim Coffman had sent me. She was totally in shock that I had even touched it. As I was talking, our children had come down stairs, turned on the T.V., and had gone into the kitchen to get some cereal. I was so engrossed with my conversation with Judy, that I didn't make a "big deal" about the "garbage" that was on. About that very instant, I heard the announcer say that following the hymn, the Pastor would present his morning message. I told Judy that I thought it would really be something if he preached on the same thing I had read the night before. When the music stopped, he said, "Good morning. Today I want us to look at Matthew Twenty-five, the Parable of the Ten Virgins." I literally jumped up from my chair and shouted something, I do not remember what.
I listened to him, to the next preacher an hour later, and was listening to the "invitation" of a third preacher, Rex Humbard of the Cathedral of Tomorrow. By that time, I had heard the Gospel three times! I believed it. Jesus died for me; they buried Him, and He was raised from the dead to be the Savior and Lord of all who would come to Him. I started to fall to my knees on the floor, but as I slid forward, I say Judy doing dishes in the kitchen. I froze. Just then, for no reason that either of us knows today, she turned and walked outside. It was very cold outside, even for Florida, and for her to do that with wet hands and no coat, was so unlike her. The door closed and I hit the floor.
Since that time, my O.C.D. personality has been somewhat in check - I mess up occasionally, but am immediately filled with remorse. Thank God the Apostle Paul struggled in his attempt to live a pure life (Rom. 7:15-25), and the Apostle John provided God's children with 1 John 1:8-10! Today, I am more certain of Jesus as my Lord and Savior, than I was on that cold morning! I cannot wait to see Him face-to-face so that I can be like Him (1 Jn. 3:2)!
Jesus Christ, God, the Son of God, Creator, and soon coming King!
Come Lord Jesus!
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