The
following is a presentation of the main demonstrations of
GOD’S BOUNTIFUL GRACE toward me around the time of my
conversion in 1977. (And, the Grace hasn’t stopped!!!).
In
the “Seventies” time frame, I thought I was really
somebody -- at least a step or two above most other
people. I attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
and the University of Washington, have B.S. and M.S. Degrees
in Engineering from the latter, and was a Registered Professional
Engineer. I had been in Management which I
thought was a great honor and achievement. We owned a pretentious
home, and I was active in local political and volunteer projects.
My
parents had been religious and tried to raise me accordingly.
Their religion accepts Jesus Christ only as a great teacher,
does not profess a personal relationship with Him, and emphasizes
“mind over matter”.
Frankly,
after years of trying, I turned completely away from
GOD: I rejected Him and the Bible and accepted (and somewhat
promoted) the concepts of atheism and evolution.
Those
concepts, and my life, were drastically changed around Easter
of 1977. Each of the following Subjects present what happened
to me as GOD poured forth His Grace. For me, each Subject
is absolute proof positive of Him!!
ALCOHOLISM
Almost all my adult life, I had been a drinker: a drinker
of alcohol. As years went by, my drinking progressed
-- it increased in quantity and in frequency. Without
telling the many unpleasant details, let me simply say
that it got very bad. Almost every
day I got drunk. I had a compulsion to drink. I had
a compulsion to get drunk. This had been going on for at
least seven years and probably for a few years longer.
I
was an alcoholic!!
Two
years previously, I had visited the family physician. He told
me that at the rate I was going, I would not have many
more years to live because of the liver damage. I didn’t
care: I just drank more to hurry “the end”
and even plotted various ways to commit suicide.
But
at the same time, something was happening to me. I began to
notice the beautiful surroundings: inanimate objects,
animate things and the people around me -- particularly
those people who had a relationship with the Lord Jesus
Christ.
I
read a few books -- a couple on prophecy. And then, I was
in the process of reading a book entitled “The
Life of Christ in Stereo”, by Johnston
Cheney. This book is a harmonizing of the Gospels (Matthew,
Mark, Luke and John) into one, chronological story of Christ’s
life while here on earth.
I
woke up one morning and I was sick -- not physically ill,
but emotionally and spiritually sick, and I knew it!
I arranged for sick leave from work and finished reading
that book in the morning. Nobody has to believe this,
but when I read where Jesus had said “It is finished:”,
there was a very loud clap of thunder outside, and I
broke down into tears!!! (I still get teary-eyed every
time I think about His Sacrifice!!).
For
a short period of time, I thought about what Christ’s
life really meant. Then, I went to the phone and called
Pastor Bill Archer (I knew him because our children
went to his Church). I said, “Bill, I’m in trouble
and I need help. Will you come you come and talk to
me?” He said, “Sure, just as soon as I
can get there.”
Well,
Bill and I talked for at least two hours. I wanted to learn
more about the Lord, but I had very deep reservations
concerning His acceptance of me (my being unworthy)
because of alcoholism, heavy smoking, other habits,
and the previous, complete rejection of Him.
Bill
told me that a close relationship with the Lord could not
be “earned” through discarding my sinful
habits; however, those habits would later form barriers
to a growing relationship. The important things were to
understand that becoming a Christian was an acknowledgement
of who God is and a willingness to commit oneself to God.
In
general, most of our discussion related to the meaning expressed
in Romans 5:8: “... But God demonstrates His own
love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ
died for us.” Gently, my reservations were being
erased concerning my unworthiness and any futility in turning
to God.
Finally,
I was “talked” out for the day. But, I needed
(and wanted) more encouragement and asked Bill if he would
return the next morning. He agreed, we made the appointment,
and he left.Then,
I proceeded to do what I would normally do: I spent the afternoon
and evening getting and staying very drunk.
The
next morning Bill returned, and we talked an hour or so, and
then we went out to lunch. It was a very enjoyable lunch,
but there was one exception -- I had no alcohol. It had long
been my practice not to go into any restaurant unless alcohol
was served -- I was more interested in the alcohol than in
the food.
After
lunch, we parted and I went home. There was no one at home,
they were either at school or at work, and I decided to get
drunk. So, I got a can of beer out of the refrigerator and
started to drink.
As
I drank the beer, I started to think about what had been happening,
what I had been reading, and what I had been hearing. Then
I realized that I understood some truths which I had never
believed before... truths which I never thought
I could believe before!
I
realized there is a God. I believed that God created the heavens
and the earth and everything in and on them. I believed that
Jesus Christ is the Messiah. I believed that He died on the
cross for mans’ sins. I believed He rose from the dead,
like He said He would. I believed these truths in my heart!
When
I realized this acceptance, I knew there was one important
thing I had to do! I had to tell Him what I
believed! I wanted to commit myself to Him! I wanted
to be “born again” -- born of the Spirit.
As
I sat there drinking my beer, I debated about when I would
do this: tomorrow, next week, or when? Then, I decided: NOW!
I
walked into the next room and I knelt and I prayed: that is
something I never thought I would ever do, nor could
ever do, and had never done before in my life!
The
prayer was a short one, but it came from deep in my heart.
Basically, it was affirming my new beliefs in Him, who He
is, what He has done to save mankind and then, I did ask for
relief from alcohol (I asked that because I knew I should,
but hoped it wouldn’t happen!)
Well,
I went back to the kitchen, and I was very happy! Now...
, the reasoning of an alcoholic can be very unreasonable:
when the sun was shining, I was happy, I wanted to celebrate,
and I wanted to get drunk. If it were raining, I was depressed,
and I wanted to get drunk. And for any situation between,
I would find some imaginary reason, or excuse, to start drinking
and get drunk.
Well,
I was happy!! I wanted to celebrate!! I wanted
to get drunk!!
I
knew there was enough alcohol in the house to really hang
on a good one. So, I told myself: “I will get drunk
one more time, and I will try to quit tomorrow”.
So,
I took a drink of that beer which I had started earlier: it
tasted terrible!! I took another drink of that beer, and
it tasted just as terrible!! I simply could not drink that
beer!! I poured it down the drain.
But,
I wanted to get drunk!! There was a mixed drink I liked
very much, made with whiskey, so I mixed up one of those.
I took a drink of that. I gagged in trying to drink that drink!
I tried to force myself at least three more times to
drink that drink!! Actually, I was getting quite angry!!
But, I could not drink that drink!! I poured it down
the drain.
Then,
as I was returning from the sink to my chair, something
came over me: I don’t know whether the explanation would
be a sensation or whether the correct word would
be a change. But, right then and there, I did not
want to drink and I did not want to get drunk!
Also,
there was an euphoric feeling, and I had to laugh at what
was happening and how it was happening! (I have often thought
that the Lord also had a good laugh!!).
Before
that afternoon, I was an alcoholic. Alcoholism is considered
an incurable disease. I am no longer an alcoholic!! Also,
there were no more signs of any liver problems.
And
since that day, a whole, new, wonderful life has been unfolding
to me: a life with the purpose of loving/serving God!
FAILING
EYESIGHT
A
testimony on the alcoholism healing had been given at Church
and recorded. I was very anxious to have copies made
of the tape so they could be given to friends or to anyone
who would listen.
There
was a friend who had access to a machine which reproduced
tapes in less than a minute each. Arrangements were made with
him to have about a dozen copies made. This was just two days
after giving the testimony.
As
I left work to go to his home and have the copies made, a
serious problem arose: a problem which had started several
years previously and had been getting progressively worse.
I could hardly see!
It
had started with my having difficulty seeing traffic lights:
there was no problem with green versus red... just that the
entire traffic signal boxes were becoming shadows against
a white haze that was slowly, but steadily, surrounding me.
This condition was first noticed on bright, sunny days, became
more pronounced, and then existed even on overcast, cloudy
days.
The
signal boxes disappeared completely, and then I couldn’t
even see the poles that held them. Sometimes, I even had to
ask passengers whether I should proceed through an intersection.
The condition progressed to the point where I could hardly
see the automobiles in front of me, particularly if they were
light in color! Then, I found that I couldn’t always
see the ground I was walking on: everything around me was
a bright, white haze with more of what I could see (shadows)
disappearing by the day! It was a tremendous nuisance that
had become downright dangerous and scary!!
I
went to a doctor who was a well known ophthalmologist. He
told me the condition was not very common (no medical name
given), but he said it could not be cured! It would probably
continue to get worse, but sunglasses should provide some
of the help I needed.
He
was right about the sunglasses: they worked! I was completely
dependent on those sunglasses whenever I was outside: I always
carried them in my coat pocket so they would be readily available
whenever they were needed (which was often).
Now,
back to that specific day -- As I walked out of the building,
I discovered I didn’t have those sunglasses: when leaving
for work early in the morning, the weather was so warm and
pleasant that I hadn’t worn my coat and and the sunglasses
weren't with me. I could hardly see where I was walking and
had difficulty getting the few feet to the exit gate.
I
started praying, silently, while I walked. The basic theme
of the prayers was simply asking for help in having a safe
trip. By the time I reached the car (approximately a four
minute walk), my vision had improved tremendously!
My
vision had improved so much, that I decided to continue with
the errand (the thought of canceling it had seemed, at first,
the wisest move) and I put my trust in the Lord for a safe
trip.
The
trip was made with some, but relatively little difficulty,
even though the traffic was heavy, there were many traffic
lights, my destination was unfamiliar and it was a very bright,
sunny day. Afterwards, I thanked GOD for that safe journey!!
During
the following week, I noticed that the sunglasses were a decreasing
requirement, and by the second week, they simply were not
needed at all!! Since then, sunglasses are used for simple
comfort when driving directly into the sun.
Praise
GOD!! Thank GOD!! A medically incurable condition was healed
and is completely gone!!
EPILEPSY
Within
a week of realizing that my eyes had been healed, I encountered
yet another situation that had a long history.
Approximately
eighteen years previously (around 1959), and long before drinking
was more than a social activity, I had started having “spells”.
These spells were predominately short periods (around
one to five seconds) of dizziness. They increased in frequency
and severity for about a year, until they were occurring at
least once every five minutes (I counted for several days)!
At that point, my speech and balance were beginning to be
affected when the spells occurred. Then . . . I blacked out
during one of them: it was as if a switch had been turned
“off”, and then “on” again . . . it
was so sudden and so complete! I went to the family physician.
After
several tests which included an electroencephalogram (brain
wave test), the doctor said I had “petit mal”:
this being a mild form of epilepsy. Epilepsy is seldom discussed
by anyone, even though petit mal is fairly common: it is usually
considered a “shame’ to have, or to have in the
family (very few people outside the family have ever known
of my condition). The doctor told me there was no medical
“cure”; however, it could be “controlled”
with proper, and absolutely regular, use of medication. That
was exactly what was used from that time on.
I
took two different kinds of pills, each every morning
and every evening to “control” the epilepsy.
It worked fine, too, if I were careful not to forget taking
the medication: forgetting to take one dosage, or much worse,
forgetting to take the medicine two times in a row resulted
in renewed “spells”.
But,
even with proper medication, I had warning signals that, without
proper attention, the “spells” were on
the verge of returning. The warningsignals were a tightening
of muscles in the chest and neck which would occur three or
four times a day with the severity and frequency dependent
on tension, lack of sleep, and particularly with both. When
these warning signals became too frequent, the solution was
to relax and to get some sleep as soon as possible.
Shortly
after the eye problem had been healed, I was driving to do
a business errand when a warning signal came upon me which
was much more severe than usual: severe enough that a “spell”
was expected even though the medication had not been forgotten
for a long time.
I
went to the Lord Jesus for help. My prayers merely asked for
relief from the warning signal. In a few minutes, the warning
signal left. I thanked GOD and then didn’t think about
it much more because, after all, three or four signals a day
were “normal”.
Three
days later, the realization came to me that there had not
been a single warning during those days -- something was
different!!
I
prayed. An idea came to me: an idea from somewhere within
me that cannot be described. That idea was very strong, compulsive,
and kept coming that the epilepsy was gone and taking medication
was no longer needed.
I
stopped taking the medication. That compulsive thought was
absolutely correct: there were no more signs of the epilepsy!!
The
third “incurable” disease was gone!!
It’s
impossible for me not to say: “Praise the Lord”
and “Thank GOD for His Grace”!!
WEIGHT
LOSS
After
I no longer required alcohol, my weight slowly and steadily
decreased. Apparently, that was due to only a minor increase
in food intake coupled with the lack of large amounts of calorie
intake previously associated with the alcohol (which had easily
been one third of the calories consumed). I had been slightly
over weight, and the weight loss was welcomed -- over a six
month period, the loss was around twelve pounds.
Then,
I suddenly lost a tremendous amount of weight in less than
three weeks. The total loss amounted to forty-four pounds:
that was twenty- five percent of my original weight! I became
so skinny that my appearance approached that of a refugee
from a concentration camp! Even my wedding ring fell off!
During
that sudden spurt of weight loss, there was a problem with
bowel movements. From once a day to three times a day, there
was a need to make a sudden dash to the nearest restroom for
relief. Then, it was noticed that the very sudden, extremely
loose movements consisted of large amounts of fresh blood!
I
put my faith in the Lord: the Supreme, Perfect Physician.
In
less than a week, the problems had all come to a complete
stop and have not repeated! Immediately, weight was gained
in spite of relatively heavy physical labor and long hours
associated with work, building a house and a couple of other
time consuming projects.
I
don’t know what caused that problem and, frankly, don’t
care!! The Lord removed whatever the problem was! His Grace
is so bountiful!!
STING
ALLERGY
Many
wonderful things had happened during that first year after
being “born again”, and only the highlights
are being presented here. But, I just have to record one more:
I was allergic to the type of venom injected by spider bites
and bee stings.
The
last time I had a bite, the doctor had been contacted only
shortly before the throat swelling had reached the point of
causing suffocation and probable death. That reaction to the
venom was counteracted with large dosages of antihistamine.
That solved one problem, but (in me) resulted in a reaction
to the medication -- a reaction painful beyond description
and it didn’t completely disappear for about four months.
The doctor had warned me to have that medication with me,
always, for the rest of my life. The medication could preserve
my life regardless of the painful consequences.
One
Sunday evening, just before going to bed, I stepped on a bee
that had come into the bedroom. There was nothing on my foot,
and I was stung! What was going to happen flashed through
my mind and it was very disturbing!! I swore! Then, part of
that evening’s Church service came back to me: upon
learning of his first catastrophes, Job’s first reaction
was to worship GOD! Immediately, I changed my attitude and
turned my thoughts to Jesus.
In
a short time, I could feel the sting burning more and more,
pain moving up my leg and my eyelids, lips and throat starting
to have strange sensations. I was afraid! The alternatives
weren’t at all pleasant: I could take the medication
immediately with the known consequences of months of pain
-- I could wait and see what the Lord might do, with serious
problems if I took the medication too late and couldn’t
get to the hospital on time (we lived on an island and would
have to travel on a ferry) -- or I could really turn the entire
problem over to Him and trust Him. I chose the last one.
As
I lay in bed, praying, within minutes a peace came
over me and I fell asleep even though the reaction was building
up.
I
awoke to the alarm the next morning from such a deep sleep
that time, day, and whereabouts were not recognized. After
a few minutes, realizations of reality settled in along with
the fact that no sting reactions were present -- I felt great!!
MORE
THAN JUST MIRACLES
So
far, physical healings and changes have been presented. But,
they are very minor compared to the importance of spiritual
birth and growth!!!
As
I learn to know GOD, my excitement, wonder and awe keep increasing.
I am not the same person I was before that Easter time of
1977!! I am still changing -- GOD is still molding me. There
was a lot of change needed (and it hasn’t stopped).
In
1978, Pastor Bill Archer had written :
“...
there was a constant drink in one hand and an ever-present
cigarette in the other. But it was more than that -- he
was a cold and distant man and his face carried the best
example of a scowl that I had ever seen.
Don is a transformed man . . . most importantly, GOD has
reached deep down inside and formed a new heart. I have
spent many hours with Don and know the changes are real
and continuing. . . .”
I
read GOD’s “Love Letter to Mankind” (The
Bible) almost daily and am increasingly fascinated as it unfolds
to me. I pray: I pray as often as I can, either silently or
out loud -- usually in secret. I don’t just “ask”
Him for "things", I worship Him!
I
made the most important decision that a person has to make:
a decision that binds forever. I am looking forward to being
with Him for eternity!!!
PRAYER
If
GOD will work in the life of someone like me, He
certainly can do it for everyone and anyone!
I
pray that this testimony of “GOD’s Bountiful
Grace” will bring someone at least one step
closer to GOD. I pray you
will take the time to evaluate your
relationship with Jesus Christ!!!!
AMEN
ISBN
1-57921-227-1 • Page Count: 192 • End
Times / Prophecy • Published by Winepress
Publishing
God's
Bountiful Grace
