Religion or Relationship - What Say You????

I would have to ask each of you if you have a Religion or a Relationship? There is a glaring difference between those who go to church and occupy a pew and those who have come to Jesus, in faith, repent, and ask Jesus to come into their heart.

I guess if one thought stood out in Phillips article, it was about the "wallet." I have found, all too often, that the leadership of some churches pay special attention to those who give the big bucks. The people with the money are all to often placed in high esteem, as well as office of importance and leadership within the church. And I guess this is done in order to keep these deep pocket believers in the flock. This is not to say that these folks (deep pocket believers) aren't right with the Lord, and serving the church in the name of Jesus.

However, this special attention to the rich is condemned in James 2:2-6 - "For if a person comes into your congregation whose hands are adorned with gold rings and who is wearing splendid apparel, and also a poor [man] in shabby clothes comes in, and you pay special attention to the one who wears the splendid clothes and say to him, Sit here in this preferable seat! while you tell the poor [man], Stand there! or, Sit there on the floor at my feet! Are you not discriminating among your own and becoming critics and judges with wrong motives? Listen, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and in their position as believers and to inherit the kingdom which He has promised to those who love Him? But you [in contrast] have insulted (humiliated, dishonored, and shown your contempt for) the poor. Is it not the rich who domineer over you? Is it not they who drag you into the law courts? the Amplified Bible.
So, how would you know if you have a Religion or a Relationship? There is a distinguishing difference between a "true believer" and those that call themselves a Christian. Without appearing to be judgmental, it is more apparent than ever before that there are a lot folks calling themselves Christian, but in their heart-of-heart, they lack the crucial step of being born again. I am listing for all of you the "The Four Evidence's of a Relationship." A person who has accepted Jesus into their heart, has been water baptized (by immersion), and are manifesting the following traits:

1) HUNGER - they have an ongoing hunger for the Word of God. I Peter 2:2 - Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation. And in Hebrews 6:1-2 - THEREFORE LET us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not again be laying the foundation of repentance and abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and of the faith [by which you turned] to God, With teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment and punishment. [These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago.] the Amplified Bible.

2) ELIMINATE - they will constantly be ridding their flesh of the old man as they take on the look of the new man. We are the Temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16) - "What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Of course this mandates that a born-again believer eliminates, or rids their flesh (the Temple of the Living God) of the things that don't glorify God. Romans 8:6 - The mind of sinful man[a] is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. NIV. 1 Peter 2:11 - Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

3) GROW, GROW, GROW - The evidence of growth in any born-again believer is growth. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:15 - Let our lives lovingly [a]express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Galatians 2:20 -I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me. the Amplified Bible.

4) REPRODUCTION - Evidence of being born-again is a hunger to bring new souls into the Kingdom. Jesus told His followers, in Matthew 28: 19-20, in what is commonly known as the Great Commission, to "Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them [a]into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you [b]all the days ([c]perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. [d]Amen (so let it be)." Furthermore, He told His disciples in Mark 1:17 "Come after Me and [l]be My disciples, and I will make you to become fishers of men." the Amplified Bible.

There are so many more things that one could look for in a born-again believer, and the four evidences/traits above are truly the tip of the ice berg, so to speak. Still, in line with what my brother Phillip B. wrote about in his article (Do You Have Religion or Faith???????????????????????) the Bible has provided scriptural evidence to weed out the "fakes". The problem is, no one can look into someone’s heart and really see where that person stands in conjunction with the Lord as their personal Savior.

Thus, I offer this WARNING to other born-again believers. You have been called to be "Witnesses" to the world. No where has God commanded us to be the JUDGE, or the members of the JURY.
I don't necessarily like the way many self professed believers/Christians walk their walk or talk their talk, but, it is not my calling to judge them. I have learned to steer clear of those whom I may feel a concern about. There are going to be a lot of "spook fruits" in the Christian community, and I would say the best way to test their faithfulness, is to apply the four evidences above, and if any one of them are not being manifested in their life or ministry, it may be wise to go around them.
In closing, I know there may be some folks who have be convicted with what you've read in Phillips article and mine. If you are NOT sure of your relationship and standing with Jesus, look over the four steps below, pray the prayer, and let us know that you accepted Jesus into your life as Lord. We'd love to rejoice with you in that decision.

How Do I Find Peace With God?

1. God Loves you and has a good purpose and plan for you.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotton Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
2. We all have a problem - We are seperated from God by our sin.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
3. Jesus handled our sin problem on the cross.
"Who Himself bore our sins on His own body on the tree, that we having died to sin, might live for righteousness - by whose stripes you were healed." 1 Peter 2:24
4. We must respond to God's solution and receive Jesus.
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, those who believe in His name." John 1:12

Do you want to receive Jesus Christ as your personal savior? Then Pray this prayer:

Dear God, You know everything about me. I know I've sinned. Please forgive me. Come into my life. Baptise me in the Holy Ghost and cause me to be a follower of Jesus, your Son, my Savior. Thank you for writing my name in the Lamb's Book of Life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Please let us know that you prayed this prayer....

Pastor Paul

A Tribute Prayer to Ruth Graham....

Even though I have a heavy heart for Billy (Graham) and the family at this time of loss, I know they are rejoicing in their grief, as am I, because death has no longer has its "sting" when it comes to the believer.

Truly, my brother (Billy) will miss his beloved helpmate, but, he knows all to well that the portal of death is the neccessary step to enter into the "blessed hope" for all believers in Jesus Christ. He knows all too well that one day he too will cross over to glory and rejoin Ruth, and for this hope we all rejoice with Billy and his family.

Father - I thank you for the promise of life after death. I thank you that when a servant leaves this world for Glory we, who are born-again, can all rejoice knowing that one day we too will take our last breath on earth and open our eyes to the glory of heaven. Be with Billy and his family. Give them peace. Give them comfort. And strengthen their personal hope and eternal resolve at this time of loss of a cherished loved one. All heaven is rejoicing for another saint, in her work on earth, has come full circle. We ask that you draw ever so close to their sides, and allow their personal faith in You to bring them through this loss with an increased faith that the day of reunion in glory for families and friends saved by grace is nearer with each beat of the human heart. Thank you Jesus for your death, ressurection, and sacrifice so we could return to the Father who sent you to die for us. Amen!!!

Pastor Paul

Another Christian Sex Scandal...

Alberta Christian TV Boss Resigns Over Extra-marital AffairMay, 23 2007 - 8:10 AMCALGARY/AM770CHQR - The founder and CEO of the Lethbridge-based Christian TV network the Miracle Channel has resigned after having an extra-marital affair with another woman. Dick Dewert and his wife Joan founded the channel in 1995. She has also resigned and according to the channel's website she plans to stand with her husband. The Miracle Channel board has named chair Ray Block as CEO.What is it about TV pastors and affairs? Of course, the anti religious crowd eats these things up. If you check out www.removethehaze.com you will see that this author has great insight on this problem as per the following editorial review:


ZIMMER EXPOSES OWN SINS IN "PRODIGAL DAZE" - OLIVER KIMOKEO online manager

In an autobiographical novel of dark life decisions, APU alumnus Rev. Paul Zimmer shows how his prodigal days became a “Prodigal Daze.”Zimmer has seen his share of trials and tribulations throughout his life.The rise and fall of his ventures detailed in his book would be worthy of a made-for-television movie script including story lines involving pornography, failed ministries, two rocky divorces and unsteady employment.Zimmer should be applauded for his honesty, but not for his poor life decisions.The first big event of the autobiography begins on the day that Zimmer becomes a born-again Christian. Even though he was a regular church attendee on Sundays, he didn’t truly understand the meaning of what it meant to be a Christian until his then-girlfriend and future first-wife showed him the way.Zimmer accepted Jesus Christ on Christmas Eve 1966. This was an especially turbulent time for Zimmer as he was failing classes at his junior college and was issued a Vietnam draft notice a month later.If there were a prototype for a draft dodger, it would be Zimmer. He made every attempt to alleviate the draft, but his efforts still garnered a 14-month stay in the Army. His release was based on medical reasons.In the early 1970s, Zimmer attended Azusa Pacific College. APC was just another destination along his road of many enterprises. Throughout his university days, Zimmer was involved in youth activities with a local church group.After graduation from APC, Zimmer became a senior pastor for a Napa church. His inexperience with the gospel led to confrontations with the elders and eventually led to his resignation.The story goes on and on like this. Zimmer finds one avenue and then leaves it the next year for something different—whether it was his own doing or not.Zimmer continued to put himself in leadership positions in church jobs and non-church jobs even though he was in much need of a leader himself. He continued to struggle with his sins while being an example for others in the limelight.The sins that Zimmer struggled with the most were a secret that he kept from others. He had a major addiction to sex—his outlet was pornography and adultery.Instead of facing his battles head-on through the help of Jesus Christ, Zimmer was a persistent sinner.Eventually, the climax of the autobiography brought a resolution to his struggles. After the events of the book, Zimmer began a fruitful career in helping others in crisis.The consequences of Zimmer’s sins were a personal test in the development of his testimony.It was truly refreshing to read about a Christian battle that did not sugarcoat the sin. Zimmer put his past sins out in the open so that people who have struggled with a similar sin can see a journey back into the arms of the Father.I enjoyed reading “Prodigal Daze” for its straightforward honesty and Zimmer’s blunt standpoint on the framework of sin.

And while Ted Haggard, Jim Baker, Dick Dewert did the honorable thing, it is still unknown if the founder of the Trinity Broadcasting Network did anything else but try to buy his way out of sexual sin with a male partner, see: http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/2004...Sex12sep04.htm.
I don't know which is worse. Getting caught and stepping down, or trying to hush the secret by throwing money at it. The Founder of TBN never stepped down, and I'm not proposing he should. That is purely his call and up to his conscious. It will always be a call he will have to answer to God for at the great judgement for believers.I think the fact that more and more prominent men of God are falling by the wayside is just another sign of the times. It is truly a warning to each of us who put our pants on "one leg at a time," that there is no spiritual immunity. Our sin will eventually find us out. The truth is: the devil sets his sights on the "big fish" and as well as the little fish, and he works 24/7 to bring them down, as well as their ministires, integrity, testimony, and witness.So instead of condemning these once prominent men, we best all be aware of Peter's warning in 1 Peter 5:8 - "Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [ in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour." From the Amplified Bible.Be Aware of that lion, lest we dangle our foot from the Rock and fall into the path of that hungry lion....and be devoured!

Pastor Paul - Remove the Haze Ministries

Another Christian Sex Scandal...

Alberta Christian TV Boss Resigns Over Extra-marital AffairMay, 23 2007 - 8:10 AMCALGARY/AM770CHQR - The founder and CEO of the Lethbridge-based Christian TV network the Miracle Channel has resigned after having an extra-marital affair with another woman. Dick Dewert and his wife Joan founded the channel in 1995. She has also resigned and according to the channel's website she plans to stand with her husband. The Miracle Channel board has named chair Ray Block as CEO.What is it about TV pastors and affairs? Of course, the anti religious crowd eats these things up. If you check out www.removethehaze.com you will see that this author has great insight on this problem as per the following editorial review:

ZIMMER EXPOSES OWN SINS IN "PRODIGAL DAZE"
OLIVER KIMOKEO online manager

In an autobiographical novel of dark life decisions, APU alumnus Rev. Paul Zimmer shows how his prodigal days became a “Prodigal Daze.”Zimmer has seen his share of trials and tribulations throughout his life.The rise and fall of his ventures detailed in his book would be worthy of a made-for-television movie script including story lines involving pornography, failed ministries, two rocky divorces and unsteady employment.Zimmer should be applauded for his honesty, but not for his poor life decisions.The first big event of the autobiography begins on the day that Zimmer becomes a born-again Christian. Even though he was a regular church attendee on Sundays, he didn’t truly understand the meaning of what it meant to be a Christian until his then-girlfriend and future first-wife showed him the way.Zimmer accepted Jesus Christ on Christmas Eve 1966. This was an especially turbulent time for Zimmer as he was failing classes at his junior college and was issued a Vietnam draft notice a month later.If there were a prototype for a draft dodger, it would be Zimmer. He made every attempt to alleviate the draft, but his efforts still garnered a 14-month stay in the Army. His release was based on medical reasons.In the early 1970s, Zimmer attended Azusa Pacific College. APC was just another destination along his road of many enterprises. Throughout his university days, Zimmer was involved in youth activities with a local church group.After graduation from APC, Zimmer became a senior pastor for a Napa church. His inexperience with the gospel led to confrontations with the elders and eventually led to his resignation.The story goes on and on like this. Zimmer finds one avenue and then leaves it the next year for something different—whether it was his own doing or not.Zimmer continued to put himself in leadership positions in church jobs and non-church jobs even though he was in much need of a leader himself. He continued to struggle with his sins while being an example for others in the limelight.The sins that Zimmer struggled with the most were a secret that he kept from others. He had a major addiction to sex—his outlet was pornography and adultery.Instead of facing his battles head-on through the help of Jesus Christ, Zimmer was a persistent sinner.Eventually, the climax of the autobiography brought a resolution to his struggles. After the events of the book, Zimmer began a fruitful career in helping others in crisis.The consequences of Zimmer’s sins were a personal test in the development of his testimony.It was truly refreshing to read about a Christian battle that did not sugarcoat the sin. Zimmer put his past sins out in the open so that people who have struggled with a similar sin can see a journey back into the arms of the Father.I enjoyed reading “Prodigal Daze” for its straightforward honesty and Zimmer’s blunt standpoint on the framework of sin.

And while Ted Haggard, Jim Baker, Dick Dewert did the honorable thing, it is still unknown if the founder of the Trinity Broadcasting Network did anything else but try to buy his way out of sexual sin with a male partner, see: http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/2004...Sex12sep04.htm.
I don't know which is worse. Getting caught and stepping down, or trying to hush the secret by throwing money at it. The Founder of TBN never stepped down, and I'm not proposing he should. That is purely his call and up to his conscious. It will always be a call he will have to answer to God for at the great judgement for believers.I think the fact that more and more prominent men of God are falling by the wayside is just another sign of the times. It is truly a warning to each of us who put our pants on "one leg at a time," that there is no spiritual immunity. Our sin will eventually find us out. The truth is: the devil sets his sights on the "big fish" and as well as the little fish, and he works 24/7 to bring them down, as well as their ministires, integrity, testimony, and witness.So instead of condemning these once prominent men, we best all be aware of Peter's warning in 1 Peter 5:8 - "Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [ in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour." From the Amplified Bible.Be Aware of that lion, lest we dangle our foot from the Rock and fall into the path of that hungry lion....and be devoured!

Pastor Paul - Remove the Haze Ministries

In the Army Now

My personal anxiety grew to a fever pitch, as I stared out the window of the bus, and the closer we came to our arrival point, the more knotted my stomach was. I was so wound that I jumped out of my skin when a guy from the other side of the aisle yelled out that he could see barracks. Sure enough, as I looked out that side of the bus I too could make out the silhouette of barracks and military vehicles through the darkness and fog. Within a matter of minutes of that discovery, we were surrounded by an endless number of barracks and military buildings.

As we drove down narrow streets dimly lit by the sparsely placed street lights, I was able to make out some of the signs in front of the buildings. There was a commissary, base hospital, Judge Advocate Generals Office, and numerous mess halls. As the speed of the bus decreased, to a crawl, the sound of its diesel engines were whining even louder, which added to my anxiety as I knew we were within minutes of disembarking the safe confines of the bus, and my personal nightmare would be set in motion.

My stomach had twisted itself up in so many knots that a nausea feeling crept over me as the screeching sound of the bus's air brakes signaled we had arrived. We had finally pulled into an area that was so well lit that the coastal fog was driven back to the sea. As we sat in the bus, the mood of those around me was rather subdues, and almost somber. It was apparent that no one was looking forward to getting off the bus that morning.

As I looked out the window of the bus, I couldn't help but see the same large banner that many of the others were already looking at. On my side of the bus, stretched between two light poles, was a bright red sign with large white letters that welcomed us to the United States Army Reception Station at Fort Ord, California. I finally knew where we were going, because the sign was quite informative. To this day, I still don't understand why our destination had to be so secretive. After we arrived we knew where we were, and eventually we would be letting our families know where we were. All the cloak-and-dagger leading up to our arrival at Fort Ord made no sense; unless the army was afraid, the enemies of this country would commandeer our bus, and take us hostage.

Whatever, we were there, and though we were left sitting on the bus for another fifteen to twenty minutes, once those two foul mouth drill sergeants came aboard the bus a spirit of intimidation came with them. They began shouting, cussing, and pulling guys out of their seats. Their objective to have all of us get off of bus could have been better accomplished without all of the colorful language, and physical intimidation. It became quite apparent that these guys did not intend to warmly welcome us to the U.S. Army.

Actually, the street language they used to describe our mothers, and our physical and mental potentials, were new to my limited and often sheltered vocabulary. To be honest, if their intention was to intimidate and offend, they deserved a passing grade. From where I sat, all I could see were the bodies of scared young men being physically pushed and tossed off of the bus, so, as they approached where I was sitting, I prepared to jump up and run off that bus, because that's what they seemed to want.

The nightmare of military service had just begun. What happened on the bus a few minutes earlier was tame in comparison to what came next. We were ordered to stand at attention, while another sergeant exited the only building we could see due to the bright lights shining down in our faces. This guy was even larger than the first two that yelled, yanked, and kicked us off the bus. He must have been the head sergeant, because he stood before us, and read us the riot act. I was amused with the thought that maybe these guys were angry for having to get up so early in the morning and greet us. But in the midst of my self amusement, I watched in horror as a sergeant grabbed one recruit by the neck and asked him to tell the group why he was smiling. Any thought of smiling, or smirking was quickly eradicated from my mind.
Of course, when you try not to laugh or smile, the human mind, at that time of the morning, will work against your best efforts, and pretty soon more than half of the group had cracked smiles, and some were even laughing, This only caused "Sergeant Gorilla" to become totally enraged, but because one guys smile had become a case of infectious mass hysteria, all he could do was make us do a hundred push ups while he ranted and raved something about respecting our leaders.

The above blog is taken from Chapter 3 of Prodigal Daze. Prodigal Daze can be purchased exclusively at www.buy.com of www.barnesandnoble.com under my name: Rev. Paul G. Zimmer, II. Thanks for your support....:)

Early Days

Early Days
My Christmas was blessed with the realization that I came to the understanding that my heart was empty because of sin. My trip to San Dimas Canyon on Christmas Eve was a trip that brought more than the sharing of gifts with my girlfriend.
After she shared with me my need to be Born Again, it was like a light went on within my dark cold soul. It was a light that brightly revealed the emptiness of my heart and life, and when she asked if I'd like to ask Jesus to come into my life, I jumped at the chance to have Him come into my life and change my heart.
What a Christmas gift I just received. It was a Christmas I'd never forget. Forty years later, I'm still thrilled with the joy of having Jesus come into my heart and change the direction of my life.

The Calling
Later that evening, my girlfriend and I return to the campus of the century old Voorhos Mission in the hills of West Covina. We had both been there earlier that day, as I wanted to share with her the place I went to to find peace and solitude.
The mission was now locked down, and there were no people mulling around like earlier that afternoon. In a way it was spooky, as the mission was only lit by maybe five or six street lights.
As we drove through the campus, I was drawn by the need to go back to the sanctuary itself. The missions campus was built in a circular manner, and the street was a single lane, one way drive way. Of course the church itself was at the opposite end of the campus, so I drove slowly around the circular street, becoming more spooked by the eerie scenes being made by the shadows of very old California Oaks glistening in the light of December's full moon.
The blessings of this nights events were only in its infant stages, and as I slowly circled the mission's campus, my spiritual need to get to the church grew with each passing moment. What God had in store for me was special, and about to be revealed in the realm of the supernatural.

The Day After
The supernatural events that took place last night (12/24/1966) were unbelievable. So unbelievable, I spent the entire next day (Christmas) in quiet reflection. So much took place last night, that I would need time, lots of time, to digest everything that happened. The only thing I knew for sure about the things I went through at the mission's church and while I slept in my bed that night, was that yesterday at this time I was a nonbeliever; and today, well, I really believed in His power and ability to do the unexplainable.
I was sure of one thing know...God wanted me to serve Him in the ministry, and the things that unfold in the next 12 months only go to completely support the supernatural calling I was blessed to go through.
God was so real to me after what I experienced over the past ten hours, and I was now ready to the ends of the earth to follow Him and do His work here on earth.
(The events that transpired on Christmas Eve and into the early parts of Christmas Day are fully explained in my book Prodigal Days)

Marriage and Divorce

Marriage and Divorce
You don't need to be a mind reader to know that I married the young lady that led me to Jesus on Christmas Eve 1966. The two of us were married in March 1967, and we officially ended our marriage in June 1977.
However, the years between brought forth two beautiful children. Paul (III) was born in July 1968, and Carrie was a March blessing in 1970. But, along with the joy of two beautiful children came the problems within our marriage which were no different than any other "Baby Boomer".
First of all, we married young. I was 20, and she was 16. Money was a mild to moderate concern with two young children coming so quickly in our marriage. But, the main problem was religion. While I went on to complete my BA in Religion, enter the ministry, and get closer to God: the light of my life went the other way. I was so consumed with studies, and than the demands of leading a congregation that I never noticed the subtle, but, ever increasing changes in our relationship. She actually wanted me to leave the minsitry, or she would leave me. I made a choice to stay in the minsitry, and she made good on her threat.
It was actually a surprise to me when she wanted a trial separation, in order to go out and drink and party with her friends from the bank where she was an assistant manager. It was frustrating, and the strain and stress of facing a divorce, and the potential fallout it would bring to my licensing and ordination process brought my world tumbling down.
When we finally split, and she filed for divorce, I was facing professional uncertainty, and at the request of my denomination's coordinator, I resigned my license, and ended my quest for ordination.
Anger consumed me. It ate away at what little faith in God I had remaining in my heart, and I turned my eyes towards self gratification through porn and hookers. It was no secret that the world of porn and paid for sex meant I didn't have to expose my heart to more potential hurt at the hands of another woman.
I knew this was wrong, according to God's word, but, at this time in my life, I felt God had deserted me, and I wanted to "get even" with Him while I put as much distance between Him and me.
Don't get me wrong. My experiments with porn and paid sex started at least a year before my marriage officially ended in 1976. While she was going home to her parents in Texas for long periods of time, I turned to the fleshly urges within, and allowed illicit sexual sin to get its foothold in my life. I was not a saint by any means...I was human, and that scared me more than anything else.
Just how could my life go so far from its initial calling? After all, I had the supernatural events of Christmas Eve to nail my faith to. I had the supernatural events that led to my being honorably discharged from the US Army, and keeping me from being sent to Viet Nam. I had the supernatural experience of seeing my college grades go from 1.57 in Junior College, to 3.88 at Azusa Pacific as I studied for the ministry. This supernatural turnaround in academic abilities was yet another sign from God that He had called me from out of the blue, and wanted me in the ministry. But marital failure was clouding my faith, and leading me down a dangerous path.
One would think that with all of these supernatural events unfolding in the course of my first tens years of spiritual life and marriage, that I'd be strong as a rock. To this day, I can't understand how the devil got such a strong hold of my heart, but he did, and now I was out on the street, so to speak, and starting a new life separate of God, my wife, my children, and the ministry I once knew I was called for.