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Phil WA3MNS:

I was raised in a Catholic home and family. I went to Catholic school & church until I was 17. Although I liked school, I was so sick of all the rules & “thou shalt nots” so I rebelled and did all of them! (Except murder).

In the summer of 1972 I discovered women, drinking, partying and all kinds of “fun trouble”. I had a good job and was enjoying life as I never had before but my parents sheltered me so much that I was a bomb waiting to go off when I hit the real world. I had so much fun it was a sin (literally). I had fast cars, motorcycles, women, vacations and partying friends! I drank most of the time and, yet, I still worked and paid my bills on time. I had lots of fun but God was still pursuing me.

One night, in 1972, my friend & I were playing Foose ball at an arcade and this young boy came up to us. He asked us: “if you were to die today, where would you end up”? My friend replied: “then we’ll die playing Foose ball, now take a hike”. I just laughed and continued playing.

In August 1972, I went to college in Columbus Ohio for 4 months and that was all I could take of school. I hated it! I came home in January 1973 and went to work at Montgomery Wards as an auto mechanic until At&T called me in October 1973.

In 1976 I was in California visiting an old drinking buddy who I used to party with here. He had moved back to Bakersfield and reunited with his wife who is a Christian. Although he didn’t force anything religious on me, I could tell he was not the same guy I used to party with. His wife, however, tried to get me saved. She convinced me to pray a prayer to ask Jesus into my heart but I wasn’t ready. I stayed in my party lifestyle and came back home to Maryland after 2 weeks.

About 4 years later I was living on my own in a mobile home, I had big bills and I was depressed. I saw a Billy Graham telecast on TV and was moved to tears out of pity for myself. He mentioned that I should ask Jesus into my heart and I tried but it didn’t work because, again, I wasn’t ready. Things got better at work, I had lots of overtime and the money started flowing in. I was meeting women and having fun again! I did this until I was 34 years old.

During those reckless years, I never realized that I was being protected by God. Here are 4 instances where my life should have ended:

1)     As a 10 year old kid I was playing by the curb with some friends and got pushed into the road by one of the other kids. A car locked up its brakes and stopped within 5 feet of me.

2)     While working at a friend’s gas station in 1972, I pumped gas for a customer and, when I went to ask him for the money, he pointed a pistol at my face. I asked what he wanted and he paused for what seemed like an hour but then drove off. I got his tag number, called the cops and they caught him within minutes but I was shaking!

3)     In 1975 I was working under a friend’s car which was on a scissors jack. I heard a creaking noise from the jack so I got out from under the car REAL quick! The second my head was clear of the car, it came crashing down onto the concrete.

4)     Then in 1987, after a night of drinking and partying, I was driving home and fell asleep for a moment. I side swiped a boat trailer being towed and it woke me up. I stopped the car and the guy was real nice (thank God!). He said there was no damage to his trailer but my front tire & fender were really scratched up. I said thanks and made it home safely and wide awake!

In the Fall of 1988 was starting to wonder about my life’s purpose even though life was great! I was seeing 3 women but it seemed like it was more for sport than for relationship and so I was kind of cavalier about it. Then, one Sunday night in July of 1989, I came home from playing tennis as I often did and, for a change, I was sober. I was tired, so I sat down and turned on the TV. It was 9:30pm and, as I went through the channels, there was an older white haired man (Dr. Charles Stanley), speaking. Now, normally, I would turn the channel but he sounded a lot like Billy Graham, whom I liked, so I listened for a while. As I listened, he made real sense. He wasn’t talking with a bunch of “thee’s and thou’s” so I actually enjoyed listening to him. After about 20 minutes of speaking, he paused and looked at the camera and said: “now, what makes you think that you are going to Heaven when you die”? I was alone so I answered him. I said: I’m not nearly as bad as some of my friends, so I know I’m going to Heaven. Immediately (as if he heard me) he said: “I’ll bet you’re thinking that you’re not as bad as some of your friends, right”? I almost fell over when he said that! I listened some more and, after a few minutes, he asked another question: “Is your name in the book”? Now, being a telephone company employee, I laughed and said: of course my name is in the book; the phone book. He didn’t flinch and he said: “Let me ask you again. Is your name in the book”? So I said: what book? He said:” If you have to ask what book, your name might not be in it”! That was it! I knew God was talking to me! After a few more minutes he invited me to pray a short prayer to ask Jesus into my life because (he said) without Jesus in your life, you can’t get into Heaven. This was the answer I was searching for. I prayed and immediately I felt such a peace come over me that I hadn’t felt those last few times I prayed for Jesus to come into my life. I knew I was changed! I felt free from something but I didn’t know what it was yet. That night, hundreds of dollars worth of alcohol and beer went down my kitchen sink drain. (My garbage disposal was never the same after that night).

Immediately, I called up a buddy that I sold Real Estate with who I knew was a Christian and told him what happened. He was ecstatic and told me we need to get together tomorrow to talk.

I started going to his church (it had only 7 people but still a good place for me to start). I also started going to church with my parents again. First time in 18 years! We were all happy but it wouldn’t last long. The Holy Spirit did not want me in the Catholic Church. I could feel it in my heart but I continued going with them on Saturday night for a little while longer. I went to other churches on Sunday until I found my own church in 1990 then I stopped going to theirs.

In my first year as a Christian, word got around and I was asked to speak at men’s breakfasts and other events. I couldn’t believe it! My gift of teaching and preaching was already at work. (I was a training instructor at Bell Atlantic at the time so teaching was natural to me)!

After a year and a half of having no success in finding a church, I asked God to tell me where He’d like me to be. I heard Him say: “you were saved by listening to a Baptist preacher so that’s where I want you”. There was a little Baptist church 2 blocks from my house that I didn’t even know existed because there was no sign or steeple indicating it was a church. (It was a log cabin). It’s amazing how God was waiting for the right time for me to find out that it was a Baptist church. When I was finally led to it, their sign had been repaired and put back up. It just so happened that they were looking for a Youth leader and guess who was extremely good with teenagers? They asked me to work with the kids because I was getting along so well with them after church every Sunday. The Youth group had 6 kids in it when I arrived. When I left it 6 years later, it had 60!

After one year there, I was ordained as a Deacon. Shortly after that, I was licensed by the church to preach the Gospel. They liked the way I spoke and prayed and how I included the kids so they let me do some of the Sunday prayers, then the actual Sunday service itself and, finally, the Lord’s Supper!

The biggest blessing was when my parents came to hear me preach! In 1996, when the Pastor had to leave, I continued with Pastoral duties for many months until a new one was found.
In 1996 I left the Youth ministry and took on the young adult singles ministry. There was 4 attending when I took it over and 16 when I left a year later. They just weren’t getting fed by the other teachers they told me. They said that it was easier for them to relate to me because I was single.

Unfortunately, the new Pastor & I had differences after about a year and so, in 1997, I left the church that was such a big part of my life.

At that point I gave up denominational names for good. From then on I would only refer to myself as a “Bible believing Christian”.

But God still had more plans for me. I started a Christian Community center with 2 friends in 1995 and we’ve had 200-300 kids coming there every Friday night. They were exposed to live bands (mostly Christian ones) and were given food, lots of love and Jesus! It has been a tremendous success ever since.

I retired from Verizon in 2002, after my Dad died, to take care of my Mom. I never realized how much God would do with me until I became free from a regular job. I moved Mom into my house and I took care of her until I no longer could. After finding a very loving Assisted Living place for her, I discovered that they needed a maintenance man. At first I volunteered but, after 2 weeks, they insisted that I get on their payroll. While visiting Mom and working there 7 days a week, I started to spread the word that I was a Christian. I bought more than 25 Bibles for the staff and the residents and started a Bible study right in the facility! After about 2 months of Bible study, some Jehovah’s Witnesses showed up at the door of the facility. You can only imagine the crowd that gathered when I started to confront their false teachings. There were about 25 people listening to me and the 2 JW ladies. We talked all about the Bible where Jesus was concerned and, after 3 meetings with them, they stopped coming! God is so awesome! The words coming out of my mouth were surprising to even me!

In December 2006, Mom's health got worse and I had to find a place for her to get extra care and (of course) God already had a place for us to go. I found a place 45 minutes from my house but it was run by 2 young Christian people! Mom got excellent care there but, sadly, she only lived there 5 months before she died in May 2007. All in God’s plan, however.

In April 2004, God gave me the Spirit Net. Six nights a week we reach around the world with the old (Amateur Radio) & the new (Internet streaming audio).

And in 2007, I got involved in a Southern Maryland internet forum. It’s a giant chat room where people can discuss any & every topic, including religion. It’s a real spiritual war on there some days.

Thanks for reading. I hope my experiences have blessed and encouraged you. Phil WA3MNS

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                                                                             REFLECTIONS of a WALK in FAITH (June 2008)

          My name is Art (KA1RX). I attend Ingleside Church in Norfolk, VA. I have been blessed through a prayer answered when God gave me my wife, Janet 43 years ago.  We have a loving and faithful daughter, Sarah; son-in-law, Adam, and 3 grandchildren. They are very active in their church in Chattanooga, TN.

My journey in this “walk” took many twists and turns, as many of you have also experienced in your life’s journey. With your patience, I want to share with you some of the Grace God has given me. Quite often He brings someone into our lives to awaken us. After retiring from the Navy, 1981, with 23 years, I started working in the television broadcast field. In 1984 I met a fellow ham radio enthusiast, Bill S., who is a strong Christian. He asked me to join him in a business venture and I jumped at the chance. Bill would gather us together and we would start each work day with prayer and on Thursdays there was a noon Bible Study, and barbeque sandwiches. What a change this was from the TV station. This atmosphere was very new to me. Bill’s gentleness of instruction and examples still light my way.

This is where my spiritual journey started in earnest, came into focus and where God opened another door. I bought my first Bible and started to read. I wanted some of what Bill has!  I joined the prayer and study group and was embraced by their love and prayers. I also met my pastor, Dr Peter McLewin, who helped me see beyond my limited beliefs. We had many discussions as I read my new Bible and tried to understand it, opening a whole new world to me. These discussions have continued even today. Christ affirms His presence in many ways.

Awhile after I started my journey, on July 14, 1986, I had a very real dream where I know I saw Christ. I was stunned, but strangely, not afraid.  He beckoned to me to come to Him. I did go to Him and awoke in tears crying, “Hallelulah! Praise to God, I believe! He lives! He lives!” My search, my prayers were answered; and what peace and joy. These seeds must have taken in fertile soil because Pastor Peter baptized me on August 9, 1987. I became active at Ingleside Church. Its multicultural environment has been such a blessing and wonderful growth experience where I continue to serve.

God’s hand appeared again with full surprise and wonder. After a year of apprenticeship Christian teaching, love and exposure with Bill S. and Pastor McLewin, I returned to the TV station and the secular world. Our joys can turn to duty, with different consequences. My focus on my work and church priorities, and the stresses I imposed on myself, took its toll. In 2002 I had chest pains on my way to work. After several tests to determine the cause, the heart doctor gave me several options; from meds, to stents and to bypass – if needed. I was only 60yrs old. (This only happened to ‘old’ folks.) Right then and there in that doctor’s office I chose to ‘walk my faith’ and place myself in God’s hands. I had more damage than thought and had 3 stents implanted. It could have been worse. I had and still have a peace about this even though from that point on I should carry Nitroglycerin pills.

One year later I had a renewed experience when one of the stents started to clot. There was no question of how my faith stood. God would and did have the right people there to help. The corrective procedure was a success and I was able to share this positive procedural experience and my faith through the efforts of the news media. Time wore me down again as my service was again turning into duty.   Spiritual warfare is alive and well all around us. My prayer partners helped me realize my priorities and gifts. I started to apply them in my service to Christ. I began to teach our Adult Sunday School class. OH, what a blessing this has been. My walk just got better, and better, yet.

While working at the TV station, I met my sponsor for the Walk to Emmaus. When asked if I would like to attend a “Walk to Emmaus”, I said ‘yes’ without thinking. Then, I asked, “What is it?” You see, this weather guy, Craig M., was one of my prayer partners at the TV station, and my sponsor. “TW-70, Walk to Emmaus” (a 4 day retreat) released me from a spiritual prison.  I prayed for release and a renewed faith, and got it! It just gets better and better! I can only imagine how those two disciples must have felt after breaking bread with Christ after His crucifixion and they realized who they were talking and sharing with.

Christ’s love was reaffirmed last year; Saturday, June 2, 2007. My weight has always been a problem. You know what food can do. I was trying to make some changes. That Saturday morning I rode my bike 5 ˝ miles and felt good enough to repeat the route, but decided not to push it. My legs were a little tired, but my wind, et al, felt good. After returning home from the bike ride I wasn’t very hungry so had a cup tea and a cracker for lunch. We had a call from a friend to see if Jan and I would like to take a boat ride, along with another couple, to a local restaurant.  We agreed to meet at his boat dock at 5PM.  I set down in my recliner to take a nap and awoke at 4PM. When I awoke from my nap my chest felt sore, as though I had pulled a muscle from the bike ride or the way I may have slept while in that old recliner. After getting up and moving around, I felt better and the pain was greatly reduced. So, Jan and I left and met everyone at the dock.

          The cruise was uneventful, till after we docked. I felt the discomfort again and I felt very tired. We went into the restaurant and ordered. After sitting there a short time waiting for our orders, I told Jan to make mine “to go” and I went to the cabin to lie down. While lying in the cabin, I tried to determine which muscles were giving me the discomfort. I could not isolate any group and thought I better try a nitro pill - just in case. After the nitro, at 6:50PM, the discomfort went away. But I still felt tired. The party returned to the boat and we returned to the home dock. The return trip was uneventful. There was no change to my discomfort, so I drove home to rest. Immediately after we arrived home the discomfort returned. I went to my recliner and asked Jan to call 911 [8:19PM]. First the Fire Engine crew arrived [8:29PM] and they placed me on oxygen and in a stretcher. A few minutes later, the Kempsville Rescue Squad arrived. As they rolled me out to the ambulance, they asked my name and date of birth, several times. Meantime, Jan asked if she could ride with me to the hospital and was directed to the passenger’s seat in the cab of the ambulance. Immediately after I was loaded into the ambulance, things began to happen. I was asked my name and date of birth, again, to make sure I was still mentally alert.

          In my mind’s eye, the next thing I knew I was outside the ambulance box, behind the passenger’s door. I was standing; for I could see the red side panel and the silver trim with its rivets. I formed the word “Jan” and was trying to form in my mind what to say to her when a voice very clearly said, “Not yet.”  I looked up in the voice’s direction to see who said this. All I saw was the normal house and tree outline view at the east end of the street; the sky was a beautiful light blue color. No one was there! Again I heard, “Not yet.”  The next thing I knew I was looking up at a young blonde woman EMT, named Susan, who asked me my name and date of birth again. I replied that, “I told you that already.”

          While Jan was in the passenger’s seat she heard the EMT call “Code” and she looked back and she saw my face. At this time Jan told them that she was going to get some help for herself from our neighbors. Just before she left the cab she heard the EMT say they had a pulse. A few weeks later, talking to one of the EMTs, the time line was about 2 minutes from when my heart went into fibrillation to being restored to sinus rhythm. I was then taken to the Va. Beach General Hospital [9:03PM] and arrived about 9:18PM. Christ, the firemen, the EMTs and the people at the hospital functioned as a marvelously trained team. With God’s words in my heart and the loving work of the caregivers, I knew all was going to be well. I have to do my part for my recovery to work. With HIS help and all the loving support around me, how can it not? You see, that was 42lbs and one year ago.

          You have heard me speak of Him saving both my body AND my soul. God’s work is not done in us. HE has a plan for each of us.  HE has given each of us His private number and we can call Him, anytime, from anywhere, through our prayers. You don’t even need a telephone. HE gives us gifts to share for His glory and as helps for our fellow brothers and sisters.  Embrace your gifts… Praise, Sing, Teach, Labor for and Love one another. Your DAY will get even better, and better, and…better. I do attest to that.

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