knew my life was missing something but I didn't know what! I should have been the most satisfied person in the world, but I was empty inside.

I had advanced, in my career, from a bus-boy to Food and Beverage Director in a major hotel in Atlanta, GA. I dated Show Girls, was recognized in all the leading restaurants and knew the Lt. Governor by his first name as well as judges, State and U.S. Senators.

"What was missing in my life?" I wondered. "Why wasn't I happy?"

I was born into a military family and we moved, it seemed, every six months. I had attended seven different schools in different parts of the USA, many more then once. I thought we were a good family as we were as close as I imagined any family could be. We attended church on a some what regular basis and, at the age of sixteen, I accepted Jesus as my Savior.

SATAN HAD OTHER PLANS FOR ME.

hen I decided I should become a minister and planned to enroll in Bob Jones University. This pleased my grandmother to no end as she was a dedicated christian. Little did I know that Satan had other plans for me; at the time I didn't know I had to go through a testing and preparation season; a long, long season I might add.

I had a bad experience in my church that turned me off to the ministry. After my accepting Jesus I started praying with other Christians every morning before classes started at our school in Montgomery, Alabama.

My father was transferred to Alexandria, Louisiana and I became involved with a very active Episcopal church. I told a friend about my experiences in Montgomery and we decided to also pray daily. I guess his mother didn't approve as my pastor called us in and told me I should go to Seminary before I started preaching on street corners.

I explained we weren't preaching, only meeting for prayer and we even used the Book of Common Prayer so we wouldn't make any mistakes. He still asked me to stop. Because of what had happened I reasoned "if this is what being a minister means I don't want it".

THE GLITTER OF THE WORLD GOT ME.

hen I was eighteen we were living in Lake Placid, NY, my home town. I went to work as a waiter at one of our local hotels and there I was introduced to 'wine, women and song'. My grandmother's influence didn't seem to matter and I started on a different path for my life.

I knew that sex was reserved for the marriage bed but that didn't seem to matter. I reasoned "if I am not with a married woman it was OK." Sure; I knew different deep down inside, but I didn't want to give up my new life style.

I entered the Military Service at eighteen and was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky for my jump training as a paratrooper. The adulterous life style continued and I finally decided to get married. Then, at least, God wouldn't be against me. (I always felt guilt with my relationships but wouldn't admit it.)

My wife became pregnant and we had a son. The marriage lasted about two years and I finally took my son home to my parents as I feared for his life.

After I was discharged I returned to Lake Placid and went to work as a waiter at the same hotel I had learned the business and the life style. I met my second wife; she became pregnant and we had a daughter. I was also havening affairs outside of marriage as I wasn't being fulfilled. This marriage also ended in divorce.

After that I tried common law but more problems as the drinking and outside affairs became more involved. I was successful in my pursuit of my career as I worked my way up from waiter to Captain to Maitre'd to Food and Beverage Director. I had deep emotional feelings for my common law wife and when that affair ended I was devastated.

GOD DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO INTERCEDE.

he life style continued and I again entered a common law marriage. I really felt my life was over but now God had me where he wanted me. My partner and I celebrated Christmas at my parents. (They thought we were married.) I saw something between my sister and her husband and I knew that was what I needed in my life. When I questioned them they told me about Jesus and the baptism in The Holy Spirit, but I didn't want any part of that. I only wanted what they had. They were giving me the answer I just couldn't understand it as the veil was still over my eyes.

My mother gave me a book entitled "Nine O'clock In The Morning" by Dennis Bennett. After reading the book I asked God how I could have this. At that moment a bulb fell of the Christmas tree and a voice said "All you have to do is ask me." It wasn't an audible voice but I knew it was God.

I went into my bedroom and knelt beside my bed and I asked God for the baptism and believed I had received it. I asked about this thing called tongues and the voice told me to ask for it again and then speak. I asked again, opened my mouth and a strange language poured out. It sounded like baby talk but as far as I was concerned that was tongues because God can't lie.

THE NEW DIRECTION FOR MY LIFE.

knew that a change had taken place; not because I felt different, but because my thoughts were now on spiritual matters. I bought a bible, a Strongs Concordance, a Bible dictionary and began to study. The words were the same but different as I could now understand what they were saying. Oh I had read the bible before but now it was different. I'll never forget the first verse that excited me. It was from John 1: 12, "To all who believe gave He the power to become the Sons of God".

"Wow! Could I be a Son of God?" I asked myself. The answer was simple; God can't lie. I had to find out more about this new found faith. I started attending an asembly of God Church and found the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International. From then on it was, and continues to be, a rewarding walk with The Lord.

The greatest miracle that God has performed for me, and there have been many, was when I met Pat my present wife. Her daughter introduced us and the rest is history. We will be celebrating 21 years of marriage this February 13th and the honeymoon is still happening. It just gets better and better everyday.

I believe the secret for our marriage is that we pray and read Gods' word together almost everyday. It is also a time of sharing and discussing different plans for the day and week. We have a great respect for each other and total trust. We do almost everything together as Pat is my partner and best friend. Sure, we don't always agree but we know Who to ask for the answer.

I know that The Lord had a lot of work to do in me before I was ready to understand what a Christian marriage is but when He finished preparing me he gave me the greatest gift after salvation. I thank Him every day for Pat and our life together.