TESTIFY

Nine months left in my Bachelor’s degree program at William Jessup University (formerly San Jose Christian College) and I’m struggling with my focus and motivation. That was me in January of 2004; a student in a Management & Ethics / Bible & Theology degree program. How did this happen?

I was happily heading toward retirement with the TV remote in hand; comfortable with my life and definitely not looking to change much of anything other than the channel. I have been a Painting Contractor for over thirty years, my wife is a nurse, our children are out of the house, married, and have children of their own. My wife and I are looking to retire in the next 5-7 years.

8 + years ago, I was hit with a medical malady called Transverse Myelitis, which left me paralyzed. While I was in the hospital ICU, my wife was downstairs going through radiation treatment for breast cancer. She completed her treatments, and I was released from the hospital in a wheelchair. As the days turned into months, God miraculously healed us both, but more importantly, He used the experience to get our attention. Even though we had become complacent in our walk with Christ, He had other plans.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

I had completed 2 years of college in 1969, and decided not to continue. I asked Jesus into my life in 1971, but that’s a story for another time. Soon after leaving school, I started my own business and from that time forward I never thought about getting a degree; I didn’t need one for my business. Fast forward to 2002, driving down Hwy. 280
God spoke to me through a seemingly insignificant radio commercial about a bachelor’s
degree program at a local Christian College. What was He thinking? I know what I was thinking, I’m old, I don’t care about a degree, but the biggest roadblock (in my mind) was I had been a terrible student with a very low GPA. This couldn’t be from God!

In spite of my objections and sound rationale against such a silly idea of going back to school, I found myself applying, interviewing and being accepted into the two year course. I was sure I would fail, but His call was not to be disregarded.

Our Lord turned my life around, got me off the couch, and replaced my TV remote with weekly classes and a load of homework. He showed me “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13), as I watched myself become a top performing student; something I had never ever been from first grade on. I graduated in 2005, and found myself applying, interviewing and being accepted into Western Seminary in their Marriage and Family Therapy Masters program. I am currently attending Western.

I had spent most of my Christian life serving myself, and would have continued on that path were it not for God’s intervention. He has given me a desire to serve Him, to be light and salt to a lost and hurting world. I have discovered the gifts and talents He gave me, and am in the process of being refined for use in His kingdom. All that I am and all that I have are gifts from God. My inadequacies are a constant reminder of my need to depend upon Him for all things. I pray my life will reflect His love, grace and mercy.