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                         GOD'S GRACE

        In the early 1970's, I took command of the USCGC STEADFAST 

 (WMEC-623) in St Petersburg, Fl.  Little did we know how our lives would

 change. I  had smoothly moved up through Coast Guard ranks, and was now a

Commander. Although I had a lovely Wife, Rita, and a great family with three terrific

 Sons, Don, Dave, and Dennis,  the truth is that there continued to be an

 incompleteness to my life -  in spite of success, I was not satisfied.

        I'd believed that the next rank was what would do it - but I'd achieved that and still

had  that unexplainable emptiness. I later knew it was missing the indwelling

 presence of Jesus.  Nothing filled this gap, although, on the surface, I seemed to

 have it all together. And, it wasn't just church. As a family, we'd kept up a reasonable

 pattern of church attendance. That had seemed like an important thing to do, but it

 had not satisfied.

        When the public schools decided to bus our two youngest Sons across town to

 help integration, Rita & I were very unhappy. Northside Baptist Church was opening

 a school that year that promised a good education, to teach patriotism and to teach

 the love of God. We enrolled two of the Boys and even started attending that church.

        In the meantime, God's Holy Spirit was awakening spiritual needs in Rita (she'll

explain all about that). I was busy operating the ship, but did attend church when 

in port. We were learning about the Bible. But one Sunday at church was  special. At

 the end of the service, Pastor Ken Moon invited folks up front if they wanted to know

Jesus in a personal relationship. Rita was ready to go forward - I wasn't sure. The old

male pride was strong. But I also didn't want Rita going up by herself - that Sunday, it

seemed that only couples were going up. So, with great reluctance, I dragged my

feet forward. I recall the Elder who prayed with me prayed for my sincerity. But I

believe that's when Jesus saved me.

        Much gradually became clear - that I, like all men,  was truly a sinner (Romans

 3:23), that Jesus died for my sins on Calvary (Romans 6:23), washed me clean, and 

gave me the unmerited, free gift of eternal life (John 3:16). Through this love of Jesus, 

my  emptiness was no more. It all made sense. I had just needed to accept Jesus as 

my Lord and Savior and live in obedience to Him. He reached me and broke through 

my hard heart by touching  the one dearest to me - My Love, Rita. Thank you, Lord. 

Our lives have never been the same. (Ephesians 2:1 - 7) (Hebrews 12:1-2).

        We are eternally grateful for our salvation. And we praise and thank you

that our three sons, Don, Dave, and Dennis, and their wives, Colleen and Karen,

also know you as their Savior. May our Grandchildren follow this path.