Helped by The Navigator Ministry while in the Military, to get to know Jesus as my Personal Savior. I was raised in church, but once I got into the Army, I got into drinking and stopped going to chapel, felt lonely and disconnected.  Finally went back to church while in the Military, and another guy (Merle D.) helped me to get to know God better.  I got out of the army and went back to school. I met a young lady at college and got to know her and God a whole lot better.  We married in 1973, but after finding we cound never have kids of our own,  we adoped two kids: a boy, Paul (19 now) and a girl, Miranda (16). I worked at various jobs, and in 1999, driving a truck for Staples, but I didn't like it and wanted to quit. I felt trapped and I felt I was going nowhere. But, kept at it, and was praying a lot, both to and from work. I believed I was saved, yet I didn't feel God was near. On the way to work one day, I was crying out to God, to deliver me from certain addictions. I just said out loud, "I can't do this anymore! I am not strong enough."  It may sound crazy but I believe I heard the words, "No, Gary, you can't, but I can."  I answered who? what? How?  and I heard, "I can, because I live inside of you." It was like scales fell from my eyes. I shouted "of course."  I had invited God into my heart in the Military, yet I figured it was all on my shoulders. I had to try harder, to try to be better, live better, try harder,.. but it wasn't working!  I was trying to Live a Supernatural Life, in my own strength!  It can't be done that way. I learned (through a few books, as well as reading my Bible) that God must do the living through our bodies. It finally hit home: I had to allow God to have His way in my life. to yield to HIS ways, to give Him control. Now I have power and peace!

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