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LORD YOU DELIGHT ME
by Buzz Goertzen
“The Idaho Yodeler”
This eBook is available online at:
www.TheIdahoYodeler.com
Or by contacting Buzz Goertzen:
Buzz Goertzen
3604 13th Street
Lewiston ID 83501
208-305-2387
Buzz@TheIdahoYodeler.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
…..............................PREFACE.................................
CHAPTER ONE.................................................CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH GOD
CHAPTER TWO...................................THE FIRST TIME I HEARD THE GOSPEL
(or at least understood what it meant)
CHAPTER THREE.......................................................................EXCITING TIMES
CHAPTER FOUR.......................................................................THE LOST WALLET
CHAPTER FIVE..............................ASK ANYTHING?? HOW ABOUT A HOUSE?
CHAPTER SIX...........................................YOU GOTTA STEP OUT OF THE BOAT
CHAPTER SEVEN................................................................DO I HAVE TO TITHE?
CHAPTER EIGHT............................................YOU ARE THE CHOIR DIRECTOR
CHAPTER NINE.......................................................................................IT'S A BOY!
CHAPTER TEN..................................................................................THE FREEZER
CHAPTER ELEVEN...................................................I LAUGHED UNTIL I CRIED
CHAPTER TWELVE.......................................THE BIG STEP OUT OF THE BOAT
FULL TIME FOR THE LORD
CHAPTER THIRTEEN...........................................THE FIRST CHOIR PRACTICE
CHAPTER FOURTEEN......................CONCERT FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB??
YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING
CHAPTER FIFTEEN...............LORD, WE SURE COULD USE A MOTOR HOME
CHAPTER SIXTEEN..............................................................DID GOD SAY THAT?
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN...............................................................IT'S TIME TO GO
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN..........................................I WILL BLESS YOU THIS DAY
CHAPTER NINETEEN...............................THE BRAND NEW MARTIN GUITAR
CHAPTER TWENTY................THE TRIP TO OHIO - HOW DID GOD DO THAT?
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE............................DOES GOD MAKE PHONE CALLS?
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO......................................LET'S GO HUNTING AGAIN
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE..............WOULD JESUS RIDE A MOTORCYCLE
IF HE WERE HERE NOW?
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR....................................I GET TO MEET PAT BOONE
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE....................A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE
WAY TO NEW ZEALAND
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX...................................................THE CANCER SCARE
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN........................BUZZ YOU CAN'T BE OFFENDED
ANY MORE
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT................................DID GOD KNOW ABOUT 9-11
AND THE TWIN TOWERS?
…...........................CHAPTER TWENTY NINE................................
PREFACE
Lord you delight me! Where does that come from? If there is any truth in
the bible that is more important than the words from Psalms 37:4 I don't
know what it would be. Of course I will explain and again of course this is
just my opinion but I hope to be able to convince you that it is probably one
of the most, if not the most important principle in the Bible.
Psalms 37:4--Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires
of your heart. Yes there is more to this verse but for the time being let’s just
concentrate on these 16 words. I believe most people who read this just read
it and go on or those who preach it just say it and go on but let’s for the
moment concentrate on the word DELIGHT. Let’s examine what that
means. For one thing you could use the word enjoy. Enjoy the Lord and he will give you the desires of your
heart.
Suppose you have children that you love with all your heart; suppose they love you with all their heart also.
Now suppose they are different then most children today; and have no interest in rebelling against your
authority and your advice. Let’s say just for example sake that you have laid down several rules or
commandments and things that you know will result in less problems in the family. You also know that these
rules and or commandments if followed can make a more successful and enjoyable life for them. Now except
for occasional misbehaving and failures your child or children don't even have to be reminded or asked over and
over to get some things done around the house. Suppose they know that life will be easier for them and
everybody if they begin to do things that please you without you having to ask them. Suppose they not only do
it but actually enjoy doing it because they enjoy pleasing you.
Wow, what a fantasy!!, Yes it is mostly but most of us can easily remember times when our children really
pleased us and when we were so delighted in them we wanted to do something nice for them and yes even
wanted to give them something that they've been wanting for some time.
One of the things I noticed about myself is that when my kids were pleasing me I did everything I could to meet
their needs but even help them get things I didn't think we could afford earlier. On the other hand I also
remember times when they did not seem to want to please me or follow the rules and ignored my advise and or
warnings and I found myself though loving them as much as ever not having the interest to pour out gifts and
meet their needs as I did when they were, so to speak delighting in me.
There were times when I found that discipline was needed and in some cases let nature take its course and let
them learn their own lessons which may or may not take some time. When bad things happened to them as a
result of their earlier misbehaving I let those bad things happen at times so that they might learn there is a price
to pay for disobedience. Think about it, without a price to pay for disobedience we would all be in pretty bad
shape today. Matter of fact just look around us at the world today and its easy to see what lack of discipline is
doing .
Ok, now stay with me as we go on. Now let’s suppose God is real and of course he is and suppose he loves us
like he says he does. Suppose He knows what's best for us and wants the best for us, (and he says he does). All
around this world there are millions of people who acknowledge him. Many of them, that's all they do. They say
they believe and go on their way. Others believe in him and think he wants them to be good people and if they
are good enough he will let them go to heaven when they die. These people will usually find themselves in one
sort of religion or another where certain rituals are practiced ever so often. Often these rituals are practiced
because doing them will result, they believe, in gaining them heaven.
Now in Romans 10:9 and in Galatians the 5th chapter were told heaven, (or salvation) is a gift and were saved
by grace, not by practicing certain rituals. The rituals may be fine and acceptable by God but it is not what saves
us; But we're getting off the main point. God has children who will serve him, go to church, go through rituals
and all because its the thing they should do so they do it and it has its rewards and let’s face it at times it can be
a real job that our hearts are not really in but after all we should and we sure want to get to heaven.
Let’s glance back at the children and the parents where I started. Think about it, Your kids are trying to follow
the rules but you know their hearts are not in it. Maybe they really don't want to but do anyway, just to play it
safe. You appreciate their effort but oh how you wish they were doing it because they really loved you and
wanted to do it. How you would enjoy it if you knew they wanted to please you.
So, what's my point? I have been one of each of the above examples through out my life. I have been from one
end of the spectrum to the other and I know one thing for sure; God loves those who diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 says he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Now don't get me started on the word
diligent. Sure he loves those who don't seek him but there are so many scriptures that explain that the miracles,
the extra blessings, seem to come to those who really put him first. ( Seek first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.) Matt. 6:33.
I feel it is important that the above explanation be given before I get started with my story. So many times as I
have shared my stories with others many have asked me why? Who am I that God would do those things for
me? Am I someone special? Well no more special then anyone else, God is no respecter of persons, acts 10:34,
but special things happen to those who delight in him. Check out the numerous stories in the Bible of those who
did. David is a good example. He wasn't without his trials, tests and failures but he knew when to admit his
failures and who to admit them too.
I identify with David in some ways, especially in my failures. In spite of the many wrong things David did God
said David is a man after his own heart. Wouldn't that be neat if God said that about you? He will if you have
the attitude David did. He is the one who said after he realized how wrong he was-- (create in me a clean heart
oh God and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51:10). There are times in my life when I found my self
quoting those words from David over and over meaning them with all my heart and I know God received them
as though they were mine.
Now mind you I wasn't quoting them like some poem or some ritual saying over and over but from the heart
knowing full well I meant every word. See God does not necessarily hear your words when you pray. He hears
your heart. He sees through us and knows whether our heart is in it or not. When your heart is in it that's when
you have his attention. When your truly repentant and sincere, not when your perfect, not when you've reached a
certain place of goodness but when you realize without his grace you just can't make it and let him know it,
That's when he begins to pour out his blessings, his protection, his love to the point of you actually feeling his
wonderful presence.
The following chapters of this book will be an effort on my part to relay to those who are reading this, my
journey through my life and my close and not so close relationships with God. I guess I should say it like this,
The stories your about to hear are true but they seem to happen mostly to those who are daily serving and seek
his face
So then why would a person slack off on his serving and seeking when that seems to be when the most miracles
happen? Good question; I guess I'm no different then the Israelites who while obeying God were given miracle
after miracle. Life for them got pretty tough when they would slack off and try to do things their way. Story
after story in the Bible tells us how people like Adam, Abraham, Sampson, Samuel, David etc etc who were all
men of God but still found themselves yielding to sin at times and getting out of the will of God. Like myself
these men and women found abundant blessings when they were in his will.
James 4:8 says Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. That’s just one of the many deals God has
promised us throughout his word telling us what he'll do for us if we seek, delight, serve, and love. Its my
opinion that the majority of us Christians don't really do those things. We usually meet together on Sunday and
maybe another time in the week and pretty much put him near the bottom of the list the rest of the time. Matter
of fact its not unusual to hear people referred to as fanatics or religious nuts, holy rollers, among other names
who try to put God first in their lives.
CHAPTER ONE
CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH GOD
I guess the first place to start is the first recollection I have of a spiritual experience I had as a young boy. I must
have been somewhere between the age of 6 and 8 years old. This experience is one I have never forgotten yet
after all these years some parts are hazy but not the main message.
Being the 7th child of a family of 10 kids, 5 boys and 5 girls living on a farm that had so much alkali in the
ground it was a waste of time to try to raise crops so we were a fairly poor family who worked on other farms a
lot to bring in the income our family needed to survive. I guess its because our farm didn't even have good grass
for the cows to graze on that Dad would let the cows out and let them graze down the lane and along the old
gravel road that went past our place, As I remember one day I was given the responsibility of keeping an eye on
the cows as they grazed down the lane. I remember being on little Midge our Shetland pony who was also
finding grass to nibble on as I sat on her back.
I didn't know why this happened at this time but later in life I would find out. That part will come later. I don't
remember being especially spiritual at this early age. We were Mennonites who had church on Sundays and our
family friends were Mennonites. Though we were definitely believers we were not as I recall delighting or
seeking his face like the examples I gave earlier. Just good people trying to make it through life.
So here I was on a lazy afternoon sitting on Midge watching the cows when unexpectedly a very warm feeling
came over me. There was a presence around me like nothing I had ever felt in my short life. I felt loved like
never before. Was it my imagination? Was my mind playing tricks on me? As the story develops in later
chapters you'll have to decide. All I can do is tell what I believe really happened.
There wasn't an audible voice but there was a voice if you can call it that; A knowing, a knowledge, a revelation,
none of these words are enough to explain what I felt or heard. All I know is that I felt like God had visited me,
maybe and angel, I don't know but I was sure he revealed to me that he had something planned for me. That it
would be different; He loved me and was going to use me if I would follow him. At the time I don't think I knew
what that meant but I have always had a hunger for more of God as far back as I can remember.
This experience and revelation was really a confirmation of something my dad had said many times before.
Buzz, you'll never be good for anything but being a preacher. As I think of that statement now I realize dad
didn't seem to have a very good opinion of preachers. Its true I was not a good worker around the farm though I
did a lot work both on our farm and on others and was milking cows at the age of 6 or 7. My heart was not in
the farm work like it seemed to be in my brothers and sisters. I did a lot of day dreaming and most of those
dreams were around God. He was on my mind alot during those days and especially after my experience out
there with the cows. From that day forward I would find myself thinking about that experience. Often I would
find myself laying in bed or even on top the haystack thinking of what happened out there and what it all meant.
With it an expectation of things in the future but unsure of what the future held.
CHAPTER TWO
THE FIRST TIME I HEARD THE GOSPEL
(or at least understood what it meant)
I wanted to skip this chapter and get on with the testimonies but I feel like its necessary to share this part and
call it my 2nd experience. In our church we heard a lot of preaching about God and the different stories from the
Bible but I don't remember ever hearing the good news (The Gospel). How Jesus paid the price of sin for me
and that salvation was free. I was 14 and I knew I was a sinner. Trying to be good enough for God was not
working and the harder I tried the more I knew I wasn't being good enough. To hear that not only I but
everybody in the world was in the same situation I was. Lost and unable to save myself through good works I
learned that Jesus then took my place, suffered and died on the cross and rose again for my sake and as it says in
Romans 10:9, if I believe, that and confess that with my mouth as the Bible says and with repentance in my
heart I shall be saved.
I never heard this in my church. Maybe they preached it and I just didn't hear it but I don't think so. It was my
sister Dorothy. She had this boyfriend, Vincent Shell who would later be my brother in law. He went to a
different church and she went with him one Sunday and came home with a big smile on her face and telling us
she was saved. She seemed so happy and different I became very curious and began to ask questions. Her
answers were just simple, Go with her and her boyfriend next Sunday and find out myself what its all about.
For the first time since my Shetland pony experience I felt again the presence of God as I was given a chance to
surrender my life to him and accept him as my savior. I truly had a wonderful experience as I gave my life to
him and like my sister went home a different person knowing my sins were forgiven. Course at that time I felt
like I would never sin again. I felt new, like a brand new baby, clean as the day I was born and I guess I was.
Jesus called it born again and I really was. Did I keep that feeling and continue to stay that clean the rest of my
life? No way, like everybody else, like the saints of the bible, I begin spending the rest of my life trying to serve
God and failing a lot but instead of falling from grace, If I am repentant I can only fall into grace. That's what's
so exciting about the Gospel.
As years went by and I was eventually married and starting a family, my Wife Wilma and I would find ourselves
involved in different ministries in the church, Youth group leader, song leader, Sunday school teacher and what
ever else we could do. I got a job with the Boise Police Department and begin to live the ritual of life. Getting
up, going to work, coming home, watching television, going to bed, and starting over the next day except
Sundays and Wednesday nights we went to church.
As a part time job to help make ends meet I got a job as store detective in a large department store. My Job was
watching for and catching shop lifters and there are several stories in that experience but not so much to do with
what this book is about.
In this store was a young man Leon Wernic, who was in charge of the shoe department who I could tell was a
fanatic or religious nut, holy roller or what ever but I stayed clear of him because he was so bold in his
statements. He always brought the subject around to God when we talked. He wasn't afraid to question me and
my experiences. His loud expressions of Praise the Lord caused me some embarrassment. I just wasn't used to
this kind of enthusiasm. Leon managed to corner me quite often because he knew I was a Christian so wanted to
talk to me about the Lord. He was also persistent in asking me to join him on Sunday nights when the store
closed to go with him to his church. I had heard it was a Pentecostal church and wasn't interested. I always told
him I was going to my own church. Some Sunday nights I just lied to him when I said that.
I was growing a little weary of the same old ritual of 3 songs and offering and a sermon. The sermon was
always a salvation message but everybody in the church was already saved so you can only go forward so many
times to get saved and you start to feel sorry for the preacher who just preached a good salvation message and is
asking people to come forward to receive Christ. I remember during my teenage years how many times I made
that trip down to the alter giving my life to Christ again and again. I thought I needed to get saved every time I
sinned or failed the Lord in some way. So like I say I was getting weary of this and here this guy kept after me
to go with him to church.
One Sunday night after the store closed he asked me again, and again I lied to him and said I was going to my
own church. I didn't do that, I went home to watch Bonanza on television. My church started at 7:00 P M on
Sunday night, So did Leon's his. Bonanza also started at 7:00 P M. My wife and kids had already left for church
so I was home alone and walked over to the T V to turn it on and for some reason passed it up and went right
out to the car and started driving to this church across town. I wasn't sure I was going in but I was headed there.
I parked my car across the street from the church and turned off the motor. I could hear them singing clear out
there. They certainly sang with a lot more gusto then the people in my church. I'll never forget the song. "Oh
victory in Jesus, my savior forever, he sought me and he bought me with his redeeming blood",,, As they were
singing the song over and over I sat there thinking about whether I was actually going in or not. As I decided to
go in I said a small prayer saying something about Lord help me to understand these folks and maybe even give
me a chance to witness to some of them. The church was packed and hardly any standing room left. The foyer
was full of standing people and the seats were all full and everybody clapping their hands as they continued to
sing that victory in Jesus song over and over.
As I look back I believe God saved a seat for me next to the isle just 3 rows from the front. There was room for
me to sit if and when they would be seated. I squeezed myself through the crowd and made my way to that seat.
I was uncomfortable standing there not knowing the song and being the only one not clapping so I attempted
clumsily to clap along with them. I was a little uncomfortable but at the same time was enjoying the song and
their enthusiasm.
The song ended and immediately a person behind me began speaking in tongues. I listened carefully and admit
it sounded like a language. I begin to feel a presence again that reminded me of something I'd felt one time long
before. The tongue was over and the man beside me lifted his hands and began to interpret. I'll never forget this.
He started out with (My son, you're amongst some of Gods people) From that point he began to tell me about a
little boy on a shetland pony watching cows out near his farm and how God had called me at that time. He went
on telling me things only I could have known; The struggle through the years of getting saved over and over,
The desire I had for more of God and again that he still had plans for me. 1 Corinthians 14;verse's 24 and 25. (If
an unbeliever comes in and one prophesies the unbelievers heart will be laid bare or the secrets of his heart will
be exposed and he will know that God is in you. This scripture describes exactly what happened to me.,
The tears began to flow from me like a waterfall and the rest of the service was an echo in the distance as God
dealt with me through the next hour or so until the service was over. When it was over people came up to me
with outstretched hands and arms and to be honest I felt like I was home. I went to bed that night knowing there
was a lot more to God then 3 songs and offering and a salvation message. I knew in my heart that exciting times
were ahead but uncertain as to what they were.
CHAPTER THREE
EXCITING TIMES
It was difficult to leave the church where I first heard the Gospel, Where I first heard you can be saved and that,
being a free gift of God. But by now I'd been born again or saved as the Bible calls it for some time and I was
becoming weary of getting the opportunity to be saved each Sunday. The sermons were good and inspiring and
challenging but is that all there is? Get saved, hold on to it. Fail somewhere along the line and go get saved
again.
At first my wife and I attended this, quote, unquote fanatic church as visitors just checking it out. We saw
people laying hands on the sick and people being healed. We saw and heard wonderful testimonies. We saw
people who seemed to have a much closer relationship with God and folks who had power, confidence, joy,
boldness and everything you read about what happened to the disciples after their Pentecostal experience. Read
it your self; There was a definite change in them. They had a new boldness.
What a difference in the type of service. They were more like a close family then any place I'd been. Their
church services were more like a family getting together to actually enjoy God. Not just hear about him but
actually enjoy him and worship him and yes as a result miracles were quite common. Although most my close
friends and relatives were back at the church where we belonged I felt more at home with these folks. The
sermons were more then salvation messages, they were deeper and took you into the meat of the word.let’s look
at Hebrews 6:1 --(Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, Not
laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God).
Wow! Listen to that! Some folks just lay the foundation over and over again throughout their lives never going
deeper into the word of instruction, never growing beyond just being born again. In other words remaining
babes in Christ as Paul said in Hebrews 6;1. Now though its possible to survive on just milk my experience is
you never really get strong enough to face the battles and tests That come our way. This I believe is why so
many finally give up and quit serving God. Many have lost faith because they never learned the principles of
spiritual warfare. They wonder why God didn't come to their rescue in times when they thought he would or
where he promised he would. They often figure since they are Christians God should be Johnny on the spot to
help them through the tough times. He wants to that's true but he is true to his own word. We so often forget to
read the whole scripture when we read about his promises. Usually there is an (if). He, (God) says If you do
such and such I will do such and such. To often we only read the part where he does his part without reading
what our part is.
Let me give an example in a true experience of my own to illustrate the above paragraph. Matthew 7:7 says ask
and it shall be given. Another place is says ask anything in my name and I will do it. John 14:13 Without going
any further in the same verse I tried that more then once but listen to this one.
Here I was out in the mountains with friends hunting elk. Early one morning we all took off down the trail with
an expectation that we would get elk today. Different ones of us had our plans of what part of the mountain we
would hunt. I was going to do it the easy way. Why traipse all over the mountain wearing my self out when God
will do anything I ask? Not far from camp there was a meadow surrounded by pine trees and a pond in the
middle, elk tracks everywhere. Finding a large pine tree at the edge of the meadow I settled down under it
leaning comfortably against the trunk.
After making sure I was in a very comfortable position and where I could see the whole meadow I sat there with
my gun cradled in my lap ready for that 7 point bull to show up. When He didn't show up right away I begin to
have a little talk with God. I said Lord your word says ask anything in your name and you will do it ( John
15:7). I'm asking for an elk so in the name of Jesus please just send one right out there in the middle,,,,, Thank
you Lord,,,,,,,, Hallalujah,,,,,,,,In Jesus name,,,,,,,,, Glory to God,,,,,,,,,,,Just right out there Lord,, ( gun is ready ),
(safety off ),,,,,,,Ok, now Lord.,,,,,,,Praise God,,,,,,,,,,,,,Hallalujah,,,,,,,,Well you get the picture, no matter how
much I coaxed God into giving me that elk it didn't show up. I'm glad now because the lesson was worth it.
Eventually he began to show me. What if it was that simple? What if that was all there was to it? Just ask God
and here it is, its all yours. The next year I probably wouldn't bother getting out of my car. Just roll down the
window, hold the gun out there and say ok God send one by. Course if he did that then why not next year don't
bother with going out there at all. Lord just cut and wrap one and put it in the freezer for me ok? Now I know
how ridiculous that sounds but don't you see that we would all become spoiled brats if all we had to do was ask
and we shall receive.
Yes I've Had God send me an elk more then once since then and the experience was definitely a miracle those
times and I'll share those stories later but by those times I had learned the principles and lessons. I'd learned that
you need to qualify through maturing, serving, growing, delighting, and drawing close and close enough that He
could trust you with the gifts you ask for. Or mature enough where you know what and what not to ask for. God
sees us even better then we see our own children. We want to give our children things they want and need but
we don't always do it because we know they're not ready for it. For instance you don't give a 10 year old a car, a
5 year old a gun, You say no until you are sure they can accept the responsibility. We ask God for so many
things and thank God he turns us down or we'd get ourselves in all kinds of trouble. Oh and like I said earlier;
we'd become spoiled brats.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE LOST WALLET
I don't know how many years ago I began to think about keeping track of the great things God has done in my
life but one of my big downfalls is I'm a procrastinator. Hope I spelled that right. I never felt I ever had time but
that's only because my priorities were wrong. Let me say, that, I believe is the problem with most of us. We
don't get a lot of miracles in our lives because our priorities are wrong.
I don't remember where my priorities were when the lost wallet episode happened but its a story I'll never
forget. Wilma, my wife and I had just moved back to Idaho from Hawaii where we lived for about 2 years. We
only had $80.00 to our name. Keep in mind this was very early in the 60's and $80.00 would have about the
same value as $800 today in 2005.
We arrived around thanksgiving and would spend that time with Wilma's folks in Deary, Idaho on their farm out
in the country side about 6 miles from Deary. Wilma and her mom and dad were preparing a large thanksgiving
dinner while Wilma's brother Arlee and I decided to take a walk around the wooded area surrounding the farm
and that we would do some deer hunting. It was a beautiful winter day and the snow was softly falling with
huge flakes coming down quite heavily. Arlee and I walked for miles as we circled a large area around the farm
following tracks and chatting as we walked along. We not only walked the fields and through the wooded area
but also along a gravel road about 1/2 mile from the house.
I knew I had a small hole in my back pocket where I carried my wallet but it was to small I thought for the
wallet to fall through and carelessly I continued to carry my wallet with our $80.00 in it as we walked around
that day. We had started quite early and got back to the house long before dinner was ready. It was then I noticed
my wallet was not in my pocket and the hole was much larger then it had been. Oh, was I sick to my stomach
then. We had walked so far and so many places how in the world would it be possible to find it now besides it
was still snowing and snowing hard. So Wilma's dad, Arlee and I went right out and quickly started trying to
trace our tracks hoping to find the wallet. You can imagine how hopeless it seemed that we would find it
because the way it was snowing it would surely be covered by now but we had to try I needed that money to
start over. Its all we had and we had no place yet to live, no job, you can imagine how desperate I felt. I was so
depressed I could hardly breath.
After desperately trying for some time we all gave up and went back to the house where now we were supposed
to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner. I could hear them setting the table and getting ready to eat while I sat alone in
one of the bedrooms wondering what I would do. I don't know why I waited so long to do it but was desperate
and fell to my knees and cried out to God. I don't remember the words but like I said I was desperate. They were
calling me now to come and eat and I got up and went in to join them but I must admit I didn't feel any better. I
didn't enjoy that meal because the wallet was still on my mind and now I was getting ready to ask them to help
me look again. How could I convince them I needed to look one more time, after all I prayed for help so I had to
give God a chance to answer. At that time Harvey, Wilma's dad was not a believer nor was her brother Arlee so I
was a little leery and afraid to tell them I had prayed and felt I should go back out in the snow to look again.
Gathering up my courage after eating I told them I was going back out to look again. Their response was what I
expected, They were not very interested in going out so I told them I had prayed and felt I had to try again.
Reluctantly they put their coats on and out we went for one more look. I Don't know why we chose the road
except with all the snow it was probably the easiest route. When we got on the main road a snow plow had been
through and though the snow was not as deep there the snow pack was solid and pure white ice. Traffic had
been enough to pack it down quite solid so the road itself was not visible unless you chipped away a couple
inches or more of white ice.
Walking down the middle of the road I suddenly saw a small white piece of paper but only a corner of some
small card sticking out of the white ice. Its amazing itself that I saw it as it was white also and only a quarter of
an inch or so sticking above the ice. Kneeling down I wondered what it was and begin to chip away at the ice
just to be able to satisfy my curiosity. Finally I was able to retrieve the card which was the same size as a
business card and there was printing on it. The printing said-(Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name. Ask
and you shall receive that your joy may be full) That's a scripture found in John 16;24 . I'm sure I must have
been carrying that in my wallet because I often carried scriptures in my wallet. Now as I looked at the chipped
away ice I saw the corner of a $20.00 bill just barely showing. Grabbing a knife I chipped the bill away only to
find another one and another and another and soon I had my $80.00. No wallet, Just the card with the scripture
and the 4 twenty dollar bills.
Call it luck, Call it coincidence, I can't. Look at that scripture and let’s paraphrase it. ( Up till now you didn't ask
me for it. Ask and you will receive.) I had looked a long time without praying and when I did I got it. First the
card and then the money. No I did not see the rest of the wallet for several more years so I had to get a new
drivers license and a new wallet but I had the money to start over. One day I heard from someone who knew me
that they had found my wallet and identification out in the wooded area about 20 yards off the road from where
I found the money. The snow plow had picked up the wallet, dumped the money and the card and tossed the rest
of the wallet with the snow off to the side of the road. I may not have picked this experience as one of the stories
to put in this book except for the fact of that card and the words it possessed. I'm sure My father in law thought
it was a coincidence but I was convinced it was an answer to a desperate prayer. Another reason I don't believe
its a coincidence is because its so typical of the way God works in the continuing adventures.
CHAPTER FIVE
ASK ANYTHING?? HOW ABOUT A HOUSE?
I can't say I asked him for my first house. I can say I desired one, Wanted one, Needed one but back when this
happened I didn't have the faith to believe he'd give me one so did not ask: However this was back when I first
begin to learn the principle of delighting, seeking and trusting God for my needs. In Philippians 4:19 it says (My
God shall supply all your need according to his riches in Glory) That's Paul talking but again remember Paul
wasn't just sitting around waiting for God to supply his needs. He was busy going about the job God had given
him.. Again I remind you, its when your in his will doing his will that he makes sure you can accomplish it. All
through the bible when he asked someone to do something he supplied their needs while they obeyed. Often
times the needs and or blessings didn't come without some test or chance to really trust God.
I was a policeman in Boise Idaho, We were living in an early American style two story large home that had one
large apartment down stairs and one upstairs. We were renting the down stairs. After renting it for some time
Howard Mansfield a Nazarene preacher bought it from who ever the owner was at that time. He began to
remodel the upstairs hammering and sawing and pounding all day. The problem with this is that I was on night
shift at the department and needed to sleep during the day. He had told me he would be remodeling for a long
time and even the downstairs where we were living. We had no choice but to look for another place to live.
We found one not far from there. It was an older house but a comfortable one and rented there for some time. I
don't remember how long it took for Mr. Mansfield the Nazarene preacher to finish remodeling the place where
we lived but one day he contacted me and said it was all done and would I like to buy it. He said there were now
3 apartments. Still the large one downstairs and two small ones upstairs. As I remember he wanted $18,000.00.
That's probably 10 percent of what its worth today. $18,000.00 was like 18 million to me. As I remember our
yearly salary was less then $4000.00. The pastor explained to me that the payments could be made with the rent
of the two upstairs apartments. All I needed was $500.00 down. Now keep in mind again, that would be more
like .$5,000 today. There was no way on my salary that I could come up with $500.00 down. If I could, just
think about it. I needed $500.00 to buy a $18,000 piece of property that would from that point pay for itself with
the two apartments rented upstairs. With that in mind I still could not come up with $500.00. He kept coming to
me to see I I had come up with the down payment of $500.00. Each time I told him there was no way I could do
it. One day he approached me again saying he would give me until the coming Thursday to come up with that
down payment. I said I'd let him know if I got it but knew I couldn't when I said it.
Wilma and I practiced at this time not only tithing but even going beyond the tithe to help out different
ministries. If you saw the meager income we had and as I look back I wouldn't blame you for thinking we were
nuts. However we stood on Gods word that when you give he gives back pressed down shaken together and
running over. So if there is an (if) in this promise from God its got to be the principle of giving. We gave, he
promises if we do he will meet our needs and give back pressed down shaken together and running over. Luke
6:38
Thursday came and went. I didn't have the $500.00 and never attempted to call the Nazarene preacher who
wanted to sell the triplex, That's what it was now. It was during the next week he came to see me. You never
showed up with the $500.00 he said. I know, I responded, there's just no way I could do it as much as I would
like. Sit down he said, I want to share something with you. He started to tear up in his eyes as he begin to tell
me his story.
I was a young man about your age he said. I was just starting out and planning on entering the ministry. My wife
and I wanted to serve God with all our hearts and we were struggling financially. A man offered to sell us his
house he said and I needed $500.00 to put down. There was no way I could do it he continued with tears
flowing freely now. He told how an elderly lady came to him in the church and told how she appreciated his
example in the church and wanted to help him. She gave him the $500.00 he needed to put down on his first
house. Then he said I never had to pay it back and I never did but last night the Lord reminded me of that
$500.00 gift and I want to pay it back now. Buzz I'm waving the $500.00 down payment. Your welcome to
move back in.
Wow! I'd call that pressed down, shaken together and running over. That house never cost us a dime. It
completely paid its own payments the whole time I had it and in fact a few years later it made a great down
payment on another beautiful home God had a hand in giving to us. That story will come later. In Mark 4:8 God
promises to repay 100 fold. I would say he kept his promise to me and more then once but like I say. That will
come later.
CHAPTER SIX
YOU GOTTA STEP OUT OF THE BOAT
This Chapter has nothing to do with a boat but its the principle I call stepping out of the boat like Peter did. He'd
have never walked on water had he never took the chance and actually stepped out of the boat. Imagine doing
that into the raging water. That took courage. I found that the Lord often will ask us to take a step that will
require a lot of courage.
This next incident took place while living in our newly acquired house with two apartments upstairs. I only
remembered it after having forgotten it for years but while writing the last chapter it came back to me and I
believe it deserves its own chapter in this book.
God has always taken good care of us but that doesn't mean we didn't have our trials and tests. Seems a lot of
our trials were financial but its because of those financial trials we learned some great principles about giving.
You can't out give God and there's plenty of scriptures telling us that but sometimes you get the feeling he sure
is taking his time returning that hundred fold he mentions. That's the point though; there's a fine line in your
attitude when it comes to giving in order to receive. However this is the one area where God gives us the right
to test him. Read it yourself in Malachi 3:10- (Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse so that there may be
food in my house and test me now in this says the Lord of hosts if I will not open for you the windows of
heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows). verse 11 says (he will rebuke the devourer for us.)
Wow! who ever and what ever the devourer is he will rebuke it. God is not obligated to keep that promise if
your not tithing and giving.
Because of my own ignorance and procrastinating habits I had let 2 or 3 years go by without filing income
taxes. I wasn't trying to avoid it. I just wasn't getting around to it and before they found me I went to a tax office
and let them know. Well I had no record of deductions so they just took the most they could from me and I
found my self in debt to the government. They examined my income and let me keep enough of my check to
pay my living expenses and then left me $10.00 a month to buy groceries. Even in the 1960's that was not
enough to eat on but we kept on tithing and we learned to eat from the fruit culls that were hauled out to the
dump from the canneries, The potatoes from the ends of the potato fields where the digger couldn't reach them;
Fish I caught, deer I shot and what ever but that isn't what I want to talk about.
We went to some meeting one night where they were raising funds to buy a missionary a small airplane so he
could carry the gospel to different villages. We had gone with friends and our friends were sitting between
Wilma and I. I was challenged to give half of what we had left after the IRS got through with us. I pledged on a
form handed me $5.00. little did I know that Wilma, a few seats from me was also challenged. She had a little
more faith then I. She pledged the whole $10.00. When we arrived home, I confessed to her what I had done and
was shocked to hear she had pledged the $10.00. After the initial shock we discussed it and somehow came to
the decision we would stick to our pledge though I'm sure God would not have held us to it. We just told the
Lord we'd do it if He'd supply the way.
I wish I could tell you where it all came from. Its been so long now we've forgotten some of them but I got
offer's to work part time as a store detective. Another way was one of our apartments was for rent for $75.00 a
month which was the going rate for that small apartment; However the local business college approached us
saying they wanted to put two girls in there and ask us if we'd make the rent an even $100.00 a month. They
said they charge the girls $50,00 each and it would make it easier for them. We got money in the mail and I
don't remember why now but one check came from a company I had worked for years before and they said they
owed it to me from way back and had just found me. One thing neither of us will forget is that we never missed
that $15.00 that we faithfully gave each month until our pledge was fulfilled.
When God does things like this all I can say is LORD YOU DELIGHT ME. He is so incredible. Its so neat how
he keeps his word.
Wilma just reminded me of another experience similar to the one above so I'll add it to this chapter; It was some
kind of insurance policy we wanted. The insurance man said it would cost us $25.00 a month. We were making
ends meet but could not afford the extra $25.00. I was due for a small raise in pay that after taxes would bring in
$18.00 more a month. That was not enough so we decided to take that $18.00 and give it to some ministry
monthly. We would at times find a ministry that was really accomplishing something and that's where we would
put our offerings. Sometimes it is not a ministry but someone that it was obvious was in need and the Lord
would often lay it on our hearts who to give to.
If there's anything Wilma and I agreed on through our marriage it was in our giving. (Sometimes though I felt
she'd give it all away if I let her). Well needless to say we kept our word and gave it and he kept his and
replaced in many fold to where we could afford the insurance and some left over. Let me say it again, Lord you
delight me!!!!
CHAPTER SEVEN
DO I HAVE TO TITHE?
No!!!!!!!!!! a great big NO!!!. Since my testimonies so far has brought up tithe and offerings I would like to
devote a short chapter to that subject before I go on to some exciting times.
As I pointed out earlier, There's two ways to serve the Lord. One is doing what should be done for him because
you should. The other is doing what should be done because you want to. If I could get this one secret, (and its
no secret ) across to people. God Delights in those who delight in him; Who willingly follow his will. The Bible
definitely teaches about tithing as part of the law but it also teaches were free from the law. I believe in
tithing and I do but not cause I have to. I want to and I don't want to miss the blessings he has promised if I do.
Some churches demand that you tithe. I guess if a person is required by the law or by the rules of the church he
must do it or fall out of the good graces of the church but ifI had to give out of have to I would have a hard time
knowing whether it was in my heart. God would certainly know wouldn't he. I would assume ( and I could be
wrong) that the miracles would be harder to come by; Especially if your doing it because you have to. Example
to follow.---
A man is married to a woman he loves. He's made his vows and voluntarily made them to honor, cherish, and be
faithful to her. If he keeps those vows is it because he's supposed to and that's the only reason or is it because he
loves her and wants to keep them. If he wants to keep them only because he's supposed to and wishes he was
with someone else how would his wife feel if she knew. The law is being obeyed but its not in his
heart. Do you suppose she would enjoy meeting his needs and loving him if his heart was not in it? Don't you
suppose God would feel similar? Would he delight in meeting your needs? Would he bless your giving the same
as the one who loves to give? No, in fact he will begin to bring you to situations that might bring you to a place
where you either draw closer to him or pull further away.
He won't give up on you because you are one of his and if you are he will discipline you. Hebrews 12:5 says -
(My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord. nor faint when you are reproved by him; For those
whom the Lord loves He disciplines and He scourges every son whom He receives;) verse 7 (says It is for
discipline that you endure; What son is there whom his father does not discipline?) You will find yourself going
through the same test over and over. The children of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years facing the same
problems over and over because they would not listen to God. One of the main lessons God has taught me is he
will not let me fail a test. If I fail a test he makes me take it over,,,,,,and over,,,,,,,,and over.
That's when I hear my self saying things like (how come this always happening to me? Sound familiar? Let me
encourage you with this though; If you feel like God is disciplining you rejoice, it proves he loves you. The
discipline ends when you recognize that's what it is and thank him for it and learn your lesson. Remember,
Attitude is where its at.
Rom 8:6 If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have
life and peace.
Rom 8:7 Our desires fight against God, because they do not and cannot obey God's laws.
Rom 8:8 If we follow our desires, we cannot please God
CHAPTER EIGHT
YOU ARE THE CHOIR DIRECTOR
The pastor of our church was a young man and full of talent. Frank Miller not only was a good preacher but also
a guitar player, singer, song writer and an excellent choir director. We had a choir in our church that could make
you want to stand up and shout when you heard them sing. I guess the w0rd choir isn't accurate. It would be
more accurate to call it a singing group. They in no way were a typical choir. With the pastors 12 string guitar,
Little Billy's key board, a piano and an organ, The songs were good toe tapping, hand clapping Gospel music
that just made you feel good. I loved listening to them. I often went to church early just to get in on the choir
practice. Not to be in it, just to sit and listen. After practice church would start.
The time came when our pastor would leave which was very difficult for us. We were about the same age but he
was so inspiring and one of the best I'd ever heard. We all loved him but it was time for him to go somewhere
else and the assistant pastor would take over. The assistant pastor was not a music director and I worried about
our singing group. The original pastor had asked a man in our congregation who had a degree in music to take
over the singing group. He did, so I felt all would be well. I still sat in the church watching the group practice on
Sunday evenings. Something was missing. The life was gone out of them. They sang the songs and the guy with
the degree tried to lead them but nothing seemed to work for him. He'd stop them and start over again and again
trying to get the same enthusiasm they had before. I can't explain it, They just seemed dead compared to what
they did before. Even the songs they had sang many times had lost its joy. I don't remember how many times,
that I came back and watched as the music director became more and more frustrated and the group began to
lose interest.
One night after practice and after church while driving home, Wilma beside me I was sharing my concern for
the singing group and told her I was afraid they'd fall apart. They were the life spark in our church and I was
really concerned. I was driving but I remember this as if it was yesterday. In the middle of a sentence while
talking to Wilma I was interrupted by a voice I guess in my head because Wilma didn't hear it but it was loud
and clear and it was only 4 words and they shocked me. The words were (YOU ARE THE CHOIR
DIRECTOR). I stopped talking and just stared straight ahead for a moment and I knew that I knew God had
spoken to me. I said Wilma, I just heard the Lord and he said I'm the choir director. She quickly shot back (You
are not!). I said I know I'm not but God said I was. When I said that, I was overcome with a fear. Me? I'd never
directed a choir. I couldn't even read notes. How could I be a choir director. It was something I'd never done. Oh
I'd stood in front of a radio waving my arms to the music but this sent a chill down my back.
Wilma continued speaking and firmly now. Don't you dare tell that to anyone. I said Wilma If that was God I
won't have to tell anyone but I don't know how to choir direct anyhow, but as I said it I knew I could. I didn't
know how I could I just knew I was the choir director. There was still a fear but also an anticipation. I couldn't
sleep that whole week wondering how God was going to do it. Was he going to do it? I knew he was; I just
knew it.
Sunday came and I could hardly wait till Sunday night choir practice. There I sat out in the middle of the empty
auditorium with the choir up front practicing. the music director was trying to encourage them and get them to
sing. Maybe he was to professional or something like that but he lacked something and it showed through the
group. He got frustrated, turned towards me, threw his hands up and said "I don't know what to do". My heart
was beating to where I thought everybody could hear it. I said hey, do you want me to try it? He said you might
as well I'm about to give it up.
As I walked up to the front of the choir I said to Billy on the Key board hit it and his fingers started tickling that
key board and suddenly I felt like a cheer leader. They were to start on the down beat and I guess for the fun of
it I leaped as high as I could and when I came down on the first word they were all grinning ear to ear and cut
loose like you wouldn't believe. I was all over the stage waving my arms and leaping like, well like I said a
cheer leader. They had it back. There it was. That sound, that joy, that enthusiasm and all those words mean one
thing and one thing only. They had the anointing and I guess so did I.
Now I knew what was missing before. The Anointing 1 john 2:27 says-(and as for you the anointing that you
have received abides in you and you have no need for anyone to teach you but his anointing teaches you about
all things) I didn't know how to lead a choir but I needed no one to teach me. God had given me an anointing to
lead that group and the guy who was the choir director came up and said Buzz you take it. This was 7 days from
the time I told Wilma God spoke to me and said I was the choir director. Little did I know that he made me a
music director for more reasons then to keep the choir going in the church but that's another story that will show
up later on in this book. One thing I've learned for sure. What ever God is bringing you through, he's only
preparing you for something else he has for you in the future,
Does God speak to us today? He says if you draw close to him he will draw close to you, James 4:8. How close
will he draw to you. Just as close as you'll let him. On the other hand he will stay his distance if that's where you
want him. So does God speak to us today? I've had preachers argue with me on that subject but what can I say?
Read on and you decide.
CHAPTER NINE
ITS A BOY!
My life was pretty well planned. We had an 8 year old boy and a 9 year old girl. One each; perfect, good
enough, They'll be grown in 10 years and then maybe Wilma and I can become involved full time with the
Lords work.
Do you know how to make the Lord laugh? Tell him your plans. He is so neat and he is such a friend. I know
why the song writer wrote (What a friend we have in Jesus). God must have been grinning ear to ear when he
decided to interrupt my plans but I didn't think it was funny at first. I came pretty close to being angry with him
when this next thing happened.
Buzz, I'm pregnant. I felt a cold chill go through me. I was not prepared for this. After all we were through
having kids 8 years ago. We were busy and didn't have time or room for another baby. Dirty diapers, colic,
teething, you know the story. There was no way I wanted another child. Like a spoiled brat I became angry.
Angry at myself and angry with Wilma. I even tried to think of how this could be stopped as I sat brooding and
feeling sorry for my self. I know I was childish for the way I was acting. This depression went on for about 2
weeks and Wilma and I were both hardly speaking to one another. What a fool I was for making her feel like she
must have felt.
We were laying in bed one evening and not talking very nice to one another. I had my back to her as we
mumbled negatives statements to one another. I don't know now what I was about to say but was planning on
making some kind of point as I turned over to face her and lifting my upper body up so I could look her in the
face. Just as I started to make that statement I heard it so loud and clear it stopped me cold in the middle of my
sentence. The words as loud as any audible voice but inside my head or my chest or where ever but it was
unmistakable as He said. (Before the world was I knew him). That's all He said. That was it. Before the world
was I knew him.
Wilma saw my surprised look and mouth open and said what's wrong. I said God just spoke to me and said
before the world was I knew him. Suddenly I knew what just happened. God had revealed to me we were going
to have a boy and 'God knew of him before the world was. Suddenly I was thrilled. Wilma, who are we to not
want to bring some one into the world that God knew and had plans for before the world was. Praise God, its a
privilege. Oh and Wilma, its going to be a boy because he said ( I knew him). Read Jer 1:5 Before I formed thee
in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.
From that moment we were both excited about this boy who was on his way and I could hardly wait. The times
that God has spoke to me I knew with out the slightest doubt that it would happen and in Darrel's case, our soon
to be born baby there was no doubt. We even announced to the church the next Sunday that God was giving us a
boy.
It happened and what a joy he brought to our family though his older brother and sister weren't so sure
sometimes because he was a handful. I believe we let him get away with more then we did the first two but now
as I write this and he is in his mid 30's I've enjoyed him so much and yes he is serving the Lord. He would give
us another surprise later on in life which I am sure God had in mind for us. That will come in another chapter.
Lord you really do delight me.
CHAPTER TEN
THE FREEZER.
Wilma and I seemed to enjoy gathering food. Myself, I got this from my mom who taught us how to glean from
the land. There's always someone's fruit tree that they are not interested in picking and its going to waste or the
potatoes left in the field after the digger is through. You name it we learned there is ample food around that's
actually free if your willing to go get it. I'm convinced a guy could live for free because of the waste in this
country. Well almost free, Buy a fishing license and hunting license, that is if you want meat. You gotta buy gas
to get where the fruit and vegetables are for the picking but if you had to there is no reason for going hungry.
Gathering food and preparing it for future eating was fun for us and we realized one day we needed a freezer. A
new freezer would cost us about $200.00. We didn't have that much to spare so we would have to either get a
loan or save for it. We both hate going in debt and paying interest so the freezer would have to wait until we
saved $200 dollars and then we'd go buy one. a few months later we were ready and we got an idea. Don't know
why we didn't think of it sooner. We decided we'd look for a used one and any money we saved we'd tithe on
what we saved even though that money had already been tithed on. We prayed about it and ask God to help us
find one for less money.
We found one advertised in the paper and went and looked at it. It was a very old one. Looked like it was made
in the 40's so it was around 20 years old. They only wanted $15.00 . That would leave us $185.00. If we tithed
on the savings we could give at least $18.50 to someone who needed it or some ministry. I don't remember
which way we did it then but we did and God really honored it. Over 30 years later the freezer was still working
and had out lasted 2 others. We last gave it to our son who later gave it to his brother and last I heard its still
running. Don't try to tell me God doesn't honor that kind of giving. Again, Lord as I think of this experience, I
can do nothing but be delighted in you. We serve an awesome God.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I LAUGHED UNTIL I CRIED
Somewhere along the line while we were growing spiritually, ( I still have a long way to go ) I was invited to go
with some friends to Portland Oregon to a Full Gospel Business Men's convention. This is an organization who's
members come from every denomination there is and has members and meetings in most cities throughout the
world. Its made up of Christians from all walks of life who are looking for a closer walk with God. Men who
like myself were weary of the 3 songs, and offering, and a sermon once or twice a week. Men and women who
believed God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and that he still is and does everything he did for the
disciples in the new testament.
I know a lot of people who are Christians don't believe that and you know what I discovered? They are right.
God does not do those miracles anymore like he used to in the new testament if you don't believe he does;
However I also discovered he still does those things for those who believe. Remember the story in the Bible
where Jesus couldn't do miracles in his own home town because of their unbelief. That hasn't changed. I've seen
so many new testament miracles in the last several years that to deny they happen would be impossible for me;
But let’s go on with the story.
In a large room with a couple thousand people all listening quietly to some one either preaching or sharing a
testimony I was sitting near the far left side and near the back. There was no singing at the time, There was a
quiet orderly meeting going on, I say this to put your mind at ease that there was no kind of emotional meeting
going on, I wasn't worked up into a frenzy or self hypnotized. I used to claim that's what was wrong with these
folks. It just happened out of the blue. While sitting there listening I recognized a feeling that I'd had before a
few times and it was that warm and wonderful presence that was like liquid love covering me.
I began to cry softly and I didn't even know why. I tried to control it but I just kept crying and still I don't know
why. I was afraid of disturbing those around me so I slipped out of my seat and went off to a side room. The
closer I got to the room the more the tears begin to flow. Now in the room it wasn't soft crying, it was sobbings.
I grew weak and just lay face down on the floor and cried like I never cried in my life. The crying continued
until I hurt in my chest from it and I begged the Lord, please let me stop crying. Instantly it turned into a laugh.
It was a laughter from somewhere deep inside and just came rolling out. I never laughed so hard in my life. It
was a relief from the crying and I laughed and laughed until I hurt in my belly. I said Oh Lord let me quit
laughing. Instantly I started crying again which was a relief from the laughter. This went on for a couple of
hours. I know to some this may sound silly but all I can do is tell what happened. I suppose some will say that it
was the devil or demon or whatever but when I was finally released from this I never felt so clean in my life. I
felt like God had given me a bath on the inside.
For the next day or so during the rest of the convention I felt as though I was walking on a cloud. People were
looking at me saying- What happened to you? I didn't know for sure but I felt like I was washed clean. I felt like
there was no sin in my life. ( I would find out different later ).
Wilma had stayed home and it was in the middle of the night when my friends dropped me off at my place after
a long drive from Portland to Boise. I had been mostly silent the whole trip enjoying a fellowship with the Lord
in my spirit and wondering how I would explain this to my wife. When I woke her and tried telling her it all
started happening again and she seemed to be having a similar experience.
At this time I had already left the Police Department and was now with the Idaho Bureau of Drug control. A
narcotics officer if you will. Though I did some undercover work I found myself traveling the state of Idaho
speaking to schools, colleges, civic organizations, PTA meetings, Town hall meetings, Rotary clubs, JayCees,
Optimist clubs, churches and any group that wanted a speaker who would speak on the subject of the Drug
problem in our state.
The office at work had planned a speaking trip for me. The Jaycee'ets had invited me to Craigmont, Idaho to
speak to a school and then to the city population who would gather at the high school that night.. I was still
walking on a cloud ( so to speak ) that morning and felt like I was walking hand in hand with the Lord. There
was no voice, just a wonderful close and clean feeling.
An old friend of mine who owned a service station sold me 4 new tires for my car as I prepared to leave town. I
had ask for the largest size that would fit on my dodge. I'll never forget Eddie, I'd known him since grade school
and from listening to him talk you knew he wasn't having the same kind of relationship with God that I was
having. I don't judge him, Its just obvious he didn't know the Lord that well if at all. His first comment to me
that morning as I drove into his station is Wow, what happened to you. I don't know what I looked like but I felt
like I was someone else. I stood around waiting for him to mount the tires and soon heard him cussing. What's
wrong I asked. I can't quite get these oversized tires to snap onto the rim he says. I don't know why I did it but I
went over and laid my hand on the tire and pop!, it went right on. I know what this sounds like. Its crazy but
when he couldn't get the other 3 on he asked for me to do the same which I did and the tires went on. I felt like
there wasn't anything I couldn't do. ( mind you I said I felt like that ) Just cause I felt like it doesn't mean it was
true… Stay with me, I'm going somewhere with this where I learned a tremendous lesson. One thing I very well
remember is that Eddie, the guy who was trying to put the tires on became teary eyed and wanted me to tell him
about Jesus.
I was still on a cloud (or felt like) as I left for Craigmont, Idaho where I would meet the Jay Cy ettes who had
my day scheduled for speaking engagements. They knew from our phone conversation when I would arrive in
town. They were waiting beside the street in downtown Craigmont and as I slowed to a stop they came to the
window of my car. Now I still don't understand this and hesitate to tell it because it sounds so weird. Within
moments after greeting each other they were asking me about the Lord. I wasn't there for that reason nor were
they but they had tears in their eyes and though now the actual words of the conversation are forgotten I still
remember the overwhelming interest in the Lord from two women I had never met There was an anointing on
me that other people could either see or feel. I don't know. I know I felt Holy but let me say again God would
soon let me know different.
They rushed me to the Catholic school up on the hill above Craigmont. There was an hour or so before I was to
speak to the students so the Nuns and Priests ask me to have lunch with them and it happened again. They were
not only asking about my experience with the Lord but were asking me to pray for them and with them. I'm not
saying I was holier then they, I'm not saying anything except there were strange things happening since my
laughing and crying experience in Seattle.
They took me into the Gym where the student body was waiting and as I walked in they gave me a standing
ovation before I ever said a word. I wasn't there to talk about the Lord. I was there to talk about the drug
problem in Idaho but with the nuns and priests invitation they wanted me to talk about God. Of course I did and
suggested He was better then drugs and with him in your heart there was no need for drugs.
Another standing ovation and hugs from the Nuns and Priests and off to the regular high school that was
preparing to have the towns people there that evening to hear this agent for the Bureau of drug control speak
about drugs. I don't know if the town was especially polite but again as I was introduced the crowd stood and
clapped a long time. Yes I did talk about drugs but we had a question and answer session and the subject came
up again about God and I was given the freedom to say anything about God I wanted to and as long as I
wanted .
It had been a long day and a lot had happened and The Jay Cy etts took me to my Motel. As I showered and
prepared for bed I was still in awe over the way I felt and how clean and pure I felt. I knelt down by the bed to
thank God for this wonderful anointing, thinking this was mine from now on. I was thanking God for this
experience and was feeling so close to God. I continued in prayer and began to say to the Lord--( Lord, if there's
anything, any sin in my life,------I couldn't go on any further. My words stuck in my throat. I could not get
another word out. Flashing before me was the real me. The sinner. I saw my self like I never had before and it
wasn't pretty. I had a lot of things in my life that needed work. I was far from being as pure and holy as I had felt
the last couple of days. I plainly saw that anything that people saw in me wasn't me at all. Their spirit
recognized the Holy spirit but I had nothing to do with what they saw. He showed me that in spite of all this sin
in my life he could still use me not because I was perfect but because of his grace and his grace only. From this
moment on that feeling left me and I was back to my normal self except having learned about a lot of things in
my life I needed to work on.
What an experience! What a lesson. Lord, you delight me again.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE BIG STEP OUT OF THE BOAT - FULL TIME FOR THE LORD.
I loved police work and I enjoyed working for the Bureau of Drug control and loved going all over the state
speaking to civic groups, schools, and whom ever but one time when Wilma and I had a few days off we went to
visit a friend near Hermiston Oregon. Bill and Nell Birdsell had been friends for years and we were visiting
them. They took us to Richland Washington as there was a fantastic thing happening there. This was during the
hippie times and the hippies were getting saved by the bunches in towns across the country and Richland was
one of them. We had heard of it and went to see what and how. By the time we were there the hippie revival was
in full swing and several of them were meeting in a preachers house for bible study several nights a week.. Here
was a house that had every room full of still long haired and in many cases shaggy looking hippies with bibles
in their hands and one of them named Sam Poe sat on a stool reading from the bible. He was very
knowledgeable in the word for having been a christian so short a time. I was still a narcotics officer and Bill
introduced me as such to the crowd. Normally that could have been a little dangerous but they all seems so
pleased and excited that I was there.
The preacher, Rev Billy Schuetz, who owned the house was gone that night but heard that I had been there when
he returned a day or so later. He says He felt that God wanted him to come see me about coming to Richland to
help him with a Rehab center for ex drug users. He with the cities help had acquired several older homes that
were originally military homes in the 40's and was housing the kids who were coming off the street. It was
becoming quite a large rehab center. Many of these kids had little home training and had little knowledge of
what a home is supposed to be nor did they know about responsibilities.
The pastor, Gordon, Billy Shuetz came to Boise to see me and in the mean time I felt The Lord drawing me to a
decision of going there to help so with his coming to ask me to do just that I felt it was a confirmation. As I look
back on it now I know God had to be involved or we'd have never had the courage to do this. The Pastor had a
place for us to move into but no Salary was promised. Only that our food and house was provided and the food
would be down at the main building where everybody involved in the center was fed. It was a large dining hall
and half of the room was where church and bible training was held. We'd be getting some income from the
rental at home but payments were still being made on the place from that rent and taxes, Utilities and whatever
had to come out of that also so we really had to trust God for our needs. We were soon to learn that God can
take care of us better then we can take care of ourselves. We were having to trust God like never before and the
scripture from Philippians 4:19-My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in Glory.
God did begin to supply our needs in so many ways that we never had cause to worry where our next meal or
anything would come from. Just briefly giving some example of how he did that with out going into each
example individually. ( I'm beginning to see where If I told each thing God has done for us I'd never get this
book written). However let me touch on some of them. I was traveling a lot for this organization known as Bible
Way Rehabilitation center and speaking to different groups and churches on their behalf. There were of course
gifts of honorariums for this but things like when my tires needed replaced on my car someone would come to
me saying God had impressed up on them to buy me tires. This was without my saying I needed tires. New and
like new clothes were given to us over the next couple years we were here from people who would say similar
things. I can't at this time think of all that happened along this like but My wife Wilma will agree also that God
really did keep his word and supply all our needs.
My main job as being part of the staff there at Bible way was to start a singing group. This was to be one similar
to the one I was director of back in the church where I just came from. You know, The choir that God had told
me I was the choir director of. This rehab center had several young people most of whom had been involved in
drugs like LSD, Crack, Heron, Marijuana, alcohol and whatever. Most of them had already received complete
deliverance and or healing from their addiction through prayer and laying on of hands. There were some
incredible miracles concerning these kids also.
In the following chapters I will be sharing some of the incredible miracles that happened with this singing
group.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE FIRST CHOIR PRACTICE.
Back at the church I came from we had a tremendous key board player who was a great addition to the group
and Billy Coleman, That's his name, moved to Richland also knowing that we were to start this singing group
and he wanted to be a part of it.
Our Sunday church services were held at the Rehab center at 1:00 in the afternoon on Sunday. The reason being
was that the service was always attended by several people who attended other churches around the area but
who help support Bible Way and so attended our services also. Sunday Morning was a good time to start
practice and we must have had around 35 volunteers who wanted to be a part of the singing group. At first I
tried to separate the soprano's from the Alto's and the tenor's from the bass singers but most of them had no idea
what they were. They just loved to sing. After attempting to separate the parts for a while I gave up and said,
Hey just cut loose and sing to the Lord the way you feel. With a drummer who was already there and Billy
playing the key board and an organist we just started singing our hearts out in praise and the natural harmony
just came out. You gotta keep in mind they couldn't read notes nor could I. In the natural there would be no way
this could work. They could sing and I could lead. what we lacked in musical knowledge we made up in spirit
and enthusiasm. We were all amazed at how it sounded and the first practice was a success.
After practice we gathered for prayer and asked the Lord to anoint this group as we had plans to go out to places
sharing Gospel songs and testimonies from the individuals as to how God had set them free from drug
addiction. I mentioned before the prayer meeting that we should pray for a P. A. System. Remembering my last
singing group and how good a 12 string guitar sounded with them I mentioned that we should pray for a guitar
player, preferably one who could play a 12 string guitar. Then I added we needed a good vocalist who could
take lead parts with our group backing him or her.
Buzz, There's someone out here wants to talk to you one of the students said. We'd just finished praying and
were breaking up when someone came in the center wanting to talk to someone in charge. Sitting out front was
a young sharp looking man in his 30's who had been waiting for me to finish practice. He introduced him-self as
Jerry Chicetti. He was a good looking young Italian guy and he told me he had been singing in night clubs
around the northwest, mostly around Seattle and that He had given his heart to God and wanted to quit singing
in clubs. He was looking for a place where he could serve the Lord. Oh by the way he said I play a 12 string
guitar and have a large P.A. System. You gotta be kidding you say; No way. this really happened. I was
immediately reminded of Matt:6:8 where it says your father knows what you need before you ask. We were
praying for this while the answer was sitting out front waiting for us to get through praying. Talk about delight.
Lord what an awesome God you are!!
With Jerry's terrific voice and his PA system and guitar we had a great sounding orchestra backing some very
excited and spirit filled kids that just sang like nothing you ever heard. Within one week we were doing a
concert at one of the churches in town and got a standing ovation. People were asking how many months or
years we had been practicing. We had to tell them we were one week old. With in 2 weeks were singing on the
local T V station and again we were asked how long we'd been together. People were amazed at the group. Now
I was beginning to understand what God had planned from the time he told me I was the new Choir director
back at the other church. He was preparing me for this.
Our group soon was being invited to sing at churches and large Full Gospel Bus. Mens conventions and we
were singing in some schools which wouldn't be allowed today, Doors were opening for us everywhere and we
were soon traveling from town to town and as we did we often run into young people who followed us back to
Richland to join us and for the training that we were getting. More addicts were coming and getting help. Our
center was not just a Rehabilitation center but had become a Bible school. Bible teachers were coming in
constantly and staying long enough to give seminars and training. The young people were growing and the
singing group was really going. We were traveling further and further as time went by and we were using
several cars and Jerry's van. ( Didn't I mention that earlier?) (no.) We needed several rigs to take us all where we
were going each time.
In our different cars and in a caravan of sorts we were on our way to sing in a church in Vancouver B. C.
Canada. I was not driving so I was sitting in some back seat starting to write a song that would one day open
doors for me over many parts of the world. I have always been able to yodel since boy hood days and had often
played my guitar and sang yodeling songs. For some reason I started writing a song from Psalms 149 and 150.
These two chapters in the Bible tell of all the different instruments you can use while praising God in song.
There's the Lyre, the harp, stringed insurgents, cymbals and more. If you'll look close enough you'll see that the
bible teaches us that you can even make a joyful noise in psalms 100 besides other places.
Well I felt if you could make a joyful noise you could certainly yodel. I can think of no other noise that's more
Joyful. So I took an old chorus I'd heard written by the Camron Brothers from Scotland,(whom I would get to
go visit years later) They had written a short chorus called (Making Melody). I took Psalms 149 and 150 and
condensed it into verses for that chorus and yodeled during the chorus part. It worked great and I thought
sounded good.
Like I said this was written while on the road with the singing group as we were going to Vancouver B. C.
Canada. Yodeling as far as I knew was not something you did in church or with gospel songs yet it sounded ok
with me. I run it by some of the singers with me and they liked it so that night during our concert in this large
church I decided to sing and yodel this song with the singing group singing the chorus part in the back ground. I
must admit I prayed about it first asking the Lord if it was ok. No I did not receive anything I could call an
answer from God except I felt ok about doing it.
The part of the concert came when I would interject this song and before I did I read and explained Psalms 149
and 150 and sang the song to which came lots of enthusiastic applause with lots of smiling faces but during the
song a man came into the church from the back of the church and sat and listened as I sang that song and as the
concert continued with songs and the kids giving their testimonies of how God had brought them out of the drug
culture this man stayed and listened intently to every song and testimony.
As the concert ended we ended with an invitation for those who wanted a relationship with Christ to come
forward for prayer. Many people did including this man who came in during the yodeling song. You could see
his countenance change as you can often see when a man or women is born again. Its always exciting to see
how a persons countenance changes and their faces seem to lose their strain or what ever it is. Its just obvious
when you see it though you may not be able to actually say what it is for sure.
Anyway I began to visit with this man who had just accepted the Lord. His story was that he'd just been released
from prison that day. His family didn't want him and he had no one he said that cared about him. He was very
discouraged and afraid he'd end up going back to prison as he already had more then once. He was walking
down the street towards the bay which was just beyond the church we were singing in. According to him he was
seriously thinking about suicide by jumping off the bridge that crossed the bay. I can't say whether he would
have carried through with that or not; all I can do is tell you what he told me. As he passed by the church he
could hear yodeling. He had not heard yodeling since he was a kid and had always loved it so decided to
interrupt his trip to the bridge and go in and listen for a while. He says anything else would not have drawn him
in. So what happened here was this guy who was going to kill himself now comes in and is encouraged by these
people he can identify with and ends up going forward and kneels at the altar and in a way did kill himself but
rose up from that altar to a new man and a new life..
Did this just happen as an accident or was God showing me something? The very first time I yodeled in church
it changes a mans life for good. I believe God was confirming that what I did was acceptable and as a matter of
fact blessed.
The yodeling in Gospel songs was so accepted that I would go on to write several more yodeling songs and
spend the next 30 years traveling to many countries by invitation but that's for later. There's much more before
that started happening.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CONCERT FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB? YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING.
There is another concert I want to tell you about and it too is in Vancouver but this time its Vancouver
Washington. We had rented an auditorium from a deaf and dumb school in Vancouver Wa. Without us noticing it
the flyers that were put out all over town had put the date down as actually one day later then we thought. So
let’s say we said it would be Thursday on the advertisement but we actually meant Wednesday and with out
noticing it we were ready for a community concert Wednesday when the towns people or those who would be
interested were planning on coming Thursday. We get there early and get the P A system and ourselves all ready
but soon begin to notice nobody was coming.
As the time arrives to begin there is no one in the audience. We were bewildered until someone took a closer
look and saw the mistake. So we were about to pack it up when the doors burst open and in rushed about 50 kids
who all sat right in the middle of the auditorium. It soon became evident as we noticed they were talking with
their hands that all these kids were deaf and dumb. Now what do you do? I went to the microphone and asked if
there was anyone out there who could hear me. One young man raised his hands and I ask him to come up and
talk with me which he did. I noticed he had a large box hanging around his neck and resting on his chest and
two lines running from it to his ears. This was some crude hearing aid it was obvious and he could hear me.
After confirming that yes everybody there was deaf and would not be able to hear he said they still wanted us to
sing our concert. We were baffled by this but he said he would stay up front and with his hands would tell the
audience what we were singing.
This was such a weird experience but after beginning the concert in prayer asking God for his help we started
singing. This was a christian deaf and dumb school and the kids were as far as we could tell already Christians
so they seemed to enjoy our songs though they heard not one word. The saw the hand language only and they
were able to understand the testimonies from the kids in our group that shared their experiences with Jesus.
I don't think I'd have had the courage to do what Pastor Schuetz did next. He was with us on this trip. He began
to preach about God's healing power and his words were interpreted by the young man with the hearing aid box.
He said those who want to be healed from deafness should come forward. Of all the miracles I've seen I admit I
had never seen a deaf person healed and was afraid pastor Schuetz might be putting us in an embarrassing
situation. Several young people came forward and Pastor Schuetz began to pray for them one at a time.
You should see the look on the faces of those who hear for the first time. Its something to see. They could not
talk even after healing because they didn't know words but when the pastor stood behind them and said certain
words they could repeat what he said. They were being healed one at a time when the young man with the box
on his chest decided he'd seen enough and wanted healed also so he jumped in line and he too received it. The
line was starting to get longer as the kids in the audience begin to see others get healed. Things were really
going great when the doors opened to the place and the staff came running in shouting stop this. You can't do
that here. Healing is not for today!! They were very upset and demanding that we leave the place. Some of the
kids were trying to talk and tell them that they could hear but the man in charge was shouting-- Your not
healed!!
There was a lot of confusion as several staff members were herding the kids out while many of them were
running around them and trying to come back to us but soon they were all taken out and we were left alone
packing up while a few of the staff stood around us arguing that healing was not for today. We tried to share
scripture with them but they were not interested so we had to leave but it was not over. We still had the place
rented for the next night.
They did not want us back the next night but we had it paid and advertisement was out and we would not let
them break a signed contract they had signed. They said ok but that they would not allow any of their kids to
attend the meeting.
The next evening as we arrived and was parking our cars next to the building we heard noises from above and
looking up we saw kids in every window waving their arms out through barred windows. I don't know why the
windows were barred but they were and the group of deaf kids that had been there the night before were trying
to get our attention. We had boxes of peanut brittle which is what our group sold door to door during the day to
raise funds for the center. We were throwing full boxes of peanut brittle up to the bars and they were catching
them with glee. They sent down notes saying they could not come to the concert because they were locked in.
There was nothing we could do but send back messages of encouragement in the boxes of peanut brittle as we
begin to unload our equipment and set it up in the auditorium.
The Auditorium was now being packed by people who came to hear the concert and we began the concert on
time and were about half way through when the doors opened on both sides and the kids who had escaped from
their locked dorm somehow were bursting in both side doors and running into the audience and scattering
throughout the crowd and hiding themselves as best they could. Well that was quite an interruption but not as
much as a few moments later the staff came busting in also and noisily begin to search throughout the audience
pulling their kids out one at a time. Needless to say this pretty well ruined the concert we were trying to give.
The deaf kids did not go willingly but they did go as they were pulled out one by one.
We never got to find out what ever happened to those kids that were healed. Their notes to us through the
window were telling us that they had been told their healing was just their imagination. What can I say? There
was some reason they wanted back in and did their best to get back in. Only eternity will tell what ever resulted
from that. I feel sorry for the religious staff who were willing to resist what their own eyes showed them rather
then admit that God still heals today. What did I say earlier in one of the above chapters? Miracles are only for
those who believe in them. Remember Jesus could do no miracles in his own home town because of their
unbelief.
There were many wonderful experiences during our travels to and from the Bible way center and I regret that I
can not remember them all but God was about to show me that Wilma and I had not left everything behind in
Boise without God willing to reward us greatly. Read on.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
LORD, WE SURE COULD USE A MOTOR HOME
The average person probably doesn't even think about the expense of hauling 40 people around in cars and vans.
What it costs to stop at a restaurant and feed them all. These are things we hoped people would think about
when the offering plate was passed around at our concerts. I mentioned earlier that the group did sell peanut
brittle door to door in what ever town we were in to help finance our trips. The peanut brittle was supplied by a
local candy store in Richland that was owned by a man who attended our services and supported the work. The
sales plus what ever offering came in was how we paid our expenses. I thought of a way to cut down on
expenses but it would be very expensive. Just think, A Motor Home would be a great help to our cause. If we
had one of those we could haul at least half of the singing group in it and we could cook and or make
sandwiches which would help a lot on expense also.
Motor homes were not as plentiful in those days as you see today and What a fantasy it was to think of having
one. Wilma and I wanted one but there was no way we could afford one. With all the traveling I had been doing
and would be doing it could save a lot of motel bills if we had one. I don't know when or how long it was that
we started praying for a motor home. I don't think I believed he'd give it to me, all I know is we prayed for one.
We had learned you can be specific when you pray and Wilma wanted air conditioning and believe it or not
Green shag carpet. We also prayed if he gave us one that it would have a power plant in it for the purpose of
running a P. A. System for when we did out door or in the park concerts. We'd have electricity to run the P. A.
system and microphones.
For a couple of months or so every time we saw a motor home go by on the hiway we'd mention there goes one
like God's gonna give us. My wife would say ours will have green shag carpet, air conditioning and a power
plant. Maybe it was partially in jest but the desire and the need was there. Like I said, I don't know if I actually
believed it would happen. It wasn't like God had told me he would give me one. It was just a desire of ours.
Little did I realize Psalms 37:4 would come into play at this time. (Delight your self in the Lord and he will give
you the desires of your heart.) Well we were delighting in him and we had lots of desires but I don't think I
really expected him to give me this one main hearts desire, a motor home.
One day there was a knock on our door and Wilma let this man and women in who had driven in to Richland
from Portland. They were owners of a Hotel there and they told us they had seen one of our concerts at a Full
Gospel Business men's convention. He told me that during the concert he felt as though the Lord spoke to his
heart and told him to give me a motor home. He did not do it at that time. He said he wasn't sure it was God and
besides that's a big request. According to him a couple of months went by and one day his wife came to him and
said She felt that God had been leading her to give their motor home to Buzz and Wilma Goertzen. Since neither
had told the other they were having the same thing happen Bill Castleman, The husband, felt it was a
confirmation that they should do it. When they handed me the keys to the Motor home we went and looked
inside and there was the Air conditioning, the power plant and the Green shag carpet. Wilma was sorry she
wanted green shag carpet later. Can you imagine wanting shag carpet. Course this was in the early 70;s.
It was a beautiful motor home in those days and it was a 25 foot long one and that too was a big one in those
days. We were so excited. God had really blessed us again and was still meeting our needs and more and his
promise to bless you back pressed down shaken together and running over was still happening.
We named the Motor home "The Miracle" and put the sign up in the rear inside so it could be seen from the
moment you entered and looked down the isle. This Motor home would be used for the Lords work for many
miles after that and there are several stories I could share concerning our travels in it. I did write a song about it
later which I recorded in my album "God loves country Music" The name of the song is "This motor home is in
Gods hands" The song mentions a few incidents that were close calls while driving it but God blessed every trip
and the motor home would last me for years even after I finally left Bible Way.
The more I look back into my life and start to write about it the more I realize there's to much to tell. The
experiences we had at Bible way are so numerous that I can not remember all of them and those I do I have
decided to leave many of them out or there will never be a last chapter and I feel such an urgency to get the
main part and the main miracles recorded.
The time finally came when God would let me know my work at Bible way was finished and he was ready to
move me on to a new ministry and new lessons. Some very hard lessons. Read on.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
DID GOD SAY THAT?
Its a good thing God does not let us know about some of the tests he's about to take you through or I'm sure we
would try to avoid it. I am convinced though that before God fulfills a promise to you he will test you to see if
you believe him. One; did that promise really come from him? Two; Do you trust him to bring it about? Three;
will you stay true to him while your waiting for the fulfillment?
Without going into too much detail I was sure that God spoke to my spirit while I was in a quiet place, (the rest
room of all places) while I was still at Bible Way. He let me know he was about to move me from there. I won't
go into detail but I still remember the feeling, the knowing and the peace I felt when I knew it was going to
happen. I believe I should mention here that when God makes you a promise and you either know he did or
think he did all you have to do is relax and let God make it happen. That's one of the reasons I love him. He
keeps his word and you don't have to make anything he says he is going to do with you happen. I didn't expand
on it in the other stories so far but every time I felt God had given me the knowledge he was going to do
something all I had to do was believe and go on about my business serving him in the capacity that I was
involved in at the time.
Through the years I have seen many young people fall flat on their faces because they felt God was calling them
or had called them into a ministry. Really believing that, they strike out on their own often selling out and
hitting the road, Trying to raise funds so they can afford to go. I've seen them go broke and lose all they have;
They hurt their marriage and often lose faith. If I'm anyone to give advice, and I don't claim to be but one
principle I try to practice and I believe with all my heart. If you feel God has something for you in the future.
Don't try to fulfill that in any other way except keep doing what you were doing when he promised that.
Some very good examples of what happens when you get ahead of God and his promise. Abraham was
promised a son, He believed for a while but got impatient and decided to go to Hagar's tent, his servant girl. He
got his son through her alright but the one promised came a little later when his wife bore the son he was
promised. Read the story yourself. Hagar's son became the enemy of Sarah's son and they fought and are still
fighting today. The Arabs and Jews will always be at war and that's what eventually will bring about the last
battle. All because Abraham got ahead of God and tried to fulfill the promise himself.
God said David was King of Israel long before David wore the crown. Read his story and see what he had to go
through before his promise was fulfilled. There are several examples and you can see that God is consistent in
seeing to it that before you receive his promises you will get a chance to get ahead of him, become impatient
waiting for it. lose faith in it; trade it off for something less, and all of it gives you a chance to mature and grow
in God.
So when God revealed to me he was going to release me from the job he gave me at Bible way and take me
back to Idaho I had no idea how he would do it nor when he would do it. I kept doing what I was doing with the
singing group and as staff member until he opened the door to leave.
The door began to open soon after I got the word it would be opening. I was attending a Full Gospel Business
Men's convention at Boise. Two preachers who will remain unnamed for reasons that I'll explain later
approached me while I was having lunch with my good friend Jim Howell who was an international Director
with the FGBMFI. These preachers had a real going and growing interdenominational church in a town in
Southern Idaho. They had been observing me and the singing group. We had sung at several conventions and I
suppose that's where they saw the group and myself.
They explained that they would like me to come to their community and become a part of the ministry in their
church. They wanted me to be the song leader and start a singing group like the one I was director of in Bible
Way. At that time they promised me $1000.00 a month plus any honorariums that I might earn when and where
I might be speaking or singing. This would be the first time I was ever offered a salary for my ministry and it
sounded good but I know in my heart that had nothing to do with whether I took the job or not. God had already
proven he could take good care of me with or without a salary. When they offered to send me money to move I
felt this was the door opening that I had been waiting for and agreed to go.
It was difficult as it always is to leave a place where you have friends you love and have worked with and God
has blessed so much but we felt it was time to go and we packed up the motor home and the car and away we
went to southern Idaho.
Arriving in our new town without a home to move into we found ourselves living in our motor home until we
could find a home to live in. The two pastors had told me they would help me find a home and getting a home
financed with their backing and the promise of $1000.00 a month shouldn't be difficult. Also I had a home still
in Boise that was the triplex I told about earlier. It was still bringing in rent money and still paying for itself. The
$1000 a month in the early 70's was a good salary So things were looking good. Little did I know I was in for a
very tough test of my faith in God and in my fellow man. Especially two preachers.
Months earlier while still at Bible way I had brought the singers to this same community to do a concert in the
church where now I was becoming a part of the ministry. There was a very large seven bedroom house in this
community that was owned by a dentist who belonged to this church. His house was empty and it was up for
sale so it was a perfect place to bed down many of the singers in our group. It was a beautiful brick house in a
very nice part of town and I made the comment that wow it sure would be nice to live in a place like this. I
didn't realize it at that time but God was listening.
Now months later here we are in this town looking for a home and this one is still for sale. I could not afford it
so we were just looking around for something a little more affordable. We were having some trouble finding a
place when the owner of this house approached me. He told me when they built that house they had dedicated it
to God and until they moved out in the country they lived in it and loved it very much. He never forgot the
promise he made to God that the house was dedicated to be a place for ministries to stay at or live in.
He wanted $62.000. Mind you this was in the early 70's. That place now would be worth around $200,000. He
wanted $20,000 down and of course I didn't have any- thing close to that. He told me he would take $10,000
down and the other $10,000 a year from then. That still seemed clear out of reach but then one of the pastors
said he would buy my place in Boise for $10,000 down. We did it. He gave me the $10,000 which I gave to the
dentist and we were in our dream house that just months earlier I had said I sure wish I could live in it. We were
able to assume the dentist's loan with a small percentage interest rate and our payments would be only around
160.00 a month. On a $1000.00 a month salary that I had been promised the payments would be easy.
Everything was going fine or so I thought.
After about six weeks attending this church and leading the song service I had been paid a couple of times in
cash from the hands directly from the pastors themselves. I should have realized at that time something wasn't
right. That left no evidence that I had been paid at all. I admired these pastors so much and never dreamed
something was amiss. I guess I was naive and never dreamed that there was something dishonest going on.
The one pastor was a pilot and had his own plane which he flew around the country quite often preaching at
different conventions and churches; Meanwhile the other pastor would do the preaching at our church. I would
be music director and youth leader. I was in the process of putting together a youth group and singing group yet
I continually felt I was meeting some resistance and something didn't seem right.
One day after the church service was over I noticed the elders of the church gathered at the back of the church
and they seemed to be very concerned about something. Some one came up to me and said the elders would like
to see me in the pastors’ office. As I entered the office the elders, about eight or nine of them were circled and I
found myself standing in the circle. The one pastor was not there as he had flown off to some meeting
somewhere; The other was sitting at his desk looking down at the desk. The head elder begin to speak.
Buzz, he said, “We sure appreciate your song leading. You are doing a very good job and we enjoy it but we
want to know something. You have been with us six weeks now and we are wondering how do you support
yourself? What kind of job do you have? Who invited you here?” I was a little bewildered at the question;
“What do you mean I said, I have a job here as song leader and youth group leader.” “Who told you that,” asked
the elder. I pointed over to the pastor expecting him to explain and said he will tell you. The pastor had been
looking down and now looked up at me, I'll always remember how his face took on a weird twist as he spoke,
“Buzz, We never invited you here.” My first thought was this is some kind of sick joke but then I realized this
was serious and the pastor was actually lying to me and the elders.
This hurt so bad I can't describe the feeling. Either I or the pastor was lying and I knew I wasn't but how can this
be? Why would he do that? I began to shake and found it hard to breathe as I saw the look on the faces of the
elders. Who were they going to believe? It was obvious to them I was a liar. They then began to verbally
discipline me letting me know that they were on to me. To paraphrase what happened I was pretty much told
that though I was there to con them and the church, God would forgive me if I repented and got right with him.
They continued with the advice that if I would go out and get a job like any other respectable person should do,
that in time after I had proven myself there might be an opening for me to be a paid song leader and youth
leader in the church. I felt like I had never been so humiliated in my life and so embarrassed. They and several
people in the church thought I was a con man.
I could hardly drive home as I tried to see through the tears. This had to be a bad dream. It could not be
happening. My wife Wilma was home already and I went in to tell her what had just happened. Her reaction was
also one of shock but she tried to encourage me saying to just trust God. I gotta admit this was one time I didn't
feel like I could trust him. I felt He had let me down. How could he let this happen? I didn't know it at the time
but he was about to take me through the best training I ever got in my life.
The pain in my soul and in my chest was so bad I found it hard to breathe and completely collapsed at times
while struggling with this. Then to top it off a couple of my best friends who had been memorizing scripture
with me, who had been praying with me, who it was obvious were serving God with a zeal that I admired heard
of what had just happened and came to see me to get my side of the story. After I shared with them everything
from the original invitation at the convention in Boise to the money sent to me to move here I felt I had at least
someone who believed me.
Angry at what happened to me they went to visit the pastor. I don't know what all went on there but they came
back to me with another blow to my whole being. “Buzz, we've known the pastor for a long time and we've only
known you for a couple of months. We don't see any reason for the pastor to lie and we have decided he is not
lying and we're hoping you can admit what you are doing and get right with God.” I was devastated. As they left
thinking I was a con man I collapsed again from hyperventilating in my chair and could not catch my breath.
My Wife had to get a damp cold wash rag and place it on my head as I was reeling from this blow to my pride
and self esteem.
I had one hope to redeem myself. The other pastor who was out of town would return and surely he would
explain everything and make it right. Two days I waited for him to return so I could go see him. As soon as I
heard he was home I drove over to his house and went to his office which he had in his basement. As he sat
behind his desk listening to my story his face took on the same twisted look I saw in the face of the other pastor
and right there looking straight at me with just he and I in the room he said, “Buzz, We had nothing to do with
you coming here.” Suddenly I realized, These two men were doing this together and something was terribly
wrong. Either I was crazy and didn't know it or I was just an out and out liar; Maybe I was confused; Maybe all
the stuff I was claiming was a figment of my imagination.
As I sat feeling sorry for myself the next few days I suddenly realized that I had not been the only one listening
to the original invitation. My good friend Jim Howell from Boise had been there. I hopped into my car and
headed for Boise to see Jim. If it had not been for Jim and his wife Josephine confirming my story I think I'd
have gone crazy. “Yes Buzz, We were there and Yes, They offered you $1000.00 a month if you'd move there
and help.” Thank God I had someone who knew the truth. Jim, being an international Director for the Full
Gospel Business men's organization and who had been setting up meetings for the one pastor to speak at
different conventions called this pastor and told him he was not going to be invited anymore to any of the
conventions unless he apologized to me. The pastor assured him he would. He never did.
Before I left Jim's home to go back home I got some very wise advise from him and his wife. “Evidently Buzz
your going through a very tough test and our advice is that you pass it. Let God be your vindicator. Do not
attempt any more to prove them wrong and your self right. You serve God to the best of your ability and the day
will come you will be vindicated.” This was not easy advice to follow. Everything within me wanted to go back
and say to everyone, “They are lying. Here is someone you can call who is highly known and respected that will
verify my story.”
As I look back at this experience I do not know where the strength came from to do what I did. I followed the
advice of Jim and Josephine Howell and decided to stick it out though everything within me wanted to leave the
church. Go somewhere else which if I did that would only confirm the suspicions about me. I really had only
one choice. Get a job and serve the Lord with all my heart and wait on God.
I had a new house to pay for now with no income and something had to happen soon. I begin to search the paper
for job openings. I noticed that a large trucking firm: Consolidated Freight lines was looking for a Sales Rep. I
had no Idea what a sales rep. does especially for a trucking firm like consolidated Freightways. I went down to
their office to look into that job opening. There was a line of men and women from the inside of the building
clear outside and down the walk. My first thought was I might as well go somewhere else. I don't know why I
stood in line so long. Maybe its because I really needed a job. but my turn finally came to be interviewed by two
executives from the main office in Salt Lake City. I don't remember the questions or my answers. They told me
they were going to pick three people from all the applicants and interview them again and pick one of them and
that person would get a salary of $1200.00 a month plus an expense account plus a new car. Since I had no
experience in this line, I felt my chances were nil. They handed me an application and told me to go home, fill it
out and return it. My faith was so small that I didn't bother and just discarded the application thinking I'd have to
find something else.
As I continued checking out the area for jobs we got a visitor. It was the owner of the house we had purchased. I
was sure he was concerned as to how his house would be paid for though it was the bank I owed, I did have to
come up with $10,000 in about 10 months that was to be paid to him.
“Buzz,” he said, “I have heard a lot about you lately and it hasn't all been good. I hope you'll forgive me but I
took the liberty to investigate you and check out your past to see if you really are what the pastors are saying.
Buzz, you have excellent credit; You have great references everywhere you've been, going clear back to when
you worked for the police department in Boise.” “Frankly,” he said, “I don't believe a man with your record
could do the things they say you've done and I want you to know you have a friend.” Its amazing as I write this,
the feeling I got comes back as real as it was at the time it happened. I burst into tears and breathed a sigh of
relief. Someone believed me who was a very influential and upstanding person in the community and in the
church.
Dr. Wilkes, known to us all as T.J. Wilkes then handed me a check for $1000.00. He said this is to help tide you
over while you continue to look for a job. Can you imagine what it felt like. Lord you delight me. Your seeing to
it while I go through this test that I'm being taken care of. I was soon to find out just how well God does take
care of us as long as we continue serving him even through adversity like we were going through. He was not
through. He had something more to add to what he was saying. “You know,” he said, “you will owe me $10,000
in a few months.” “Yes,” I said, “and I will do all I can to see that you get it.” “Don't worry about it,” he said.””
When you hand me that $10,000 dollar check I will sign the back of it and hand it back to you as a gift.” Can
you believe this? I'm glad Wilma was there so she can verify that this happened. Again, Lord you delight me.
God was not forsaking me. He was taking care of me even while I faced this trial.
He was not through blessing me. A week or so had gone by and my phone rang. It was Consolidated Freight
Ways calling. Where is your application? We have not received it. I had to admit I had not filled it out because I
felt I had no chance. You would think that would be enough for them to forget about me but their response
was-“Get in here and fill one out. Your one of the three we want to interview and quite frankly we believe your
the one were looking for.” Unbelievable. Incredible!! God is so good. Yes Lord you delight me.
Now get this. I went to the office where they told me I was hired and that my job as a sales rep. was to represent
the company and that they were giving me a new car with a credit card that could be used to buy gas not only
for the job itself but for when I used it as my personal car. My job was to be calling on their customers and just
making sure they were happy with our service to them. Of course encouraging them to use our services even
more. How do I do this? Taking them to Dinner breakfast or golfing and just being a good public relations man.
I didn't know such a job existed. Over the next four years I was paid to take people out and entertain them.
Often I golfed with them or took them on trips in my Motor home to hunt. What a job! I was blessed beyond
expression. Psalms 112, living bible translation.( Praise the Lord for all who fear God and trust in him are
blessed beyond expression.) I'm sure there are a lot of people who read that and don't ever realize God really
means it when he says that.
Things were still strained at church while I continued my job and without pay. I began to practice certain
principles of the bible. Do good to those who despitefully use you. Yes and turn the other cheek. God had shown
me he would take care of me and I determined to practice forgiveness. Did I feel good towards these pastors? In
no way. I still battled with unforgiveness and even hate. I was still hurt and found my imagination coming up
with ways to get even. Thoughts of murder entered my mind. Of course I wouldn't go that far but the thoughts
did come. Temptations were still there to go about proving my innocence and maybe even getting the pastors
fired but I felt led to let God be my vindicator. Little did I know that would take four years.
Four years I served in that church and gradually I felt people were trusting me. One of the pastors never
returned from his flight to California and it took several days to find his wreckage in the Mountains of Nevada.
It was a terrible time seeing what happened and seeing his family suffer. There is no way I want anyone thinking
he died because of what he put me through. I don't believe that. Why God took him I don't want to know. I do
know I thank God for this man because without him I would never learn the true meaning of forgiveness. More
than that, these pastors were the tool to teach me how to trust God even while it looked like God had forsaken
me. Am I saying I was so spiritual that I could do this. No way. I know with all my heart God gave me the
strength to stand and trust him during this time but the lesson was the same and it would give me faith to trust
him in future times and future trials.. This kind of test gave Wilma and I the courage to say from time to time
when problems came our way.-- God took care of us before and he'll do it again. He so far always has.
As I continued to serve in this church God was giving me a reputation with the people of the church though the
one pastor who was left still never really had much to do with me and often avoided me. I stayed loyal to him
remembering the story of David in the old testament that even though King Saul was out to kill him David, even
when he had the chance would not harm king Saul. This kind of example in the scriptures is for us to learn how
to let God do his work and like David who had been promised he would be King let God do it. He would not be
king by his own hand. 1Sa 24:10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that Jehovah had delivered thee to-
day into my hand in the cave and some bade me kill thee; but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put
forth my hand against my lord; for he is Jehovah's anointed. 1Sa 24:11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the
skirt of thy robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that
there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against thee, though thou huntest after
my life to take it. What a tremendous example David gave us for an example of the right attitude even under
persecution.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ITS TIME TO GO
I knew in my heart more and more that God was preparing me for something else and I felt somehow assured
that he would one day be using me full time in his service. Like I said before I would not strike out without a
sure direction from the Lord.
One day a friend of mine came to see me. He was quite discouraged with the way things were turning out in his
life. He said to me that he envied me and thought I was leading the kind of life he wished he could have. Of
course he had no idea the trials I'd been and was going through. He said he was tied to his job and his home and
between the two of them he had no time to do the things I was getting to do. He mentioned the church retreats,
The FGBMFI conventions, the seminars I was attending from time to time and said he had no free time to do
any of that. He had a brand new home that was very large, very beautiful and very expensive. He said after work
he would go straight home and try to get the yard work and honey do's all done before going to bed. Then early
A. M. back to work and it was a seven day a week job just keeping up with the payments and the place he lived
in.
I had no idea where I was going with my advice but in our conversation I tried to be of some help.
“What I would do if I were you,” I told him, “is put that big home up for sale. Your in way over your
head and you've become a slave to your place and your responsibilities. You'd probably make a good
profit on your house and use that to purchase a smaller place with a smaller yard.” As I said this I
pictured a house like that. It was a rental my Father in law had next door to him in Lewiston. I told him
if you had a smaller place which is all you really need you would have smaller payments and less to take
care of giving you the freedom to go and do what you've always wanted to do. As I spoke those last words in
that last sentence I begin to get the strangest feeling and revelation. I suddenly knew that this was the answer.
Leaving my friend standing there I rushed home and walked into the house shouting, Wilma we're
selling the house! By this time because of the wonderful gift that T.J. Wilkes had given me the equity
in the place was large. Wilma of course ask me to explain and when I got through telling her she also
seemed to agree it was of God. Now the test to see if it really was, to see if we could get top dollar for
our place and would God actually bring it about. Our oldest daughter by now had left for a Bible
School and our oldest son would also soon be going so we didn't need such a large place. I wanted a small
place with even less of a payment making it easier on us should I actually go into full time ministry.
I'd always pictured that should I be in the ministry full time I would like a tri-plex that would bring in enough
income to make payments on my home and pay for itself plus utilities. Having this would mean I wouldn't have
to beg like some ministries for offerings. I had always told the Lord that should I ever be in a full time ministry I
would want him to supply the need and needs without me having to ask people to support me.
That didn't mean I wouldn't accept offerings and honorariums but that I did not ever want to ask for the help. He
had done it before at Bible way and he could do it again.
We notified a realtor and within a couple of days had an offer that would actually end up giving us more then we
were asking. The reason was a piece of property that was being developed into a large expensive housing
development was given to us as part of the down payment. My Father in Law heard what we were doing I
suppose because of phone conversations with him and he called us back and said why don't we consider moving
to Lewiston and buying the rental he had next door to him. Isn't that something? The very house I pictured when
I gave advice to my friend.
Our house did sell right away and we had enough profit to make our first album. That's another thing I wanted
to do. Have a gospel album of some songs I had written. My two oldest children had been singing with me since
they were small and we sounded pretty good together. We even won some first place trophies in some very large
music festivals. So making a Gospel Album was now in my plans plus moving to Lewiston. My father in law
offered his rental house which was only a two bedroom house but large enough for our shrinking family. We
would now be living next door to Wilma's folks which was very convenient especially if I would be traveling.
Wilma's dad would be next door for any extra help she might need while I was gone. After moving in I called
my daughter and my son and we met in Vancouver, Washington where we would meet at a recording studio and
record our first album. It was quite an experience and I think it cost us around $2500.00.That would also supply
us with 1000 L P albums. (remember them? 33 1/2 RPM records). The name of the album was "Gods Love
Call"
With the album finished, I hired a contractor to help us build the tri-plex on our property I had just purchased
from my Father in law. With my son Kelly's help and my father in law and any other help I could find we tore
down an old black smith shop on my property and built the tri-plex I'd imagined for years. This was all done
with the profit from the house we sold in Twin Falls. It was done, paid for but now I was at the end of my
finances.
Being totally occupied for about 3 months while building the tri-plex I neglected the time I should have been
spending in the word and in prayer Getting it done and rented was what I concentrated on until it was totally
done. I'll always remember what happened next.
With paint brush in hand and apartments ready to rent I was walking into the house thinking, Ok, I'm ready to
go. Go?,,,Go where? Well Lord I really believe you were in this and I really believe you've been preparing me
but to be honest I have no idea what I'm supposed to do from here. At that very moment the phone rang. It really
did and I was surprised to hear an International director for the Full Gospel Business Men's organization in Salt
Lake City. He told me there was a large convention going to happen there and would I come sing and share my
testimony at that convention. He wanted me also for song leading.
When you're invited to one of those its common knowledge that they will pay your expenses and give you an
honorarium to boot. Wow! Just like that. Lord all I did was say I was ready and the phone started ringing and let
me say it kept ringing continually for the next many years. I never had to seek or ask for a place to minister
from then on. I had told the Lord earlier that I never wanted to open my own doors but would go through any
door he opened. They kept opening without effort on my part for the next 30 years.
Next, My first convention and a neat little test that came with it.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I WILL BLESS YOU THIS DAY.
Our profit from the sale of the house was gone now from building the tri-plex and making the Album plus by
now I had recorded a 2nd album called "The Idaho Yodeler". This was not a gospel album but an album with a
lot of old yodeling songs some of which I had written. So I was broke except for our hope the apartments would
rent soon but we would need more than that.
Using my credit card I bought the gas needed to get down to Salt Lake City. I don't remember what the problem
was but I had car problems and had to have some work done in Boise before I could continue the journey. By
the time I was in Salt Lake I had spent $400.00 on the credit card. Well that's ok I guess. Surely the honorarium
and the record sales will be more then enough to pay for that.
I arrived and a room at the large hotel was provided but I would have to share it with another speaker who was
also invited to the convention. The FGBMFI conventions always started on Thursday evening and carried
through until Sunday morning. Though I had been to conventions in the past I was mostly unknown by most
people there. Arriving the same night just to attend the convention was a man from Seattle who was well known
in FGBMFI circles. Dennis Strand was his name and we were friends. Dennis was a terrific Gospel Singer
himself and was often in great demand in FGBMFI circles and churches as he had a terrific ministry. Dennis
was not an invited singer but just wanted to attend as do thousands of others from all denominations.
It was a pleasant surprise for the leadership to see Dennis there and of course at the Thursday night meeting they
invited him to sing. Normally I would have been the one to sing that night but they used Dennis instead as he
was so well known and liked. I admit I was a little disappointed but there was plenty of time yet. There was still
Friday and Saturday with meetings being held at different times throughout each day. The meeting went well
and Dennis did a great job with his ministry. He, of course, knew nothing about what I was there for so there is
no blame or animosity from me. Just a little disappointed.
Dennis sold his Tapes and records that night as usual and I stood by my table where my tapes and records were
displayed hoping some would sell. None did and I was virtually ignored which like I say hurt but like I say.
There's always tomorrow.
Friday morning came and I looked forward to the Breakfast meeting where a meal would be served and several
inspiring speakers would take their turn at the podium. Sitting there looking forward to my turn I was surprised
when they called on Dennis again to minister in song and testimony. Well there is the luncheon coming up and I
figured surely by then they'd give me a chance. Again I was disappointed and began to wonder why they invited
me. I always believed that if God has given you a ministry he will use you. He is not up there wringing his
hands wishing they would use a person he has given a ministry to. I say I believe that but at the time that didn't
make my waiting any easier.
After not being asked to participate at all on Friday night I was getting more concerned. As I stood by my
unattended record table that night with out one sale, (no one had heard me sing) I was approached by the leader
of the convention whom I will not name. He asked me how my sales were going? I told him I hadn't sold a one.
His answer to that was, well maybe you'll do better tomorrow because you'll have to take your expenses from
your record sales. I could not believe my ears. I felt sick inside as I'd borrowed against my credit card to get
there. How could I go home to a wife who is expecting to pay some bills as soon as I arrive home and not have
any honorarium. I was sick at heart as I went to my room that night. It was hard to sleep as I worried as to
whether this whole thing of me going full time into the ministry was of God after all.
Waking up early with this all on my mind I decided to sneak into the bathroom and pray. I didn't want to disturb
my roommate who was still sleeping. I remember kneeling beside the bathtub and I had my bible with me. I
often carried two bibles. One was the Living Bible which is a paraphrased translation in every day english while
the other was the King James version with all the thee's and thou's. I had grabbed the Living Bible and had it
beside me as I prayed.
I said something about Lord I realize I deserve this. I know I have been neglecting my time with you the last
three months so I admit I'm deserving this but Lord it sure hurts and I know I can count on you to supply my
needs but I sure would appreciate a word from you of encouragement. As I opened the bible it fell open to
Haggai, a book in the bible often ignored. As I begin to read I really felt a warm loving feeling sort of flood over
my body and I knew God was speaking to me. Here is what I read as I burst into tears.
Hag 2:5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth
among you: fear ye not.
Hag 2:6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the
earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
Hag 2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with
glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
Hag 2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
Hag 2:9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this
place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
I know when this was written God was talking to Zerubbabel but I also know that as I read that God was talking
to me through that word and yes it was confirmed soon as you will see. Let me give you a little more that he
said in the same chapter as it seemed to light up and sink itself into my spirit.
Hag 2:18 Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even
from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider it.
Hag 2:19 Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive
tree, hath not brought forth: from this day I will bless you .
I knew that I knew he was speaking to me and I knew he was going to bless me. I really didn't know if it would
be this same day but I felt assured that God was going to take care of me and I need not worry.
I got dressed and went down to the main floor to the room where the Saturday morning breakfast would be
taking place. It was early and not many people had showed up yet but soon the room would be full. I sat there in
a chair by myself still thinking about the word I believed God had given me. I sat there wondering how long
God was going to wait until he blessed me. How would I make it until then?
As I sat there a man approached me. He was a man I knew who lived in Roseburg Oregon and was the owner of
a large sawmill. “Buzz,” he said, “I want to talk to you for a moment. Just this morning he said I was awakened
early and the Lord spoke to my heart and asked me to do this.” He then handed me a check for $1000.00, a
check for $1000.00. I couldn't help it as I slumped in my chair and began to cry like a baby. Of course this man
had no idea what had just happened about one hour earlier. As I regained my composure I was able to tell him
what God had promised me an hour before. Keep in mind a thousand dollars was a lot more when this happened
than it is now.
Later, Jim Howell, the man I mentioned in an earlier story and who was the International director found out how
I had been treated by the leadership of the convention and that they intended not to pay me. I did not tell him but
the man who gave me the $1000.00 told him and soon I was handed another check from them and an apology. I
went home that Sunday very blessed even more then I ever expected.
Why did God do it? I believe first that he keeps his word that long ago he assured me he would meet my needs
and bless me pressed down, shaken together and running over.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running
over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you
again.
Wilma and I had always given and often gave above what we thought we could afford. I could tell stories of
when we just gave to someone who had a need and we did it when we couldn't afford to sometime but we knew
God rewards those who do.
Let me at this point throw in a short example of something we did concerning giving. We needed to have our
eyes checked by an optometrist and we were concerned about the cost. Especially when both of us were going
to see one at the same time. We found an advertisement where an optometrist was only charging $20.00. All
others were charging $40.00. If we went to this lower priced one we could save $40.00. We went and it was a
small office and as we went in it seemed empty except we could hear someone talking in a back room. The
doctor had a patient back there testing her eyes.
We waited until they came out and the young lady had a small daughter with her. The doctor sat behind his desk
and said to the lady, “That will be $20.00 please.” She began to fumble in her purse while saying she didn't have
it but had figured the doctor would bill her and she would be able to pay him next month. He begin to be very
firm with her telling her that's not the way he worked and he wanted paid now. It was obvious she wouldn't be
able to and she seemed very embarrassed and nervous. As she was stuttering and stalling Wilma and I looked at
each other and we knew without saying it what to do.
I spoke up and said, “Excuse me, Lady you don't have to pay him at all.” They both looked shocked and fixed
their gaze on me. The doctor was about to say something and by the look on his face it wouldn't be pleasant. I
quickly spoke up and said because we're going to pay it for you. The Doctor relaxed and the lady looked
confused. She said to us, “but why?” I spoke up and said “We're Christians and we just want to help you out;
We've been where your at and know what it feels like so just let us help you out and you consider it a gift from
God.” She mumbled something and was finding it hard to say anything so she just walked out.
Now why did I tell that story? Was it to brag? Was it to try to appear real spiritual? No, Wilma will agree with
me that it was because of the next thing that happened. First we enjoy helping someone like that but the doctor
turned out to be who this whole thing was for. We didn't know it when we did it but that's the way it turned out.
He said to us: “Wow that was really a nice thing to do.” I said, “well I don't know about that, It was probably a
selfish thing for me to do.” He laughed and said, “how do you figure that?” “Well Doc,” I said, “Like I said
we're Christians and we try to practice certain principles in the Bible.” “What's that?” he says? “Well,” I said
“the bible tells us that when we help the poor its like lending to the lord and he always pays back even more
than what you give so according to what he's done in the past He will bring that back to us many times over.”
“Well,” he said, “That's quite a philosophy.” “Oh no,” I said, “It's not a philosophy, Its a fact.” His response was
that he'd never seen anything like that from any so called christian and he said, “if I start going to church I want
to go to yours. Where is your church?”
I don't know what he did from that point on or whether he ever went to church but you can bet that experience
gave him something to think about concerning God. We'll never know what that did for him and we'll never
know what it did for the young lady but both of them were witnessed to that day.
I believe going out and doing good for people does far more then standing on the street and preaching or
handing out tracks. Not that I'm against that but think about it. If we Christians would stop talking and start
doing what we could accomplish.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
THE BRAND NEW MARTIN GUITAR
As I said earlier the phone began to ring and kept ringing and invitations to come speak and sing my songs were
coming in daily. Although this was a blessing it did keep Wilma busy not only answering the phone but kept her
busy as she tried to put together different schedules and purchasing air line tickets. If I was in part of the country
where other invitations were coming from she would try to coordinate them so I could do them while in the
same part of the country. One such trip was to take me back to Salt Lake City where I would speak to several
FGBMFI luncheons and a church or two before I would fly on to Nebraska to do the same.
In those days I carried my Hagstrom guitar with me and used it to sing my songs. The Hagstrom guitar is a good
guitar and I liked it but always had a desire to own a Martin guitar. Martin guitars are very expensive and have a
beautiful tone. Their value goes up the older they get and the tone gets better with the age of the guitar because
of the wood used to build it.
Air West airlines was the company I flew to Salt Lake on and when I arrived I went to baggage claim to get my
clothes and my guitar. I waited and I waited while others grabbed their bags and left. Soon I was the only one
standing at the belt where the luggage comes out. No guitar and no clothes. At this time there was quite a move
among the church people to just say praise the Lord when things aren't turning out right. Well if you've been
following my main point in the stories so far that goes along with Delight your self in the Lord, even in tough
times and keep the right attitude because I believe Christians don't have problems, They have opportunities.
Opportunities to give God a chance to show his power to make a bad thing into a good thing.
So recognizing I had what looked like a problem I tried to keep the right attitude and said praise the Lord. After
reporting to the people who were in charge of lost luggage I was met by a man who took me to my hotel room. I
was told I'd be speaking at a banquet that night. I felt lost without my guitar and I would have to go in my casual
clothes I flew there in.
That night at the banquet I had to apologize for my clothes and had to inform them I would not be singing. No
problem someone said and reached around behind them and pulled out their own guitar they had brought to use
while leading in singing. At the banquets they always took time for a few bible choruses. So no problem and of
course no one cared what I was wearing. The next day I checked with the airlines and was told they had not
found my clothes or guitar. I spoke at a luncheon that day and used the guys guitar again and all went well. The
next day they still had not found my guitar or clothes. Each time I tried to practice my faith and said -- Well
Lord, I'm working for you so this is more your problem then mine. I know what you've called me to do and I'll
do it to the best of my ability with or without the guitar and with or without my suits. Praise the Lord anyway!
I mentioned to the airlines person in charge that I'd been in the same clothes now for about 3 days. Oh she said,
Don't worry about that. We still haven't found your guitar or clothes so why don't you go down town and buy
your self a bunch of new clothes; Keep the receipts and bring them to us and we will reimburse you. Wow! I
loved that. I get to buy some new clothes which I sure could use and they're free. I thought this was the blessing
I was expecting for having the right attitude. Not so fast Buzz, God had a lesson in store for me.
This was Friday afternoon and I had time to go get the clothes but decided I would do it Saturday morning. It
was nine blocks to downtown from where I was staying. I would get up and walk down to J C Pennys first thing
in the morning. That night I spoke again at a banquet and returned late to my hotel room. The phone was
blinking. Call the airlines was the message. I called them and they said you'll be glad to know we've found your
guitar and clothes. We have them right here and we'll deliver them in the morning. Now don't forget to turn in
those receipts for the clothes you have purchased. We want to reimburse you for them. Uh Yeh Ok,,,,, I'll do
that,,, thank you,,,Bye. I hung up the phone wanting to kick myself for putting off getting those clothes. I should
not have put off getting them. However!, they did say to be sure and turn in your receipts for the clothes you've
purchased. I know I hadn't purchased them yet but how would the airlines know that?
I could still go down town early and buy the clothes and not tell them when I got them. Yeah, that's what I'll do.
But as I said it I got a sick feeling in my chest. I tried to ignore it. I wanted those clothes. It was hard to sleep
that night because of what I decided to do but I was determined to get those clothes.
Early Saturday I arose and hurried to get dressed and run the nine blocks to J C Penny's to buy those clothes.
Nine Salt Lake City Blocks is no short trip and as I walked the whole way I kept trying to ignore the growing
lump in my throat and the feeling I was making a big mistake. Still determined to ignore that still small voice
warning me, I got to the store too early and it was not open yet so I decided to go across the street to a restaurant
and get some breakfast. I love hash browns and eggs but those eggs just sat there and stared at me. I had a battle
going on inside me that made it near impossible to eat. Then it happened, That still small nagging voice inside
of me said one word and said it so loud it stopped me cold. Esau!!! that's all that was said, Esau!! I froze, I know
who Esau is in the bible. He's the dummy who traded off his inheritance for a bowl of soup.
Gen:25:32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
Gen 25;33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
Gen 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went
his way: thus Esau
despised his birthright.
The story of Esau goes on to tell how Esau begged and pleaded for his birthright back but to no avail. He never
got it back and the cost to him was terrible. I knew from that moment I was not going to get those clothes. Oh
the relief I felt, I can not describe. It was like the world turned beautiful and I felt free as a bird. I jumped up
from the meal and almost skipped all the way, the whole nine blocks back to my motel room. I walked in and
they still had not been there to return my clothes and guitar. They had told me they would have them delivered
by now. I called them and they said we're sorry to inform you Mr. Goertzen that somehow your clothes and
guitar got put on another flight and they are gone again and we don't yet know where. I hung up the phone and
yelled praise the Lord and ran nine blocks back to J C Penny's. I bought the clothes. Some great looking clothes
and quickly walked back nine Salt Lake City blocks to my hotel. I certainly had my exercise for the day. Now
the story is not over, Read on.
When I got back to my hotel room the airlines had found my guitar, not my clothes yet but there was the guitar
on the bed and it was time for my ride to pick me up for another luncheon meeting. Grabbing my guitar case I
rushed to his car and away we went to the meeting. Soon I was being introduced and as I prepared to speak and
sing I reached into my guitar case to pull out the guitar. As I did it hung limp in my hands. The neck was broken.
The strings were broken. There was holes in it everywhere. The hole in the center?? it was gone.. Well not really
but my guitar was a mess. I felt my heart sink. Oh no, my beautiful guitar totally destroyed. Well,,,, Well,,,, Uh,,,
PRAISE THE LORD!!!
No, I'm not kidding, what good does it do to moan and groan, fuss and cuss? None. Here is another opportunity.
I don't remember much about that meeting but when it was over I rushed my guitar to Air West airlines. Look
what you guys did to my guitar I said. Oh that's too bad the man said. Well I'd like a new guitar right away.
Sorry Mr. Goertzen but if you'll read the back of your ticket you will see where it says we're not responsible for
damage to musical instruments. Sure enough there it was right on the back of my ticket. He said Mr. Goertzen
you brought that on the plane at your own risk so we can't do a thing for you. Well Praise the Lord I said. He
said What??? I said Praise the Lord! He said wait a minute I'll call the manager. He got on the phone and called
someone who told him to send me to her office.
When I went in there behind the desk was a lady who asked to see my guitar. Well she said as she looked it over.
That's too bad but you know we're not responsible for damage to musical instruments. I said well Praise the
Lord! She said What?? I said Praise the Lord!!. You know she said, I'd like to maybe rent you one for the rest of
the time your here in Salt Lake. Well I said I'm going to Nebraska from here. Sorry but the best I can do is rent
one for the rest the time you're here.
She got out her phone book and began to search for guitar stores in the area. She called one store after another
and each one said they did not rent guitars, only sold them. She dialed another and handed the phone to me and
said here you talk to them. A man came on the line and said such and such a Martin shop. MARTIN?,I said. Uh,
do you have any Martin guitars for rent? No we don't he said. Well here talk to this lady I said as I handed the
phone back to the lady in charge. She asked again and he told her no, there were no rentals. She said to him well
I think we'll come down to your store. See you in a few minutes. She said Mr. Goertzen will you come with me
and we'll go look to see what we can find. Sure I said and she took me to her car and downtown we went to the
Martin store.
I didn't know for sure what she was thinking but I had some hope that somehow I could have a Martin guitar
even if it was a rental for a while. The store manager was handing her different ones and as she was looking at a
$1500.00 guitar she just ask him how much and when he told her she bought it. She bought it. Just like that she
bought it and it came in one of those steel reinforced hard shell world traveler guitar cases. The case itself was
worth more than the guitar they broke for me. She handed me the guitar and said there, I hope this will satisfy
you. I could hardly speak. I managed a weak thank you and we turned and were walking out the door headed for
her car and I swear I heard these words being spoke to my spirit. ( ITS A GOOD THING FOR YOU THAT
YOU DIDN'T BUY THOSE CLOTHES WHEN YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO.) I froze for a minute. The
whole picture came to me like a flash. I had been through a tremendous lesson and if I had bought those clothes
when I wasn't supposed to that's all I would have. Just the clothes but because I passed that test (with his help) I
not only got the clothes but a $1500.00 guitar. Oh Lord, You really, really do delight me!
CHAPTER TWENTY
THE TRIP TO OHIO. HOW DID GOD DO THAT?
Cassette recordings were still too new and all I had for recordings of my songs were the large L.P. 331/3
records. When you have several places to sing before you get home you have to take a lot of records and that's
not easy; Especially when you fly. I carried my L.P. records in a foot locker made of aluminum. It was easy to
spot in an airport because it was painted red, white, and blue.
It was New Years Eve day. Churches across the country would be holding midnight services. Bringing in the
new year worshiping God. Oh I don't remember the year, too many of them have gone by since then but I found
myself on a plane flying to a church in Toledo, Ohio. The service would start at 9:00 P.M. and go through
midnight with songs of worship, preaching, songs and exhortations by Buzz Goertzen, the Idaho Yodeler. He
will be picked up at the airport this evening and delivered right to the church.
My plane ticket read that I would get there in plenty of time. When we landed in Chicago it was still early with
plenty of time to get to Ohio. The only problem was is that one of the worst storms in years had hit that area and
all planes were grounded unable to leave. It appeared as though everybody in Chicago was in that airport.
Thousands of frustrated people unable to get to where they wanted to be for New Years Eve. The terminal was
so packed with mad and angry people that you literally had to squeeze through them to get anywhere and every
place where an airlines agent might be there was a line you couldn't even find the end to so it was useless to try
to get any questions you had answered. The check bags of everyone in there had been coming onto the main
floor and started to pile up like a mountain many yards long. People were cussing, yelling, babies crying,
confusion was everywhere. I found my self worried that I would not make it to Toledo and even if I did it was
obvious from the mountains of baggage that my guitar, clothes and records more then likely wouldn't make it. I
made a phone call to the pastor of the church telling him of the problems and that I was still trying to make it.
He told me to do what I could and they'd start the service without me that night if they had to and that I should
keep in touch by phone. He gave me the church number. There was still plenty of time but it was still snowing
like I'd never seen in my life and planes were not flying. I'm trying to remain calm and trying to remind the Lord
that I need to get there in time. It was hard not to join in with the complaining all around me. I just kept saying
quietly. “Praise the Lord anyway"
An announcement came over the airport intercom. All passengers going to Toledo please board the bus at gate
such and such. There was a stampede and somehow I made it to the bus. We were told we would be taken to
another town in Indiana on the way to Toledo . I can't think of the name of that town now but we would catch a
plane from there to Toledo. It was a miserable ride and we did arrive at the airport in this town, (what ever town
it was) in time to hear that the storm was just as bad here by the time we got there. Again we were in an airport
packed with people like in Chicago. Again you could see mountains of baggage piled half way up to the ceiling
in the airport. The mountain of bags had a rope around it I guess to keep people from crossing the line to look
for theirs or anyone's for that matter. I again am trying to stay calm and keep whispering Lord I praise you
anyway. You're in charge, Its your problem, not mine.
Look, I just gotta interject this for a moment. Doing this is not as easy as it sounds here in the paragraph your
reading. Its hard to stay calm. I'm struggling in my spirit but I am trying. As I walk along whispering praise the
Lord anyway I'm walking along side the rope that surrounds the baggage. Its a place to be on the outside of the
crowd instead of in the middle of them. As I'm walking along I stumble over a bag or something that has fallen
from the pile of bags and is sticking out under the rope. Can you believe this? I still have a hard time believing it
but its true anyway. There was my brand new Martin Guitar in its hard shell blue guitar case with the neck of it
sticking out right in my path. I was astounded. First of all it should have been stuck back there in Chicago. How
did it get here? Maybe it was put on the bus but no matter I knew I needed it if I was going to make it to Toledo.
We were eventually put on another bus and were driven all the way to Toledo and it was already late in the
evening. I had stayed in touch with the pastor and when I arrived at the terminal in Toledo someone was there to
pick me and my guitar up. He explained the service was already started and they were expecting me. They just
changed the order of the service to include me at the last part. It was midnight as I arrived and I was given the
pulpit to sing my songs and share some ministry.
Only one problem, Whoops! Only one opportunity I mean. My records and clothes had not arrived and though
there were several people who wanted my records there was none available. They did not make it. I was going
to be in Toledo about 3 days if I remember before I flew out to some other destination that I don't recall right
now. The pastor took me to the airport every day twice a day to look for my footlocker with the records and also
my clothes. Going into the airport there it was obvious they too had a terrible day like all other airports. There
was a mountain of bags. The news was showing the mountains of lost baggage in several airports and showing
the frustrated travelers who couldn't find theirs. The man in charge of baggage pointed out the mountain and
said it was possible my foot locker was in the pile somewhere but I'd have to wait as the pile got smaller and
smaller.
Each time the pastor took me there the mountain was smaller but still no sign of my footlocker. My clothes
came but not the red, white and blue trunk. Each time the man in charge of lost luggage would say, sorry but
still no sign of the red, white and blue trunk. The day came when I would catch an afternoon flight out of there
and still no trunk. The pile had disappeared by now and no trunk was there. The pastor suggested that we pray
that God would somehow help find it before I left. I had several sales of records and the pastor would deliver
them. Besides I needed them the next place I would be.
Now in the airport getting ready to fly out the pastor still with me we visited the baggage claim office once
more. As he sat behind his desk explaining that it had not shown up and getting information as to where to send
it once it came in I noticed a door behind him that people kept coming in and out of and each time the door
opened I could see bags in a small room through that door. He noticed that I was looking over his shoulder each
time the door opened and said no Mr. Goertzen, its not there, Those are bags that have been found and are
waiting to be picked up but I kept trying to look around him anyway. He said you're free to look at them but
there is no red, white and blue trunk in that room. As he said that he stood and we walked back in there. It was a
small room. About 10 feet by 10 feet and there were about 10 vinyl and leather bags in there but it was easy to
see there was no large red, white and blue trunk. We were standing there and talking and preparing to leave
when I felt a pressure against my foot. I yelled, There it is!!! I mean it was right there!! against my foot! I know,
I know, you must think I'm crazy or just a good liar, no, bad liar. I've been afraid to tell this for the very reason I
find it to hard to believe but I had two witnesses. The baggage man said loudly MY GOD! With my mouth wide
open in shock I said yes, My God. The pastor and I began to laugh after the shock and we took my trunk and
away we went to a spot where I could hand him enough records for him to deliver to those in his church that
wanted them.
Your thinking, well it was there all the time. Yes, I've tried to reason that also but there was three of us in there
among 10 bags and a red, white and blue foot locker would definitely stick out like a sore thumb. I'll never be
able to figure this out and can only find one scripture that would tell of something similar.
Act 8:36 As they were going along the road, they came to a place where there was some water. The official said,
"Look! Here is some water.
Act 8:37 Why can't I be baptized?"
Act 8:38 He ordered the chariot to stop. Then they both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
Act 8:39 After they had come out of the water, the Lord's Spirit took Philip away. The official never saw him
again, but he was very happy as he went on his way. The Bible tells of Phillip being transported by the spirit and
taken instantly to some other place. I have to believe He did that with my trunk. I have no other explanation.
Glory to God Hallelujah! What an awesome God. Lord you delight me.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
DOES GOD MAKE PHONE CALLS?
This is another one of those stories that I think about over and over before I finally decide to tell it. Not telling it
would be wrong. I've got to tell it and let the chips fall where they may.
My dad was very sick, I don't remember what from at this writing but we had been notified that he was in a
hospital in Boise. I was leaving for a trip to British Columbia, Canada. I would be speaking at a Full Gospel
Business Men's banquet in Creston B.C. and then going from there to Nelson B.C. where I would be speaking in
a church.
I've never forgotten that night in Creston. There was a special anointing that night and it seemed the meeting
was saturated with Joy and laughter. People were born again and people were healed. It was a glorious evening.
After spending a lot of time praying with people I finally got to go to my room and to bed for a good night's
sleep. I had to make a trip to Nelson in the morning and there was a snowstorm coming.
I called home to check with Wilma after I woke in the morning. She told me that my Dad had become much
worse and they didn't think he would make it. She told me she had been called and he had asked for me. I don't
know why but maybe it was all a part of God's plan that was about to take place. She told me I should cancel the
next meeting and come home right away because I may never see him alive again. My first reaction was Ok, I'll
call Nelson and cancel and come right home and go to Boise to see my Dad. As I told that to my wife I heard it
loud and clear. Not audible but as loud in my spirit as audible. I heard it as plain as any other time I had heard
from God. Go to your next meeting. I then told Wilma I believe I just heard from God and that I am supposed to
go on to the next meeting. She protested saying I would probably not see my dad alive if I did. I said I have to
do what I feel God wants me to do. I will rush home tomorrow after the meeting in the church in Nelson.
Now I was concerned for my dad as I started out looking for a gas station where I'd get some gas and directions
because I didn't know which way to Nelson. I stopped at a station and filled up and asked the man which way to
Nelson. He said there are two ways you can go. Just go on down this highway about a mile and you'll come to a
T in the road. The long way which is really lots of mountain roads is to the left. It's a lot faster to turn right and
in about an hour you'll come to the bay where there is going to be a ferryboat at 10:00 this morning. That's the
short way but you're too late to take that route. It's after 9:00 A. M. and it's over an hour there plus its snowing
very hard and you'll never make it in time to catch the 10:00 o'clock ferry.
As I drove down the highway towards the T in the road I decided I had time so I still would take the road to the
right and even though I would miss the 10:00 o'clock ferry I would just wait for the 11:00 o clock ferry. What I
didn't know was that there is no 11:00 o clock ferry. If you'll look on a map you can see that I would have to
turn around and then it's a very long way back and on to Nelson the long way. I probably would never make it.
Like I say I didn't know that the 10:00 o clock ferry was the last one of the day.
As I am driving up the road that would take me to the ferry I decided to praise the Lord and pray to pass the
time away as I drove. I also felt I needed his help because it was snowing very hard. I was singing and praying
and just having a serious conversation with the Lord about my Dad. I knew he had known the Lord and he was a
believer but I also knew he'd never been baptized. We had talked about this in the past and he had told me he
wanted to be baptized. We never got it done though and now he may be dying.
As I drove while singing praises I suddenly felt as though someone sat down beside me. No I did not see anyone
sit there but if you've ever had someone sit beside you, you know the feeling. You can call it my imagination if
you like. Maybe it was, all I can say is it sent chills all over me and again there was that wonderful warm loving
presence. I'm looking at the road and for some reason I still don't know today I did not look over to the seat
beside me. It was as though I could almost see him in my peripheral vision but I don't know if that's true or not.
All I can say is I felt his presence as real as if anyone would have sat beside me.
Then I felt like he was turning towards me and was about to speak. I instantly decided to repeat out loud
anything he would say because I wanted to hear it with my own ears besides in my spirit. The following words
is what I shouted out loud as close to word for word as I can recall as he spoke.
" My son, I'm Delighted in you as you delight in me. I have received your praise and I have heard your prayer
and you have no cause to worry about your Dad. I will hold him for you and you will go see him and lay hands
on him and he will recover. You will hear the Doctors exclaim they have never seen anyone get well so fast. You
will hear another doctor say he is releasing him from the hospital. You will observe you dad get out of bed and
he will do a short dance as he hops out of bed. You will also baptize your dad."
I get chills again as I write the above words. I shouted those words as I felt he was speaking them to me and I
continued on up the road and at around 15 minutes after 10:00 o clock I came around a corner and saw a straight
stretch of highway that ended at the edge of a large body of water and there was a large ferry boat still there.
There were also two men in uniform walking towards me on the road and as they saw me come around the
corner they began to franticly wave at me like they were trying to get me to hurry up. I stepped down on the gas
and passed those men up and up the ramp I went with it coming up instantly behind me. The two men literally
had to jump on as the ferry started moving instantly.
The two men came running up to my open window and stuck their heads into my window and out of breath
from running they shouted. Who are you?!! That question totally caught me off guard; Not knowing what they
meant for sure I said " I don't know". Then angrily one of them said "I'll have you know we've been waiting a
long time for you and your late, Who are you?" I still didn't know how to answer that so said "I don't know"
again. They stormed off quite disturbed and another man in uniform came running up and also ask me, "who are
you?" Again I said, "I don't know" but as I said it I felt a pressure against my back as I was turned towards the
window where the man was talking to me. The pressure was the same thing you'd feel if someone was leaning
over against you from the seat beside you. I heard a whisper loud and clear in my ear. " I held the ferry”. I burst
out in laughter and couldn't control it which seemed to really frustrate the man by my window. He walked off
then mumbling something about Who is this guy?
I sat there laughing so hard I felt like I'd better stay in the car until I quit but the laughing continued on until I
had some control but still couldn't quit completely. I wanted to get out of the car and go into the restaurant and
get a cup of coffee and did so laughing all the way into this large room where people were staring at me. I was
embarrassed that I was still laughing and continued to laugh as I went to the coffee bar and asked for a cup of
coffee. The lady at the coffee bar asked me, " who are you?" I just took my coffee and kept laughing as I went to
a large window overlooking the water we were now crossing. I had my back to everyone to hide my laughing
but I know my shaking shoulders were a give away.
Somewhere along the way my laughing came to an end and we docked on the other side and I drove off the
Ferry heading for a place where I had some good friends that lived in Nelson and where I would be staying.
These good friends are Keith and Lori McGreggor who have a neat ministry that reaches the Jehovah Witnesses.
Lori used to be one. Anyway this is where I stayed and I shared my ferry story with them and they thought I
should share it that evening at church.
During the church service I began to share the Ferry Boat Story. As I was telling it a lady stood up in the
audience and interrupted me. She said, Mr. Goertzen, I was the lady who served you the coffee. She went on
explaining that the Ferryboat never waits for anyone. It keeps its schedule and always leaves at 10:00 sharp. She
went on, The Ferry was starting the engines and starting to pull out but then shut them down and waited and she
couldn't figure out why. She said she would ask the captain then next day why they waited and let me know.
Here is her story after she talked with the captain. He said he was starting to pull out when the phone rang. Its a
radio phone and the only people who call him are the people from the main office. He said as he picked up the
phone there was already someone speaking and in a very authoritative voice. He said the voice on the phone
said, " There is a blue 71 Chrysler coming down the road and you will not leave without it." After that the phone
was dead so the captain said he thought someone very important was coming and so he'd better wait. After a few
minutes though he got a little nervous and yelled at two employees to get out there on the road and look for a
blue 71 Chrysler. That’s what those two men were doing as I came around the corner. The captain after letting us
all off the boat was still wondering who that important guy was so he called the office and asked. They said
what guy?, What blue 71 Chrysler?. They knew nothing about it.
Now that's not the end of the story. I drove home the next day and went on to Boise to see my dad who was still
holding onto life. After stopping at my mom's I went on to the hospital to see him. As I approached his bed he
was not awake and looked like he was in a coma. I don't know that he was but he looked like it. He looked very
close to death. I stood there a few minutes remembering what the Lord had said a couple days before and laid
my hands on him and prayed for him. Absolutely nothing happened. He never moved a muscle. I knew what I
had heard and was not concerned in the least. I believed God had said he would recover and I just thanked the
Lord and went back to stay with my Mom.
Next day after a good breakfast mom fixed for me I drove back to the hospital. As I went into his room there
were two doctors standing at the foot of his bed. They saw me and began to speak and I knew what they were
going to say. The one doctor said, “I've never seen anyone get well so fast." The other said, " we're going to
release him today.” Dad was grinning from ear to ear and he was crawling out of bed and though it was a weak
little jig he did he actually did a de de de do dah, dum dum kind of dance. I can still see that grin on his face.
As I drove him home from the hospital I told him this very story and we were home before I was finished. Mom
had been listening to it also and as I finished telling them my Dad said but what about the baptizing part? I was
stumped for a moment. I said Dad I don't know where and when that will happen. Mom said Buzz we have a
bathtub, why not do it right there. Dad said yeah why not and within the next half hour my dad had been
baptized in the bath tub.
There may be those who disagree that I have or had the authority to baptize him. I'll let God be the judge of that
and so should you. All I know is that this event I've just told is true and would be afraid to tell it if it were not. I
know the day will come when I will meet him face to face and I'm not afraid to do that knowing I have told it
like it happened.
Lord, I'm delighted in you and what really delights me is that you are Delighted in us.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
LET’S GO HUNTING AGAIN
You'll remember the story earlier in this book about my elk hunt and how I tried to talk God into bringing me an
elk, which he did not do. I hope you'll also remember the lesson I learned from that. Well following is another
hunt but this one turns out very different.
Over the years I have been invited to many parts of Canada many times and often it was up north around Slave
Lake Alberta. There is some good Moose hunting there and I was often given the chance to hunt moose while in
that area and I also brought a lot of moose meat home. I even took my son Darrel with me on one trip. He was
16 years old and I took him hunting near Vanderhoof B.C. I have a friend who lives way back in the bush south
of Vanderhoof where there is no electricity and only dirt trail for 75 miles south of Vanderhoof. We had an
exciting hunt there and Darrel shot his first moose which was a very large animal with what would have been
record breaking points if it had been shot in Idaho. That was an exciting hunt but that's not the hunt I want to
talk about in this story. ( I'm realizing again how many stories I've got to pass up if I ever hope to finish this
book.)
I was scheduled for a trip through British Columbia Canada where I would be speaking first at Merritt, then on
to Kamloops, then to Williams lake, then on to Quesnel after which I would end up in Prince George which
would be the end of my tour. I tried to call my friend Barry, the one who lived south of Vanderhoof 75 miles
through the bush on dirt trail. I wanted to tell him that I would be in Prince Goerge and if he could come it
would be good to see him. Of, course that would be 75 miles to Vanderhoof on dirt trail and then another 60
miles or so to Prince George. I would have liked to have time to go see him and hunt on his ranch again like we
did when Darrel shot his moose there a year or so earlier. There would be no time to do it on this trip as I had to
return too soon after this trip would be over. I had other engagements to go to.
I tried several times to Call Barry and he never answered the phone. You had to get a hold of a radio operator
and have a call made to him that way as there was no phone lines out where he lived. He also had generators for
electricity and that's how his phone would work. Well no matter how many times I called his radio phone he
never answered. I didn't know if he still lived there or what. There was no way to tell. Had he moved back to
civilization or what?
So without reaching him on the phone I started my trip and as I stopped at each town along the way I would try
to call him again with no answer. I kept thinking how I'd love to go hunt a moose there but knew I didn't have
enough time so I was just hoping I'd get him on the phone and let him know I was close in case he wanted to
come to my meeting in Prince George.
I was in my Motel room after speaking at Williams Lake B.C. and I got a call from Quesnel. They advised me
that the meeting in Quesnel and the one in Prince George were canceled. I don't remember the reason but
suddenly I found my self with some extra time on my hands and if I could just get a hold of Barry I would use
that time for a one day hunt on his ranch. I called him again. No answer. I went to bed and slept until about 4:00
A.M. I was awakened with these words. I don't know if they were audible but the words woke me with a start.
(IF YOU GO I WILL GIVE YOU A MOOSE). That's all I heard. It was as plain as if someone stood there and
said it in person. "If you go I'll give you a Moose" I got up real quick and tried to call Barry. He still did not
answer.
I packed my things in the Toyota forerunner I was driving and off I went towards Vanderhoof. You need to look
at a map at this point and you will see that I had a long way to drive on the faith that I heard from God. It's a
good 200 miles to Vanderhoof not counting the 75 miles of dirt trail into his ranch. I cannot say I was nervous
on this one. I knew I had heard from God and was confident that God was going to give me a moose.
I arrived in Vanderhoof in the middle of the day and tried to call Barry. No answer. Now comes the test. The
hunting license would cost me $100.00 plus $50.00 for a moose tag. Should I buy it when I don't even know if
he is still out there? I knew what I had heard and bought the license and tag. Trying to call him again with no
luck I started out down this road that's not even as good as a logging road and a lot of it is just two tire tracks
with grass down the middle. 75 miles of winding trail and I'm going because I know what I heard. I don't think I
have ever been so confident in my life as I was when I headed towards this ranch.
Hours later at about 3:00 P.M. I drive up to Barrys ranch and there he is out in the yard with his wife and kids.
They were totally shocked to see me. You gotta realize they don't get a lot of company out there. His wife has
had 3 babies out there with only the husband beside her and yes they are a young couple.
Buzz Goertzen! what are you doing here? My first words were why don't you answer you phone? Barry said oh
we never get calls and we just forget to turn it on most the time. We usually turn it on when we want to make a
call. As we talked about the phone on the way in the house he walked over and turned on the phone. Now he
turns to me and again asks, What brings you here? I said Barry, Gods going to give me a moose. Oh no he's not
Barry said. Why?, I said. Well I have not had my guide's license signed this year and as you know you have to
have a guide to hunt legally here. I knew that but I was not shaken. I said I don't know how Barry but I believe
God spoke to me and promised me a moose. Again he said there is no way. He went on; The guy who signs my
license is in Europe and won't be back to Vanderhoof for another week so there's no way and I won't hunt
illegally. Again I remember so well just smiling and said to him again; Barry, I don't know how he's gonna do it
but he's gonna give me a moose.
The phone rang. Well he said I wonder who that could be? My reply was that's God calling, answer it. I must
quickly explain I didn't really believe God was calling but what I meant was God was behind that call. Barry
answers the phone and all I could hear him say was "no kidding?" Really? Wow, well ok, Thanks a lot; He hung
up and looked at me and said you won't believe this. I said try me. He said the Fish and Game department from
Vanderhoof called and said the guy got back a week early and his license had been signed and he could hunt and
guide.
Barry lives beside a large lake that is 7 miles long and 1 mile wide. You cannot look out across the lake without
seeing trout in the air. There is always one or more jumping no matter when you look. Darrel will vouch for this,
he and I camped on the edge of that lake when he shot his moose. We only had a couple hours of daylight left so
we headed across the lake in a small boat. As we headed for the opposite side of the lake we could see a black
dot clear over on the other end and Barry said that's probably a moose. We kept an eye on the dot as it grew
bigger and bigger the closer we got to it. Sure enough it was a moose as we drew close but it was a cow moose,
which is not legal to shoot. This moose showed no fear of our approaching boat with its put put sound that it
must have been hearing for the whole 7 miles. She moved about through the water that was knee high to her as
she put her head under water coming up with a mouth full of moss each time. She often looked at us as she
walked around. She was about 50 yards from shore and we were about 50 yards from her when we shut the
motor off and sat there looking at her.
Barry whispered, There's a good chance there is a bull over there in the bush off shore somewhere so be on
watch. Neither Barry or I will ever understand how the next thing happened. Barry cupped his hands over his
mouth and made a grunt sound hoping to call a bull moose from out of the trees on the shore. Now the shore
was about 100 yards from us and 50 yards from the cow. There must have been 25 yards of bare shore before
the brush and trees started. If a bull moose was going to come out there we would have had a lot of time to see
him do that yet suddenly there he was right out there in the water near the cow. He was almost twice as big as
the cow and he stood there looking right at me head on.
Barry said, My God, where did he come from? I was shocked and said I don't know. Barry said well there he is,
shoot him. I was still in shock and the moose still stood there looking straight at me. I had my rifle pointed but I
said to Barry I wish I could get a heart shot. The bull moose turned sideways at that moment and still looked at
us. Barry said quick shoot before he leaves. I did and the moose didn't move a muscle. I slid the bolt back to put
another bullet in the chamber and Barry said don't shoot. He's dead. No he isn't I said, He's just standing there.
The Bull had turned toward the shore but just stood there looking toward the shore and then dropped in his
tracks. The cow just walked off towards shore but the Bull was dead.
That's got to be the easiest Game I ever shot but from that point there was nothing easy. Night was falling and
darkness came fast. The moose was in water way too deep for us and besides it was freezing cold. I'm glad that
moose hair is hollow and it allowed the moose to float so we were able to tie a rope around the head and pull it
behind the boat. By the time we got it tied to the boat it was pitch black out. Not a star in the sky nor a moon. I
have never seen a night so black. You could not see a hand in front of your face.
We had 7 miles of lake to find our way back to the ranch with an ungutted moose dragging behind us with a
small boat motor. We were barley moving through the water and weren't sure if we were even going in the right
direction. We didn't have a flashlight, we just weren't prepared for this. We would go until we hit ground and
then turn and go again till we hit another shore. It was hit and miss all night and it was about 3:00 in the
morning when we finally found the shore close to his home. Like I said the water was ice cold and we could not
drag the moose any closer then about 40 yards from shore as it would start dragging on the bottom.
Tired and weary we went to bed knowing we'd only get a little sleep before rising early to go get the moose
before it would start to spoil. Barry had a large tractor with a forklift in front of it and in the early morning he
took it out into the water and hooked onto the moose, lifted it above the water and came out to shore where we
were able to butcher it. That day was spent cutting and wrapping and sticking it in Barrys freezer. The next day
it was frozen and off I went to Idaho only stopping for gas as I didn't want the meat to thaw out.
Well as the guy says, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. It is the truth. It happened and all I can say is Lord,
you delight me.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
WOULD JESUS RIDE A MOTORCYCLE IF HE WERE HERE NOW?
The above story illustrates how God will often bless someone with something they are not actualy asking for but
only have a desire for. I don't remember asking God for that moose, only wishing I could go moose hunting. I
was busy doing his business and he decided to bless me with a desire I had. The following story will give
another example of how God blessed me with something I desired but really didn't have to have.
I always like to ride motorcycles and for years rode around on dirt bikes but never had a large bike that I would
take on the hiway. I'd always wanted a Gold Wing Honda Motorcycle. Of course there was no way I was going
to be able to afford one and I don't think I ever thought of asking God for one. I just wanted one like lots of
people want something never thinking they'd actually have it.
I was in Texas speaking at several churches and FGBMFI banquets. I was staying in a very beautiful home
belonging to Cy Rickman, A friend who attended one of the churches I would be speaking at. He would also be
taking me to the different meetings in the Dallas area. I was there several days and one of the treats I enjoyed
while staying there is that there was someone else staying there I admired a lot. He was Hank Thompson, the
famous country singer. We got very well acquainted and played a lot of pool together. I'm not trying to drop
names but it was a treat you might say on the side. It has nothing to do with the story I'm about to tell.
Next door to Cy Rickman's house lived a Doctor who was having a large yard sale. He had some financial
problems and was selling out and leaving for the east coast. In fact he had filed bankruptcy and was selling
everything. Cy suggested we go over and look at what he had for sale. Just a short walk later we were there.
This was a very large and expensive home and he had a lot of expensive stuff for sale. I noticed a beautiful
Honda Gold Wing motorcycle in the garage where the sale was going on. This bike was incredibly dressed up
with everything you can put on a bike. There were the two full face helmets with intercom between the two.
There was a C B radio, a stereo with speakers both forward and behind. It was a beautiful silver and chrome
cycle with lights all over the place on it. This bike had only a few hundred miles on it and in fact was still brand
new.
I just went over to sit on it and dream. As I sat on it the Doctor who owned it came over and asked me if I'd like
to buy the bike. I laughed and said why sure but there is no way in the world I could afford it. Oh I think you
can he said. No I can't I said. Oh yes you can he said again, all I want is someone to just pay off what I owe on
it. Well I knew the bike was worth more then $10,000 dollars and no way would I be able to even pay half of
that. He went on; All I owe is $2500.00. I said, Its mine!!!! I knew if he was serious I could not let a new Gold
Wing worth more then $10,000 go for only $2500.00. It took me only a moment to give him a down payment
with a promise that a check would be in the mail. On the back of the trunk of the Gold Wing were the words in
beautiful scroll-"Jesus is Lord". He certainly is and I kept that sign on the bike the rest the time I had it..
Story not over yet; This was winter and I had flown in so I couldn't get the bike back to Idaho. Cy Rickman
offered to keep it in his garage until summer when I would fly back to Texas to get the Honda.
Summer time came and Darrel, my youngest son had turned 18 years old and was out of school. I was preparing
to go get the bike and Darrel wanted to go along. That would cost two airplane tickets but would you believe
there was a price war on at the time and we got two tickets for $75.00 a piece to fly to Texas. My Gold wing
would be big enough to haul us both back plus a small tent that we would use in places on the way back to sleep
in. I had an older and smaller bike that I put on the lawn for sale hoping that Wilma could sell it for me while
Darrel and I were on our way to Texas. We had a small hope that somehow Darrel could maybe get a used bike
if we came up with enough money and instead of riding behind me on my Gold Wing he could ride his own. I
had promised him that if my older bike sold while we were on our way we'd use the money to try to find a older
used bike that would be able to make it back from Texas to Idaho.
As we were on our way our plane landed in Denver where we had a layover and change of planes. I noticed as
we were about to board our plane for Texas that there seemed to be an unusually large amount of people waiting
to get on. As we boarded I told Darrel, if they ask for someone to give up their seats jump up and head for the
front of the plane right away. I'll be right behind you. I knew you got free round trip tickets for future flights
when you gave up your seat. I'd done it several times. Sure enough they came on the intercom asking for some
folks to give up their seats and we were first up and off the plane. They took us to a desk and issued us another
ticket on another plane that actually left about 10 minutes behind the one we were originally scheduled to take.
Before we got on it they also issued us both a round trip ticket for anywhere in the U.S. to be used anytime in
the future.
We arrived in Dallas Texas where I called Wilma. She said she had sold my bike on the lawn for $400.00. Well
we had a start towards a used bike for Darrel. Then Darrel and I went to the line where people are standing in
line to buy tickets to go somewhere. We started approaching different ones telling them we had tickets to
anywhere that we'd sell cheaper than they could buy from the agent. Some were skeptical but after we proved
our tickets were good by having them check with the agent we were able to sell them for $400.00 a piece to
someone who would have had to pay much more then that.
Now we had $1200 dollars toward a used bike. We began to search the papers for used bikes which we found
was not so easy. We just couldn't find one and the time came to go but first I wanted to take my Honda to a bike
shop to make sure it was road ready. We took it to a Yamaha cycle shop and while they were going over the bike
Darrel and I were looking at all the other bikes on the floor. Sitting in the middle of the floor was a brand new
1982 seca 650 Yamaha with a special sale sign on it. This was 1986 and somehow this bike was still there from
1982 without being sold and they wanted to get rid of it. They wanted $1200.00 and that included the warranty
and all and believe me it was a gorgeous bike. I can't help but wonder if God didn't hold that one for us all those
years.
What a time we had; My first big highway bike and a cross country trip from the south side of the U.S. to the
North side of the U.S. We decided to head west from Dallas through New Mexico where we stopped at certain
tourist sites. We stayed sometimes in motels and sometimes in the tent I had tied to the back of my Gold Wing.
We went up to Payson Arizona where an old friend lived that I went to school with. It had been years since I'd
seen my old friend Alan Darr. Alan used to promote me and get me places to sing including talent shows which I
had the privilege of winning. This was back in high school days.
Now here years later I look him up as Darrel and I go through Payson Az. He tells me there is a large music
festival in town and that I should go enter the competition. I went and paid my entrance fee and participated the
next couple of days in the singing competition. To make a long story short I won the western singer 1st place
and yodeling competition. They handed me $500.00 and a large silver buckle with the words saying 1st place,
Payson country music festival, 1986. We were sure having fun and the finances were taking care of themselves.
We made our way to California, stopped at Disney land and other fun places along the way. The rest of my
family, my wife and kids and their wives and husbands were all on the Oregon coast on vacation waiting for us
as we met them there for a few days of fun before going on home to Idaho.
The one scripture that comes to mind that would go along with this experience comes from Psa 139:3 You
notice everything I do and everywhere I go.
Psa 139:4 Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say,
Psa 139:5 and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side.
Psa 139:6 I can't understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.
Psa 139:7 Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight?
Psa 139:8 If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of
the dead you would also be there.
Psa 139:9 Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean.
Psa 139:10 Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me.
Psa 139:11 Or suppose I said, "I'll hide in the dark until night comes to cover me over."
Psa 139:12 But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you.
Psa 139:13 You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body,
Psa 139:14 and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of
this I have no doubt.
Its amazing to me, The scriptures above, Even when I'm not actually involved in a ministry and taking time off
he is with me and blessing me. Lord, the thought that you're thinking about me every moment is awesome.
Psalms 139:17 in the living Bible says " I can't even count how many times a day you think of me and when I
awake in the morning your still thinking of me.
Lord you are delightful. Thank you so much for the above scriptures.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
I GET TO MEET PAT BOONE
I wouldn't put meeting Pat Boone down as a miracle but I would call it a blessing. At least I was blessed. Wilma
and I were on our way to Californian and I don't even know why. I believe Darrel was with us. The two older
kids were already on their own.
We stopped in a town near Sacramento where an old friend of ours, Milan Richardson lived and we were
spending a night with them. After a good visit with them we all went to bed. Wilma and I were on a hide-a-bed
in the front room as I remember and it was the middle of the night when the phone rang waking us. I could hear
my friend answer the phone. I heard him say who did you say you are? Are you sure this is Pat Boone? Hey
Buzz, get up, Pat Boone wants to talk to you. I thought it was a joke. How could he know I was even here? I
went to the phone and it was easy to recognize Pat Boone's voice. Mr. Goertzen he said, I have all your records
and I really enjoy your singing and yodeling. Can you imagine Pat Boone saying he has your records and enjoys
your singing. He went on saying He first heard my songs at his mother's home where they were playing them.
He told his parents if he ever had another T.V. show he would look me up and he now had a show. Would I
come be guest on his show. It was hard to believe Pat Boone was asking me.
I Asked Pat how he knew I was here and he told me he had called my home from the number on my record. My
daughter was there and answered. She told him where we were at and that's why he called me at our friends
house. He wanted me to come right away and since we were on a trip to California it was going to be easy to
include Mr. Boone.
Knowing I was going to be on National television we had to go buy me an nice sport coat and away we went to
meet Pat Boone at Knotts Berry Farm where he would be televising his show. I was very familiar with Knotts
Berry Farm as I had done many shows there in years past. That story got passed over and probably won't be
included in this book just like a lot of stories. Gotta draw the line somewhere.
I was ushered into a dressing room to wait for Pat Boone to come meet me. While there I met several Stars you
see on T.V. shows. The little guy you used to see on Little house on the Prairie. ( I can't remember their names )
but the famous foot ball coach who was talking with me and asked don't you know who I am. No, I said and
when he told me I still didn't know. I really never got into sports on television. He seemed a little disappointed
in me. If I think of his name before this book is over I'll go back and put it in but you still see him today on a lot
of commercials.
Pat Boone came in and introduced himself and told me how the show would go; When he would introduce me
and how many songs etc. He introduced me as the Worlds greatest yodeler. I didn't tell him any different. I don't
know that that is true but if he wants to believe that its ok with me. By the way, I was given a video copy of that
show and several others I did with him. He later flew me to Branson Missouri to do a show there with him and
told me I was the most requested guest he'd had on all his shows. What a compliment. The last time I saw Pat he
promised me he would be in touch with me again. That was years ago so I really don't think that's gonna
happen. Any way this is one of the pleasures I got to enjoy while working for the king.
How delightful he is. Jam 4:10 Be humbled before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO NEW ZEALAND
I've made three trips to Australia and New Zealand and each one was an experience that could be its own book. I
have chosen one story though because it shows the Lord has a since of humor and how he can as you've already
seen in other chapters take a thing you think is a real problem and turn it into a surprise blessing.
My first trip to New Zealand was exciting and Wilma and Darrel would be going with me. I didn't know the
laws in New Zealand and had no idea that you can't bring in electronics and P.A. Systems. You sure can't bring
in records and tapes without paying an exorbitant price called duty. This was the way it was back when we were
going there.
I was going to be there a month or more and I would be traveling over the whole country of New Zealand. I
would need lots of records and cassettes and at that time 8 tracks also. So I had to fill several boxes, Large
boxes including a Box that carried a small P.A. System. We were allowed 3 bags each and there was 3 of us so
we had about 12 bags and boxes some of which we had to pay extra to get them on the plane.
I won't take the time to tell you how miserable a 26 hour plane trip is when it's packed like sardines. It is torture
believe me and you get very little sleep and you're sitting up the whole time. We did land in Fuji but were not
allowed off but that didn't matter to the Fuji people who came on board and disinfected all of us with a terrible
bug spray. If you knew my wife and her aversion to any sprays you would either laugh or cry because that's one
of the worst things you can do to her.
As we drew close to New Zealand they handed us some customs forms that we were required to fill out. One of
the questions on the form is have you been on a farm recently and do you have any raw wool with you? New
Zealand is sheep country. There are more sheep than people there. Wilma was always knitting in those days and
she had her needles with her and yarn and one more thing. She had discovered that raw wool has lanolin in it so
she carried a small handful of raw wool which she would massage in her hand from time to time leaving a soft
skin with the right friction for the knitting needles.
I never gave it a second thought when I answered that question on the form about raw wool with us. Of course
we didn't have raw wool. Would you believe Wilma answered yes, she had raw wool. I didn't know she did and
now we were approaching the customs agents at the New Zealand airport. By this time I had been told there was
no way I would get through with all those boxes and that they would all be confiscated. As we had carts full of
boxes and we were both pushing them I had no Idea how we'd get through customs. They looked at all those
boxes and said let’s see your customs sheet you filled out and your pass ports. The took a look at Wilma's card
first and seemed quite surprised as they read it and called over their supervisors. I was scared wondering what
they'd do. Would we lose everything to customs?
The Supervisor said you folks will have to push your carts over there to the agricultural agents because you
have raw wool with you. There clear over on the other side of this large room were alleys you have to go
through where they x-ray everything and an agent sitting at the beginning of it. As we walk over there I am livid
at Wilma that she would do such a stupid thing putting down that we had raw wool. I was really upset with her
and let her know as we approached this agricultural agent and his x-ray machines. He took one look at Wilma's
card and asked which box had the raw wool. None of them we said as Wilma reached in her bag and pulled out
her handful of raw wool. The agent said, That's it!!!? Wilma said yes and started to explain why she had it and
he just said forget it, on your way and he waved us through without anyone looking at all those boxes. I was one
sorry guy for the way I had chewed her out when actually she saved us a bunch of unknown problems and
expense. I can almost see the Lord chuckling somewhere above us.
We were met by friends on the other side of a barrier who told us we would have been in trouble and that there
was a 60% of value tax on any electronic equipment coming into the country. I really believe God took care of a
problem for us before we even knew we had one.
What an amazing God we serve.
Psa 139:2 You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts.
Psa 139:3 You notice everything I do and everywhere I go.
Psa 139:4 Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say,
Psa 139:5 and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side.
Psa 139:6 I can't understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.
Psa 139:7 Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight?
Psa 139:8 If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of
the dead you would also be there.
Psa 139:9 Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean.
Psa 139:10 Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me.
Psa 139:11 Or suppose I said, "I'll hide in the dark until night comes to cover me over."
Psa 139:13 You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body,
Psa 139:12 But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you.
Psa 139:14 and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of
this I have no doubt.
Psa 139:15 Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below,
Psa 139:16 but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in
your book everything I would do.
Psa 139:17 Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine.
Psa 139:18 I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. And when I awake,
I will find you nearby.
How can anyone read the above scriptures without almost exploding with joy, without getting some peace,
without wanting to tell him thank you.
Thank you and Lord you Delight me.
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
THE CANCER SCARE
Before someone starts to think when these things happen to someone their life is just one blessing after another I
have tried to show that with all those blessings came many trials. If there is a way to get through life without
trials I have not found it, matter of fact I am convinced that if your going to live a life really trusting God for
everything your probably going to face more trials and tests then the person who just keeps God at a distance for
a sort of insurance against eternity.
My tests were many and it seemed each one was bigger then the other. Those that I passed I ended up stronger
in faith for it but I was about to go through one test I did not want to go through. Cancer!, I had been having
prostate problems for some time before the doctor told me I had cancer in the prostate gland.
I had heard of a place in Mexico that cancer patients go to and are often helped because they use homeopathic
methods some of which are not allowed in the states. I called and talked with people who had been helped and
the clinic told me they had a very high rate of cure especially for prostate cancer.
We had a type of insurance called the Christian Brotherhood which was not an insurance but a sort of co-op type
plan where if you gave into it each month a certain amount they pay the medical bills of those who are involved
in it and when its your turn to need help they do the same for you. The Christian Brotherhood agreed to pay the
bills at the clinic in Mexico.
I purchased a plane ticket and off I went to San Diego where I would be picked up and taken to a place south of
Tijuana where I entered the clinic. I will not take the time to explain all the things they do there to help you but
will say it seemed like a very concerned and wonderful place. One of the treatments given there was one called
Chelation, which is a blood cleansing treatment. I had met many people who had this treatment and were helped
so was not concerned. I should have been.
There is a inheritant gene in our family history and in our blood called Porphyria. Some of my brothers, sisters
and relatives have had a problem with. It is a very dangerous and painful experience to actually be attacked by
this gene. It can and usually lies dormant unless you take certain types of drugs such as some painkillers or if
you meddle is some way with the blood stream. Then your liver releases these Porphyns into your system. From
that point you suffer from a lot of pain around the stomach area. Not just pain but excruciating pain. It can
paralyze you and actually did just that to one of my Sisters. Dorthy. My sister had a terrible Porphyria attack
several years earlier that almost took her life. Her recovery was a desperate story in itself which I will not take
to time for right now. My Daughter Tammy years later would have an attack also which to this day gives her a
lot of problems.
As I lay in my hospital bed in the clinic in Mexico I begin to suffer great pain in my midriff; I was taken to a
hospital in Mexico where they decided I was having an appendicitis attack and was getting ready to take out my
appendix. I was in so much pain I could hardly talk but I hollered and yelled in protest long enough to get them
to decide to haul me to Mercy hospital in San Diego. Its a good thing I did. I've been told that the appendix
operation would probably have killed me because of the Porphyria.
I was admitted to the Mercy Hospital in San Diago and the doctors didn't have any idea what was wrong with
me. They could find nothing. I was suffering from pain so bad I could not stand it but there wasn't much let up
even with the Morphine the Doctors were giving me. They kept giving me tests of all kinds and discussed
operating to see why I was so constipated. By this time I had not had a bowel movement in over a week. What
ever they give me to start that to move only stayed in me causing more distress. I don't know why but they
finally released me after about 3 days though I was still in some pain. It had let up a little. I was taken back to
Mexico but only lasted a couple days before I was rushed back to San Diego again. Still constipated and still in
as much or more pain then ever.
During my stay while they were trying to find my problem my wife had called them to tell them I was having a
porphyria attack and they didn't seem to want to pay attention to her. My youngest son Darrel came to stay by
my side a few days and helped take care of me. He had to go back to work but I will always be grateful for his
care and attention while he was there. The nurses didn't have the time to give me the attention I needed as I was
constantly in horrible pain and needed help even to urinate. By now two weeks had gone by without me eating
anything and still constipated. Next my other son, Kelly came in by plane to stay by my side and help. There
again I don't know how I could have made it without him there. He like Darrel stayed by my side day and night
but he too had to go back to work.
My daughter then flew in and came to my side. For the next 9 days she stayed by my side 24 hours a day only
catching 5 or 10 minutes sleep now and then. I would like to tell of the things my kids did to try to make me
comfortable. The sacrifice they made for me, the chores they carried out for me that I'm not comfortable to
explain in this book but some of the things they did were not pleasant for them to do.
Three weeks had gone by and still no bowel movement or any food though I was being fed intravenously some
liquid. Any other function was difficult and it's some of those functions my daughter helped with. It was more
then any father should have to ask his daughter to do. While in that hospital I could hear others calling for the
nurses most the night long it seemed with no one paying attention. I would have been one of those had it not
been for my kids. Kids, as you read this I will always remember your sacrifice and will always be grateful.
This is a book of miracles and I have not got to this one yet but felt it necessary to lay the ground work before I
get started. That will be explained in the next chapter.
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
BUZZ YOU CAN'T BE OFFENDED ANY MORE
Have you ever been in so much pain that you could not muster the strength to even pray? I have and that's where
I was while in the hospital in San Diego. People were coming in quite often to pray for me and it seemed God
was not listening. I felt abandoned by God. I was rolling in pain constantly with a button by my side which
controlled the amount of morphine. I was pumping that button constantly it seems.
The Bible lay beside the bed but I could not even pick it up so I don't know who found the scripture. Maybe
Tammy did, I just don't remember but because I could not come up with words to pray anymore Tammy begin
to help me pray by reading from the Psalms a desperate prayer that David prayed. Psalms 143. I will print this
prayer from a easy to understand translation. I want you to understand I felt as desperate as David and since I
didn't have the strength to pray it Tammy would read one line at a time and I would repeat that line not just in a
religious repetition style but from the very debts of my heart. As you read the verses below remember I was
praying this one line at a time after Tammy would read it. This was done several times a day.
Psa 143:1 LORD, hear my prayer! In your righteousness listen to my plea; answer me in your faithfulness!
Psa 143:2 Don't put me, your servant, on trial; no one is innocent in your sight.
Psa 143:3 My enemies have hunted me down and completely defeated me. They have put me in a dark prison,
and I am like those who died long ago.
I had often tried to die during this stay to escape the pain so I identified with the above scripture.
Psa 143:4 So I am ready to give up; I am in deep despair.
Psa 143:5 I remember the days gone by; I think about all that you have done, I bring to mind all your deeds.
When I came to this part I would reflect on all the miracles God had given me over the past. Many of which I've
already written.
Psa 143:6 I lift up my hands to you in prayer; like dry ground my soul is thirsty for you.
I was so desperate for any encouragement from God so this one fit me perfectly.
Psa 143:7 Answer me now, LORD! I have lost all hope. Don't hide yourself from me, or I will be among those
who go down to the world of the dead.
Psa 143:8 Remind me each morning of your constant love, for I put my trust in you. My prayers go up to you;
show me the way I should go.
Psa 143:9 I go to you for protection, LORD; rescue me from my enemies.
My enemies of course were the phorphyns in my system.
Psa 143:10 You are my God; teach me to do your will. Be good to me, and guide me on a safe path.
Psa 143:11 Rescue me, LORD, as you have promised; in your goodness save me from my troubles!
Psa 143:12 Because of your love for me, kill my enemies and destroy all my oppressors, for I am your servant.
My enemies were again my sickness I was suffering from.
This prayer became my prayer and I prayed it with Tammy leading me several times a day.
The Doctors came to me and said to hold on a little longer because they actually had discovered through
Tammy's insistence that I was suffering from a porphyria attack and with advice from a Doctor in Texas who
was familiar with porphyhria and my family's problems with it they said they knew what to do for it. They
would have to send for some drug called Hematin. It was made in only one place I don't recall where but it was
far away. Since they found out what I needed on a Friday they called too late to get it shipped. They would have
to call again on Monday and If I could hold on they would get it flown in on Monday and I may get some relief
by Monday night.
At this point I didn't feel I could make it that long. Tammy encouraged me and assured me we had gone through
too much to give up now. You have to realize that with this kind of pain another 3 days seemed like an eternity
though I had already gone through 3 weeks. Still no food and no bowel movement. I'll say one thing. I was
losing weight; However I have never experienced anything so desperate as having to go and unable to. Without
going into to much detail I just want to say that I learned the most important part of the anatomy is the part that
lets you have a bowel movement. I learned from this experience that that part of the body is one more thing we
can be thankful for. Without that I think everybody would be praying David's prayer.
At one point during this time while waiting for the next 3 days to pass I felt myself slipping away. It was a
strange feeling. I felt as though I was leaving the body and oh the relief from the pain to be out of the body. I
wasn't even completely out when I thought I heard, " You can come home now or you can stay." At the point of
leaving I said to Tammy, I'm going now. She started to say no you can't go. We've been through too much so
don't give up now. With her encouraging me to stay I felt like I reached back into the body and grabbed a rib and
pulled myself back in. (I don't know if that actually happened, It sure seemed like it.) When I went back in the
body it was still hurting as much as ever; However something else happened as I entered back in. It seemed He
came in with me. There's no way to explain this next experience except just saying it the best I can.
Up till now I had felt completely alone and abandoned by God and now his Spirit seemed to saturate my whole
being. I felt God as close as though he was surrounding me and in me. What a wonderful peace, I have no words
for it. It seemed to me that suddenly I was loved like never before and my mind was opened to understanding
things like never before. I felt as though he was revealing things to me that were too many to remember and we
were in a constant conversation from that point on. How can I explain it? I was still in pain the next three days
but now I was willing to put up with it if he would stay with me.
Matter of fact there were people coming in to pray for me during this experience and I found my self hoping I
would not be healed because if I was he would probably leave me and I wouldn't be having this wonderful
presence of God. He was showing me things and I was seeing people like I had never seen them before. As
different nurses came in God would show me problems some were having. Even the spider outside my window
who was busy making a web had a spiritual meaning. No I don't remember what they all were now but when I
mentioned this to the Lord It was like he chuckled and said I would remember things I needed to when I needed
to.
I don't know what Tammy was doing during this time. She was there and I do remember her saying at one time
she felt like the spirit of God was in the room but the physical things around me were not as real was what was
happening to me in the Spirit. I never felt such mercy and love and compassion for people no matter what they
did or who they were as I thought of different ones in my past.
During this time when I'm in what I think and believe was a real conversation with the Lord that lasted the next
three days the T.V. set was on and Tammy was watching T.V. in between times of helping me turn over and
other things she would do for me. As she was flipping through the channels it seemed that most of them were
covering the Promise keepers who were having a big meeting in Washington D.C. Remember when there were
over 1 million of them meeting on the capital steps and around there? It seemed that every station or channel
was covering the Promise keepers in Washington D.C. The sermons were being broadcast across the airways
even on liberal stations like CNN. They were looking for evidence of things being said that they could use
against them I'm sure and there was a lot of coverage of the 25 women that were there demonstrating against
them. They were from the NOW organization.
I remember in my spirit I said something negative to the Lord about those ladies as they marched around the
Promise Keepers. I immediately was rebuffed or stopped from saying anymore with the words. ( No! You don't
think about them like that. They are mine!) I said, I don't understand Lord. They hate you and work against you.
He said (It's ok, They are working for me.); I don't understand Lord. How can that be? He revealed to me that
without those women there the news would not be covering the event at all. They would be ignored. With those
ladies there claiming the Promise Keepers were macho men making women submit to them the news media was
looking for something to prove that was true.
The Lord said, ( don't let them offend you.), they are accomplishing much for me as the whole country is
hearing my word being preached. I was just getting over the shock of what I'd just heard when He spoke again.--
(Buzz, You can never be offended again.) I was a little taken back with that and said why? He spoke clearly one
of the greatest lessons I've ever learned.
(When you are offended it is a gift from me). I asked how can that be? He went on with his explanation. ( When
you are offended you are given many opportunities, One is you now know more about the person offending you.
It may expose his or her need or it may give you an opportunity to examine yourself to see if you really needed
that. Your very attitude and response can do a lot to reach that person for me or give them an example of my
mercy, love, understanding, grace, and kindness. It gives you a chance to practice forgiveness, Remember the
two preachers? It gives you a chance to grow; A chance to ask me for wisdom on how to handle it; A chance to
set an example of true Christianity. A chance to make a friend,,,,,,, all these and more makes a better person out
of you and the offender.)
Me talking now---- Think about it,, What if someone said something against you and your response was one like
saying I appreciate what your saying and if I've done something to offend you I will work on it. What can I do
to change your mind?
Pro 15:1 A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.
Pro 15:4 Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.
This does not mean you will always get a gentle answer back even after you've tried to defuse the situation but
its a start. The trick is to not let them get your goat so to speak and begin to practice the forgiveness principle. I
continue to think of the situation I was in when I told the story of the two preachers. Without really knowing this
principle back then I was practicing it and let me say again I was doing that with the help of the Lord. As far as I
know those preachers never did ask for forgiveness and I don't feel they have to. (of course one of them has
gone on to be with the Lord). What they gave me was a great lesson and a lot of growth in spiritual things.
Well Like I said, This was a wonderful experience even though I was in pain. I made it until they flew in the
Hematin. They had to fly in a supply daily for 3 days as it would deteriorate too quickly. I was fed it
intravenously and right away I begin to feel relief from the pain. It took about 3 or 4 days for me to recover and
I was released from the hospital. I would like to tell of the wonderful experience of finally having your bowels
work after over 3 weeks of not working but you'll have to just use your imagination but while doing so just
smile big and give a great big sigh.
For quite some time afterward even after I arrived home the presence of the Lord was very real to me but the
actual communion we had did cease somewhere along about that time. It was wonderful while it happened and
was similar to the one I told about before in an earlier chapter when I told of the laughing and crying
experience.
Tammy, I will always be grateful to you for the 9 days you stood by my side while I went through my worst
time. How you caught just a few minutes of sleep now and then and you were there 24 hours a day except for
times you went down stairs to eat. How you did it I don't know, but I Love you for your sacrifice and will never
forget it. God Bless you sweetheart. I thank God for you. What an experience this was and yes Lord, you
brought me through it and I wouldn't trade it for anything. The visit I had with you in the spirit was worth all the
weeks I suffered in pain and even thought I had been abandoned.
Lord you delight me!
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
DID GOD KNOW ABOUT 9-11 AND THE TWIN TOWERS?
The answer is yes but let me tell you why I know he did. -- I had been asked to sing at a huckleberry festival
across the river from Hood River, Oregon in a town I can't remember the name of. I have some very dear friends
who live in Hood River. They are Mark and Ellen Anthony. Mark and Ellen have been involved and help
organize Rallies for the "Point Man Ministries". Point Man Ministries is mostly made up of Viet Nam vets but
other vets are also involved. It is a Christian organization that has been ministering to the Vets who really got a
bad deal when coming home from Viet Nam.
I had been invited two years in a row to speak and sing at their convention in The Dalles, Oregon, right down
the hiway from Hood River. At the time I was singing at the huckleberry festival near Hood River it was only
one week away from 9-11 and another convention for the Point man ministries. I was staying with my friends
Mark and Ellen and they reminded me that the convention was a week away and I should not go home but stay
the week and speak and sing again at the Point Man Ministries. This would be the 3rd year in a row and I told
them I would rather not because I had plans to ride with some friends on our 4 wheelers back home. The subject
was dropped for the time being and I went to the festival and did my thing.
After the festival, which was on a Sunday, I drove back to Hood River to stay the night with Mark and Ellen and
then go home the next day. As I got out of the car and was walking up the walk to their front door Mark asked
me again. He said Buzz we have all the speakers lined up for the Rally this next week end but if you'll stay I
will find some spots for you to speak and sing again. My answer was no, I had plans for this week riding with
my friends through the hills of Idaho. The moment I said that my back went completely out. I mean completely
out. It wasn't a back ache; It wasn't just a lot of pain, It went out and I couldn't walk from that moment. Mark
grabbed me and asked what was wrong? All I could tell him is my back went out and I needed help to get into
the house. With Marks help I slowly made my way into his house but each step was excruciating. He helped to
lay me down on his sofa and as long as I lay there I was in no pain but to get up was almost impossible. That
evening Mark and Ellen were waiting on me like I was an invalid. I couldn't even make it to the table to eat
dinner.
I was helped to the Bathroom and helped to the bedroom and when I walked with Mark holding me under my
arms to help take pressure off my back each little move was excruciating and I heard myself yelping almost with
each step.
I figured I'd be better in the morning but it was the same. I needed help to get back to the sofa where I lay all
day. Every once in a while as Mark and I visited he'd ask me to stay for the Rally but each time I told him I was
going home. I called my son Darrel and asked him to come get me but he couldn't. I called my other son Kelly
asking him to come get me and he couldn't either. I was stuck but still determined to get home. I did not want to
miss going out in the hills on my 4 wheeler that week end. Mark kept saying, " I think your supposed to stay
here"
I had to get better so I had Mark help me get in his car and he took me to a Chiropractor. I'll never forget that
leaving the house was one big and painful job especially getting into the car, then out again at the chiropractor's
office. I got some treatments but felt no better after that. Then back to the house and an hour getting out of the
car and back on the sofa in the house.
The next day there was no change so we decided to go to the emergency ward at the hospital where they did
some x-ray but could see nothing wrong. They gave me a pain shot that seemed as though it did nothing for me.
The next day back to the chiropractor and still I was no better. Its getting close to the week end and Mark is still
trying to get me to agree to stay for the Rally. I kept saying I was somehow going to get home. This discussion
continued through the week with me not improving and now it was the day before 9-11 when the planes would
hit the twin towers.
Mark, I sure need a shower. Its been a week and I don't believe I can do it on my own I said. Mark prepares the
shower with a chair in it and gets me my canes which I had been using along with his help. He lifts me to my
feet and I am shuffling down the hall to the bathroom very slowly. As we are getting closer to the bathroom he is
saying "Buzz, it looks like your going to be here anyway so why not decide to stay and speak; I'll get you a
chair to sit in while you speak and sing." My reply as I reached the bathroom was well Ok, I'll stay and speak at
the Rally. As I spoke those words I remembered my shaving kit was in the bedroom and I said Oh, I need my
shaving kit. I whirled around quickly and ran quickly into the bedroom to get it. When I got there I stopped
short totally shocked that I'd just run into the bed room. Meanwhile Mark is standing in the bathroom with his
jaw dropped on his chest unable to comprehend what he just saw.
I stood there and shouted, Mark! I have no pain!!! The pain was gone. There was no trace that pain had ever
been there. It was like it never happened. You can be sure that if you have back pain like I did that at least there
would still be some soreness but not a single bit of pain in any way. I was so shocked and almost embarrassed
thinking that maybe they would think I'd been faking it all along. I was totally healed and I started moving
around with different gyrations trying to see if it was really healed. It was but yet at this moment I still didn't
know why all this happened. Read on and see why.---
Now I could get home to do my ride but I promised Mark I would stay and I went to bed that night pain free and
still in awe at what had happened. The next morning as we prepared breakfast the Airplanes were crashing into
the twin towers and 9-11 happened. Suddenly all airplane flights canceled. The Point Man ministries speakers
from different parts of the country who were supposed to fly in that day were stranded and could not make it
that week end. I was the speaker with plenty of spots to fill. Had I been able to go home when I wanted to there
would not have been speakers for the Rally.
God knew the speakers would not make it and had to keep me there even if it meant making or letting my back
go out. It was a great Rally and God did some great things there and people were especially interested in the
meetings as we were all concerned as to what is happening to our country.
If God knew it was going to happen why did he let it happen? I'm not going to try to answer that. I do know that
if he interfered with everything that was going to happen and stopped it before it happened we might as well call
it heaven right now. He has promised to help us through the storms, not stop the storms. My personal opinion is
that we're going to see a lot more in the near future because of the way this nation is more less telling him (God)
to get lost. God promises to bless the nation that honors him and also to stand aside if we don't want him around.
That's when things happen not because he did it but because we don't seem to want his help.
Well I do. I don't see how I could have made it through all these years without his help and when I see how he
kept me from leaving Hood River, Oregon so that there would be a speaker at the Rally I am humbled and
amazed at his ways.
He really is a delightful God and I want to continue to delight in him.
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
This could be the last Chapter unless I think of other experiences that should be told. I did pass up several
stories along the way that could qualify for this book. Maybe I'll do another one later.
I want to restate again that as I wrote these stories I did not want anyone to think I thought I was deserving of
any of the miracles that happened. One thorn in my side the whole time I traveled and ministered around the
country and countries was that I never felt I was deserving of any of the good things that happened. As a matter
of fact my reaction was always one of total bewilderment knowing my failings and sins all I could do was say
why would you do this for me Lord? I never got a "I heard from God" answer but as I search for the answer in
his word I see God used many people and gave miracles to many people who were sinners, some worse then
myself.
So what can I surmise about that. God says we've all sinned and come short of the Glory of God.
Rom:3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom:3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
So since we've all sinned and come short then the only way God can look at me is through a scripture just above
the one quoted above.
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the
knowledge of sin.
Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the
prophets;
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God is by faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe: for there is no
difference:
I can never be justified by following the law according to Rom:3:20. What the law does is allow me to see how
sinful I am. I see this when I see how far I've missed the mark of following the 10 commandments "the law".
Now I look at myself like the publican in the verse below.
Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote
upon his brest, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth
himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Now listen to the Pharisee who was speaking in the verses just above Luke 18:13.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are,
extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Who do you think God would rather give miracles to? The man who bragged about how good he was or the man
who realized he was lost without Christ and that he was a sinner saved only through the grace of God. The
Pharisee thought he could reach God by keeping the law, That he'd be justified. He didn't get it when Jesus said
all have sinned. We all fall short. He didn't get the message from Rom:3:20 above. No flesh shall be justified by
the deeds of the law. Now look close what the Law does in that same verse; (for by the law is the knowledge of
sin.).
So the law shows me my sin and God says I've broken the law and I fall short so there is only one way to reach
God and that is to let him reach me through Jesus who paid the price for me yet while I was still a sinner. Its a
free gift because I can't seem to be able to be perfect. Jesus who was perfect did it for me. He said the Law can't
save me because I can't keep it perfectly.
Gal 3:21 Does this mean that the Law is against God's promises? No, not at all! For if human beings had
received a law that could bring life, then everyone could be put right with God by obeying it.
Gal 3:22 But the scripture says that the whole world is under the power of sin; and so the gift which is promised
on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ is given to those who believe.
Gal 3:23 But before the time for faith came, the Law kept us all locked up as prisoners until this coming faith
should be revealed.
Gal 3:24 And so the Law was in charge of us until Christ came, in order that we might then be put right with
God through faith.
Gal 3:25 Now that the time for faith is here, the Law is no longer in charge of us.
Gal 3:26 It is through faith that all of you are God's children in union with Christ Jesus.
I hope anyone reading this book will read very carefully the scriptures above and realize that though works is
good and keeping the law is good it is not what saves you. If I could get to heaven by keeping the law I could
look Jesus in the face and say I didn't need him because it was through my own good works that I made it. God
says impossible. You fall short!
For those who may say the translation above is wrong I say I have in my computer every translation there is and
they all say the same thing. Don't let anyone tell you that the Bible has been translated too many times. Not true.
Its been translated only once! Do you think each translation is translated from the last? No, its translated from
the original documents each time. With computers now we can examine each word in its original language be it
Greek or Hebrew and word for word check the meaning of each.
My hope is that this book will inspire you to get an attitude of Joy and delighting in the Lord, even in the hard
times. Know that He is in control and is working everything for good in your life if you'll have the right attitude
and let him.
Rom 8:28 We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called
according to his purpose.
As I finish this last chapter my prayer is that you will begin to realize that God loves a joyful heart and
delights in those who delight in him and yes he blesses them just as you would bless your own children
who delight in you.
This is not the end, God is not through with me yet.
