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 By Steve Wohlberg, www.WhiteHorseMedia.com It was the summer of 1979. I was 20 years old and lived in Studio City, California, just over the hill from Hollywood. Although Jewish, I knew nothing about Judaism, the Bible, or about God for that matter. Especially did I know nothing about Jesus Christ. But this was about to change. For the past six years, my lifestyle could be summed up in two words: reckless and immoral. Starting at age 14, I had become a marijuana smoking, cocaine snorting, disco dancing teen. It’s a miracle I survived. Some of my friends didn’t. They’re now six feet under. During that momentous summer of ‘79, through knowing a friend of a friend of a friend, my Jewish father had been able to secure a job for me working in and around Hollywood as an extra in the movies. I worked on commercials, and even landed a small part on The Waltons. As the summer progressed, I realized that my chances of achieving wealthy stardom in the film business were pie-in-the-sky, and I often wondered about my future. Then it happened. I started meeting Christians who began witnessing to me about the Lord. The first that I can remember was a 14-year-old girl on Hollywood Blvd who approached me holding a Bible. She tugged my shirt, and then asked me if I “was saved.” “I didn’t even know I was lost,” was my thoughtless response. That was Seed Number 1. Then there was that crazy Saturday night in Palm Springs, California when I spied a pick-up truck driving by on Highway 111. A few Christians were perched in the back of the truck, holding loud speakers, and they were calling out to the party-loving crowd jostling on the sidewalk, quoting Bible verses. “I’m an atheist!” I shouted in their direction, hardly knowing what that meant. “You fool!” a man bellowed back at me from the truck. “On the Day of Judgment, you’ll be on the wrong side.” Seed Number 2. Then there was that fishing trip in the mountains just outside of Los Angeles with my buddy John Navarro. We were meandering along our favorite trout stream, holding fishing rods, while I carried a container of worms for bait, and a bag of marijuana in my pocket. Just then, I glanced up along the side of the mountain. “Repent or Perish!” someone had sprayed on the face of a large rock in bold letters. Sounds serious, I thought to myself, jolted. Seed Number 3. Everything came together near the end of the summer when my job as an “extra” sent me to Oxnard Beach to participate in a TV mini-series based on the movie, From Here to Eternity. From our home in Studio City, I drove my Datsun B210 to the ocean. While sitting on the sand with a few other extras waiting to film, a fellow-extra approached the group I sat with and began witnessing to us about Jesus Christ, Bible prophecy, and the end of the world. For the first time in my life, I was interested in learning more. I don’t remember that man’s name, but as a result of one brief conversation during the lunch hour, I later left the beach and found a Bible. After browsing through the Table of Contents, I picked “Ecclesiastes,” and read it. Next I read Proverbs. Then I turned to the New Testament and began reading about Jesus Christ. Honestly, I don’t remember what day it was - Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday - but at some point, a wild 20-year-old Jewish disco dancer began reading about the suffering of the Son of God in the garden of Gethsemane. Aghh! This is serious! my guardian demon must have thought. Heavenly angels drew near. As I did so, I was gripped by the mysterious account of a 33-year-old Man sweating blood among olive trees. With His face touching the dirt, Jesus prayed, “Oh My Father! If it is possible, take this cup from Me! Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done” (Matthew 26:39). What’s happening here? I remember asking myself. Why the sorrow and anguish? Piece by piece, the mysterious puzzle came together, and this is where a real miracle occurred. In spite of my drug use, addictions, selfishness, and overall spiritual deadness, I started understanding God’s Word. Rays of divine light penetrated my darkened mind. An unseen Power stood by my side. I lost track of time, of everything. All I saw was the Gethsemane Man. Alone in a garden, suffering. Then I realized that He was suffering because of my sins. “If this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Your will be done,” breathed the Savior. His words pierced my soul. As I kept reading, it suddenly dawned on me that just as Jesus Christ made that key decision in Gethsemane, even so must I make a choice whether or not to surrender my life to Him. Drugs, parties, rock music, and girls--these beckoned on one side. On the other side was my Savior, the love of God, and eternal life. What should I do? I must choose. Now. As I beheld Jesus willingly becoming separated from His Father, I made my choice, dropped to my knees for the first time in my life, said a short prayer, and asked Jesus to become my Savior. I don’t remember everything I said in that little prayer, but there is one thing I remember as if it was yesterday - the soothing sense of peace that instantly flowed into my soul. I had never felt anything quite like it before. This is better than drugs! I thought. A heavy weight was lifted. My slavery to drugs, alcohol, and nasty habits ended as a supernatural Presence entered my heart. I was free! Psychologists may not comprehend it, skeptics may deny it, doubters deride it, and demons despise it. I don’t care. It happened to me, and no human or devil can take it from me. Hollywood faded, and Heaven moved in. I became a Jewish believer in Jesus Christ. This is the truth. That was 30 years ago. Now I’m married to a wonderful woman named Kristin, and we have two beautiful small children, Seth and Abigail. In the last 13 years, I have written 23 books, and now direct White Horse Media, a Christian radio and television ministry with global influence. I don’t use drugs anymore, nor do I drink alcohol. My life has been transformed by the infinite power, unmerited grace, and tender mercy of Jesus Christ. To God be the glory! Believe me, if Jesus can save me - He can save you, too. Steve Wohlberg is the speaker/director of White Horse Media (Newport, WA) and the host of the Sword of the Spirit television series. His 120-page book, From Hollywood to Heaven, which includes family pictures, tells his amazing story more fully. Only $9.99. To order, call 1-800-782-4253.
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