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I was born the day before Halloween in 1948 in Philadelphia to a German mother and Jewish father. I was an only child and was raised Methodist. I was described as incorrigible, having been thrown out or quit almost every school I ever went to. I never finished High School. Some of my early jobs included shine boy, clean up a barber shop, electricians helper & stock clerk for a record distributor where I worked side by side with Grover Washington Jr. for a minimum wage of $1.65 an hour. From 1969 to 1984 I owned a large international record distributing company. From 1985 to 1995 I owned a large surveillance product manufacturing & distribution company. During these years there was a 14 year failed marriage. I was in Romantasy, sort of a high-class sex boutique in San Francisco and the woman behind the counter handed me a card and said try this, you'll like it. It was a card for the Society of Janus, the second oldest kinky sex club in the U.S. I went to their orientation and being retired I went to all the meetings and events they held. I was soon asked to run for an office and I was elected Hotline Director. The job had me troubleshooting member problems, handling calls to the Hotline from prospective members. I used my business skills to improve the club. This was truly a case of "idle hands are the devils workshop." After a few months, I realized that these people weren't nice and with all the sex they were having, they weren't having any fun. I mentioned that I wanted to quit and a beautiful prostitute who was the program director of the club talked me into staying until the end of my term of office in April '97. Her name was Lady Sidara and her card billed her as an Aphrodite ritualist dedicating her practice to the goddess of pleasure and creativity who says, "all acts of love and beauty are my rituals and they shall not be blasphemed, Aphrodite." I tolerated, promoted and participated. From my experience with this club I witnessed close up the dangers of bringing multiple partners into a marriage, exhibitionism, bi-sexuality and tri-sexuality. The evil one did not want to lose a good worker. The sexual underground was not for me. My cousin from PA. wanted to visit me for a week in Jan '97. He knew what I did and I explained that he was welcome to come but that he'd have to hang out with me and go where I went. After a week with me, he said that he was offended by some of the things he saw. He said one of the things was the party with the guy who was dressed in women's clothes, on his hands and knees wearing a dog collar and leash.
About a week later, I got a card in the mail inviting me to the Christian Singles Convention, Feb 8th ,1997 at the Cathedral Hill Hotel. Something told me to go. I showed up dressed all in black to a room of about 700 Christian singles. I grabbed all the free literature, a seat, and listened to five speakers, all who were excellent. The last speaker was a Pastor Mike Garcia from San Jose. He was a well dressed short Hispanic guy with the soul of James Brown, the love for Jesus of Billy Graham.After he was done I approached him and took his card. I called him later that week and asked him a lot of questions. What bible do they use, what do you give, etc. He took his time and answered them all. I didn't tell him I hadn't been to a church for 35 years. On Feb 23rd I made my way to his church, the Cathedral of Faith. I didn't catch fire as I walked in. I was warmly greeted and saw about 300 people united in worship, and heard a good message. I started going regularly & bought a bible. I initially was skeptical, waiting and looking for the hook, the secret catch. All I received was the message of peace and love. I accepted Christ on June 15, 1997. I was baptized & enrolled in Cathedral's New Believers class. I attend Mel's home Bible Study where we are fed heavy doses of God's Holy Word. God bless you. Michael |