In late 1998, we were attending the Alliance Chuch in Orillia, Ontario. I felt challenged to do a fund-raising concert for the youth group to raise money for a National Youth Convention trip, so I asked the youth pastor if he would like me to do an Elvis Gospel Concert. He thought it would be fun.

Since I had recorded my first album "911 for Jesus", several people had told me I sounded a lot like Elvis. This had prompted me to do a few Elvis gospel songs at campfire at Circle Square Ranch in 1997. It seemed to fly really well with the kids. What could I lose? After some research into music I went out and bought an "Elvis" costume at a local costume shop. We embellished it a bit and I proceeded to collect and rehearse the music.

The night of the concert brought some hundred or so enthusiastic people to the show. Several days of fasting and prayer preceded the event and as I stood backstage there was a curious feeling of power and a presence that overcame me. As my intro music began to play, I strode onto the stage to a rousing applause mixed with a few chuckles. It was disappointing that those most amused were in leadership.

When the songs began, a hush fell on the audience, and an air of captivation settled in. To my surprise the entire event was a blur of success. When the music ended several people came with tears in their eyes, declaring how they had been touched by God. That was the beginning of "Gospel Elvis."

In the days following, I was taken aback at how much positive feedback I got. At the arrival of spring a few weeks later, my wife Marian and I were building a deck for a neighbour, when the assault came. Spirtual warfare is a scary business. It was about this time that I had seen Bruce Wilkinson on 100 Huntley Street talking about his new book "The Prayer of Jabez". In I Chronicles 4:10 a man named Jabez prayed that God would "Bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast; that your hand would be with me: that you would keep me from evil and not let me be grieved by it". Bruce claimed that since he had been praying that prayer, God had begun blessing him exceedingly. It made sense to me and I added that prayer to my daily life, not as a ritual, but as a "Refreshment" to begin my day.

The war was on. As we laboured on that hot, spring day, I was overcome by confusion and dizziness. Stumbling to the ground, I realized my left side was paralyzed. I could not speak, except with slurred words. Marian and my son Aaron dragged me to the boat and got me in. It thought I was having a stroke, so I mumbled out "Go home and get me three aspirins." I thought it might help. Marian did, and Aaron piloted the boat to Little Chute Landing to our car. When we arrived, a neighbour was there to help me into the car. With a few nervous jokes about my drunken condition we headed for the hospital in Orillia - 45 minutes away. After about half an hour, the paralysis began to subside.

At the Emergency Ward I was rushed into treatment where they discovered my blood pressure to be 240/160. It took two days to get my pressure down to 150/110--still considered high. This was not good. For the first time in my life I had high blood pressure. I was on heavy doses of medication. The doctors could find no cause.

Over the next few months I had more opportunities to sing. It seemed in my weakened physical condition the doors began to open. (Very interesting) I continued the Jabez Prayer.

In September, after another "Elvis" performance for our neighbours, I was building another deck. Second verse--same as the first. Down I went, this time paralyzed on my right side. To the hospital we rushed. After 30 minutes the paralysis faded leaving skyrocketing blood pressure again.

Obviously there was a correlation between the "Gospel Elvis" venture and these attacks. The doctors never found a cause. I continued the Jabez prayer.

Five years earlier, I had met a man named Gerald Jenkins, who prayed for me that I might be healed from an 18 year battle with a bad back. I walked with a cane and was told I could never work again. Within 4 days my back was perfect and remained so. I decided to see Gerald again.

He prayed and assured me that the healing was in progress. It was a done deal. Patience would prevail. He was right. My blood pressure steadily returned to acceptable levels. I continued to pray the Jabez prayer daily (not a ritual, a prayer).

Time marched on and the opportunities became bigger, more unusual, and more often . In the summer of 2001, God opened the gates.

Friends asked me to sing "Gospel Elvis" in front of their clock store on the main street of Orillia during the annual Elvis Festival. A very big deal! For the first time, I would be singing for thousands (20,000) in one weekend. A secular audience; the acid test. They loved it! My stage: the back seat of a red 1964 Ford Galaxie convertible. The "Elvis Fest" committee requested me to do a one hour Elvis Gospel Show for them, which I did. They were pleased. I continued The Jabez Prayer.

In the next year I was asked from time to time to join the Legends Show of Billy Cann, the originator of the International Collingwood Elvis Festival: the largest in the world.

In November 2001, while singing "Christmas Elvis" at Orillia Square Mall, the next echelon came. My friend Marg Dawson was working in a craft store and I strolled in with my wireless mike to sing to her. "When are you going to make another C.D.?" she asked, "I've worn out your first one."

"Funny you should say that." I said "whenever I find a sponsor. I'm not going to bank roll this one, but I'm going to make an all "Elvis"C.D.""Well, here you go," she laughed, as she reached into her purse and brought out a toonie (for the uninitiated, that's a $2.00 Canadian coin). "You're kidding" I said, "but, that's a seed and you get the first C.D! I took that toonie home and opened my bible to I Chronicles 4:10, The Jabez Prayer.

"Lord," I said, "I'm planting this seed in the best, most fertile ground I know, which is Your Word. Please bless this seed and make it grow into a blessing for "Gospel Elvis". Make it grow!" I continued to pray the Jabez Prayer. Every day I took that toonie and held it up and said "Lord, make this seed grow!"

About six months later, at the end of March, I was having a particularly bleak drive home. I was feeling depressed about living a "breakeven" lifestyle for so long. There had been so many doors opened for me, that didn't seem to lead anywhere productive.

I was frustrated with God and told Him so. My bible was open before me, and I began to challenge God on His promises. I pointed out Revelation 3:7, that He has the power to open and close doors. In Matthew 6 He promises to feed and clothe us, a reminder that I needed a professional costume if my ministry was to be respected by secular audiences. This was my next challenge. Also, nowhere could I find anywhere that made "Elvis" boots anymore.

"Lord, you've had long enough to bless me," I said. "It's time. Ecclesiastes 3 says There's a time for everything and I believe it's time you gave me a big financial blessing. It's time Lord. It's time. All my life Lord," I said "I've been singing for you and it's been costing me money. Well now the well is dry. This is getting expensive, trying to put on a professional presentation. If I'm to continue, you've got to give old Gospel Elvis a BIG financial blessing."

The next few days I decided to wait and see. I did not know what to think, but I stuck to my guns and waited. I reread Ecclesiastes 3 and my eye was drawn to the end of Ecclesiastes 2 which says that others will heap up wealth to give to those who please God.

"Lord," I said, "are you telling me that someone is going to give me money?" "Yes." He answered. I continued to pray the Jabez Prayer. Seven days later my phone rang and it was my sister Marilyn. "Do you still want to record that new C.D.?" she asked. "Yes," I cautiously replied."Well, Bill is going to pay for it." she offered. What else do you need?"

"What do you mean?" I queried"How about a new costume?" she shot back. "Yes, I need a costume." I whispered. "Write it down; make a list" she retorted. "How about new boots?" she demanded.

That was more than I could believe. She was reciting my week old prayer back to me. The hair stood up on the back of my neck."Can you come to Brantford this week?" she asked. "Yes, on Tuesday" I stammered."Well bring your wish list, along with the exact cost of the album." She was finished.

On Monday I phoned Summit Sound and told Dave Daw the story. Shocked and excited he told me that the project would cost $10,000. When we arrived at Bill's place in Brantford, we sat down and had a great visit. When I presented the list with the $10,000 on it Bill handed me $1,000.00 and told me to let him know when I needed the balance.

"That's great," I chirped "but, we should write an Agreement so that there will be no misunderstanding of how you will recover your investment." Bill looked at me exasperated. "You don't understand..." he said, "this is a gift!"

You could have knocked me over with a feather. I was light-headed. I was speechless for the FIRST TIME IN HISTORY!

Then Marilyn swooped in for the final zinger! It was like a trumpet from Heaven. She explained: "All your life you've been singing for God and getting nothing out of it. Now it's time that Jim got something. My entire prayer had now been repeated to me. God was telling me "The seed has grown. The harvest is here. You are reaping the fruit. THIS IS THE JABEZ BLESSING! IT IS TIME!"

God is faithful!

I found out it is right to challenge God on His word. That is what He wants. Show Him His promises in His word! And Challenge Him

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