Truly Grateful Saturday, September 09, 2006

I have been in prison at Washington state since 1978. I thought if I told my story, it might somehow help, or at least make someone pause to think about their actions.

I was raised in a Christian home. In high school I was on the Wrestling Team, Boxing Team, and also on the School Council. Being in sports and on the council, of course, made me very popular. I was also an excellent student and earmarked for success. In 1968 I went from high school to collage, Texas University. I got into the best fraternity, where the sons of the presidents of two of the largest oil companies were members. My major was English and Pre-Law.

Well, I had an easy time at the university. Since I was a good student, the classes were easy; so most of my time was spent at parties. A little while later, the parties got old, and I got bored, so I moved up the ladder to drugs.

I had a sweetheart, and we have been going steady since high school. We had some grand plans and what looked like a great future. Of course, she joined me in the drug scene and became very popular. Next thing I realized, was that she was not my girl anymore, that she liked the drugs and the parties better than she like me. I was devastated.

Call it an awaking or shock, but I could not function anymore and moved away to a lake side cabin. At this point in my life, I did not know if I believed in God. I remember I made a meal for myself and said, "God, I don't know if You exist anymore, but if You do, I always want You to be welcome."

There was a caretaker at the lake, and I went to visit him. He was a backslid Pentecostal Preacher. I asked him, "Is there a God?" He got out this old Bible and started reading to me. His brother was the pastor at a Oneness Church and took me into his care, to try to give me a firm foundation.

Oh, things were great. I would study the Bible, and in the evening go back to the university and pass out tracts and testify. I joined a Pentecostal church, and we had a seven month revival. I knew I was on the road now; I knew I was called to be a minister.

Many things transpired during those times, and I really took a wrong turn. I really thought that God was using me and was talking to me. I had a dream of a man I knew, and that he was going to do something really bad. I went to this guy and told him not to do this thing. Well, he had no idea what I was talking about and laughed at me. Well, I thought he was mocking God, and I freaked out and started punching him. I was arrested and put in a mental hospital. I kept telling everyone that God told me to do that. I started fasting and praying; I'd fast for five days straight, and my weight was less than seventy pounds. But I was still going down the path where I thought I was right, and I knew I was called, but all the time I was getting further and further away form God, until I got completely away from Him.

I was unbearable, I hated myself and everyone else, and I would challenge everyone. Then in 1978, I ran into someone who would not back down. I went crazy; and he ended up dead, and I ended up in jail.

You would think that that would change me, but it did not. I ended up in segregation for always fighting. Then one day in the chow line, one of the servers asked me if I believed in Jesus Christ. I told him I did. He asked, "Do you pray?" I told him, that to me, that would be a mockery after all I did, and I would not have the nerve to pray. He told me, "Paul prayed in prison. Are you going to spend all these years and not pray?" That evening for, I believe, the first time in my life, I got down on my knees and talked to Jesus Christ.

I had to get to this point in my life to see God. Looking back, I see all the false gods I had in my life. Friends that I thought I had, you will find out that unless someone is a totally dedicated to the Word of God, they are not your friend. The guys back in the fraternity, today unless you go to the same Country Club, they will never talk to you. My drug buddies, we would never part, unless you are out to money or drugs, then they have a new buddy. The church I belong to, ask them something about why they believe the way they do, and you are an outcast. Even in prison, the "Brother Hood," when that guard blows his whistle, it is every man for himself. There is only Jesus Christ; He is always there.

I guess I was under a testing time. I continued to read my Bible, pray, and I also fasted from time to time. Oh, I would still have little disagreements, and sometimes have to go back to segregation, but it was different. Then one day, someone passed me a booklet and said, "I think this would be a help to you." It was. I changed, and it just felt like I came home. I don't remember the title of that book, but it was our dear Brother Branham. I have finally met a true man of God and have found the true Word of God.

I wondered why now, why not back when I could've did something. But I realize that everything is in God's time, and this was indeed my time. My past is behind me; it is great, because now I have other inmates ask me what has happen. You guessed it; I give them a book right away. What could I say; I let Him say it.

It's been 29 years now since I was incarcerated. I thank God, because of His mercy, I have been moved to what they call a low security prison. I have my own room, a window, and two big shelves that are full of Brother Branham's books, thanks to Voice of God Recordings.

Before they moved me, I shared a room, sometimes with two other inmates, and I had one drawer that would hold 6 books. Now, my library has grown to over 30 books, and I just keep re-reading them and my Bible over and over.

I do work; outside of the guards, almost everything else in the prison is done by the inmates. The best paying job you can get is $50.00 per month. We do have a store where they will take you, and you can buy soap, toothpaste, coffee, tea and such. In this prison, we can also have a personal coffee maker and a radio in our room. Because I feel so blessed, I made a commitment that I would donate 50% of what I make to Gods Work, which the Lord has been gracious enough to let me do, and I thank Him for that.

I realize that I am totally responsible for my life and how I conducted myself. There is no one to blame-not my parents, pastor, friends, drugs, police or the judge-just myself, and I have no bad feelings toward anyone. I am remorseful for the wrong I have done, and I know that someday I will have to face that. It is just now I know that I will not face it alone!

I have new friends, based on the Love of Jesus Christ, nothing more, and I know that we will be friends forever.

If I learned anything in my life it is that Jesus Christ, the Word of God, is first; base your life and friends on that, and you will have true friends.

Thank you and God bless you.