January 2017
Happy New Year! I’d like to suggest this year that you’ll never change your mood by reliving past experiences. There are good memories, but many of them only make us feel worse. As an example, Jeremiah’s remembrance of God’s faithful love brought about a change in the prophet’s emotions.
“The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.” 1
A Website Comment…
Recently, we examined the website for balance and correctness. Kim sent these comments,
“GREAT JOB on the new design. I like it, very warm and inviting. Your face shows the change in you. The remembrance of the victims and your forgiven story brings balance. The written parts tell of your dark past and transformation, but the darkness of the name Charles Manson doesn’t take center stage on the site. Most people know about you or the crimes, now half a century later people are seeing Jesus in you.
The new design is easier to find things. I like the larger font size of your true name. It stands out more than the name former “Tex” Watson. I know your decisions in your younger days made you who you were, but your real name in Christ in a larger font glorifies God and what He has done in your life. Maybe that is just the artist in me.
The entire homepage says, “Look what Jesus did!”, not what Satan did. For instance, the docudrama is so powerful. I can see Jesus in you as you speak. It’s refreshing to see God glorified in your life, since so much TV is about the horrors of the crimes. They never show how Jesus changed your life, but by going to the site they see Jesus in your life. What a testimony! Kim and family, NC.”
God’s Faithfulness…
For many years, I wept over the tragedy of my crimes, facing my pain. Barring some differences, I’ve been able to identify with Jeremiah [known as the weeping prophet], who expressed his pain and grief over the fall of the children of Israel to the Babylonians. After expressing their great loss, he cried out to God, saying,
“Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’” 2
Finally, I moved through the grief process, came to terms with the past, found freedom and healing to live in the reality of the present and hope for the future. God used the pain to lead me to personal and spiritual growth through faith in God’s grace. Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, Who took upon Himself our griefs, sorrows and transgressions for our healing. 3 He is my inheritance and future hope.
New Every Morning…
I remind myself every morning that God loves me by saying, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 4 We have a new opportunity to discover and experience more of God’s love every day even in the midst of sorrows.
Maybe you are holding on to pain and sorrow that is creating havoc in your emotions throughout the day. It’s time to admit it by being honest and turn to your loving and faithful God in prayer.
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.” 5
Be Comforted…
It’s my purpose to bring comfort to your pain and sorrows, that is “to make brighter a person overcome by grief or misery.” 6 According to the above Scripture, it’s God’s love and grace through the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ that brings comfort, hope and strength through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Throughout the website, you’ll find comfort and strength to heal. My desire is to comfort you as I have been comforted. Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul, writing,
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 7
Jeremiah finished his grieving and turned to God to seek forgiveness. Maybe you are seeking forgiveness. Whatever your need, God is present to help you with your pain and sorrow. He loves you!
A Prayer For You…
Lord Jesus, I don’t want to liv this way anymore. Today I release all my failings, sins, and mistakes into your loving hands. And I receive Your forgiveness right now into my heart. Thank You for Your precious blood that washes me whiter than snow. Right now, I stand in Your righteousness, favor, joy, and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Scripture References (NLT):
1) Lam. 3:19-22
2) Lam. 3:23,24
3) Isa. 53:3-5
4) John 3:16
5) 2 Thess. 2:16,17
6) Webster’s dictionary
7) 2 Cor. 1:3,4