November 2009
This month, I encourage
you to celebrate the joys of Thanksgiving
with family and friends no matter what has
happened in the past. The Scriptures say,
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks; for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus for you."1
Manson Documentaries
Many of you have contacted
us regarding the recent Manson documentaries.
In fact, over forty thousand have visited
our site with more than one and a half million
hits during August and September. I cannot
get cable, so I was unable to view the History
channel, but I did receive several comments
by letter; one will be shared later.
I understand that one documentary
is named after my book "Will You Die
For Me?" It features Catherine Share,
a former Manson family member, who is now
a born-again Christian. I hear that she
verifies the facts in my book, confirming
its truthfulness. I feel this is why viewer
comments are more favorable towards this
program than the one called "Manson,"
where I am told the actors are unrealistic.
If you saw the "Manson"
UK docudrama, it features Linda Kasabian
and Vincent Bugliosi. You may recall that
she was only with the Manson family for
a few weeks when she was ordered by Manson
to participate in the murders. I tell of
her days with the Manson family and how
she was given immunity for her testimony
in my book, "Will
You Die For Me." She testified
honestly to what she saw, whereas Bugliosi
fabricated many of his ideas about the personalities
of the family members.
Comments from one letter
"I watched the documentary
with Linda Kasabian in it about the Tate
murders. She told her side of the story,
but the documentary was done very badly.
She has supposedly been in hiding for the
last 40 years and has yet to forgive herself
for her part in all of it. Her face was
partially covered in shadows, but you could
tell that it was really her. She needs to
read your website so she can move ahead
with her life.
Vincent Bugliosi was also
in the documentary. It was surprising to
see that many of the facts in his book were
different from Linda's version. She said
that you were the first person to befriend
her and that she felt safe with you. Also,
that you were just a quiet person who liked
to work on cars and kept to yourself most
of the time.
It was an interesting show,
but I can't help but feel badly for Linda.
I pray that she receives God's forgiveness
and allows herself to enjoy a second chance
at life that only God can give. Look what
He has done for you!
She said she has not talked
to any of the others involved and that she
feels terrible guilt that she did not go
to prison when they did. I am sorry if you
get tired of hearing stories like this.
I suppose it is hard for you to put things
behind you when there is always someone
bringing it up again. Maybe you could say
a few prayers for Linda. She needs them
very much." -- Carol, Richmond, VA
The Lost Sheep
Carol's request flows from
the heart of Jesus for the lost sheep. He
says, "If a shepherd has one hundred
sheep, and one wanders away and is lost,
what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine
others and go out in the hills to search
for the one? And if he finds it, he will
rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine
that didn't wander away! In the same way,
it is not my heavenly Father's will that
even one of these little ones should perish."2
Will you pray with me for Linda's salvation?
I was pleasantly surprised
to hear that she has come out of hiding
to face her past. It saddens my heart that
she is still in bondage to the events of
1969. Freedom came for me when I received
right standing with God by faith in the
cleansing blood of Jesus. Listen, "...God
in His gracious kindness declares us not
guilty. He had done this through Christ
Jesus, Who has freed us by taking away our
sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment
for our sins and to satisfy God's anger
against us. We are made right with God when
we believe that Jesus shed His blood, sacrificing
His life for us."3
On the other hand, Linda
may have already received Christ, but she
hasn't consistently renewed her mind with
God's love and forgiveness, like many of
us have over the years. That is, "...be
renewed in the spirit of your mind."4
As a result, we have experienced a transformation
of life, being brought into line with God's
Word and will.
Those of you who doubt
this fact, should "Examine yourselves
to see if your faith is really geniune."5
Genuine faith says, "As far as the
east is from the west, so far has God removed
our transgressions from us."6
The Prophet Micah said, "The Lord will
have compassion on us; He will subdue our
iniquities; and He will cast all our sins
into the depth of the sea."7
Let us all pray that Linda will realize
the mercies of our loving heavenly Father,
and thank Him for her freedom.
Let's Be Thankful
Praise, thanksgiving, and
worship are the languages of our faith.
As I reflect on my past, I find that I'm
more thankful after Christ came into my
life. I'm thankful for the wonderful family
God gave me as a child, but I'm much more
thankful to be a part of the family of God.
Maybe you are at a place in your life where
you find nothing to be thankful for in the
past or present, with very little hope for
the future. You may be asking yourself,
"How can I be thankful in everything?"
You may be wondering how I could be thankful
for anything in prison.
At the beginning of this
view, the Scripture says, "in everything
give thanks in Christ Jesus!" Before
Christ came into my life, I was blind to
God's mercies, so I had little reason to
be thankful. Now that I know God's loving
kindness, my forgiveness of sin, and my
right standing with God, I have every reason
to be thankful, no matter what happens.
"And we know that God causes everything
to work together for the good of those who
love God and are called according to His
purpose for them."8
Let us rejoice, "For
God knew His people in advance, and He chose
then to become like His Son, so that His
Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers
and sisters. And having chosen them, He
called them to come to Him. And He gave
them right standing with Himself, and He
promised them His glory."9
"O Give thanks to the Lord, for He
is good: for His mercies endure forever."10
A Prayer For You ...
We give thanks to You,
Oh Lord God, Our Father and Redeemer, for
You are good and Your mercy everlasting.
You have redeemed us from the adversary,
gathered us from all over the world and
made us Your Children. We used to sit in
darkness, in the shadow of death due to
our sins, because we rebelled against You
and Your Word. We cried out in our trouble,
but there was none to help. Then, we cried
to You, LORD. You saved us from our distress
and brought us out of the darkness. You
saved us from the death caused by our sins.
How wonderful are Your works. You have delivered
us and healed us through Your Word and through
the Living Word, Jesus Christ. Thank You,
Father, for Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen!11
Scripture References:
Acknowledgement: A special thanks
to Sherry for transcribing this months view!
|
