Epilogue
The questions are never ending. I'm sure you
have many questions lingering in your mind. I'd
be interested in hearing those questions for an
eventual update. I am amazed at the Manson phenomenon
and how much has been written, and still, there
are so many questions. It seems there are more
questions about my present and future left unanswered
than about my past.
I give my time to ministering to the men in prison
with me, and to other prisoners through my participation
with non-profit ministries. My vision for ministry
is not limited to prison. I also hope to reach
those imprisoned to sin throughout greater society.
Like a lot of people I hear from, I'm tired of
hearing about the crime. I'd like it to go away,
not for my sake, but should it have such place
in the hearts and minds of society? Some would
say we must not forget, but we must learn from
it so that history will not repeat itself. The
interest the crime has generated gives me the
opportunity to educate and hopefully to rescue
others from making the same mistakes I have made,
but sometimes I throw my hands up saying, "Enough!"
I don't expect the Manson madness to go away any
time soon, though.
I have intentionally avoided answering questions
about the gory details of the crime. It's not
that I'm unwilling to discuss this, or avoiding
responsibility, but to keep looking at the pictures
of the horror only perpetuates the violence. This
is not my desire.
Some of you may be upset with my stand for a
more merciful society, but I pray you will understand;
my sin was ugly, so my need for God's mercy is
great. Is it strange that I would now side with
mercy for others, since God has extended His hand
of mercy to me so greatly? Don't you need God's
mercy, too?
It has been said that "the centerpiece of
all heaven is mercy." God showed Moses His
tender mercy, compassion and forgiveness, and
Christ exemplified it. What would Jesus do? When
we're born from above, we partake of His merciful
divine nature. I pray that you will come over
on God's side of the fence, instead of the more
popular side. Remember, His mercy is everlasting.
I'm often asked if I think I'll ever get out
of prison. I see my fate as pretty much sealed
in the eyes of man, but I agree with Christ, "...with
men it is impossible, but not with God: for with
God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27).
My friends encourage me saying, "You shouldn't
give up hope." I haven't! I have learned
to be content and to leave things I cannot change
in God's hands. Whether in or out of prison, I
am free in Christ. God's grace is sufficient.
God's purpose in our lives is to show that He
is greater than the darkness that we gave ourselves
to in the past. Jesus is greater than weaknesses,
generational sins, character defects and inherited
disorders. He is greater than unholy bonds and
ties, victim mentality, unforgive-ness, sexual
perversions, satanic music and rituals, illegal
drugs and every other dark thing in all creation.
Our God is an awesome God. When the Spirit of
truth frees us, we are free indeed to inherit
all things that our Father intended for us as
His children. By His holy command and authority,
He sends mighty angels to guard all areas vacated
by the forces of evil. His Holy Spirit fills us.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Undoubtedly, some will say that I have found
religion. To the contrary, God found me. I simply
have a daily relationship with my Heavenly Father.
I'm no longer trying to reach God. He has reached
me.
All my life, starting from my mother's womb,
I was expecting things around me to supply my
need. I remained in unbelief for years in my sin.
I was looking for love and acceptance that only
the kingdom of God could supply. The Lord came
to me in my sin saying, "My kingdom is not
in food or drink, but in righteousness, peace
and joy in the Holy Spirit." Finally, I saw
that only God could supply all my need according
to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus. This
is Good News.
What can we say then? A group of lost, disobedient
children came together giving control of their
lives to Charles Manson. They lived a self-deluded
lifestyle in rebellion, fear and anger, medicating
their pain with drugs, sex and a false sense of
family. This counterfeit love and appreciation,
along with peer pressure and a slavish obedience
to Manson, compelled them to murder for acceptance
and self-worth. They exchanged their freedom for
something they felt more valuable.
Many of you may be somewhat bothered by how much
the devil has been mentioned in this interview.
I'll admit that I questioned that myself, but
let's straighten that out. Because of Jesus Christ,
he is a defeated foe, but he, the deceiver, is
still running the lives of many. His works must
be exposed! His works prevail because of our ignorance
of the finished work of Christ. His chief way
of deception is through your believing his "lies."
Our unbelief in Jesus holds us captive to a defeated
foe. We are to combat every demonic thought with
the "truth." I hope you have been encouraged
to listen to the truth of God's Word; things that
are honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable,
excellent and worthy of praise; not the delusional
voice of demons. The truth is found in the Good
News of Jesus Christ and His blood shed on Calvary.
Confessing and believing the finished work of
Jesus casts down every contrary memory and imagination.
My prayer is that you will begin to evaluate your
every thought (II Corinthians 10:3-6).
It was not my purpose to answer your many spiritual
questions. For this reason, in the appendix of
this book, you will find suggested studies to
help you with your spiritual walk. Today, millions
of people are in bondage without even knowing
it. The resources I have suggested will help you
to receive revelation and knowledge of the power
of God to deliver you from the lies that hold
you in bondage. The Lord Jesus Christ made it
clear that, "… you will know the truth,
and the truth shall set you free" (John 8:32
NLT). My purpose is to help you get in touch with
Jesus Christ, so you can receive freedom through
Him. We have been prisoners long enough.
In this interview, I've related many Biblical
concepts. I don't take credit for all of the Spiritual
revelation that has become mine. I'm so thankful
to the body of Christ, and for those gifted Saints
who through the Holy Spirit, have taught me so
much over the years.
Often I'm asked whom I admire most. That's easy!
Jesus Christ, who loved me and gave His life for
me. My dad, who is now with the Lord. He did his
best to provide for his family. My mom, from whom
I've squeezed rivers of unconditional love. She,
too, is with Jesus. I admire men like Billy Graham,
the late Chaplain Ray Hoekstra, Pastor Chuck Smith,
Charles Stanley and many others who have given
their lives for the sake of the Gospel.
I'd like to pray the prayer of the Apostle Paul
with you from Ephesians 1:16-23. Please pray this
aloud with me: "I pray for you constantly,
asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding,
so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light
so that you can understand the wonderful future
He has promised to those He called. I want you
to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance
He has given to His people. I pray that you will
begin to understand the incredible greatness of
His power for us who believe Him. This is the
same mighty power that raised Christ from the
dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God's
right hand in the heavenly realms. Now He is far
above any ruler or authority or power or leader
or anything else in the world or in the world
to come. And God has put all things under the
authority of Christ, and He gave Him this authority
for the benefit of the church. And the church
is His body; it is filled by Christ, who fills
everything everywhere with His presence"
(NLT).
This is a prayer for Godly wisdom and understanding.
It is God's way of living -- the best. If you
are tired of receiving hand-me-downs from this
life, receive the life of God today. This life
is the abundant life that Jesus offers to everyone.
He died on the cross for your sin so that you
can live in God's presence forever.
Where does your life go from here? It depends
on your choice. God is calling you by His Spirit
just by the mere fact that you are reading this
book. He wants you! He desires for you to draw
near to Him, and He promises to draw near to you.
If you will give time and focus to God, He will
show Himself to you, and reveal His will for your
life. To whom you give your time and focus is
whom you become like.
Everyone is doing time. I may be in prison, but
you are too, if you do not know Christ. Your prison
is one of spiritual bondage. It is time to break
out and make a decision for Christ. He is knocking,
and empowering you to open your door right now.
He wants to breathe new life into you, but you
must first admit you need help.
"When I think of the wisdom and scope
of God's plan, I fall on my knees and pray to
the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven
and on earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited
resources He will give you mighty inner strength
through His Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ
will be more and more at home in your hearts as
you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep
into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may
you have the power to understand, as all God's
people should, how wide, how long, how high, and
how deep His love really is. May you experience
the love of Christ, though it is so great you
will never fully understand it. Then you will
be filled with the fullness of life and power
that comes from God.
Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at
work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely
more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May
He be given glory in the church and in Christ
Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen"
(Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT).
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