November 2026

Give Thanks! It's hard to give thanks when going through struggles in life, unless they are working for our good to draw us closer to God. I know; after being humbled in prison for going on sixty years. God rescued me!

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Off The Cuff Personal Sharing . . .

In October, I started a new series on my social media platforms called Off-The-Cuff Personal Sharing.

This new off-the-cuff post is without preparation; straight from the heart. I hope to connect with you on a more personal level from time to time when led by the Spirit.

This month, October 2026, I was supposed to go to the parole board, but I waived it to save the victim's family members pain and suffering from attending another hearing.

I can reconsider in three years, but I really don't deserve to be released after such horrific crimes, even though God has forgiven me by grace through faith in Christ.

Even from prison, I've been able to create a ministry and family, when the victims' lives and dreams were taken completely, leaving their families and friends devastated without closure.

I'll be sharing more in the coming weeks, even though I've shared so much on my website and in books over the years.

It won't be hard for me to come up with things of interest. Keep coming back with questions and comments.

The Death Penalty . . .

Originally, I received the death penalty, so it's a privilege serving all these years with the opportunities given to me by God and the State.

In 1972, the death penalty was abolished by the California Supreme Court. Over one hundred men and women were released from death row. It would be reinstated in 1974, but not for us.

I was already transferred to the California Men's Colony, started a new life, worked for the Psych Department as a clerk, made toys in hobby and had overnight family visits with mom and dad.

I certainly didn't deserve a second chance, but God did it! He had a plan and purpose for my life, and I accepted Him into my heart in May 1975.

I was born again, made a chapel clerk, trained in ministry, wrote a book in '78, taught and preached, got married in '79, created Abounding Love Ministries in '80, was ordained in '81, bore children, and here over a half-century later at 80 years old, I am into social media, ready to meet Jesus face to face.

Since Jesus took my punishment at the cross, I have no fear of judgment. I believe to hear, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"

Though the death penalty is in suspension today in California, it's still carried out in many States, such as Christa Pike's recent botched lethal injection. And a public live-streamed firing squad execution is being planned for the Fort Hood killer in Texas.

It's rightfully deserved, but does the public still have the stomach for what was called "cruel and unusual" by many, like the Courts decided in my case?

In the Old Testament, God's justice demanded, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth!" Wasn't God's justice satisfied when He made Christ to be sin for us, giving us His righteousness? Let me hear your comments?

The Mail Box . . .

During the past decades, I've had trust issues with whom to communicate with or not, or which letter to answer. A while back, I started vetting contacts until it became too many.

In early 1976, I had a hundred newsletters printed to keep up with the mail, then came the ministry. Now after a half-century, it's still a challenge, but I've found you can't please everyone.

Strange, but I've felt better since coming to social media where I can just share openly with everyone, not concerned with motives. Does that make sense?

Many are upfront asking for an autograph, even sending photos to sign. Others just want a return letter saying anything to lure me to write back, even offering money and romance.

The memorabilia market is a big turnoff for me. I'm not even for sure why, but it seems the people involved are trying to make a buck off the murders.

On the other hand, writers and producers contact me weekly asking to help create another book or documentary. They're looking for a new angle by creating a myth, making it up as they go. I turn them all down, unless it is something Christian that I'd like to do.

I could not even care about motives or the people, but it hurts to just toss a letter. Not so much when they use my current address from the website, asking questions that I've already answered and saying they want to get to know me when I've already given so much.

Others contact me using an alias, so I don't have any idea who is on the other end. I don't mean to complain, since a large percentage of the inmates don't get mail. It would be nice if they wrote them, but it's hard to trust anyone these days.

I guess I've gone to sniveling in my old age, but sometimes I feel used. I don't mind when it is God using me for His glory. I'm just asking for honesty. Is that to much to ask? Let me know what you think?

True Crime . . .

I'm amazed at the True Crime craze. There is always another angle or myth being presented for profit.

I get at least eight (8) Air channels of crime from a homemade antenna in my cell, including Oxygen, Court TV, Dateline, True Crime, Nest, Crimes and etc. I've blocked them all!

People seem to like fiction better than nonfiction, unless they are deceived into thinking that they are watching nonfiction. I actually like fiction better than nonfiction. For me, there isn't the excitement in nonfiction that there is in fiction where the events are embellished to lure people into the story.

I like the old cowboy shows, like the new Air channel called "Outlaw." I know that most of the stories about Jessie James, Judge Roy Bean and others are made up, but they sure are entertaining for me.

In my case, the earliest versions are true. Like my book "Will You Die For Me?" from eight (8) hours of recordings with my attorney shortly after the crimes. Vincent Bugliosi's book "Helter Skelter" shares the true motives and in the epilogue are the techniques Manson used to deceive.

Still, others would try to convince us that they know more than Bugliosi's investigation found out, saying he was deceived. They try to turn the truth into a lie and change history with their myths.

Some are laughable, such as the book "Chaos" with the CIA involvement in the crimes. They are made up entirely, such as the TV series "Aquarius" and "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" where I was killed in the end.

In Tarantino's movie, the crimes didn't happen, which would have been wonderful, but they did. It's far better to look at the truth and learn from it rather than to twist it to what some may wish it to be.

It's really simple! Manson took in a few men and women who chose to follow his madness while on drugs that dulled our conscience allowing us to carry out these senseless crimes.

A Prayer For You . . .

"Jesus, I give You my life wholeheartedly. If You worked in Charles' life, You can work in mine too! I believe You died, shed Your blood and rose from the dead to free me from the bondage of sin. I receive Your righteousness and eternal life through the finished work of the cross. I thank You for opening my eyes to the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, that now shines from my heart by the power of the Holy Spirit. I commit my all to living for Your plan and purpose for my life, which is to serve You in all that I do. In Your Name, Amen!"

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28, NKJV).