Happy Valentines! Isn’t it wonderful to know that we are so loved and forgiven by God.  Before receiving His grace, our hearts were filled with guilt and shame, but now His faithful love fills that emptiness.

“May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” 1

An Insightful Response…

Here's a letter from James in Canada, an elementary school teacher for 35 years, writing,

Springtime Greetings! I pray this month will be a wonderful time of Spiritual awakening and growth. Springtime is not only the season between winter and summer, but the period of life in which one passes from childhood to maturity. 1

“Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” 2

From Childhood to Maturity…

Happy Resurrection Season! It’s always a joy to bring forth the monthly view, especially during Easter. Unlike C.E.O.s (Christmas Easter Only – Christians who worship only twice a year), we’re to celebrate daily the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. For example, listen to the apostle Paul,

“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” 1

Youth for Christ Response…

Here’s a request from Justin, a minister to jailed juveniles, while working with Youth for Christ.

Happy Mother’s Day! I am perplexed by how many of you stumble upon this site looking for Manson madness, then quickly turn away when the testimony of Jesus Christ is mentioned. Won’t you give Jesus a chance?

“God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.” 1

A Welcome Response…

Occasionally, I receive letters from those finding me through the Inmate Locator, not realizing I have a website, such as Welburn’s letter below. For this reason, it’s important that you share this website with your friends and family.

Happy Father’s Day! It always amazes me to read the responses from the website. This month I share a letter from Michael, who asked me to share a Scripture that has helped me through difficult times. That was easy for me to answer; it’s Romans 8:28, 29.

“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. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

From the Mailbox…

“I wrote because I read you’re a Christian, and I thought you could help me out. I was born in Virginia, raised in a small town in MA, and at age eleven, we moved to Greensboro, NC. After high school, I joined the Marine Corps. I was with an infantry battalion stationed in 29 Palms (CA). I served two tours of duty in Iraq in ’03 and ’04. The war was both traumatic and rewarding. It made me feel how fortunate I was to be both born and raised in the U.S.A.

Happy Independence Day! Let’s be honest about our sins, guilt, and shame, then be thankful that God has made the way for us to be liberated from our past, present and future sins.

“…always thanking the Father…For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” 1

A Canadian Response...

It’s always such a blessing to receive praise reports, but the one below from Courtney in New Brunswick, Canada is extra special.

Welcome! It’s always a privilege to be able to speak into the lives of those who visit the website, especially after being delivered from such a horrific past. I thank God, whose Word I now base my life for the future.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 1

A Question About Salvation…

The question is from John, who is a 39-year-old from Indiana. He writes,

Welcome! We’re so excited about the thousands of people coming to the site from the U.S.A., Russia, the U.K., Canada, Brazil, Australia, Ireland, Ukraine, Mexico, Spain and numerous other countries to hear about the Good News of Jesus Christ. We love you!

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” 1

A Dear Brother’s Response…

Robert, who is recovering through renewing his mind with Scripture from what he calls “bipolar disorder”, writes,

Welcome! In this view, I’ll be sharing how my Bible (a companion for forty-two years) was stolen during chapel service, about my transfer to a Southern California prison and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the Good News.

“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.” 1

What’s New?

A Christian bother from New Jersey named Rich, wrote thanking God for His redeeming love toward those who seem would be unredeemable, expressing…

Happy Thanksgiving! I pray that your holidays are filled with thanksgiving for God’s love and grace appropriated for power to overcome every circumstance in life. For me, I’ve moved to San Diego, California, where I’m settling into a new program, which is going well.

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1

In Everything Give Thanks…

I’m not thankful for prison, but I’m learning to be thankful in every circumstance, not thankful for everything, but thankful in everything.

Merry Christmas! I’m so glad that you’ve taken the time to check on me during your busy holiday. I’ll be sharing an amazing testimony of Jesus from Marciá, who awoke to God’s love for her. The apostle Paul put it this way:

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” 1

A Darkened Past…

Marciá explained that she was involved with Victim’s Services in Amarillo, Texas, as a result of her mom’s rape and murder in 1989. She “carried the torch” to keep her killer in prison by releasing her hurt, anger and heartbreak in letters to the parole board. But at the same time, she found forgiveness, especially after the killer’s death in the prison hospital as a broken old man.

Happy New Year beloved! Our sole purpose is simply to help you experience the awesome love of God. Fear, guilt and shame lose their hold in light of God's love and grace at the cross.

"Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love." 1

Experiencing God's Love...

Recently, I heard from a fine young man named Sean in Los Angeles. He is an example of someone experiencing freedom from the power of darkness.

Welcome! God's forgiveness is so amazing. The more forgiveness-conscious we become, the more we experience healing and freedom from every bodily ailment, mental and emotional oppression, and destructive habit. The Psalmist David was well aware of the healing power of forgiveness, saying,

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all of your diseases." 1

God's Transforming Power...

Here's a wonderful praise report from a Kentuckian named Elka, who wrote to me in prison.

“I just want to thank you for your honesty and for your testimony. For a very long time I've felt that something was urging me to listen to your side of the story. A few days ago, I was able to view your testimony on line. I'm so glad that you're so open and truthful, but most of all, that you're saved. Your line my life is a very long story, & I can absolutely tell you that God used your testimony and example to show me and save me from many things, that I was at war within myself.

Happy Easter! Maybe you can identify with my life. I came to realize that doing things my way leads to painful consequences, but these motivated me to turn to God for acceptance, love and security.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” 1

God’s Glorious Grace…

It’s so wonderful to hear from those responding to the website. Listen to Alec as he draws closer to God’s love and plan for his life.

Welcome! The most important aspect of our lives must be to share God's love with others. This may be difficult, but it's easy to share this website with someone, print and pass out brochures or be involved some other way. Let us proclaim:

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” 1

God's glorious love...

I am so humbled to hear from Mark in Australia of how God has changed his life through the testimony of Christ in my life.

“Greetings brother. It's important to me that you know what a positive impact your story has had on me. In short, it was through you that I found the Lord.

Welcome! As you continue deeper into the site, you'll be amazed by God's love and grace. We are all intensely saddened by my crime in the 60s, but God's plan is greater than the past.

“For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserve it, but because that was his plan before the beginning of time - to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.” 1

From the Mailbox...

I'm amazed at the daily praise reports, especially the one below. Bill read the Bible for the first time after reading my book.

“Hello, thank you so very much for writing back. I was reading the pamphlet you enclosed about cars, and I was smiling the whole time.

Welcome! We are receiving a wonderful response to last month's view. Many of us are ashamed of our past, but because of God's amazing love and grace, we walk in authority over the debilitating effects of guilt and shame.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old is gone; a new life has begun!” 1

A Wonderful Response...

After viewing the website, it's important that we hear from you to know that you are listening. Under What People Say, we share many responses, but here's one from Gwen now.

“I just finished reading your book “Will You Die For Me?”. It was interesting to see things from your perspective. Obviously, your crimes were horrible, but not beyond forgiveness and redemption as you discovered. I came to understand how they happened. In fact, I could have easily been one of you, falling into living among you all if I've been in the same place at the same time.

Welcome! It’s always a blessing to hear from you, especially a pastor in the body of Christ. I’m so thankful for those who reach out to me, thinking that I might be able to return a blessing in some way.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” 1

A Pastor’s Response…

“I’m one of the pastors of a church in Camarillo, California. We are doing a series called “Messy Encounters” and looking at the type of people Jesus engaged with.

Welcome! I'm humbled to receive letters daily from those viewing the website, then asking for advice concerning their circumstances. For me, overcoming life’s struggles takes place by renewing the mind, creating emotional security through faith in the power of God's grace.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." 1

A Compassionate Response...

"First, I'm very excited to be writing you. What kind of things help you therapeutically to keep you sane? I found painting really soothes my mind and helps to suppress my two problem emotions, which are rage and sadness. I struggle with legal problems, and mental and physical health issues daily. I'm always looking for ways to positively help me to cope with those things.

Welcome! My desire is to encourage everyone in their personal identity with Christ, Who lifted us out of darkness into the light of God’s love and acceptance. It may be necessary to…

“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.” 1

Identity Lost…

In the 60s, I lacked the strong Spiritual identity that I’m experiencing today, due to a void in my heart that only God could fill. Instead, I was filled with pride, greed and lust, making me vulnerable to deception and manipulation. I became dependent on people, places and things, rather than upon an intimate relationship with God.