"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation.
His old life has passed away. Behold, a new life has begun."
2 Corinthians 5:17
"It has now been almost half a century since I was arrested"...
His old life has passed away. Behold, a new life has begun."
2 Corinthians 5:17
"It has now been almost half a century since I was arrested"...
...I told the men as I stood behind the pulpit in the prison's chapel and addressed the congregation. I could see their wide-eyed looks of astonishment on their faces. While some even squirmed a little in their seats as they tried to contemplate the enormity of time that has passed.
Most of these men who are now in their twenties, thirties, or forties were not even born when I first got locked up. And although a majority of them know about the crimes which I'd been charged with, and are familiar with the "Son of Sam" moniker, it was still a shock to hear me say how much time I have in.
I told the men, "Yes, it's been that long." But I said it with a smile on my face, and not in sadness. I told them that today marks the anniversary of my arrest, and how my years of incarceration have been difficult at times. Yet I also went on to say how, after already being in prison for ten years and living without any sense of hope, the day would come when I repented of my sins. It was the day when I said to Jesus, "Lord, please forgive me. I want to make you the Lord of my life."
I went on to tell them that for me, a new life had begun. How, when I got up off my knees after praying those words, my life would never be the same. Now, more than thirty-five years later, I am still walking with the Lord. And to my surprise, they all stood up and applauded loudly with shouts of "Amen!"
I then shared more of my testimony with the congregation. I told them of the joy and peace I have in my life now because of Jesus. I let them know as well how inner peace and joy is available to them too, if they would place their faith in Messiah Jesus, just as I did.
Today was a good day for me. Although my getting arrested on a hot August night in the summer of 1977 is nothing to celebrate, I do give God thanks for saving my life from destruction, and my soul from Hell.
D.B.
Most of these men who are now in their twenties, thirties, or forties were not even born when I first got locked up. And although a majority of them know about the crimes which I'd been charged with, and are familiar with the "Son of Sam" moniker, it was still a shock to hear me say how much time I have in.
I told the men, "Yes, it's been that long." But I said it with a smile on my face, and not in sadness. I told them that today marks the anniversary of my arrest, and how my years of incarceration have been difficult at times. Yet I also went on to say how, after already being in prison for ten years and living without any sense of hope, the day would come when I repented of my sins. It was the day when I said to Jesus, "Lord, please forgive me. I want to make you the Lord of my life."
I went on to tell them that for me, a new life had begun. How, when I got up off my knees after praying those words, my life would never be the same. Now, more than thirty-five years later, I am still walking with the Lord. And to my surprise, they all stood up and applauded loudly with shouts of "Amen!"
I then shared more of my testimony with the congregation. I told them of the joy and peace I have in my life now because of Jesus. I let them know as well how inner peace and joy is available to them too, if they would place their faith in Messiah Jesus, just as I did.
Today was a good day for me. Although my getting arrested on a hot August night in the summer of 1977 is nothing to celebrate, I do give God thanks for saving my life from destruction, and my soul from Hell.
D.B.