First blood

Well it was bound to happen sooner or later and yesterday it did; I got my first negative feedback on my new book since I published and began distributing it. A lady told me that she saw someone reading it and asked them about it and was told not to read it because it wasn’t fit for a Christian to read.

Actually I laughed heartily when I heard that remark and agree that the first half of the book is raunchy and probably not fit for a Christian to read; however it was raunchy with purpose.

I apologize to those of you who have been offended by this book, but please understand that my autobiography was written primarily to non-Christians who do not know the Lord. I was upfront about that fact and stated that it graphically allows readers to take a look inside the mind and vicariously live the everyday life of someone who was as far away from Jesus Christ as one can get. If anyone ever desired to know what life on the street as a drug addict, alcoholic, and criminal is like, they will know after reading this book.

More importantly the book demonstrates the power of Christ to miraculously transform a life no matter how terrible it might be. It details how I met God and after becoming a Christian, through Him was able to begin fighting my rotten life and satan and endure the many trials and tribulations that he sent my way and is still sending; (not the least of which is the tremendous temptation, pressure, distraction, and challenge that suddenly gaining tremendous wealth have brought to my life).

I did include a warning on the front inside cover that the book is raw, uncensored and gritty, and if folks will notice, they will see that not one word about Christ or Christianity is in any of the advertising. It simply states: “This book reveals how one man overcame adversity and found unwavering hope and ultimately gentle peace. More important it will guide you to the same place.”

The reason for this approach is simple; most unsaved people are turned off by religion for one reason or another. I would guess the number one reason is hypocrites. You know the type; they come to church every Sunday pious and saintly, and then live like the devil for the rest of the week. What a bad example they set when they criticize others for being sinners.

Even Jesus was turned off by them and some of His harshest remarks were directed towards the hypocritical Pharisees, (the most religious people of the day). Jesus said in Matt.23:4: “They crush you with impossible religious demands and never lift a finger to help ease the burden. Everything they do is for show.” He said in Matt. 9:13: “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

I don’t have a problem admitting I’m a sinner; I’m in good company. When mentioning sinners my hero Apostle Paul comes to mind; he said of himself that he is “Chief among sinners”.

Hmmm If it were not for that statement I would have thought that I held that post. I imagine I’m not far behind.

The bottom line is that if the Apostle Paul is the “Chief Sinner”, then it is readily obvious that we are ALL sinners and need Christ’s forgiveness and redemption and it is only through Him that we can ever find hope, peace, joy, and happiness.

My book tells my story in the earnest hope and expectation that somehow others who find themselves trapped in sin will read how I found Jesus and will give His way the old college try too, and that through Him they will find a way to fight their way out of the mess they’ve made of their lives.

My book may not be fit for a Christian to read, but if one non-Christian reads it and turns their life around like I did; I’m good. And I have not one doubt that every agonizing hour that I spent writing about my dark past will have been worthwhile.


Admittedly I don’t understand God’s merciful grace or even why He would bother. If I’d been Him I would no doubt have zapped myself and thrown me into the darkest hole in hell. I deserve it, but for reasons only He understands, He loves me more than I can comprehend. He showed me mercy and make no mistake about it He wants me to be merciful to others.

Jesus is about compassion. Too often organized religion is about condemnation. When I first read the Bible in that hospital it was the compassion of Jesus Christ that was most compelling to me, followed by the hope found in following Christ. When trying to reach others we should demonstrate God’s compassion for those who do not know Him and afford them God-like mercy.

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”