Yesterday I was informed by the sheriff’s department that they’d spotted a criminal who was a suspect in the manufacture and distribution of meth in our county, and when they tried to arrest him he fled on foot and eventually ran into a swamp on the outermost corner of our quail hunting plantation. They pursued him through a swamp with the canine unit but the dogs were having a tough time tracking him and kept losing him, because much of the water was running and he was wading right through the middle of it.
They told me he was armed and considered dangerous and asked if I would open a gate on the property for them, and agree to swear out a complaint for trespassing in order that they might obtain a search warrant for my property. I agreed and instead of asking one of my employees to go unlock the gate for them with a crazed meth addict who is considered armed and dangerous running loose, I decided to drive over and do it myself.
The gate was in a remote section of our property and I drove through the middle of the plantation on a dirt road to get there with a fully loaded 9MM handgun in my hand. I know all too well what it’s like to be hopped up on meth with the police looking for you, and to be in bad need of a fix and how desperate that guy must have been by now.
If I happened to run into him I knew he wouldn’t hesitate to try and commandeer my pickup, and if and when he did, I was not going to be caught off guard. I mused that he would get the surprise of his life when he attempted to carjack this old redneck’s vehicle.
It reminded me of the days I was the hunted, and the police were looking for me under every “rock” they could find. I thought about how cold that guy must be by now, (the police began their pursuit at 10 p.m. the previous night and it was getting dark again). One officer told me that he’d gotten soaked chasing him through that cypress swamp, and in fact ended up having to go home and change into dry clothing or risk getting pneumonia.
I had ice on my windshield that morning and could only imagine what that criminal was thinking as he slogged through the briars and thorns in that black swamp all night and day. I knew that without question he was paranoid and his mind was racing and he was probably having delusions and imagining all sorts of things. Meth does that to you.
I arrived without incident and unlocked the gate and spoke to the officer and he told me that several neighbors to the East of our property had seen him, trying to make his way out to a nearby highway, but whenever he came out, they’d immediately notify the police and whenever he saw those blue lights coming, he’d run back into the woods towards Honey Lake.
Saturday I met the famous Hollywood producer Mark Burnett and his beautiful wife Roma in Atlanta Georgia. I was fortunate enough to view their upcoming movie the Son of God. The preview was so moving that tears streamed down my face especially in a couple of scenes where Jesus interceded for some sinners, (much to the chagrin of the Pharisees who were trying their utmost to condemn them).
I looked back many years in the past and remembered how Jesus had appeared to me in the Bible and how amazed I was at His love and merciful compassion. His demeanor was starkly different than the contempt and sometimes downright hatred of those I’d encountered in the religious community. Those modern day Pharisees were the primary reason that I hated religion and even God.
What I didn’t understand was that those people didn’t represent God, because Jesus did not come to condemn or judge the world, He came to save it. He was brimming with hope, love and peace, and hatred didn’t exist in His person.
This morning I thought about this desperate criminal who, (if he hasn’t been caught yet), is still hiding and spending another night in the cold, black woods and how much he needs the hope, love, and peace of Jesus Christ shining in his life.
Yes he needs to be taken off the street, and yes if he would have tried to carjack me I would have shot him right in the face, but I still love this man whom I’ve never met and would be honored to witness to him.
It’s a paradox no?
He’d kill me and take my truck and money if I’d let him, and I’d kill him to protect myself, and yet as a Christian who has received the loving grace of Jesus, I feel deep compassion for him.
Imagine if he’d take those skills required to manufacture and distribute meth, elude the police, and stay alive, were all used to build a legitimate business or better to evangelize his former friends and foes. I believe that is how God views us; not as we currently are, but what we could be if we would just turn to Him.
I have no doubt God can transform this man’s life and fill him with hope, love, and peace. I prayed for him and the police who are in pursuit of him this morning and that this situation will be resolved without injury to anyone. I pray he will quietly surrender and somehow meet the Lord and turn his life around.
If it’s simply too difficult for you to work up some sympathy for this criminal who has harmed so many people, remember God loves us all, regardless of our situation in life and He doesn’t want anyone to die without being bathed in His saving grace. (See verse below)
For those who prayed for me on Friday and have asked about my meeting with Mr. Burnett, it went really well. I put one of my books in his hands and he and his wife indicated to our host that they were interested in doing something with me in film. It if is to be, God will make it happen in His time; until then please keep praying that His name will be glorified.
Whether that comes about or not, I urge you to go see Mark and Roma’s movie, The Son of God. This brave couple has invested significant money to bring the story of the life and crucifixion of Jesus and His plan of salvation to the big screen and Hollywood is not being cooperative.
Trust me Mark and Roma are feeling the heat. Regardless of those consequences they are trusting God to bless their efforts and have assumed the personal risk with their own money and careers in a Godless industry. It’s been 10 years since the Passion of Christ was on the market and it’s time for another movie about our Savior to appear.
Please take an unsaved friend with you. You won’t have trouble finding someone to accompany you; ask yourself, “Who would turn down a free ticket to a movie and some popcorn and Coke?”
If you can afford it, buy several seats, or if God has greatly blessed you, buy out the entire theater for a night and invite your friends at church to attend, (provided they pledge to bring someone unsaved with them).
We need to support those who are trying to change our culture and rid it of the immorality and sewage emanating from Hollywood and put Christ back center-stage in this country. If we do, make no mistake God will bless those efforts.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
January 20, 2014 – Click here to listen