New Audio Book

Someone asked me for more miracle examples from the weekend... How about: A death row inmate with more gratitude and love than MOST of the people I meet in churches... a young man striving and crying to change a "lifestyle" that he has been living for MANY years behind bars, and making MUCH more effort than most of the Christian men I know... Black and Latino rival gang members hugging, laughing and dancing in our "I'll Fly Away" Conga line... and that's just examples from a couple of days, and off the top of my head. My God is an AWESOME God.

Wow.

Wow... Here are just a few highlights from behind the wall today: an inmate who recently got off of death row after 22 years, loses his voice from singing songs for the first time in over two decades... an inmate weeps openly in front of maximum security convicts over the fact that his son turned eleven today and he couldn't be there to celebrate with him... and an inmate who lives a very obvious alternative lifestyle is comforted by a group of inmates, as he cries over his recent suicidal feelings... God is definitely up to something. (and no, you CANNOT learn about these amazing transformations by watching "Hard Time" and "Gangland" on TV-- we only witness God's Moves up close and personal)

His Love

It's really hard to explain how powerful and deeply spiritual today was for me... Truly loving these men who have made the biggest mistakes men can make, and feeling absolutely no judgment, fear, or hesitancy, makes no sense other than God is having his way with me. I can't explain it, but it is the most intensely moving work that He has EVER done in my life... and for those who have been affected by violent crime, I am SO sorry that you and yours have been hurt. Please forgive me for loving them this way-- I cannot help myself. I feel God's pain, but more than that, His unshakeable LOVE.

Revival

We only do this twice a year, and I'm SO excited that the time has finally come once again-- because I NEED it... We will spend the next three days with 30 inmates that have been chosen from among the general population at Hays State Prison: 12 white, 12 black, 5 Latino, and 1 asian... We will spend 12 hours a day together laughing, crying, talking and becoming FRIENDS... and God will show up again: when, how and among who HE chooses. The best part is that He ALWAYS shows up and never the same way twice... This is my tenth weekend like this, and I still get butterflies in my stomach. (He'll show up for YOU today too)

Peace

I just submitted my first article to the Gandhi Development Trust Satyagraha Magazine for publication-- a non-violence newspaper that is read all over the world. Very excited to be a part of Ela Gandhi's organization that I connected with this past Summer in South Africa... The Dream LIVES!

Brainy

Ever wondered why things are so dark and angry for some folks? Because we don't see with our eyes, or hear with our ears, but rather with our BRAINS... Today everything will be filtered, processed and deciphered by this 3 and a half pounds of fatty grey matter, with electro-magnetic, chemical energy firing millions of times a second; and you've been practicing how you "see" things for many YEARS. Pathways are carved, connections have been made, and habits and patterns are firmly in place-- but the brain is neuroplastic and changes as fast as YOU do... So challenge the things you "see and hear" today (things aren't always as they seem). Look at things from a different perspective-- it could make ALL the difference.

Walk a Mile

About a year ago I was speaking at a corporate event, and a woman came up to me and asked if I could meet a friend of hers. I replied as I always do, “I go where I’m invited.” I’ve since gotten to know a wonderful mother who is caught in a heart-wrenching battle that nobody ever wants to fight… Today I will go and meet with her son for the first time. He has allegedly made a terrible mistake and is facing severe consequences. How can I really know what either of them feels, or the other family for that matter, unless I WALK with them? How can I know what to say? I will simply do what I have learned to do inside the prisons: “Listen, listen, love, love.” Please pray for BOTH of the families involved, and try to realize today, that you have NO idea about the other man’s journey unless you walk with him a while… Hatred is much harder to accomplish up close— it is usually reserved for those who live life at a DISTANCE.

Authenticity

There is the true self-- the Soul, and then there is the false self-- the Ego, and that is all... The Ego attaches your identity to WHATEVER you give it: possessions, accomplishments, looks, titles, success, reputation, and even failure. While the Soul is perfectly unique, gifted, and absolutely pure... Your "Authenticity" is found in your Soul. Live from the Soul today, with no pretense, nothing to prove, and in line with your true purpose (just recognize when you are controlled by ego, and it immediately evaporates)... When we find our authentic self, there is no worry of success or victory-- for then, and only then, your Creator has taken the reins.

Angel Sighting

I was feeling a little discouraged today, because of some "opposition" coming to me regarding my work. And then I met two Angels, disguised as homeless, who went by the names "Abraham & Sarah." Walking through Centennial Park this afternoon, they stopped me and told me they had a message for me: "Do not stop speaking about what He has told you to say. Those that oppose you cannot stand against you, and you will overcome-- but do not be discouraged." (And I had not told them ANYTHING about my day). I thanked them, we hugged and then they slipped away. No, I will not stop, and couldn't even if I wanted to... and yes, I DO hear you Lord.

My Friend

The young man, who happens to be Latino, who changed my life and led to my first book (Luis from "Diary of a Prodigal Son") has finally gone to trial, and will soon learn how long he will have to serve. Please pray that the Judge looks at his transformation over the past 5 years and all the good he has done to help at-risk youth through my work, and that he will take some time off the 30 years he is looking at. And please pray for his safety wherever they send him-- which will be out of state... I would not be doing the things I am doing, or even be the man I am today, without the true courage and change I first witnessed in Luis.

An Old Violin

Give me an old violin and I wouldn't know what to do with it... A door stopper, perhaps some firewood, or maybe a weapon if I was in danger? But put it in the hands of a Maestro, and magic happens-- it can literally bring you to tears... Th at's what happens when you find YOUR purpose. He created you to be used for His purposes-- but it only makes sense when HE plays. "I am your instrument Father, have your way with me today-- just PLAY." (and watch the magic happen)

Perspective

At some point in life, EVERYONE must take a hard look at themselves from the Creator's perspective-- that is what we must help this young, fearless generation do-- change perspective, and look DEEP inside.

Anti-Virus

The Anti-Virus... When you get a flu shot, they give you a little bit of the flu... When you get snake-bitten, they give you a bit of the venom... So, what's the answer to crime in our communities? Rehabilitated criminals that go back in to "fix up what they tore up" --"The Anti-Virus." And that's exactly what we intend to do. (some of these kids we're working with might not listen to anyone or anything else)

Your Support

Thank you all SO much for your continued support of our ministry... We are actively searching for "Angel Partners" who believe in our mission. We don't expect anyone to go into these dangerous prisons, inner city schools, or tough neighborh oods with us, but we need those who believe in our "Ministry of Trouble" and "Power of Peace" ministries to support OUR going inside. We need your prayers and we need your provision... We are determined to continue going into high-risk areas and carring His message, His love, and His deliverance to those who find themselves in trouble, in danger, or hardship. Our program has proven effective in Georgia's most dangerous maximum security prison and in the toughest high school... Would you please help us? We intend to carry this PEACE all across the country and beyond-- He IS working. Say a prayer about it and then please go to www.ThePowerofPeace.org and make a difference TODAY. These beautiful kids need YOUR help, and yours is a tax-deductable donation to our 501c3. God Bless—please blast this out if you believe in this Mission.