August 2009

It is always a joy to share my view each month. This joy comes from the Holy Spirit, who is leading me to suggest a few testimony links to remind you of the ministry mission, to reaffirm the apology for my actions in 1969, and to encourage you to keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.1

Our Ministry Mission

Our mission is to enlighten others to the need for prison outreach. We seek to help build the church behind prison walls that will not only affect the way prisoners see God, but their families as well.

We intend to reach the lost, the backslidden, the unchurched, and the unproductive, and make them whole through the love of God. We pray this will launch them into productive, personal service. We seek to not control or manipulate.

In all we do, we seek to build a Biblically-based sense of worth and identity. We endeavor to bring every person into a responsible, personal relationship with God and others through Christ. Our desire is to have others feel loved by helping them understand that God loves them.

40th Anniversary

Although this month is the 40th anniversary of the murders, I recall these dates each year in repentance for my actions. I apologize to the families of the victims, and to the many people these crimes have caused so much pain, which I can do nothing to erase.

Through the testimony of my new life, I hope to apologize with more than mere words. From the day of my arrest in ’69, I’ve been honest about the crimes, having repented of my sins. Since Christ came into my life in 1975, I’ve lived a sanctified life, while reaching out to others with God’s mercy and grace. My life is depicted in the testimony books on this website.

While in rebellion towards the advice of my parents, I made many foolish choices during my early years. It is never too late to turn from our self-willed lifestyles to God’s will and to live a life of faith that is pleasing to Him. “So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.”2

Little Faith

In the 60’s, I was at a place the Bible calls, “little faith,” which is a dangerous place to be.3 Like the disciples of Jesus, I had “little faith” in God and a lot of faith in false ideas. I thought to myself: “California is the place to be; I can finish college there; I can do what I want; booze and drugs feel good; Charlie’s teachings seem logical, etc.” My faith was based simply on the wrong words and not upon the faith that comes from hearing the Word of God.4

I lacked a solid foundation for life. Jesus put it this way: “Anyone who listens to my teachings and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the flood waters rise and the wind beats against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my teachings and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.”5

Though I had heard the teachings of Jesus as a child, I did not trust in them to overcome all my fears. My surface thoughts stemmed from something brewing much deeper in my heart. I suffered from a tremendous fear of failure, creating much pain, which I medicated with booze, drugs, and women. Not realizing that true love and acceptance came from a God-pleasing faith, I became willing to do anything to please others. A lack of personal identity, combined with blame, anger, and resentment, drove me to a very destructive place in life.

Real Love

The Apostle John said: “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.”6 In other words, the anointing of the Holy Spirit reveals to us the love of God. John went on to say, “God showed how much He loved us by sending His only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love: It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”7 Isn’t this amazing?

As a child, I never knew “real love,” but after I received Christ by faith, I grew to know the wonderful love of God. Listen, “All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in Him. God is love, and all who live in love, live in God, and God lives in them.”8

“And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world. Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that His love has not been perfected in us. We love each other as a result of His loving us first.”9

A Prayer For You ...

Our Father, our King, we pray for Your truth in our lives and in the lives of those who are a friend of failure, like Charles once was, seeking love in destructive ways. Let us be a beacon to others to the light that only comes through Jesus Christ. We ask that we be given faith to shine that light in the dark places of our lives, so truth may reign and Your love may drive out all our fear. Thank You, Father, for Your love as seen in the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we say…Amen.

Scripture References:

1 Jude 2:1
2 Heb. 11:6
3 Matt. 16:8
4 Rom. 10:17
5 Matt. 7:24-27
6 1 John 2:20
7 1 John 4:9, 10
8 1 John 4:15, 16
9 1 John 4:17-19

Acknowledgement: A special thanks to Sherry for transcribing this months view!

Victim or Victor	Cost of Forgiveness
Let’s Get Real	Ten Times Higher
California Dreamin’