This month’s view is for all those who see themselves in the Valley of Decision during these trying times. You may be looking for answers, similar to the main character in the classic novel Pilgrim’s Progress. He found something either missing or present in his life while searching for the truth on his way to the Celestial City. He eventually finds absolute truth, love and forgiveness in God’s Word – the Bible. His progress through life is being portrayed in a new movie by the same title.

Absolute Truth

I hope it doesn’t take terribly destructive circumstances for you, as it did for me, to realize that God’s Word is truth. There was a way that seemed right to me, but the end was death.1 I searched for answers in anything and from anyone who crossed my path. While running from God, I tried to convince myself with various philosophies and false doctrines that I was okay, but found out that only the Bible holds the answers to a righteous relationship with God.

As the media bombards your mind with the failing economy, you may question your faith during these times. You may find yourself turning to God for answers, unlike in the good times. May this be your wake up call for a Happy New Year: learning to trust in God’s sufficiency. The Lord says, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.”1

Happy & Blessed

One economist suggests that you turn off the media, which may help, but Jesus says, to “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”2 Isn’t that great advice?

Again, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”3 The word blessed literally means “happy, fortunate, blissful.” Pastor John MacArthur says, “Here ‘blessed’ speaks of more than a surface emotion. Jesus was describing the divinely-bestowed well-being that belongs only to the faithful. The worldly idea is that happiness is found in riches, merriment, abundance, leisure and such things. The real truth is the very opposite.”

The true meaning of Christmas gets lost when we believe contrary worldviews. Our beliefs determine our views in a world where absolutes are fading away. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Christmas as “a festival or holiday commemorating the birth of Christ.” Do you believe the dictionary’s definition of Christmas? Our view will determine how we will celebrate the holiday season.

The Prophet’s View

Our heavenly Father prepared His kingdom for us from the foundation of the world.1He knew that Adam and Eve would succumb to the temptations of the serpent, but immediately, He promised that the seed of the woman [Jesus] would bruise Satan’s head. 2

Over seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the Lord granted a sign to prove that He would crush Judah’s enemies. Isaiah said, “…the Lord Himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel – ‘God is with us.’” 3

This month’s view is another one from prison. Prisoners have a similar view of the world as you do. This month, we have a new president, the economy is plummeting, and it’s time to celebrate Thanksgiving. For many, it is a time of pain and fear, but with God in our hearts, we can be thankful for many things. Today, a letter arrived that read: “Looking forward to your November view. I love to read your views!” I am thankful.

Thankful in prison…

Prisoners are locked away from their families, placed in a small cell with a stranger and watched by guards twenty-four hours a day. It would be a nightmare for many of you to be in prison, so you may ask, “How could a person be thankful in prison?”

This is not a recommendation for the prison life, but there are many things to be thankful for in prison when you know that God is merciful. He is to be thanked for our food, our warm bed though it is very firm, and for our friends and family who have not given up on us. “O Give thanks to the LORD; for He is good: For His mercy endures forever.” 1

I pray this Month’s View finds you prospering in all things and in good health, just as your soul prospers. 1 I find my soul prospers as I think on things that are true, honest and right, and things that are pure, lovely, and of good report. 2 If you find your thoughts wavering, you may find these charts helpful:

• We Are What We Think Chart A7
• Spiritual Soul Analysis Chart A8

Things New On Site

• Life Long Learning Packet – Records showing my recovery over the years.
• Recovery Glossary – A list of terms from A to Z for understanding recovery better.
• The Seventy-Week Prophecy – A prophecy chart from Daniel chapter 8, representing the seven year tribulation that is to come upon the world after the church is caught up to be with Jesus.
• Those in The Revelation of Jesus Christ – A prophecy chart to help you locate yourself and to understand the different people in The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
• The Great Tribulation in The Revelation of Jesus Christ – A prophecy chart for prophecy students to consider concerning the opening of the seals, trumpets and vials.

It is a pleasure to share this month’s view with you. I am also blessed to hear the positive feedback that these views from God’s perspective generate. I am thankful for my accountability partners who keep me on course when I veer off track.

A Prison View

The Abounding Love website has links throughout. These may be hidden unless you search through the site. It is almost impossible to know how to define a search. This means you must surf through many pages to find these valuable nuggets.

One case in point is found at the bottom of last month’s view. I placed a News Flash there in case you missed it. It is a video of the prison yard, buildings and cells where I am housed, produced in June 2008 by a TV station. One viewer said: “It is really something to see exactly where you live and what your world looks like.”

The Monthly View is always a joy to share. It is my prayer that God will use it to speak to your heart. “For God to give you complete understanding of what He wants to do in your lives, and I ask Him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better.” 1

A Time of Dryness...

So many of my Christian friends are experiencing a time of dryness in their lives. A friend wrote recently, saying: “At times I wonder if I really know God. You have a much better relationship with God than I do.” Another said: “I need the presence of God so badly. I am full of guilt and shame.” Others are going through times of troubles and depression, asking “Where is God?”

Alfredo my barber, was experiencing this same dryness. As soon as I sat down in the chair, he said: “Charles, do you have a book I can read. I need a boost in my relationship with God. No matter what I do, I feel so out of it.” He went on to explain that he reads the Bible and his devotion every morning, but it’s like he’s just doing his duty. He asked: “What can I do?”

The purpose of the Monthly View is to reach out to the world with the love of God. The Apostle Paul explained: “I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so, I enjoy its blessings.” 1

Adopt A Stray Pet...

I think you realize my love for helpless pets with the “save a life and gain a buddy” link at the top if this website. I can’t adopt one for myself, but I can encourage you to save one of these suffering animals. I pray that your heart will be moved with compassion. 2

I grew up with my brother’s dog – Collie. My Mom used to tell people that I told him all my troubles. I can see her laughing about that now, but he was a good listener. I loved that dog, and we roamed all over town together. The day he died, I buried him under the big tree that my mom called “Charles’ tree” in our back yard.

It wasn’t hard to get in touch with the joy of the Lord on Mother’s Day when the chaplain prayed for our mothers. My Mom’s presence came to mind as I imagined her in the presence of the Lord. I knew that “…in His presence is fullness of joy”1, and “…the joy of the Lord is my strength.”2 I expect this same strength that comes from the joy of the Lord to take me right on through Father’s day this month.

My Mom & Dad

My childhood wasn’t dysfunctional, as society defines many families today. My mom and dad were wonderful parents, who cared for their children’s every need. I was a happy child growing up with many fond memories. I shared some of these in the past view. My fondest memories were shopping with mom and fishing with dad. They are both with the Lord now, and I think of them every day. I know that one day we’ll be together again in heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be.

The purpose of the Monthly View is to share the testimony of Jesus Christ, but the web site hits have tripled this month due to press coverage of the possibilities of bodies being found at Barker Ranch in Death Valley where members of the Manson family were arrested in October 1969. I feel it is my obligation to address the questions about this possibility.

What Is The Agenda?

In the 1990’s and early 2000s, the late Russell W. “Bill” Nelson wrote tabloid-like stories about former members of the Manson family. He led a search party to Barker Ranch on rumors of bodies made by a man named Larry Milton, who claimed he had been a former Manson family member. No bodies were found, but he continued to stalk the families and children of former Manson family members like myself. His agenda was vengeance and to seek self-aggrandizement.

The Monthly View comes forth each month as I spend time in God’s presence receiving what He would have me share. I pray that you will be encouraged while visiting this web site, so that faith will take you to new levels of God’s grace. And that you will “…keep yourself in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” 1

Victim or Victor

Many prisoners go through a grief process similar to what the victims of crime of catastrophe go through. Prisoners have a lot of time to think about how they ended up in prison. Reasoning “if only” or “what if?” haunts their thoughts and dreams. They seem to blame others and deal with severe anger and desperation. Often, the circumstances which led to the criminal choices are seen by the perpetrators of crime to be due to the actions of other people and events, or even crime that had been committed against them.

The Lord spoke through the prophet Zechariah, saying: “Because of the covenant [agreement] I made with you, sealed with blood, I will free your prisoners from death in a waterless dungeon. Come back to the place of safety, all of you prisoners, for there is yet hope! I promise this very day that I will repay you two mercies for each of your woes!”2

Once again, it’s the time of year that many of you will celebrate Easter by attending a local congregation. The history of Easter, and how it became the day to recognize the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is explained in the March 2005 view. Our prayer is that every day will be a day of rejoicing for you in Christ’s victory. As the chorus goes: “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!”

Contact Us!

The door is open for you to contact our web administrator with your praise reports and prayer requests. People contact us from all walks of life. We realize that you may desire to share your excitement concerning what God had done. It’s healthy to share your thoughts and feelings.

The intent of the Monthly View is to reflect on how God sees things, so that we may surrender our will to His point of view. Rebellion has been the problem since Adam and Eve surrendered to the voice of the serpent in Eden, 1 and God’s thoughts ceased to be their thoughts, and His ways no longer their ways. 2

Changing in - 2008

As the saying goes, “It’s the same old song and dance.” Once a song or jingle is caught in our head, it is very difficult to get it out. This is called a soul tie, when we keep returning to a thought that has created a certain euphoric felling. We all have strongholds in our minds from the past that we decided are either good or bad. 3

This Month’s View is offering you a new and creative way to bring forth a fresh and rewarding New Year. I pray that your eyes will be opened and new heights of opportunities to break forth in your life. The Lord promises “…to do a brand new thing.” He says, “I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness … I will create rivers in the desert!” 1

A New Beginning - 2008

We have many examples from God’s word proving that the number seven is God’s perfect number, the number of completion. The number eight represents new beginnings. This year will be your new beginning for change, but only if you will step out in faith and see it occur. This is not a justification to disobey God’s word, such as leaving your spouse, but an opportunity for you to triumph together by making this a year of new beginnings.

It is always a pleasure to give you my view each month. Yes, this is Charles Watson writing from his prison cell going around the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ by satellite. As my faithful readers know, I try to share something past, present and future in order to keep your interest and so you will keep coming back to the site.

Something Past ...

This will be my thirty-ninth Christmas in prison – Merry Christmas! At first, celebrating Christmas in prison was not too merry, but it too on an entirely meaning in 1975, when Christ came into my heart. As the angel said: “I bring you good news and great joy for everyone! The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born [almost 2000 years ago] in Bethlehem, the city of David!”1 Jesus brought joy into the world, causing us to celebrate His birth this time of year.

For many, the past months have been filled with destruction and tragedy as we view the war in Iraq, the floods, tornadoes and hurricanes, plus the recent fires is Southern California. Yet, a voice of thanksgiving for personal safety and compassion for those with loss rises from the ashes. It is good to see the conscience of mankind alive with hope..

10th Year Memorial

On November 20, 2007, it will have been 10 years, since the passing of Raymond Hoekstra to be with the Lord. He was fondly known by millions as “Chaplin Ray” during his 35 years of ministering to inmates in prisons around the world. In 1975, he visited me in prison, and shortly afterwards, I came to Christ in 1975.

The purpose of the Monthly View is to affect the way you see God. For our view to change, our spiritual eyes must be opened to The Revelation of Jesus Christ. The word "revelation" comes from the Greek word “apokalypsis” which means "unveiling or disclosure", and in this case, the unveiling or disclosure of Jesus Christ.

The Hidden Jesus

The gospel or good news of Jesus Christ was hidden from me for years. The Apostle Paul in the Bible writes: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” 1The first step in my recovery was admitting that I was lost. The gods of this world had blinded my mind, robbing my childhood beliefs in God. Many people tried to share the good news of Jesus Christ through their shining examples, but in my rebellious state, I would have nothing to do with them. 2

This Month's Vew focuses on the victorious Christian life available to you. The Holy Spirit is present in this world to spark a new reality of Christ's overcoming life. Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation: but be courageous, I have overcome the world.” 1 He provides us the ability to overcome the many trials and sorrows of life.

Greater Is He In You

We become overcomers in this life by taking hold of the past, present and future victory of Jesus Christ, obtained through His death, burial and resurrection. It is time to turn from our passivity to the reality of Christ's victory being ours. "For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. And the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God." 2

We celebrate our freedom as a Nation this month, but as a Christian I will focus on the believer's Spiritual freedom in this Monthly View. “Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, you are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free." 1

What Does God Say?

We never question the fact that the United States declared its freedom from  England on  July 4th 1776. The early Americans fought for and gained their freedom, and ours, in the Revolutionary War. We question however, through our unbelief, that Jesus Christ gained  our freedom from sin, self and Satan in His death on the cross and His resurrection.  It is pretty serious to call God a liar because we do not believe what He says about His Son, Jesus Christ.

This Monthly View tells what place cars had in my life. I was born in 1945. During that year a bomber struck the Empire State building; the war in Europe ended after Hitler's suicide in Berlin; Franklin D. Roosevelt died and was succeeded by Truman; Rocky Graziano was named "Boxer of the Year"; the Nuremburg war-crimes began and A-Bombs were dropped on Japan, starting the atomic age and ending the war. It was also the year automobile production was resumed in the U.S. after having been halted during World War II .

My Love For Cars

The last cars rolled off the the assembly lines in January 1942, so that tanks, trucks and guns could be built for the war. It was not untill after the war, in 1945, that cars would return to the assembly line for the 1946 models. My family's car was a blue '50 Packard, which I could kick myself for not restoring before I left home in 1967.