Stinky thinking causes emotional pain. Rather than doing something about our thought life, we choose the lazy way to deal with our pain, by medicating it with drugs, including alcohol. In other words, we choose death instead of LIFE.

But first, in order to CHOOSE LIFE, we must receive God's love. As we do, we receive God's Spirit and begin to see things from His point of view. A new identity begins to take shape in us, and our thoughts begin to line up with God's.

One of the first things we learn are the ABCs. These basic building blocks of language form our framework for learning. In a similar way, God's message of love and forgiveness has ABCs, too. These simple truths, found in the Bible, are the essential foundation for understanding and receiving eternal life.

A - ADMIT YOUR NEED - REPENT
Turn to God from sin (Acts 26:20). He is holy. We are not. Our sin separates us from Him. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).

B - BELIEVE ON JESUS
"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). We receive eternal life by trusting fully in Him. "God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved" (Acts 16:31).

C - CONFESS JESUS & CALL ON HIM
Receive JESUS by grace through faith today (Eph. 2:8, 9). "As many as receive Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12). "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9, 10). "For 'whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved'" (Rom. 10:13). Say: l confess Jesus as Lord & believe God raised Him from the dead for my salvation and righteousness. Amen!

Have you come to the place in your spiritual life where you can say for certain, that if you were to die tonight, that you would go to heaven?

Yes | No

Suppose that you were to die tonight and stand before God, and He was to say to you, "Why should I let you into my heaven?" What would you say?

My Good Works! | Faith in Christ Alone!

Eternal life is a gift from God (Romans 6:23) available free for the asking because of a love story written in blood on a wooden cross 2000 years ago. Without this wonderful gift, mankind is eternally separated from God and will suffer everlasting punishment (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

Read more …The Gospel

"For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)

Baptized into Christ
A. United with Him in His death.

"Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death" (Romans 6:3)? 

"I have been crucified with Christ..." (Galations 2:20).

A few years ago, a young boy brought the concept of "pay it forward" to the movie screen. He showed by example how the world could be changed if every person who experienced something good would "pay it forward." God had this principle in mind before He even created man by paying His provision forward. He knew that even though Adam & Eve would sin, their seed would eventually change if they could experience His goodness, mercy and unconditional love.

The Christian Twelve Step Facilitator

Many prison chaplains have years of experience supervising inmates who desire to be used by God. On the other hand, there are many chaplains who are more than willing to receive all the help they can find, especially from an inmate with decades of experience.

For this reason, I am offering administrative and spiritual suggestions to both chaplains and inmates around the world. These can be used as helps for developing a greater prison ministry of the Body of Christ in the chapel, building housing units and yard.

In these last days, mankind is experiencing one of the greatest crime waves in history, especially in our schools and cities. The Scriptures say, "...in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money.

"They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.

"They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NLT)!

Our prisons overflow with men and women with the traits described in these verses. Our streets are full of people heading for prison who commit crimes that stem from deep-spiritual problems.

Several years ago, I was asked to write a chapter in Larry King's new book "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt." The following thoughts are my observations and suggestions for an improved penal system.

I'm Not Complaining

I was originally sentenced to death for my crimes and it was a sentence I deserved. I believe it was the grace and mercy of God which delivered me from it and in an eternal sense, from much more. I write not to complain about my own circumstances or experience with the parole or corrections departments. I'd just like to see the system work in a more meaningful way. It seems most people have lost hope that prisoners can really change. Could this be because their own hearts need to change before they can perceive life with a confident expectation of good?

Can you envision the Body of Christ coming together behind prison walls in love for the purpose of winning the lost all around the world?

Below, you will find lessons, study charts and a building meeting plan for sharing the love of God with men and women in prison:

In the late '70s, the Lord gave me the Connect Two brochure, but not until now have I felt led to put it out with your help. I pray the Lord will touch your heart to be involved today!

This brochure is a tool to help bring Christian prisoners of the same gender together with a member of the Body of Christ on the outside. You can be a big part of this outreach.

One of the most neglected areas of ministry in the Body of Christ and one of greatest needs is to bring Christians together regardless of walls, fences and bars.

We believe that if Christians on the outside were to catch the vision for prisoner outreach, God’s love and grace would not only change individual lives, but our society at large.

A new revival is on the horizon for those who awake to this area of unrealized need in their lives. I ask that you pray for God to make this desire real to you.

A large percentage of inmates in prison have no income. There are few paying jobs in prison. The State provides for the most basic needs, but not all. For instance, California supplies soap and tooth powder, but not toothpaste, shampoo and deodorant.

Inmates are allowed to purchase from a list of products at their canteen, but at least half of the inmates never go. Your sponsorship would allow him/her to live a more productive life.

Some inmates help the less fortunate with their needs. In some cases, you'd be supporting an inmate missionary behind prison walls. All I ask is that you pray and hear from the Lord what He'd have you to do. You may be led to start by writing a prisoner.

The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer! The Holy Bible is my code of conduct! Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare! I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire!

I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity! I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in this Army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.

I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable! If my God needs me, I am there! If He needs me in Sunday school, to teach children, work with youth, help adults or just sit and learn, He can use me, because I am there!

I am a soldier! I am not a baby! I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up!

I am a soldier! I am not a wimp! I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom! No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts! I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to!

It was late and I was tired, wanting to go to sleep, but God wanted to talk. It was about midnight, but it dawned on me that God does not sleep. His question made me restless: "Where on earth does man keep his most priceless treasures and valuables?"

I said: "Lord, usually these treasures like gold, silver, diamonds and precious jewels are locked up somewhere out of sight with usually guards and security to keep them under lock and key." God spoke: "Like man, My most valuable treasures on earth are also locked up."

The foundation of the recovery process is his or her relationship with our loving heavenly father, as personalized in Jesus Christ.

A central theme and belief of this work is that healing is possible through faith in God’s grace. To some degree or another, everyone can experience freedom from the damaging effects of a less-than-nurturing environment. As our wounds heal, we become functional members of the Body of Christ.

Working the Twelve-Steps helps us reclaim our birthright as children of a compassionate God. We were created in His image and have gifts. These steps are intended to awaken us to God’s grace and give us an opportunity to experience peaceful and productive living. Feelings of unworthiness, anxiety and inferiority diminish and are replaced by spiritual strengths and virtues. Focusing on our new relationship with God transforms our obsessive need for other people’s approval. Our attention is, instead, captivated by the promise of new life in Christ.

Peace With God

STEP 1. We admitted we were powerless over the effect of our separation from God--that our lives had become unmanageable.

"I know nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out" (Romans 7:18).

Karla Faye Tucker

On June 13, 1983, Karla and her boyfriend, Daniel Garrett, broke into a Houston apartment and murdered the two occupants with a pick ax. At her brief trial, Karla admitted her guilt outright and told the jury that no punishment was severe enough for her crime. But while Karla requested a life sentence, the jury recommended the death sentence, after a mere 70 minutes of deliberation.

On February 3, 1998, Karla was executed by lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas, the first woman executed in Texas since the Civil War. She asked for clemency, and a number of human-rights and conservative Christian groups rallied behind her, but their cry fell on deaf ears. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied her request for clemency (16-2 vote), and Governor Bush refused to grant a reprieve. Karla is now in the wonderful presence of the Lord.

Happy Mother's Day! When my mom heard that I had received Christ fifty (50) years ago on May 23, 1975, she rejoiced along with the angels. According to her, I was the black sheep of the family; the prodigal son turning from his sins and returning home to the blessings of his Heavenly Father. Jesus said:

". . . there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away" (Luke 15:7, NLT).

A Mother's Answered Prayers . . .

I had to concede that I needed the mercy and grace of God to change the course of my life. 

Happy Father's Day! I encourage you to reach out to your dad this Father's Day. Remember the good times, and if there are none, forgive and make new memories before he's gone. If he isn't available, enjoy your Heavenly Father, Who is always present with His love and acceptance for meaning and purpose in life. In the prodigal son parable, Jesus said:

"So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long ways off, his father saw him coming, filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20, NLT).

The Prodigal Story . . .

Jesus told this story to reveal how much your Heavenly Father loves you. 

Our mission is to enlighten others to the need for prison outreach. We believe we will help build the church behind prison walls that will not only effect 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 knowing the love of God, and launch them into productive, personal service. We now reach hundreds of thousands of people around the world. We never use control or manipulation.

A family is a group of persons related by marriage and blood ties and generally living together in the same household. In our case, most of the families we reach out to are not living together, because of separation by prison walls. One of the exception would be our outreach to victims and their families.

God's ideal for the family is that it be a harmonious unit, where love for God and neighbor are instilled into each member. Jesus was asked: "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Matt. 22:36-39 NLT).

Cheryl, our web site administrator, recently asked, "Do you realize how many mothers come to your site, Charles? They come there because their sons and daughters have gotten into some type of problem, and they are desperately seeking ways to help the situation."

I recall the pain and agony that my own mother and family went through because of my crime. My mom and dad went to their graves with their hearts broken and their son still in prison. Thankfully, both of them knew Christ, so now they are rejoicing in heaven with Jesus, awaiting my arrival.