Post by Meekness-=Of-God=- (Brian) on Jun 7, 2006 13:43:37 GMT -5
I grew up in Metairie, a suburb of New Orleans. My Parents weren't church going people, but on occasion, we would get dropped off at our neighborhood Catholic Church. When the service was over, my dad would come pick us up. He would never stay himself. I had 5 brothers, no
sisters. My Father did the best he could with raising 6 boys. He worked hard to put meat on our table. Things just have a way of happening in life. We don't understand them. We just
keep going on, trying to better.
One day, in 6th grade, I had a bad day. I had 3 fights. One guy I almost killed. I went into these tantrums when I went out of control. I was expelled. I was told I needed to see a Doctor before I could be admitted back to school.
So I did that. The Doctor said I was Hyper-active. He gave me some pills to cool me down.
I went back to school in Special Education. The first year went well. The second year, I played on the schools football team. I loved football! Although I wasn't as good as some of the other players, I still got to play as second string Fullback and Linebacker.
Our team was good. We won East Bank Championship. We had a West Bank Champion. We had to play them. In that game, I got hurt. Crushed Cartilage, torn Ligaments on my left knee. This put my out the rest of the year for sports.
One evening at home, Tommy (tubby28) said to me. "Brian, You want to go to this new Fellowship House we're going to?" I said, "Sure!" I wanted to be with my big brother. I thought it was kool him asking me to be with him.
So we went there. It was awesome!! People greeting you as you came in....a love I hadn't
experienced up to this point. We gathered around and sang songs. Then a brother named Dave got up and preached. The Words he was saying melted my heart! (Wish I could remember the words, I only remember the feeling inside me) I knew I wanted what they had.
It was at the end of the meeting I cornered Dave and asked him, "How do I get what you have?" He said, "When you get home tonight, read what Revelations 3:20 says and do what it says."
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will
come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
I read the verse and did what it said. I was in my bed holding on thinking a bolt of electricity was going to hit or something. But nothing happened?
I got up and called Dave. He asked me if I asked Jesus into my heart? I said yes. He then laughed and said, "He's there then lol."
I was 16 then. That's how my life in Christ began. Truly, the next 5 months were bliss ;D
Then, things have a way of happening. Summer came and we went to see our Grandma in
Arburn, NY. We stayed there for 2 months. When we arrived back, I went to see a brother
from the Fellowship House. I asked how were things going? He told me the Fellowship House fell. They ran out of money. My friend then told me he didn't believe Jesus was the right way.
It had more to do with God.
I left there shattered! I knew Jesus was the right way because I asked Him to come in my life and He made himself real to me. I didn't know what to do! I felt deceived. I couldn't trust anyone.
I prayed a prayer then. "Lord, show me the way people are and the way the world is so I won't be deceived again."
This is where my life changed. After praying that prayer, I felt a peace come over me, like a
cloud 9 experience if you know what I mean ;D A voice spoke and said ,"Ok, You will be back
with me in 3 years."
I didn't know what that meant, but for the next 3 years. I was in and out of trouble with the
law. I started robbing houses. It caught up with me. On my 3 offense, I was facing jail time.
I was away from the Lord, but the Lord wasn't away from me. There was this guy Henry
who was a Bible thumper. He had this grin on his face all the time. It bothered me for some reason.
One day, I was hunting for a cigarette. I was walking past Henry's cell when I noticed a pack of Kool on his bunk. I stopped and asked for a smoke. He said,"Sure." So I sat on his bunk and he handed me a smoke. Then he started; "Brian, you got to come back to Jesus."
He kept repeating it over and over. I could get it out of my mind. I fell back on his bunk and
had it out with the Lord; "In order for me to come back, I would have to have Faith. I can't feel it, I can't touch it, I can't taste it!"
I was going on like that as if I was putting up a good case. After I was through, Jesus spoke
and said,"I'll take care of that."
Bingo! The Cloud 9 feeling swept over me and again I was back! I woke out of the trance and Henry was stilling saying, "You gotta come back to Jesus."
With tears in my eyes I said," I'm back Henry, I'm back." He stopped and had that smile on his face. I could understand now ;D
I was guilty of the crime , so I Plea bargined for 5 years Parish time. I did 19 months 3
weeks on the sentence. Got out on good behavior.
While I was doing my time, my life with Jesus grew richer. I read the Bible through. When I
was discharged, I stay in that small town and worked at the jail as there cook. Went to a local fellowship. Something was missing. The goose bumps or cloud 9 feeling. Where were they? Do they always come or is it a rear occurrence.
One day, a friend named Mitch invited me to a teaching seminar. The speaker was Malcom
Smith. We went and as he was teaching, something was tingling inside me. Then came the goose bumps and cloud 9 feelings.
Something about that speaker made me realize, I needed something more. But What?
Time went on and my life started slipping again. I started stealing again. I left that town
and went back to Metairie. I was doing crazier things. I would pick up hitch-hikers and rob
them at gun point. I was out of control.
Inside, I was crying out. I was either going to get killed or I was going back to jail.
One Friday night, I quit my job at TGIF Fridays. A friend of mine and I decided we were going to Houston. I was waiting for him to finish his shift.
I decided to hit a place. I got caught inside the place. Back to jail for me
This was my 4th offense. I knew I was facing a lot of time. I thought of ways I might be able to get out this mess. Like getting fake identification, leaving the country. My brother Darryl was my only hope. But, he forgot about me.
I tried acting crazy and found myself in medical lock down.
One evening I was sitting on my bunk, feeling depressed. As I was sitting there, I went into a trance: I saw a hand holding a gold chain which had the numbers written at the bottom saying 36 years." A voice spoke to me and said," If I were to allow you to leave and you
accomplished the things in your mind, then I would loose you because the devil would use 36
years around your neck to keep you from me. For the devil knows you wouldn't turn yourself in."
I started crying. I was 22 now. I couldn't believe the Lord loved me that much that He would keep me from destroying myself.
I prayed, "Lord, if you really love me...send someone, anyone here to visit me. Then I will
know you love me and I will surrender back to you."
3 days later, Brandt and Christiane came to visit me. They were Christians I met through a Bile study in New Orleans. I asked them, "How did you know to visit me?" Brandt said,"Your
friend Mitch called and said you were here. Christiane and I prayed and the Lord told us to come."
When I got back to my cell, I fell on my knees and said," I'm your's Lord."
The day of Arraignment came and I plead guilty. 7 months later they gave me 9 years at hard
labor for a sentence. I felt like I could fall through the floor. My whole life flashed before me.
Wasted here in prison. But God had other plans for me.
I was waiting to get shipped out. It was right before meal time that I was sitting down against the cell door when a strange thing happened. The Lord spoke to me and said," You
want the gift of the Spirit?" I said, " Yes"
I saw some funny words in my mind. I opened my mouth and those words came forth. I didn't know what they were. I asked the Lord, "Is that it?" He said," Yes "
I was baptized with the Holy Spirit that day. That is the cloud 9 feelings I was seeking. The
Power to live the christian walk. Jude 1:20, "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your
most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,"
Jesus was preparing me for what was ahead. One week after receiving the gift, I was
shipped out. Needless to say, Jesus kept me while I was doing time. Of the 9 year term,
I did 6 years 3 months. I learned how to live for Jesus in Prison. I will share 2 experiences.
It was a Saturday evening and I was in the J building at a bible study. I needed to the
restroom. I went in and started using the restroom. Suddenly, the lights went out. A funny
feeling crept over me. I just sat there in the dark for a couple minutes, when a hand
touched my knee. Fear was trying to grab me. I got up and put my back against the wall.
The man was holding my arms in front of me. Words formed in my mind, I spoke them.
"In the name of Jesus, you better leave me alone."
The man released my arms. He proclaimed, " Your for real!" He hurried away. The lights came on. I got myself together and started to leave the restroom. As I made my turn for
the door, there was the man, in plain sight, unmovable. A boldness come over me and
I got in his face and said, "You know what you tried to do to a man of God?" I yelled that to him 3 times then I told him to leave. He ran out.
After this happened, I prayer to the Lord and said, "Jesus, are you truly with me?"
That evening at chow time, another strange thing happened.
I was in the chow line waiting for some food. Not really thinking of anything. Looking around
the mess hall when I noticed the exit door opening and closing by itself. There was a guard
standing right there. He didn't say anything. I was beginning to think it was because the door
was broke that it opened. I kept watching it. It didn't do it again. Then a inmate 4 people
in front of me said to his friend,' Man, did you see that door! It opened by itself!" His friend said,"Man, your on drugs!. It didn't do that!"
I got my food and sat and watched everyone go through that door. It worked fine.
I finished my meal. I got up and started for the door. As I walked through the door, the
Lord spoke to me, " Brian, it was me that walked through this door. I allowed one to see
it so you would believe it. I'm always with you."
So, I will end my testimony here. But you know, our testimony is always being updated
every day. Jesus is aways with us. He said He would never leave nor forsake us. Heb 13:5
Things always happen in this life. We just have to keep looking up from where our strength
comes from. Keep going straight and Jesus will lead us home ;D
sisters. My Father did the best he could with raising 6 boys. He worked hard to put meat on our table. Things just have a way of happening in life. We don't understand them. We just
keep going on, trying to better.
One day, in 6th grade, I had a bad day. I had 3 fights. One guy I almost killed. I went into these tantrums when I went out of control. I was expelled. I was told I needed to see a Doctor before I could be admitted back to school.
So I did that. The Doctor said I was Hyper-active. He gave me some pills to cool me down.
I went back to school in Special Education. The first year went well. The second year, I played on the schools football team. I loved football! Although I wasn't as good as some of the other players, I still got to play as second string Fullback and Linebacker.
Our team was good. We won East Bank Championship. We had a West Bank Champion. We had to play them. In that game, I got hurt. Crushed Cartilage, torn Ligaments on my left knee. This put my out the rest of the year for sports.
One evening at home, Tommy (tubby28) said to me. "Brian, You want to go to this new Fellowship House we're going to?" I said, "Sure!" I wanted to be with my big brother. I thought it was kool him asking me to be with him.
So we went there. It was awesome!! People greeting you as you came in....a love I hadn't
experienced up to this point. We gathered around and sang songs. Then a brother named Dave got up and preached. The Words he was saying melted my heart! (Wish I could remember the words, I only remember the feeling inside me) I knew I wanted what they had.
It was at the end of the meeting I cornered Dave and asked him, "How do I get what you have?" He said, "When you get home tonight, read what Revelations 3:20 says and do what it says."
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will
come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
I read the verse and did what it said. I was in my bed holding on thinking a bolt of electricity was going to hit or something. But nothing happened?
I got up and called Dave. He asked me if I asked Jesus into my heart? I said yes. He then laughed and said, "He's there then lol."
I was 16 then. That's how my life in Christ began. Truly, the next 5 months were bliss ;D
Then, things have a way of happening. Summer came and we went to see our Grandma in
Arburn, NY. We stayed there for 2 months. When we arrived back, I went to see a brother
from the Fellowship House. I asked how were things going? He told me the Fellowship House fell. They ran out of money. My friend then told me he didn't believe Jesus was the right way.
It had more to do with God.
I left there shattered! I knew Jesus was the right way because I asked Him to come in my life and He made himself real to me. I didn't know what to do! I felt deceived. I couldn't trust anyone.
I prayed a prayer then. "Lord, show me the way people are and the way the world is so I won't be deceived again."
This is where my life changed. After praying that prayer, I felt a peace come over me, like a
cloud 9 experience if you know what I mean ;D A voice spoke and said ,"Ok, You will be back
with me in 3 years."
I didn't know what that meant, but for the next 3 years. I was in and out of trouble with the
law. I started robbing houses. It caught up with me. On my 3 offense, I was facing jail time.
I was away from the Lord, but the Lord wasn't away from me. There was this guy Henry
who was a Bible thumper. He had this grin on his face all the time. It bothered me for some reason.
One day, I was hunting for a cigarette. I was walking past Henry's cell when I noticed a pack of Kool on his bunk. I stopped and asked for a smoke. He said,"Sure." So I sat on his bunk and he handed me a smoke. Then he started; "Brian, you got to come back to Jesus."
He kept repeating it over and over. I could get it out of my mind. I fell back on his bunk and
had it out with the Lord; "In order for me to come back, I would have to have Faith. I can't feel it, I can't touch it, I can't taste it!"
I was going on like that as if I was putting up a good case. After I was through, Jesus spoke
and said,"I'll take care of that."
Bingo! The Cloud 9 feeling swept over me and again I was back! I woke out of the trance and Henry was stilling saying, "You gotta come back to Jesus."
With tears in my eyes I said," I'm back Henry, I'm back." He stopped and had that smile on his face. I could understand now ;D
I was guilty of the crime , so I Plea bargined for 5 years Parish time. I did 19 months 3
weeks on the sentence. Got out on good behavior.
While I was doing my time, my life with Jesus grew richer. I read the Bible through. When I
was discharged, I stay in that small town and worked at the jail as there cook. Went to a local fellowship. Something was missing. The goose bumps or cloud 9 feeling. Where were they? Do they always come or is it a rear occurrence.
One day, a friend named Mitch invited me to a teaching seminar. The speaker was Malcom
Smith. We went and as he was teaching, something was tingling inside me. Then came the goose bumps and cloud 9 feelings.
Something about that speaker made me realize, I needed something more. But What?
Time went on and my life started slipping again. I started stealing again. I left that town
and went back to Metairie. I was doing crazier things. I would pick up hitch-hikers and rob
them at gun point. I was out of control.
Inside, I was crying out. I was either going to get killed or I was going back to jail.
One Friday night, I quit my job at TGIF Fridays. A friend of mine and I decided we were going to Houston. I was waiting for him to finish his shift.
I decided to hit a place. I got caught inside the place. Back to jail for me
This was my 4th offense. I knew I was facing a lot of time. I thought of ways I might be able to get out this mess. Like getting fake identification, leaving the country. My brother Darryl was my only hope. But, he forgot about me.
I tried acting crazy and found myself in medical lock down.
One evening I was sitting on my bunk, feeling depressed. As I was sitting there, I went into a trance: I saw a hand holding a gold chain which had the numbers written at the bottom saying 36 years." A voice spoke to me and said," If I were to allow you to leave and you
accomplished the things in your mind, then I would loose you because the devil would use 36
years around your neck to keep you from me. For the devil knows you wouldn't turn yourself in."
I started crying. I was 22 now. I couldn't believe the Lord loved me that much that He would keep me from destroying myself.
I prayed, "Lord, if you really love me...send someone, anyone here to visit me. Then I will
know you love me and I will surrender back to you."
3 days later, Brandt and Christiane came to visit me. They were Christians I met through a Bile study in New Orleans. I asked them, "How did you know to visit me?" Brandt said,"Your
friend Mitch called and said you were here. Christiane and I prayed and the Lord told us to come."
When I got back to my cell, I fell on my knees and said," I'm your's Lord."
The day of Arraignment came and I plead guilty. 7 months later they gave me 9 years at hard
labor for a sentence. I felt like I could fall through the floor. My whole life flashed before me.
Wasted here in prison. But God had other plans for me.
I was waiting to get shipped out. It was right before meal time that I was sitting down against the cell door when a strange thing happened. The Lord spoke to me and said," You
want the gift of the Spirit?" I said, " Yes"
I saw some funny words in my mind. I opened my mouth and those words came forth. I didn't know what they were. I asked the Lord, "Is that it?" He said," Yes "
I was baptized with the Holy Spirit that day. That is the cloud 9 feelings I was seeking. The
Power to live the christian walk. Jude 1:20, "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your
most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,"
Jesus was preparing me for what was ahead. One week after receiving the gift, I was
shipped out. Needless to say, Jesus kept me while I was doing time. Of the 9 year term,
I did 6 years 3 months. I learned how to live for Jesus in Prison. I will share 2 experiences.
It was a Saturday evening and I was in the J building at a bible study. I needed to the
restroom. I went in and started using the restroom. Suddenly, the lights went out. A funny
feeling crept over me. I just sat there in the dark for a couple minutes, when a hand
touched my knee. Fear was trying to grab me. I got up and put my back against the wall.
The man was holding my arms in front of me. Words formed in my mind, I spoke them.
"In the name of Jesus, you better leave me alone."
The man released my arms. He proclaimed, " Your for real!" He hurried away. The lights came on. I got myself together and started to leave the restroom. As I made my turn for
the door, there was the man, in plain sight, unmovable. A boldness come over me and
I got in his face and said, "You know what you tried to do to a man of God?" I yelled that to him 3 times then I told him to leave. He ran out.
After this happened, I prayer to the Lord and said, "Jesus, are you truly with me?"
That evening at chow time, another strange thing happened.
I was in the chow line waiting for some food. Not really thinking of anything. Looking around
the mess hall when I noticed the exit door opening and closing by itself. There was a guard
standing right there. He didn't say anything. I was beginning to think it was because the door
was broke that it opened. I kept watching it. It didn't do it again. Then a inmate 4 people
in front of me said to his friend,' Man, did you see that door! It opened by itself!" His friend said,"Man, your on drugs!. It didn't do that!"
I got my food and sat and watched everyone go through that door. It worked fine.
I finished my meal. I got up and started for the door. As I walked through the door, the
Lord spoke to me, " Brian, it was me that walked through this door. I allowed one to see
it so you would believe it. I'm always with you."
So, I will end my testimony here. But you know, our testimony is always being updated
every day. Jesus is aways with us. He said He would never leave nor forsake us. Heb 13:5
Things always happen in this life. We just have to keep looking up from where our strength
comes from. Keep going straight and Jesus will lead us home ;D
