Michael was one that I met when we first started. I could tell that he wanted a relationship with God, and wanted to serve Him, but I could also tell by his actions that he was entrapped by the Devil through bondage from the drug addiction. You cannot serve two masters, you must decide which one you are going to follow. We want it both ways sometimes, we want to live our way in our terms, but we want that relationship with Christ as well. But Jesus said, "if you love me, you'll obey my commandments." I heard one man say that insanity is when you keep trying to do the same thing, and expect a different result. Michael was trapped in insanity for awhile! At times, I felt like I wanted it for Michael more than he did. But I learned with Michael that I can't do this for him. I can stand from the sidelines, and remind him that it is all about "obedience", but that is all I can do! In fact, I said it so much, that he says that when he hears that word, he thinks about me! But obedience is what it boils down to...that determines our victory here on Earth, that gives us peace, blessings, and a deep relationship with Christ, which is our obedience to God's word, and obedience to the Holy Spirit in our lives.

I am proud to say after a long fight with the Devil, Michael has finally realized that he has the victory through obedience! His drug addiction started when he was 11 years old, and it led him down a rocky road & life of destruction. He is now 58, and the lesson I've learned with Michael is that it is never too late to learn that lesson, because God will bless you when the blinders finally come off, and you fully surrender. Michael went through many treatment programs, marriages, jail sentences, and other roller coaster rides before those blinders came off. He has now been a year clean, and has moved back to Ohio with family. He is rebuilding a relationship with his children, grandchildren, siblings, and father. Restoring relationships is sometimes hard because of the broken trust from the past, but through obedience they will begin to see the change in us. (here I go again!). God is the master at restoring relationships, and Michael is well on his way.

Look for him soon! He has a calling to preach in his life. God will use him in a mighty way to help others in the same bondage. God is still "refining" Michael, carving out the impurities and putting the finishing touches on him. But we'll see him again, I know! He doesn't seem so far away, because we still get our two hour conversations in every once in awhile! They are always about God, and what He is doing in his life, except for the few political disagreements! But I have faith that he will come around there as well!!

Pray for Michael & his family. Pray that God will continue the transformation process, and will finish the work that he has started. Pray that Michael follows the Holy Spirit and has the courage to walk through the door that God opens in ministry. Pray that He uses him in a mighty way that many will see heaven because of him. Pray that his mistakes & victory in his life may give God all the glory & hope to those who feel hopeless.

We love you Michael, and we are very proud of you!