Growing up in Clarksburg, I was raised in a loving home and taught the truths of the Bible from a young age. I was saved and baptized as a child, but as I entered high school, I began to drift. My involvement in boxing introduced me to a crowd and lifestyle that led me down a path of drinking, drugs, and fighting. The choices I made—who I spent time with, what I put into my body—gradually pulled me further from the values my parents instilled in me. I became a source of pain for my family, and eventually, I left home, thinking I was seeking freedom, but really I was running toward destruction.
My life spiraled as I moved from one bad decision to another: more substance abuse, broken relationships, jail time, and a growing sense of emptiness. I hurt not only myself but also those I loved, especially my son, who followed in my footsteps and suffered greatly because of the example I set. The Bible’s warnings about “sorceries”—the Greek word pharmakia, meaning drug use—became real to me as I saw the spiritual darkness that accompanied my addiction. I experienced firsthand the demonic oppression that comes with these choices, and I saw how my heart had become desperately wicked, just as Jeremiah describes.
It was in jail, at my lowest point, that God met me. A friend handed me a Bible, and though I was angry and broken, I couldn’t let it go. I began to read, pray, and seek God, even as others mocked me and doubted my sincerity. In that cell, I encountered the reality of spiritual warfare and the faithfulness of God. Through fasting, prayer, and the Word, God delivered me from the darkness that had ruled my life. He opened a door for me to enter a Christ-centered rehab, and through the support of my family and the grace of Jesus, I began to walk in freedom.
God’s faithfulness didn’t end with me. My son, after years of addiction and prison, also found Christ and now helps others find hope. I am living proof that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and redemption. Every breath we have is a gift from Him, and even when we are unfaithful, He remains faithful. There is no reason to delay surrendering to Christ—He loves you, believes in you, and died for you. If He can save me, He can save anyone.
Key Takeaways
- 1. The Power of Choices and Influence: The people we surround ourselves with and the choices we make, even seemingly small ones, can set the trajectory of our lives. My drift from faith began with choosing the wrong crowd and seeking acceptance in the wrong places. The consequences of those choices rippled out, affecting not just me but my family and even the next generation. We must be vigilant about the influences we allow into our lives, recognizing that our decisions shape not only our destiny but also the lives of those who look up to us. [39:40]
- 2. The Spiritual Reality of Addiction: The Bible’s warnings about “sorceries” (pharmakia) are not just ancient words—they speak to the spiritual bondage that comes with substance abuse. Addiction is not merely a physical or psychological struggle; it is a spiritual battle that opens doors to darkness and demonic oppression. True freedom requires more than willpower; it demands a spiritual deliverance that only Christ can provide. [44:01]
- 3. God’s Faithfulness Despite Our Failures: Even when we are at our worst, God remains faithful to His promises. My parents clung to Proverbs 22:6, trusting that the seeds of truth planted in my childhood would one day bear fruit. God honored their prayers and His Word, reaching me in the depths of my rebellion. His faithfulness is not dependent on our performance; He pursues us relentlessly, even when we have nothing to offer but our brokenness. [49:26]
- 4. Transformation Through Humility and Surrender: Real change began when I was humbled—stripped of pride, reputation, and self-sufficiency. In jail, with nothing left but a Bible and a desperate heart, I encountered Jesus in a way I never had before. Deliverance came not through programs or self-help, but through fasting, prayer, and the power of God’s Word. Sometimes, God allows us to be broken so that we can finally surrender and receive His healing. [70:41]
- 5. Redemption Extends Beyond Ourselves: God’s work in our lives is never just for us alone. The transformation He brought to me became a testimony that reached my son and others trapped in addiction. Now, my son leads others to Christ, continuing the cycle of redemption. When God saves and restores us, He intends for that grace to overflow into the lives of others, turning our pain into purpose and our failures into hope for many. [01:12:10]
** [72:10]
Youtube Chapters
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [38:04] - Early Life and Introduction to Boxing
- [39:40] - Descent into Addiction and Brokenness
- [41:53] - Family Pain and Personal Downfall
- [42:57] - Biblical Warnings About Sorcery and Addiction
- [44:01] - The Spiritual Side of Substance Abuse
- [45:28] - Army Years and Further Decline
- [46:53] - The Impact on My Son and Family
- [49:26] - Parents’ Prayers and Proverbs 22:6
- [52:11] - Jail, Isolation, and a Bible Encounter
- [56:26] - Humility, Prayer, and Spiritual Awakening
- [60:25] - A New Opportunity: Christ-Centered Rehab
- [61:41] - Temptation and the World’s Solutions
- [64:14] - Spiritual Warfare and Deliverance
- [67:21] - Release and a New Beginning
- [68:34] - God’s Faithfulness and the Power of Fasting
- [70:41] - Transformation and Spiritual Breakthrough
- [72:10] - Redemption in the Next Generation
- [72:43] - The Gift of Life and God’s Love
- [74:33] - Closing and Scripture Reference
