Article in the Kingston Daily Freeman

Imagine this headline in a secular paper in New York: Tillson author parents with help from God. Well it's true! Read it on-line and support these kinds of articles with a comment.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Early Release by Brandon

This is an Excerpt from the book Transformed--Inspiring Stories of Freedom:


Brandon’s Story


I’m only eighteen years old, but I started using drugs at an early age. Both of my parents were addicts, but my father went to Transformation Life Center last year and graduated; he did really well. He wanted me to come here (TLC), but I didn’t want to. He found crack in my room. He told me I had to get out or come here. I always argued with him. His motives were to help me, but I didn’t want help at the time.

My life of drugs began when I was prescribed a barbiturate at age nine. By eleven I started drinking alcohol. This started the dark part of my life. I was prescribed medication for depression and anger, and I talked to a lot of psychiatrists. I had no sense of peace or joy. My parents got divorced when I was five and my dad was an alcoholic. Throughout high school I partied and graduated at seventeen.

After that I continued to party. I lived with friends for a little while, and then with my girlfriend for a couple of months. She was against drugs, and when she found out I was using more, she kicked me out, but she wanted to help me. She called my dad and tried to get me here to TLC. She told me to get help, but I wouldn’t.

I lived on the streets for a while in South Jersey. My mom lives in Philly, and I moved in with her. She’s a drug addict, and I would use drugs with her. She was heavy into crack and partying. I lived with her in a crack house. We bounced from house to house and leaned on other people. I’d stay at my sister’s sometimes, but she didn’t want me using drugs.

By that time my dad was in TLC. I saw how happy he was and that annoyed me, but I was curious. He came out a different person, always so happy. I didn’t understand, and I didn’t want to go to rehab. But God changed my heart a couple of days before I came here.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

In the Midst of Your Storm

I wrote this several years ago for the sequel of When God Speaks which I'm working on now. I thought it was appropriate in light of the storms that ravaged the Midwest and South. I think it also applies to battling addictions.

“You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you (Psalm 91:5-7).


In the midst of the tornado that threatens your life is a vortex of peace. It is I. In Me peace resides, while hurricane winds and twisters spin around you. Prayer will bring you to the place of peace inside the eye of the storm. Cry out to Me and I will hear you. I will answer you when your energy is spent. Listen for My still quiet voice calling to you. It will bring healing as you draw close to Me.

A deep abiding relationship with Me will keep you in a place of peace. Faith and trust will keep your spirit in the palm of My hand, untouched while even the body suffers. Inside My hand is a kernel of peace and joy inexplicable. It is the joy the apostle and martyrs experienced while being tortured. It is a power available to you through My Holy Spirit. It is yours for the asking.