"i invite YOU in": from ADDICTION to SALVATION

This blog is for me. It’s my reminder to remember where I once was and the work that only God could have ever accomplished.  It’s so easy to forget the past places we’ve been and even the past faces we’ve seen. For me, the place was prison; and for this blog, the face is a young man named Tommy.When I first met Tommy, his nickname was Toast. Tommy Toast. And he “earned” this name because he spent a lot of time being “burnt out.” You see, Tommy was a self-proclaimed heroin addict.  His addiction made heroin his salvation. However, his pursuit for the false salvation of drugs only left him so high that his actions consequentially led him to be so low. Oh so low. How low can you go? Well, this level has only one condition and position lower, and that is being buried in the ground.  Thus, the grave above the ground is known as prison.I have to leave so many crucial details out for the sake of length, but I will be sure to add the most highlighted details for the sake of strength. Long story short is how Tommy’s nickname went from “Toast” to “Bread.” The major change from being ‘burnt out’ to eventually ‘burning bright’ which can only be accredited to the “Bread of life” giving Toast a clean slate and a brand new life.  After Tommy surrendered his addiction over to Jesus, he then was vulnerable enough to be made-over by Jesus. God truly needs us to be vulnerable in order to be reachable; for when we admit we are weak, then He can give us his strength. Strength to overcome any obstacle. Even the greatest of demons must loosen their grip when the person reaches out to grab Jesus’ hand.I do this testimony, from addiction to salvation and from crime to Christ, no justice.  Please allow me to share a text message from Tommy himself:“Hey 2 yrs ago--May 20, 2013—I, “Bread” (ha) was released. Now two yrs later, I’m still walking with Christ. My wife and I are together with a one yr old baby and we are owners of a licensed home improvements company lol.  I have a full time employee working for me and we worship at Liquid Church weekly.  I live to show off the awesomeness of our God and Savior. June 24 is my final parole visit. Free indeed. Love you Mathius.”"Love you too Tommy and fam!" We are talking about a kid who was one use away from an overdose. We are talking about a kid whose wife was also strung out on heroin and was told they could never have a child. We are talking about a kid who spent countless days, months, and years in rehab centers, county correctional facilities, and “doctor ordered” programs. Yet, to no avail. None of them were able to effectively deliver a man (or woman) from hell.Only the Savior Jesus can be the “quick fix” and the “sunshine” that man so desperately desires. I am so proud of Tommy and his devotion to date. But I am even more amazed at how God shows us time and time again that He is devoted to save! I needed this reminder. I needed to remember that even the most impure metals can be purified by the great Refiner. You just have to surrender to be saved!