Victory Collection-Book Two

Redemption

Redemption

James had such a hatred for anyone or anything Christian, because that's how he was raised, and because he believed his wife was being deceived by Christians. He was sure she was being made a fool of, although he didn't show her respect in any other way.

A man had just stopped at the Club for one drink. James started an aggressive argument with him. He told James that he was a Christian and didn't believe in violence; He didn't want any trouble. But James was relentless, spoiling for a fight. He told the man he was "no better than him" for being there. He saw Christians as being hypocrites and two-faced, professing to be superior. James hit him repeatedly until others came to the man's defense. It was not called a hate-crime at that time, but hatred was certainly his motivation.

Christians are not perfect, because they are saved by God's Love and Grace, not because of their own goodness. But once they turn to Christ, the Holy Spirit directs their choices and turns their lives around if they allow it. They become better, and do "good", to please God who loves us, not to earn brownie points to Heaven. They're "saved by faith, not by works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:9 King James Bible).

James had only five weeks left; But in jail, that can seem like an eternity! In Alabama, the judge can consider Aggravated Assault a Class A misdemeanor or a felony. The judge was unclear concerning James's intent to cause serious bodily injury. He didn't have a weapon, but that was up to interpretation too; some say fists can be deemed a weapon.

By comparison, a new acquaintance was given 10 years for DWI vehicular homicide! James could hear him sobbing sometimes at night, with remorse! It's bad enough when an adult dies, but a little girl should never precede her parents. This one was only four! He wasn't hooked on alcohol, like James. But he engaged in partying that fateful night! Now, he is awaiting extradition to a state prison!

James had a charge of drunken and disorderly conduct, with the maximum sentence, because it included Assault. He, himself, had a concussion and 3 broken ribs. His victim was still in the hospital in fair condition. James was convicted and received a sentence of up to a year in jail instead of prison time. Still, he was alarmed at the prospect of jail; He deserved imprisonment many times, but had never been.

James's anger and obsession concerning Christians made his wife, Suzie, think of Saul, the mass murderer of Christians. He became Paul, the apostle and early Evangelist who was martyred for the sake of Christ, proving that anyone's heart can be softened! Suzie was a Christian and was praying for that to happen to James. She kept reading the scripture that says: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26 New International Version).

James harbored a macho resentment toward the other inmates. He felt the need to have a weapon for protection in jail. So, he requested kitchen duty, hoping to break one of the tethered chopping knives from the counter. Also, it was his understanding that he could satisfy his cravings for snacks and sweets, as often as he wanted, to substitute for his alcohol dependency. He certainly did indulge and gained 19 pounds. What treats they didn't have in the kitchen, he was able to buy from the jail commissary. He invented an extremely sweet and rich concoction that would satisfy anyone's sweet tooth. The last time he made it, even he couldn't tolerate all the sugar!

He was also trying to stop smoking. That, plus his addiction to alcohol, was a major problem from which he couldn't seem to get relief. The dispensary suggested cannabis (marijuana), but James had tried it before, along with a couple of other drugs, and realized he had to control his addictive personality; "Not so, with food, at least for him" he thought.