Bruce Davis
Part 2

The Truth

    Fall of 1974, my second year in Folsom Prison, God began to deal with me.  One afternoon, while awaiting a drug delivery, a thought invaded my mind, "You will never get high again."  I was first amused and then stunned with unbelief when the drugs arrived and I actually refused my share.  I felt powerful when I realized my bondage to drugs had been broken.

    Later, at a water fountain, God spoke into my mind, "Look at the yard, what do you see?"  I saw everyone as if they were cloaked with death and said, "I don't like this."  Then He explained, "This is the result of your choices."  I suddenly understood that the death I was seeing on the others was really my own.  "I need help," I admitted.  That simply statement brought a marked sense of peace.

    Some days later, I picked up The Late Great Planet Earth, thinking it was a science fiction.  Realizing it was not science fiction, I was about to discard it when the Voice said, "You said you needed help."  "So what," I scoffed.  He replied, "This claims to be help; read it and if it does not help, then throw it away."  Doubtfully, I continued.  I wanted to deny the obvious truth of the fulfilled Bible prophecies the writer presented and God's requirement that surrender to the Lord Jesus was the only way to salvation.  "...there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:12

    Finally, I agreed God's way must be better than my own; mine had definitely wrecked my life.  Later, lying in bed, I muttered, "This God stuff is crazy.  I'm probably just talking to the walls."  He reminded me, "You've done far worse than talk to the walls."  I knew then that resistance was futile.  Even so, in a last ditch effort to justify myself, I tried to make God respond angrily to me like my father had, so my "surrender" was surly and disrespectful.  "Okay God," I said, as if giving Him His big break, "You say you love me; I don't love you.  You say you want to help me; I don't believe you.  But, if you are willing and able, then do anything you can."  Surprisingly, I awoke the next morning having had the best night of sleep that I could remember.  When you lie down, you will not be afraid; "When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." - Prov 3:24

    Over the next few days I was amazed by His love as my entire outlook began to change.  I had been born again just like Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." - John 3:3

    God accepted me like I was, but He loved me too much to leave me that way.  Big changes were coming.  "...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, the old things passed away; behold new things have come." - 2 Cor. 5:27

    His Life

    Years on the psychedelic roller coaster had destroyed my peace of mind.  God began His restoration by giving me an attitude adjustment, a spiritual heart transplant.  "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." - Ezk. 36:26

    Then He began to focus on particular parts of my life.  My faith and respect toward God increased when He instantly delivered me from tobacco.  His gracious act let me see the difference between His strength and my weakness, between His righteousness and my crookedness.  Right then I admitted to deserving death for my sin; He let me see that only Christ's sacrifice had satisfied His judgment against me.  I said, "Lord, if you will have me, then I am yours."  God continued to change me.

    Next came the racist attitude I'd adopted.  I saw a black man named "Bad News" just after he had been stabbed to death.  I felt concern and sadness for him and his family, but kept trying to deny my feelings and stop my tears.  His body and the pool of blood reminded me of the enormity of my own crimes.  This was the first time I felt the sorrow and pain of those I'd hurt.  I also felt remorse and shame for my crimes and regretted ever going along with Manson's lies and manipulation.  "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees you; therefore I react, and I repent in dust and ashes." - Job 42:5

    My former loyalty turned to disgust.  I was glad Manson was in prison, and agreed that I deserved to be there too.

    The Lord directed me to study His Word, and I began to consume the Bible and anything related to it.  Attending church came next, and soon I was the Chaplain's clerk, and started teaching the Bible and assisting in worship services.

    The calling to music was confirmed to me when the Lord impressed a prayer group to give me a Martin guitar.  The D-35 was dedicated and inscribed, "To the Gospel of Jesus the Messiah, March 1, 1977."

    God used those six years in Folsom to anchor me in His foundation and to teach me that His love is greater than all my sin, fear and doubt.

    In 1980, I was transferred to the California Men's Colony at San Luis Obispo, where I became involved in the chapel program and have continued to serve the Lord.  Four years later, He sent me the woman who would become my wife.  The following year we were married.  She is a wonderful, Spirit-filled woman, the crown of my life, and the most loving and honest person I have ever known.

    Our marriage carried a high personal price for her.  Though supported by a brother and sister, the rest of her family rejected me and our marriage.  But, when she had a serious bout with melanoma, her mother came to investigate our situation.  During that visit she began to appreciate what my wife valued in me.  Our shared love for her daughter became the basis for a growing relationship, which really blossomed when she surrendered to Christ on the occasion of my daughter's dedication.

    Yes, a daughter!  My wife and I participated in a program which provided two-day private visits for inmates and their families.  We wanted to delay having children while I was in prison, but the Lord instructed us to let nature take its course.  Our daughter arrived healthy and beautiful.  What a blessing she is to us!  Now, unlike the families in which we were raised, our's is centered in God's love which enables us to be the parents our daughter's needs.  Meanwhile, by loving a child of my own, I am learning that God loves me simply because I am His own.

    Over the years, God has used my wife and daughter to help me mature spiritually and emotionally and reinstate my social graces.  Now, by His love and grace, my life is greatly restored; and I am a part of a family in which He is Lord.

    At first, I tried to solve my problems with self-indulgence and blaming others.  It felt right but brought frustration and destruction.  Then Christ gave me His simple truth:  Living on His terms assures eternal life on earth and in heaven.  He gives me hope and help in every situation.  His solutions are worthy of my trust, although not necessarily according to my directions or wishes.  He remains faithful; I remain His.

Part 3 - Coming Soon!