• This is the public testimony of Philip, a student at Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX
  • I first began using drugs at age 12 and my life began to subsequently plummet
  • Of all the addicts I've met, I have yet to meet one who began by shooting $1,000 worth of heroin or drinking a case of Jack Daniels daily; it just doesn't work that way--you start small by smoking that first joint or drinking that first beer
  • At 14, I was told by school officials to stop coming to school

  • I was placed in an adolescent care center, where the caregivers told me, "don't do drugs--take your medicine;" "don't smoke weed--take Prozac;" "don't shoot Heroin, drink beer;" "Don't buy their drugs--buy ours"
  • The prescription drug problem in America is as much of the problem as illegal drugs
  • I didn't want to stay with family which was alright because they didn't want me
  • In the summer of 1997, the Dallas police were summoned to my place for a dispute between myself and a neighbor
  • I didn't want to go to the officer's church alone so I tried to bring some of my buddies--but I had none

  • That Sunday in June 1997, Dr. Ted Stone was speaking at Baptist Church in Mesquite, Texas

  • Two things he said caught my attention:
  • #2. Ted--the pastor himself--used to be a drug addict; but no longer since he's recovering by God's grace--the same hope I've learned

  • With Jesus Christ in my life, I found hope to permanently break my drug habit--that I didn't have to be a drug addict for life, as opposed to the Galilean theory that once you become something, you're that way until you die

  • I wish I could say that when I became saved, my recovery was instant--but it wasn't
  • On September 10th, 2000, Dr. Stone canceled his speaking engagement to be with me at my apartment because he knew I was dying
  • I had been to the gates of hell due to my stupid decisions; but the Lord reached down and snatched me out of the devil's pocket

  • We serve the living God who loves each of us; you are never so low that God's hand can't reach you

  • God has a plan for each of us--a plan involving reaching others in this world

  • I am humbled and at home every time the church door is opened

  • Every time I fail, Ted and other Christians help me back up; God loves me with an unreasonable love

  • Share this unreasonable love with others in the cold, dark world because we're in the warm, lit church



    DR. TED STONE


  • I grew up in a good family, became a Christian early, accepted the call to the ministry then rebelled and became a drug addict; I know the terrible and terrifying consequences--I was in prison four years and three months and God gave me another chance

  • I was privileged to walk across America three times (3,650 miles each) after the age of 60

  • I walked, delivering the same message to those I encountered in my three walks across America that I gave to my student, Phil

  • I want to speak to the young people of America on the necessity of surrender
  • Speaking to Southwest seminary students recently, I was asked, "What scripture was most important to you during your darkest days in prison?"
  • The hope I've preached for years is that Jesus Christ is the answer to every problem
  • During my first walk, I encountered a couple from First Baptist Church who ran to me, claiming, "God sent ya!"
  • During my walk across America, I stopped at the Anheuser-Busch company in St. Louis, Missouri
  • For everyone who has the discipline to take it or leave it, there's another who can't
  • Praise those setting good examples around others
  • In 1998, I spoke at Village Baptist Church in Oklahoma City and met a man who said, "my dad is a terrible/violent drunk"
  • Just as God came down to earth for Phil, He will come for you; do not give up hope

  • We, the saved--who represent Jesus--are the only hope this lost world knows
  • Revelation 21:7: This promise from God: "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son"

  • God didn't come to earth to do His miracles, directly; He does them through saved people

  • Genesis 4:9: As opposed to Cain, who committed the first murder (of his brother), we ought to be our "brother's keeper"
  • God is still on His Throne and Jesus is still healing people

  • He worked in Phil's life, my life and the lives of the people I encounter, only by His suffering and dying for His sins (of which He had none) but ours

  • The greatest choice in my life was at 10 years old when I made the decision to follow Jesus Christ

    CLOSER
  • If you surrender to Him today, it will be the best day of your life

  • I want you to be forever free by His grace--make this the greatest day of your life

  • QUESTION: When's the last time you prayed in a public place? Do you know someone who's hurting from a drug addiction or dependency? Do you know someone lost--at school, work, or home?

  • We, the saved, can't afford to be quiet! We must be getting down and dirty where they are in the mud to help lift them out
  • It's not about magic or a canned act but your true testimony of how Jesus Christ saved you