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With 7 brothers and sisters, we didn't have
much, but we were well cared for, loved and raised
in the admonition of the Word of God. Somewhere
along the line, I rebelled and in the 60's got
caught up in the drug scene. I caused a lot of pain for
my parents and family. I can cringe even now at the
sight of my mother's tears. I can remember the words to
an old Hank Williams song 'last night as I lay down
to sleep, I heard somebody begin to weep, as I got up
just to see, there was my Momma a prayin' for me'. |
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I
know what Hank was singing about. I made my Mom cry a
lot. Even a lost sinner can feel a mother's
lament, and I became lost for 20 years in a continual fog, and
I mean a thick one.
Half the time I was certifiable, and I'm only alive today because of the
prayers of my Mom and Dad and the Church. I was
jaundiced for about 3 years and weighed 85 lbs.
during a period where I was injecting speed and other
drugs such as MDA and Heroin. I once counted the number
of friends and acquaintances who died early deaths due
to overdosing, being murdered, car accidents etc. and it
was over 40. I spent years as a musician thinking
I had a license to stay stoned all the time. I only
mention this for one purpose because it is something I
don't like discussing. It is to give glory to Jesus
Christ who alone is able to take such a miserable
existence and change it into something incredible,
beyond words.
Spending a brief time in jail, did not completely bring
me to my senses, but it was a start. It got me off the
needle and looking back I know God had me put in
this place to get my attention. I learned to really read
in jail and I attribute my writing ability today in
music to that period in my life. Most important I
learned to pray in jail and I did a lot of praying. In 1987, Aug.3rd, three months after
leaving the Donwood Clinic, a rehabilitation centre, I gave my life
to Christ. I can tell you from that day on there have been many
difficult times, but Jesus has seen me through every one. I
have overcome agoraphobia, floating anxiety and abject failure.
Jesus gave me confidence, comfort and an assurance that
with Him, I could do all things. But I only got that
confidence by constantly reading His Word. You got to read
the Bible all the time, everyday. You got to pray all the
time, everyday. You got to mean business, you got to have an urgency
about wanting effective change in your life. I can't tell you right
now all the miracles God has done in my life regarding
physical, mental, and spiritual healing, but I will tell you this,
God is in the miracle working business, big time, and I am blown
away constantly by His incredible care and thoughtfulness.
Commit your works to God and He will establish your thoughts. I
got to spend 7 years with the mentoring of my Dad, who I looked
upon as a spiritual giant, before he went to be with the Lord. I
remember telling him one night, rather discouraged, that I had a
long way to go. He looked at me with understanding and a kindly
sadness and said 'Son we all have a long way to go'. I will never
forget that, nor will I take this journey for granted. Thank you
Lord for your indescribable gift and for loving me in spite of
myself.
-Danny Brooks |
