the FREEDOM letter

THIRD QUARTER EDITION 1998, VOL. 12

"Give out not up." (Inmate at Coleman F.C.C.)

MIRACLES SHARED

From Ocala, FL: “40 Days to Freedom to me was a stepping stone to get the insight from the Holy Spirit who dwells in all who accept and confess Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. The book was a spiritual escape for me while I was incarcerated for purchase and possession of cocaine.

The book revealed to me that we that believe are the righteousness of God in Jesus and the bondages that used to enslave me were destroyed 2,000 years ago on a tree. I thank my God and Father for your ministries and pray that the souls and spirits of these people enclosed (referrals for book) will receive some of the same blessings I did. Praise the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. "

From Tell City, IN: “Currently I am serving time at Branchville Correctional Facility. I received the Freedom Letter at my home address and my family mailed it to me. I am asking, if you could, that you mail the Freedom Letter directly to me at Branchville. I also am requesting a copy of 40 Days to Freedom. While I was in the Orlando Jail, I was able to read your wonderful book. I wasn’t able to take a copy with me because it belonged to another inmate. I feel lost and unable to keep my direction going forward. I enjoyed your book as a direction leader and the newsletter that I wish not to be without them.”

From Winchester, VA: “I am an inmate at CFW Regional Adult Dentention Center. I want to thank you for spreading God’s love to me so I could spread it to others alike. The newsletter that I received about a month ago kind of took me by surprise to see my own letter (Easter Edition ‘98, “From Clarke-Frederick- Winchester ...”) printed in front of me. It made me kind of scared at first; then I realized that God has full control of everything I do.

After reading the letter, another inmate read it and told me that my letter touched him. He came to me, shortly after reading the letter, and asked me what I thought about starting a Bible study within our 24 man pod. I told him that it was a good idea so we agreed to start one. Five people came to the first study. After that, there were about ten the next time. We decided to have the group meet on Tues. and Thur. after breakfast......

It makes me happy to know that by someone reading a letter I wrote about your 40 day book could start a bible study group to spread God’s word. I want to ask you if you could send me some more address papers because I have alot of people waiting to receive the 40 day book. If it is possible would you be able to send me a package of at least five books to spread to my fellow inmates to learn more of the word. Some may be leaving soon; and I would like them to have a book to learn from.”

From Baraboo, WI: An inmate in a letter to Chaplain George Coolidge stated, “I am now on day 23 without using Kodiak tobacco. The book you sent, 40 Days to Freedom, was the extra help I needed to kick this habit that I had for the last 21 years.”

From the Marion County Jail, FL: “About your book, well I’m still doing my 40 days; but just reading your book has answered so many important questions I’ve been asking about the Bible for so long! I love it, and will keep it always. You’ve really helped me in ways I can’t describe in a letter. After reading your book, I feel I’m so much closer to the freedom God has promised all of us.”

From Dilley, TX: “I am an inmate at the Briscoe Unit and a former drug user / abuser. I gave my life to Christ back in 1990, have had a long road of lessons to learn and habits to break. I have a little over 7 years for shoplifting and will discharge in about 4 months. I have been studying the bible since my incarceration and started attending A.A./N.A. meetings about 3 years ago, which was very helpful.

Still I am a Christian as most of my associates in here are also. Lots of them encouraged me to grow in Christ and quit the meetings. I felt led to stop going and to increase church functions. So, finally, about a month ago, I stopped going; but I still want to be better prepared to follow the Lord’s leading in all areas of my life including recovery.

So, Mr. Lomas, if your book, 40 Days to Freedom, can be of service to people like myself, I ask that you send me a copy......... My ‘freeworld’ pastor, John Chiarello, sent me your newsletter ........... Great testimonies; continue the good work.”

From Oklahoma: “I sent you an e-mail earlier this evening requesting your 40 Days to Freedom book. After that, I downloaded the book and realized how truly great it is. I can only tell you that I am a pastor's wife and I need this book desperately and as soon as you can get it to me. Thank-you and please keep me in your prayers.”

From Bonifay, FL: “I am serving a life sentence at Holmes Correctional Institution; and , as I looked in your book, I thanked God. I see being here in prison is more of a blessing than I thought. I see man gave me all this time; but it cannot overdo everlasting life. I’m not where I want to be; but, thank God, I’m not where I used to be. I see now it was the prayers of a loving mother that moved God’s heart.

I’ve been locked up since 1991; and I got saved July of 1993. My life is in Christ; and it’s been a joy ever since. I never knew I could be happy. I might be locked up but, bless God, am not locked out. And, as reading your book, I didn’t see all these blessings before; but the understanding has come to the light of praising God. Thanks!

I would like for my mother to have 40 Days to Freedom. There have been many miracles around us and we didn’t even know it. I see God likes to work when nothing else will. Praise God!”

From Cynthiana, KY: “I am presently lodged in the Bourbon County Detention Center. Rev. Morgan Gilkey comes on Mondays and Thursdays to teach God’s word and hold .A.A-N.A. meetings. He distributed about 25 of your books to us. I am in the process of the 40 day walk as we speak. The book is so wonderfully inspiring that I can feel the Lord’s presence with me more now than ever before in my life. Thank you very much for re-opening my eyes to the light.”

From Quincy, FL: “I went to the chapel library to return an overdue book. Before I got there I had decided not to even look for any other books. I got there; and, as soon as I walked in the door, I started to look through the books. I said to myself, ‘what are you doing; you know you’re not going to read a book?’ It was like I was looking for something.

When I came accross your book, 40 Days to Freedom, I had already heard about it from a friend who said it was excellent. Though she never told me what it was about, I knew I had to have it. Tomorrow I have to return the book. We can only check out books for three days at a time. Tom, trust me, I’ve only gotten to the second chapter so far; but, boy, I’m sure impressed! I want to do the forty day walk; but I need my own book to do it. Please, Tom, send me one, in Jesus’ name; and do me a favor, pray for me, okay?”

From Macon, GA: “I thank God for bringing 40 Days to Freedom to me. I have experienced the same trials and addictions as Tom Lomas has had. It was really difficult to deal with them alone. By living the miracle of 40 Days, I’m inspired and encouraged in knowing there is hope and I am not alone.”

From Bainbridge, IN: “Thank you, what a wonderful surprize to have a copy of your book 40 Days to Freedom so soon. My sister living in Alabama wrote me of your book. I am really happy to receive it.

Would you please send a copy of 40 Days to Freedom to each of my sisters- in-law? It is my hope they will share knowledge of your book with their friends and church members.”

From Kissimmee, FL: “I want to share my experience this morning. I was tempted by Satan this morning by the very thing I am trying to overcome. I was tempted by crack cocaine. I am still in jail; but a girl brought some in. She was locked in the same cell with me. She smoked the crack right in front of me. Offered it to me - I said NO!!

It was a strange feeling. I was shaking and I almost cried. I believe, if it wasn’t for your 40 Days to Freedom, I might not have been able to say no. Thank you very much. Thank you, God!!”

From Port Orange, FL: “It is 1:50 A.M. and, if I am wide awake at this hour, it is due to the fact that I just cannot put away your awesome book 40 Days to Freedom. What a blessing you were to all of us tonight at Epiphany Church. I can’t begin to tell you at this time, six hours after you ended your talk, the impact you had on this assembly. All I heard at the hall, at home (4 messages and 9 phone calls), all so positive! Really you have touched several persons tonight. I am certain the Holy Spirit was smiling on you. Please keep in touch. Even at 83, I can still do something to save my soul and those of others.”

From Quincy, FL: “I have traveled the 40 days; and, through the 40 days, I know that God carried me through it. He has truly freed me on the inside; and I give Him all the praise for the things He has done in my life.”

THANK YOU

Eight years ago God answered the desperate prayer of an addict on the brink of self-destruction. God told him to follow the example of Jesus’ forty days in the desert. During the forty day walk in the barren desert of his soul, the addict was freed from his compulsion and was given “the eyes of Jesus.” Then God had the freed addict write a book that would pass this awesome freedom to all who reach out from their prisons of habitual sin. More than eight thousand copies of this miracle book have been distributed to 14 countries, 46 states, D.C., V.I., Puerto Rico, 50 prisons served by Freedom Ministries, Inc. and more served by prison and recovery ministries ordering in quantity. And the miracles abound as you have read in this and all previous editions of the Freedom Letter and on our website. Praise God and thank you!

Thank you first for your prayers. I can’t put into words, when I read in your letters or you tell me on the phone or when I visit the prisons, that you’re praying for this ministry, the feeling, the encouragement, the courage given. Please don’t ever stop. Time is short; and your prayers are needed more than ever in these last days.

The spiritually blind can’t see what is coming; therefore, we must help them to remove their “blinders” (see “AN INMATE’S PRAYER”). God wants none to perish; but He will allow us to actively choose eternity with Him or to actively or passively choose eternity without Him. He will never violate our freedom to choose.

Through addiction or habitual sin, Satan attempts to take away our choice. He wants us to battle him with our own puny strength which is no contest. He doesn’t want us to know that God will fight all our battles for us if we’ll only ask. That’s the method of 40 Days to Freedom.

Next, thank you for your testimonies of blessing through 40 Days to Freedom and the Freedom Letter. I know I am simply a messenger, a sower. I should not expect to see the harvest. To know whose sowing I am doing is enough; yet, you have shown me so much fruit I am overwhelmed.

Before publication, I had not anticipated our book could be used for other than mental addictions. You have revealed that and so much more showing the unlimited use of God’s healing power through any medium He chooses. And with 40 Days to Freedom, as with all His expressions of healing and freedom, the faith of the receiver is the primary ingredient.

Finally, thank you for your financial assistance. We do no fund-raising or arm twisting so you have truly been God’s instruments of provision. Two specific instances of need fulfilled stand out since our last Freedom Letter; and the first involved the Easter edition of our newsletter. A Kairos Prison Ministry brother told me he felt compelled to raise funds to pay for one edition. I told him it would require about $1,000. I had not accounted for the ministry tithe from the contribution nor the loss of the services of my secretary a short time later.

About a month later, I returned from a combination bicycling and ministry trip in North Florida. Before the trip I had posted the Easter edition on our website and left the finished original in a file folder awaiting funds for publishing. In my accumulated mail was the $1,000 check from my friend. At the time I owed two months’ rent on my office but remained faithful to his wish which, I knew, was also God’s. With a little extra help from another Kairos brother, the Easter edition was published and distributed.

The second instance of need fulfilled occurred on May 7, 1998. I had lost my condominium and my secretary, Peggy, my daughter. Our parting was on good terms, trusting God; but tearful. I was two months behind on office rent and telephones. I was late on I.R.S. taxes owed.

At noon a check for $1,000 was hand delivered by someone I had never met or conversed with; but she entered my office clutching a copy of 40 Days to Freedom saying, “this is the answer!” Later that day two more significant checks arrived in the mail which put our ministry back into the black with $45 to spare.

Both Old and New Testament tell us, over and over, God can be trusted to provide all our needs. God is faithful! God is awesome! Alleluia! Amen.

AN INMATE’S PRAYER

Lord, thank you for blessing me with the opportunity of reading 40 Days to Freedom. Brother Lomas has removed the blinders from my eyes. Now I am able to take time daily to praise and thank you for everything. Thank you for a second chance.

                                                                                                 Kathleen Peroni-Mello

AN INMATE’S POEM

The Time of My Life

I’m having the time of my life right now.

The battle is almost won.

My faith is strong and my conscience clear;

And I’ve only just begun.

To know the peace He has promised me,

The joy of a job well done.

And I count my blessings along the way;

And thank Him for every one.

I’m having the time of my life right now;

For I never thought I’d be

Given a second chance

Such as the Lord has given me.

To see with clearer eyes

Than I have ever seen before.

To know that when I knock,

His hand will open the door.

How like a dream my old life seems

So far within the past.

I’ve traded foolish fancies

For the things I know will last.

And I am strong within His Strength

And precious in His sight,

Accepting all He sends me,

Because His ways are always right.

I’m having the time of my life right now

Because I’ve learned to share

Everything I do with God

Each minute I am here.

For He alone can read my heart

And know what is within

And make all things wonderful

Because He is my friend.

Praise God.

                                                                                                            Ariadna Bailey

--------------------------------- SEPARATE FORM HERE ---------------------------------

God ordained Freedom Ministries, Inc.; and we trust Him for our support. Most of our ministering and distribution is in prisons. In obedience to God, we distribute 40 Days to Freedom without any charge. We receive no compensation from any government agency. We solicit your prayers and your written testimonies of blessings from 40 Days to Freedom.

We offer you the opportunity to be an instrument of God’s financial provision (tax deductible) to His ministry to souls in bondage. Donations should be payable to Freedom Ministries, Inc. for the purpose of pleasing God and following the mandate of Jesus in Matthew 25:40,45,46.

Please send [ ] 40 Days to Freedom or the [ ] Freedom Letter quarterly to

Name: ____________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________

Tom, please contact this church, prison, or organization for your presentation and free distribution:

Name of Minister and / or Organization: ________________________________________

Address / Phone: ___________________________________________________________

Please mail this form to Freedom Ministries, Inc., 1855 W. State Road 434, Suite 250, Longwood, FL 32750. Freedom Ministries, Inc. is a Florida Not-For-Profit Corp. (#N94000005074). Qualified as Tax Exempt (IRS #585090062).

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