Please share this GOOD NEWS!
the
FREEDOM
letter
FOURTH QUARTER EDITION 1998, VOL. 13
"Wishing you the most blessed Christmas and most prosperous New Year ever." Tom Lomas
WELCOME
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.
Over the past four years, more than 14,000 copies of 40 Days to Freedom have been distributed in 46 states, all U.S. territories, and 16 countries through 107 prisons and jails and 175 ministries. Every copy has a blessing for someone and some copies have blessed many lost souls (65 reported by one inmate for one book still in good condition, still working).
Next to life itself, freedom is our most valuable gift from God. Following are true stories of God breaking chains of seemingly incurable bondages and winning back lost freedom through His strength and the example of Jesus. <fm><
MIRACLES SHARED
From Louisville, KY ....... First of all I would like to thank you for writing this book. I kind of came upon it by chance; it was given to my wife and I found it in her suitcase so I began to read. And I am so glad I did. Me not being much on reading, I found the material very interesting and helpful.
I thought I knew myself pretty well; but God knows me even better. There were so many things in my life that needed to change; and going on the 40 day journey gave me the strength to do so. I’m still not where I want to be; but I’m definitely not what or where I used to be; and I know that is a blessing from God.
So through prayer and living as God commanded me to, I know someday I’ll reach that point in my life where it is pleasing to God when he looks down on me.
From a prisoner in Tell City, IN ..... Mr. ____ has shared your wonderful book with me through talking about his journey through a 40 day - year - walk with Jesus. I would enjoy a copy of my own so I also can experience this same joy I see in Mr. ____.
From DeSoto Correctional Institution, FL ...... I was struggling with the fact of being away from my family for what seemed to be a lengthy amount of time. By reading your book, I have gained the strength I need through Christ to endure. Patience was what I was lacking and I still do except my impatience now is to know God and our Saviour more closely.
From Kokomo, IN ....... Please find enclosed a check to help support FMI. I am 42 and I have been battling this dread addiction to sexual sin since I was 19. Not until God led me to your web site did I begin to experience a “way out.” I am a Christian.. I am now on Day 11. The first week went great, but I have had a very tough time these last 5 days, and it is because I sloughed off the 40 Days and broke my fast from lusting. Tonight was tough. God is preciously bringing me back and is sheltering me in the Shadow of the Almighty.
I wanted to get this check written and mailed out, as a measure of warfare against Satan and also an earnest payment towards the successful completion of this journey into the desert of my soul.
Through your material, which God is simply using as a way to focus my attention on HIS POWER, I have experienced the newness you talk about in the 40 Days journey. I praise God that He guided you to write this document, Tom. Out of the clear blue is how I ran into your website and I am so glad I did. When I first began to read your story, I was wondering if we were alike. I have been searching for so long, I have tried SAA meetings and a whole lot of "sexual purity and wholeness" type of self-help material, conferences and other helps. Then, when I read that you were delivered from the sex addiction lifestyle of sin, I knew that this was it.
Tom, this truly is the last "thing" I am going to try. Satan is such a deceiver and I am learning his strategies and finding solutions to his deception in learning to trust God and abandon myself to Him alone. I know that your program (actually, it is God's!!!) works, because the small steps I have taken have led me to a level of purity never attained thus far in my life.
I also was dismissed from the military, the USMC, in 1993, after 17 years and 27 days of exemplary service. Everything was a "10" on the outside, but inside... well, you know the rest of the story. It was the hidden behavior of cruising and voyeurism that finally did me in. It is such a very long story. Air Force and Navy psychiatry, loads of Prozac and Effexor It has all been so very painful and there is a load of regret, as you are so familiar with. I too was finally divorced in July 1996, after 19 years of marriage. But GOD... and that says it all.
On top of it all, my son, Jon Jr., was killed last summer, 1997, in a car accident. Talk about reasons to stay in the addiction! But I am not staying there, Tom, and it is because God brought me back to the foot of the Cross and I see it now more clearly than ever before.
From John Polk Corrections, Fl ...... My best friend sent me your book in July of this year. The next month , Bill was killed in a motorcycle accident while doing God’s work for Kairos (Prison Ministry). Bill and I met in prison in 1984 and were “treatment” buddies for our imprisonment, biker buddies thereafter and family at heart. Bill’s death, your book and the resultant rededication to my Lord Jesus has changed my life. I’ve never lived spirit filled before now! What a blessing. Following a recent fast, I’ve been hit with the call to serve; I don’t know in what capacity. I don’t even know why I am telling you except I feel called to do so. Can you use me. I am expecting God to work a miracle in my life on Monday, Nov. 23rd; I expect to be freed. I will call you when I get out to praise God and thank you in person for the book.
From Fulton, OH ...... I found your book 40 Days to Freedom on the Internet and downloaded it. These wonderful words of inspiration helped me [and still are helping me] find my way through a difficult time giving up an old habit. Enclosed is my check to pay for this book. <fm><
BOOK OF LIFE
The Bible is often referred to as the "Book of Life." 40 Days to Freedom is a condensed book of life. Life as humans is only worthwhile if we are free, free to choose, free to express. This is the purpose for 40 Days to Freedom to free us from all things that seek to enslave us.
Through the 40 Day Process, along with our new freedom, we are given the “eyes of Jesus;” and a whole new world unfolds before us, a world of God's beauty, of God's creation, of God's love. And, while before we had eyes that could not see, now we see the message of God everywhere and in everyone. It is the message of His infinite love for every one of us, saint or sinner, bound or free, Christian or non-believer, each His creation, each His precious child.
So what is God’s purpose in giving us this great gift of freedom and spiritual rebirth? That each will freely choose to come home to Him, our Father. <fm><
MORE MIRACLES
From Belle Glade Corrections, FL ........ I violated probation and was sentenced to one year in prison. I truly never felt so low in my life....... I picked up your book and made the commitment to do what the book asked. Since this time, God has restored most of my family which had to be His act because 15 years of drugs, booze, and women most had vowed to steer clear (of me)....... All of my heart believes a fruitful life can and will come from all of this as long as I yield to the Spirit of God and not to the world’s way of doing things.
All glory to my Father God. To be able to see a light instead of darkness, to not feel lost but to be found, to recognize the difference between the devil’s lies but search for Jesus’ truth, to see goodness in all instead of dwelling in faults. Thank you for your Spirit-filled book. I pray for His direction in all my paths. In six months I leave; and I want to be a soldier for Christ.
From a college junior, VA ....... Last year I had the opportunity to read this book after my cousin, an inmate in Winchester, requested that 40 Days to Freedom be sent to my home. Although I have never actually been in trouble with the law, when I read this book, I began to realize that I could be in trouble with God if I kept doing what I have been doing. A critical analysis of this book has helped me grow as a Christian; and now I want these words passed on to my friends so they too can see the greatness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
This book should be for everyone and not simply inmates. For God judges all and not simply the ones society has deemed as criminals.
From West Palm Beach, FL ........ A friend of mine here at the Palm Beach County Stockade shared your 40 Days to Freedom with me. I am not completely finished with it. I am on the 27th day. This is a wonderful publication. It is helping me to see clearly inside myself and to keep trusting God.. It also shows me that God loves me and always understands each of us. I’m learning allot about forgiveness also.
I read faithfully each morning; and also I reflect back on it during the day. I would like to know if you would please send the two people I named ........ in hopes they will find what they are looking for “peace.” Thank you for writing this book; for it is enlightening my life. <fm><
THIRD PRINTING
We are excitedly preparing for the third printing, 50,000 copies, of 40 Days to Freedom . Here is the simplest, most effective weapon to break the chains of bondage to habitual sin. In early 1996, when God called this ministry from part-time to full-time, He prophesied (or promised) that 40 Days to Freedom will “blanket the earth.”
We are thrilled to have watched His plan unfold with initial distribution almost totally to the incarcerated, then in ‘96 the Internet added with some distribution through churches, then in ‘98 the substantial addition of the Christian Recovery Ministry through the NET Association. And we are especially thrilled that the numbers reported in “WELCOME” were achieved with only two employees (one since March). There can be only one explanation, God! The miracle works! The healing of all addictions works! The rebirth (“eyes of Jesus”) is real! Alleluia!
We believe God has given us an unusual, if not unique, method for funding our third printing through sponsorship. The sponsors will not only have access to the 40 Day Procedure but some will also receive honorable mention in every one of the 50,000 copies of 40 Days to Freedom . Details are available by calling us or at the ministry website (http://www.40days2freedom.org) in the “Sponsor Perks” area. Hence our “Live the Miracle” (subtitle) book will continue to be God’s free gift to all souls-in-need; and those responding to His call to provide for “the least of my brethren” (Mat 25:40) will also be fulfilling His prophesy of “blanketing the earth” with His healing message of freedom.
We expect this sponsorship process to open a whole new area of distribution for 40 Days to Freedom , the workplace, businesses, and corporations especially since this procedure is not about religion but relationship between man (or woman) and his creator or forces, outside of his control, working toward his destruction. Certainly, as each individual is freed from harmful hang-ups such as aggression, sexual lust or superiority, or self-centeredness, this will contribute to harmony in the workplace. As more and more employees lessen their desire to get and increase their desire to give, an air of team spirit and service-to-customer will develop. And with the “eyes of Jesus” each employee will see new opportunities to bloom where he or she is planted.
We also hope churches will respond to the call of sponsorship. With our full-time calling God told us that today’s organized churches are filled with addicts who are not receiving what they need to break their chains of addiction. Is this the job of the Church? If not the church, then who? Secular counselors who tell addicts they’re incurable, who tell them they must always say, “I am an addict!”? Is this where we will relegate the least of our brethren, of Jesus’ brethren?
Church, it’s time to come out of our comfort zone and get radical as our Savior was radical. And what is radical about 40 Days to Freedom ? Perhaps it’s too simple or the book is too short (160 pages). God simplifies; man complicates. One afflicted person, alone in the desert of his soul, against his toughest adversary (addiction), for forty days using only God’s strength instead of his own or some other secular alternative. Simple? Yes; but also biblical. And it works as you have read in this and all previous Freedom Letters and in the “TESTIMONIALS” page at our website (http://www.40days2freedom.org). <fm><
MORE MIRACLES
THANKS!! Thanks for taking the time to write the 40 Days to Freedom program. I’m in Mountain View, AZ, at the Stone County Jail. I just moved down here from Charlotte, NC about a year ago. Since I’ve been this jail, I’ve had your book close to my side. It has helped me to see what I have been doing wrong. Now I can go day by day doing right and spreading the word to my other brothers in here with me.
Since page one I just couldn’t put this book down. I now see the light!! Praise God! I now don’t have to worry as “All things come to the good that love God” (Rom 8:28).
Again I thank you for this 40 Days to Freedom . I feel as if I now have lived the miracle; and I’ll be living it through the rest of my days. Age 17.
From the Okeechobee County Jail, FL ....... I want to thank you for sharing 40 Days to Freedom . It has changed my life. I used to not believe in the Lord; but, thanks to your book, I have truly been delivered and have been set free from alcohol.
Thank you so much. When I saw you in Ocala, I saw something in you. I had had the book for awhile but never read it. The day you came to Ocala’s jail, you moved me; and I read the book. Thank you so much. I was brought here on a charge; and I shared your book with these girls...... Thank you and praise the Lord for 40 Days to Freedom . It worked for me; so it will others.
From Ozark, AL ........ First, I thank you for sending 40 Days to Freedom to all I requested. I hope it helps them as much as it has me.
Two months ago, I was arrested for possession of marijuana. I came to jail with the intentions of getting out and doing the same things I was doing before. But a true friend shared his 40 Days to Freedom with me. It truly was an inspiration. With the help of the Lord Jesus and your message in 40 Days to Freedom , I turned my life around. I live for the Lord now and share His word with others. I hope the others that receive your book can truly be blessed with the Lord.
From a Pastor in Illinois ........ What a blessing you and your book have been. Thanks for sharing these wonderful truths with us. The folks here have already sensed His power. God bless you.
From an Inmate in Ocala, Fl ........ I received your letter expressing how I can get a book from my chaplain. The letter meant allot as you took the time to actually hand write a response. I will save it always.
I had nine years of sobriety until last July. I didn’t care anymore. By Nov. 30, I OD’d on I.V. cocaine, went to rehab, got 72 days, fell co-dependently in love with a recovering addict who used; and I took my will back from March 1 to May 2nd. In that time this college educated mother of 3 lost my faith, my children, home, car, job, rolled his Monte Carlo, was beaten and raped, and became a hard-core crack head.
Now I’m in jail on my first D.U.I. and V.O.P. from cocaine. My first charges at age 36. I’ve been struggling with using or not to use. But I’ve read your book. It’s truly wonderful. It along with the Bible has saved me.
I would truly appreciate your sending a copy to a good friend of mine who also is struggling after a relapse last week. I hope you’re happy and well. I live my life through God now, “One day at a time.” I pray and ask for His guidance and His will.
When I look in the mirror,
What do I see?
I see a woman,
Happy, sober, clean, and free.
It used to be pain,
Bondage from drugs;
But that is now in my past
Thanks to God’s eternal love.
by Kat
<fm><
CLOSING MESSAGE
Due to lack of finances, there has been no bulk mailing of the Freedom Letter since the Easter Edition this year. The transmission of the Summer Edition was by e-mail and sporadic mailing with other communications. I believe God has demonstrated there was too much waste in mailing to a database of 4,000 at an expense of $1,500 (printing, folding, labeling, postage). Therefore, we will prune the newsletter database before another bulk mailing of this letter to prisoners, prison ministers, recovery ministers, and recipients of 40 Days to Freedom if funding of about $1,000 becomes available. Otherwise, the Freedom Letter will become primarily an electronic newsletter, still spreading the glorious news of freedom through God’s strength, but limited to those who can receive e-mail. We do encourage our e-mail readers to print and share this good news as well as forward it to all their Internet-connected friends. You too may serve an important role in this apostleship.
Perhaps there was a message with the funding of the bulk mailing of the Easter Edition through the commitment and efforts of one brother in Christ. We will therefore, in hope that it will not detract from the sponsorship of the third printing of 40 Days to Freedom , also seek sponsors for the printing and distribution of the Freedom Letter.
“You are the light of the world” (Mat 5:14). “The Kingdom of God is within you” (Luk 17:21) so “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Mat 5:16). <fm><
----------------------------SEPARATE FORM HERE--------------------------------
40 Days to Freedom is God’s free gift to all His children. We trust Him for our support. You may assist in freeing souls from bondage to addictions and all habitual sin through your prayers for this ministry, testimonials of freedom and rebirth through 40 Days to Freedom , and financial support. If you contribute $10.00 or more, we will provide a receipt for your charitable deduction. Checks should be payable to Freedom Ministries, Inc.
40 Days to Freedom : Please send ______ copies (mailed to your return address).
$________ enclosed as God’s provision for printing and distribution of
[_] 40 Days to Freedom [_] Freedom Letter
Please mail this form to Freedom Ministries, Inc. 1855 W. State Road 434, Suite 250, Longwood, FL 32750. Phone: (407)332-0991. Fax: (407)332-0992. A Florida Not-For-Profit Corporation (#N94000005074). Qualified as Tax Exempt (IRS#585090062). http://www.40days2freedom.org E-mail: freedom918@aol.com
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