Chapter
1
Brenda: Jesus' Living Power
Witches in modern America? Who can believe it? In the Fifties the British Parliament repealed an ancient Witchcraft Act. After all, why have a law on the books to prohibit something that really doesn't exist?
But witches in America? In the 1970's, or today? Sybil Leek, best known among the witches during the seventies, at that time said that the witch population had exploded 40% during a five year period. Timothy Green Beckly, publisher of ESP, had then estimated that there were 5,000 practicing witches in New York and perhaps twice as many in L.A., with more than 400 covens in existance, then. Lewis Martello, author of "The Weird Way of Witchcraft", assisted N.Y.C. sorcerers in drawing up a "Manifesto" demanding that civil rights legislation be extended to protect witchcraft as a formal religion, urging descendants of the witches executed in Salem 300 years ago to sue Massachusettes for $100 million in 'reparations'
Witchcraft is all around us: doctors, teachers, lawyers, businessmen, housewives, and students may form or already be in a coven. The proliference of television, movies, books and paraphenalia about witchcraft is evidence of its growth and existence in the world, today. Present estimates of 400,000 practicing witches and warlocks in America are probably conservative.
In II Peter 2:1-2, we are warned against "false prophets who shall privately bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them", and that many shall follow their pernicious ways. Sad to relate these "followers" are recruited from orthodox church members about whom the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy (II Timothy 4:3,4)... "The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but following after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." Brenda Davis' story fits these scriptures very well...
"It was Thanksgiving. The air was cooler now and trees showed striking colors: deep green, pale lemon, blood red. As I drove through this blaze of color, I thought, This is my very first Thanksgiving with the Lord. (I had been saved about one month). I had accepted a dinner invitation from Marie, a friend and owner of a small business. Parking in front of her house, I strolled across the matted, brown lawn. The spicy smell of burning cedar hung heavily in the air from neighborhood fireplaces. At three o'clock, rays from the sun streaked through multi-colored leaves.
I knew today was to be a very special day. I felt so alive as I knocked and opened her front door. I could hear laughter, pots and pans clanging... "Is everybody here?" "Happy Thanksgiving!" As introductions ended and chatter died, I noticed a strange face in the group, someone I had apparently failed to meet. "This is Brenda Davis", Marie volunteered, apologetically. "She's been working for me at the shop." Standing stiffly and smiling weakly, Brenda reached for my hand. "Hi", she managed to say, her hand actually trembling as she grasped mine.
Marie had recently accepted Jesus. She beamed, "I've told her all about you and your experiences with Jesus." Marie then winked at me: (Witness to her, that's what she's here for.) Brenda had a delicate, angelic face. Her eyes were a fascinating mixture of blue and gray. A halo seemed to frame her face as the illumination of sunlight from the window caught her blonde-beige hair. She was a sweet looking girl.
Marie's warm, spice-scented kitchen yielded a gourmet's delight. Everyone was soon filled with good food and light-hearted as we gathered for coffee in the sitting room. Brenda took out her cigarette case, offered it around, lit her own and began talking about her life...
"I was born about sixty miles from here. (Cigarette smoke encircled her head like another halo.) It's really a little town - I'm just a country girl. When I was young, I attended a Pentecostal Church. I still remember how they would speak in tongues. I've never been baptized, but I know that God is real. My mother gave me away to her sister when I was a baby. Mother was an alcoholic. My aunt attended church faithfully but I was so miserable and yearned for the nice things of the world, like clothes, cars and good food; so, I made up my mind that I would somehow, some way, have all those things." She flushed heavily, head slightly tilted, as her hand nervously brushed back her hair.
"So, I left and came to the big city looking for excitement. I got into the wrong crowd, started drinking and smoking and became an alcoholic. Over the years, I became a prostitute." Brenda seemed to be unconscious of her surroundings now and stared into space. "I began to go to Alcoholics Anonymous, and when I got cured, went into all the bars and handed out AA pamphlets." She crushed her cigarette out in total disgust and lit another one.
"I moved in with June, who was practicing witchcraft and started to play around with 'white' witchcraft. I really didn't think white witchcraft was bad... You know, we only used it for good." Witchcraft, my brain shouted! My stomach suddendly turned a flip. Witchcraft - black or white - is witchcraft in God's eyes. Both the same, being in satan's territory.
"Basically, magic and witchcraft are divided into white and black. White witches are supposed to use their magic to help people and to do good. Black magic involves direct help of the devil. It's the most powerful form of occult. It seeks diabolical powers for healing, persecution and vengeance...", she went on. I thought that her appearance did not seem to reflect her history. She had extraordinarily retained childish, dewy freshness. We listened intently as she continued, crossing her legs and speaking in a monotone...
"One day, after I discovered June's black witchcraft stuff wrapped in a black sheet and tucked in the top of a closet, I was very angry. I threw it away... black witchcraft is real bad. I was actually shocked that she would mess with it. When June came home, I told her about throwing her stuff away. She became furious. We argued... Suddenly, I went beserk. I ran and got a gun we kept for protection and shot her five times! I went stark-raving mad in those moments. I didn't seem to have any control over what I was doing. It was like someone or something else had taken over my body... yes, like I was a robot controlled by another force. It was evil... something very evil."
Satan has tremendous control over his captives, I thought. He can control them completely. The Bible says, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; In whom the god of this world (satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (II Corinthians 4:3,4).
"I was still holding the gun when the police arrived; June was unconscious in a pool of blood on the floor." (At this point, my mouth was probably hanging to my waist. Lord, what is this?) The silence was heavy as Brenda lifted her cup of coffee and drained it to the last drop. Her eyes roved the room, as though measuring the impact on us... I wondered how I should react. Disapproval? Surprise? I decided, for the moment, to remain silent. I was such a new Christian... Witchcraft is certainly dangerous; oh no! She shot her five times! Should I leave?
Of course, I had to give her the gospel of Jesus' saving grace. I silently began to 'plead the Blood of Jesus' over all the room and pray as Marie looked around at her guests and managed a nervous smile. All eyes were on Brenda.
"I was place on the 'P' farm (prison farm) and the only thing that I had to read was a Bible that some Holiness preacher brought me. The more I read it, the more I came into the belief that it was true." She reached for another cigarette, lit it, and inhaled desperately. Lord, this is incredible! What in the world do you want me to do? "The City 'P' farm is awful. The food isn't fit for the garbage can. Cockroaches and rats have the run of the place. All night, the bedbugs eat you up." She continued to describe the misery that had run in an almost unbroken line through the course of her life.
Witchcraft, shooting her friend, prison farm; why, I have never known anyone in my life like this before! Wow, is she bad! Then the Lord began to speak to me. "What about the sins that you were into before I saved you, Pat?" "I know, Lord. Forgive me. I'll do whatever I can for her." What right did I have making judgements about her sins? I remembered Nora's prayer meeting when I first became a Christian - and especially, the rejection and opposition that followed there after I had made an honest confession about previous occult involvement before my conversion. I could not forget the lack of love for me that I experienced from those Christian ladies that day. I felt a great compassion flow through me for this woman. It was the compassion of Jesus' love for sinners. I'll love her, Lord. Show me what to do.
Finally, I received the courage to ask the million dollar question: "Did you kill her?" Silence hung heavy now, for sure! All eyes enveloped Brenda, their faces showing the effects of her prior confession. "No, she's going to testify against me. She wants me dead. She's really mean and vicious." Brenda sat for a moment, chin on chest, hands on her lap, with her eyes clouded... she shrugged her shoulders, reached for still another cigarette. Her face showed despair... what difference did it make, her soul seemed to scream.
Her case, as far as the world was concerned, was lost. She had been a Bible-believing Christian, but had let satan enter her life. A loser - confused and defeated with no one seeming to care. "Pat, I'm ready to take whatever the consequences are. If they send me away for 25 years - well, I'm ready."
"Brenda, anyone who takes the Bible seriously knows that witchcraft is nothing to play around with. Are you ready to give your life to Jesus - I mean repent... turn away from your sins and ask Him into your heart? The Bible says to enter the Kingdom of God, you must be born again. Jesus died for you so that you could be saved. Why don't you ask Him to save you tonight? He loves you very much." Brenda replied: "I've already done that, but not fully. You see, I've got to go to court in March and my lawyer wants me to tell some lies. He said if I told the truth I'd never see the light of day. I can't... I just can't. I'm facing 25 years, you know."
She unconsciously began to flick cigarette ashes on the floor. Someone in the the room said: "Well, it's alright if you tell a small lie sometimes. Who would it hurt, anyway?" "It would hurt God and yourself", I replied, seizing the conversation quickly: "Oh, no, Brenda... You said earlier that you're ready to take your consequences. You cannot lie. God will honor the truth. If you will be honest, God will move in your behalf. He can help you...
Christ warned us that Satan was a liar from the beginning and the father of lies (John 8:44). Choose God's way." She reached to pour herself a cup of coffee; her eyes flashed as she dropped sugar into the cup. "Do you think He can help me? I mean, like, do you really believe that Jesus would?"
"Sure I do. No doubt about it. I know God will help you." Brenda replied: "I want to. I really want to... but, I can't." She seemed to realize the significance of her statement and looked momentarily dismayed. "Brenda, Jesus is stronger than the devil. Do you believe that?"
"Yes, of course I do." The Holy Spirit revealed to my heart: She has many demons... pray for her, if she'll let you. "Brenda, when you involve yourself in things like witchcraft, you open yourself up to demonic possession. Jesus gave Christians the authority over satan; and I can take authority over those evil spirits and bind their power over your mind and you will be able to think more clearly. Would you like me to pray with you?" "Yes", answered Brenda, as she stole a quick glance at Marie.
Every eye was looking at Brenda as I placed my hands on her forehead and prayed in tongues. I then commanded satan to be bound, in the Name of Jesus. The Bible says, "Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house and spoil his goods?" (Matthew 12:29). I felt Jesus touch her. Rebellious blood literally pounded in her head. A secret fury was in her. A wild, relentless longing must have been boiling in her heart. Then, like spring rain, tears began to fall, drop by drop. She was moaning, swinging her head from side to side in a restless, agonized way. After a moment she stopped the swaying of her head and clutched her elbows, pressing her arms against her waist, shuddering silently. She lifted her head up to me in a
weary, childish way. I decided to leave her alone with God and pray.
When I returned, we continued, "I can only say to you that it would be better to have God on your side at a time like this than the devil. If I were facing what you are, I'd choose Jesus. Take these books I've been carrying in my purse and read them. See the power of God for yourself. Brenda, turn loose everything that's been keeping you from God. Jesus can help you. He loves you. Your mind will be a little clearer since we prayed. But, you will not feel spiritually well until you commit your heart to Jesus and have all those demons cast out."
Marie began to drag Brenda to every Christian special service that came to town. She seemed a little interested but desperately clung to her sinful way of life. There was no repentance. She went about her life as before: drinking, running around, using bad language, etc. Still, it was good that she was going to church services.
One evening a woman came up to Brenda at a church meeting, saying, "Brenda, praise Jesus, I'm surprised to see you here. I'm so happy to see you. What's the Lord doing in your life?"
Brenda's face became ashen. "Nice to see..." (They talked and I remember Brenda telling the lady about facing 25 years and the woman's reply... but, nothing about the encounter seemed unusual.
"We'll fast and pray in tongues all day for you. Don't you worry, Jesus can take care of that. You won't go to prison...you'll see!" Later, as we were having coffee after the meeting, Brenda said, "you know that woman who spoke to me tonight? Well, she used to be my girlfriend. She's a Lesbian."
Oh no, Lord, not that, too! I've never seen anyone like Brenda before in my entire life! Jesus, why in the world did you drop her on ME? The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart: Someone has to help her. Why not you? I remembered my past sins, my own imperfections... I remembered how through the blessed Blood of Jesus, I was cleansed and made whole and clean. As I remembered the wonderful things that God had done for me, I prayed, "Why not me, Lord?
Several days later, I called Marie. "The Happy Hunters are in town. They're a husband and wife evangelistic team and they're wonderful! If you will call Brenda, I will meet you at the service." I was so enthusiastic, I felt my heart would burst. NOW... now is the time for Jesus to save Brenda. After having prayed for both Marie and Brenda on that Thanksgiving Day, I had been to so many spiritual meetings with them... hoping that Brenda would totally surrender to Jesus and that Marie would receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, each time the altar call came, they just would not go forward.
Frustrated about the whole thing, I complained to my friend, Nora, constantly. "They won't submit to Jesus. I've done everything I know to, but they just won't submit themselves to God completely." ~ "Rest in the Lord, Pat", Nora would say to me. The Lord knew my biggest problem was being impatient. Mrs. Hunter is a vibrant woman who bubbles joy for Jesus. She stood smiling widely before the congregation... "As the plane touched down in Jacksonville, I saw great crowds of people milling around. I said to Charles, 'Do you see them?'" "How would we know the people, Frances?", Charles wanted to know... "By their faces, Charles. The Christians will be the only ones with smiles." "Glory!" The audience applauded... the service was terrific!
There were many miracles and hope burned in everyone's face. "There's someone with a spinal condition... a ruptured disc. Get up quickly, bend over; you'll find that you've been completely healed! There's another person on the left side of the building... you have a heart condition and you, too, have been healed!" (Applause) A woman stepped out into the aisle; tears splashed down her cheeks as she moved toward the platform. Mrs. Hunter reached out and gently touched her on the forehead. She fell to the floor under the power of God. The audience responded with tremendous praise. God is great when we trust Him. We left the meeting full of joy, knowing that God had moved that night.
The next day the Hunters appeared at a women's luncheon. It was an exceptionally beautiful day. It was an exceptionally beautiful day. The morning air was so fresh and sweet. Nora and I left the house full of joy. I noticed a gigantic rainbow hanging in the sky. It was the most beautiful and largest that I'd ever seen. It seemed to frame the entire city of Jacksonville and arched over the tallest buildings like a brilliant halo. It was a sign... God's sign. Today, Nora and I knew, something marvelous would happen. I hadn't seen Marie and Brenda since the first night of the Hunters' meeting, although she had said that they were definitely coming. I looked for them and finally the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart ~ Marie is here ...
Slain in the Spirit once at the evening service, I decided to experience it again at the luncheon. I really liked it and couldn't even remember feeling anything like that before. Immersed in the Spirit; I floated like a feather down to meet the floor again. The sensation was like the ground was disappearing from beneath my feet... like flying on a cloud. It was really terrific... there was joy, wonder, and awe.
"Praise Jesus, Praise Jesus." Everyone was singing cheerfully. People leaped from their seats, waving their hands. There were cries of "Hallelujah!" ~ I sure would like to have that power working through me. Pray and you will, the Holy Spirit impressed on my heart.
I had been consciously anointed in the Spirit, then, and it heightened the sense of the supernatural. What a promise! I thought, anticipating in my heart what it would mean. This falling - "being slain in the spirit", as some call it, has biblical precedents: II Chronicles 5:14, Mark 9:26, Acts 9:4, and Revelation 1:17. It is a feature of powerful ministries.
The next day, I called Marie, saying, "I looked for you, but never did see you... were you there?"
"Yes, we were there. I tried to get slain in the Spirit, but didn't fall down." She sounded clearly disappointed. "But, I'm going tonight to try again! I took Brenda, Lee, May, and my mother with me." (Boy, she really corrals them for the Lord.)
Marie continued, "May was healed of her consumptive asthma condition and slain in the Spirit. She said it felt marvelous. Brenda, Lee, and Mother felt miserable and wanted to go home. Can you imagine that? If I were going blind like Lee is, I'd try everything - wouldn't you, Pat?
"Yes, I would."
"Mother said she just couldn't believe that you would participate in all that emotional stuff, Pat. She said, 'Pat is too sophisticated for that kind of exhibition. Just imagine Pat shouting and lying on the floor, her diamonds glittering everywhere, with those poor, common folks. I would have to see it to believe it."
"Hey, Marie, tell her to come tonight. I was slain two times at the other meetings and I loved it!" We both giggled heartily and agreed to meet that night. Marie arrived at the evening meeting triumphantly with Brenda, her teenaged daughter, Angela, and her friends: Donna and Diane. "Mama would not come again tonight." Marie was sad... "She said her stomach hurt."
"Well, Angela and her friends make up for her absence, right?"
"Uh, huh."
The young girls were sitting in the fourth row and we were sitting two rows behind them. When the Hunters began the miracle service, the three girls moved to the front row and sat on the floor to see better. If there was anything phony happening, they were certainly going to witness it first hand. The auditorium was packed. We stood with our hands lifted singing in deep worship: "Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that Name..." The Spirit was moving among the people. We sang and praised God with joy. Brenda, I noticed, sat silently. She seemed the sort of person whose loneliness grows deeper in crowds. Her straight, short hair was brushed back from her temples. As the service continued and the atmosphere became even more emotional, she stared unemotionally.
It was a moving experience when the people raised their voices in worship, the music rich, a good sound for this time. There were familiar hymns also: "Amazing Grace", "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name",...."Alleluia....Alleluia..." Then hundreds were 'singing in the Spirit'. So enchanting - like angels singing softly to music... it was beautiful. The sound is strange and compelling, meant for singers - not listeners. These were the people Jesus called 'the salt of the earth'. Then the evangelists asked all the ministers or priests in the audience to come forward, to pray that they would receive an anointing from the Lord for healing ministry and the power to slay people in the Holy Spirit. About 50 clergymen went forward: Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians... I recognized many. As the Hunters touched them, people pitched over backwards; and soon, bodies covered the floor.
That's amazing. Denominational walls are certainly tumbling down tonight! This in itself was such a wonderful witness for Christ - this unity of various Christians squeezed together under one roof, in love strengthened by faith. The Spirit began to move. A great happiness fell on all of us in the auditorium. The clergymen were all slain in the Spirit. The young girls Marie had brought were clearly moved. They all began to cry, but Brenda just sat very still, with a sort of cool detachment, even as the clergymen were now praising God with all their might as they lay on the floor like men who'd had too much wine. But it was good. It was the "New Wine". The miracle service continued... "There's someone with a lung condition..., a cancerous throat..., a back condition has just been healed! Hallelujah!" A steady stream of people came forward praising God in great joy... "Praise You, wonderful Jesus!"
They gave a call for spiritual healing. "Hold anyone you know who is ill up to the throne of God and pray for them. God will touch them wherever they may be." I felt intensity building in me. "Just lift your hands up, as if you were placing them before the throne of God; and believe Him for them. God will heal them. You may be a church goer... a Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, who has never accepted Jesus as your Savior. This call is for you..."
I held Brenda up to the Lord silently and prayed for her spiritual healing. She immediately started to cry very hard. I knew Jesus had touched her in a very real way. The air was charged with great spiritual power. "Go up and claim your healing, Brenda." (I was excited.) "What healing? I'm not sick", she pressed her lips firmly together and looked at the floor, her eyes glazed.
"I prayed for a spiritual healing for you and the Lord touched you. You can be healed! Come, I'll go with you." Slowly she said: "W..ww..we..well, okay, why not?" Charles was praying, "Dear Jesus, thank You, the power of your Holy Spirit is going through this body." The body next to us fell on the floor, stretched full-length under His power. "Oh, how glorious, Jesus", then Charles Hunter touched Brenda on the forehead. She did not fall. He touched her again. She rocked a little, but did not fall. (As we shall see later, Jesus really did touch her then; but, sometimes what we see does not always indicate what has actually happened inside a person, spiritually.) I've done it again, Lord... I've gone before you again. Forgive me, Lord. I felt terrible that I had pushed Brenda into going forward before she was ready. When I looked at Nora's face (which reflected horror), I knew that she was thinking the same thing.
Brenda returned to her seat appearing still uninvolved, unaffected. Was it a response to her essential loneliness? Had she missed her appointment with God because of my rushing her? Was she a hopeless case for God? Just as I was about to give myself a real talking to, out of the blue, Brenda spoke... "How long do you stay dizzy like this, Pat?"
"Praise God, She's got it!" I shouted happily, simply unable to conceal my delight. Again, you may not know what's going on at some point (or never) inside a person's heart. The heart is a total mystery to man; but God clearly gauges its intent. "Nora, did you hear that? She said she's dizzy."
"Praise Jesus!" Nora's eyes brightened as she leaned forward to observe Brenda. Brenda sat for a long time in her chair, quite giddy. As the service drew to a close, I thought that Brenda was deeply moved by all that she had heard and seen and that she should now verbally acknowledge her need of Jesus as her Savior and Lord, and said, "To be born again you must accept what Jesus did for you on the cross... His sacrifice of dying for your sins. Today's your day, Brenda." Francis Hunter was saying, "If you would like to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, we have counselors in the back room to instruct you so that you can biblically understand it..."
I rushed to tell Marie that Brenda had made the decision to go to the back room. She was talking to Angela, saying, "But it's real, Marie!" Angela replied, "No, I don't believe it.'" Marie said, "Angela doesn't believe anymore, Pat, because Brenda did not fall down like the rest of the people."
But, Angela, it's real! Brenda's dizzy - drunk on the Holy Spirit..." Angela's eyes filled with tears, as if some last hope for belief had vanished. Her face was a mask of gloom with a tinge of bitterness and she recoiled with a shudder, collected her thoughts and interrupted me, "I still don't believe in it, anymore." "But, Angela, Brenda's drunk on the Spirit! Jesus did really touch her... she's all weak inside." Angela could not, in her heart, find a reply.
I ran then to get Brenda. Shining in the afterglow of His divine touch, she followed me at once back to Angela with whom Marie was still pleading, trying to convince her that Jesus is still alive and powerful. Angela stood stiffly, bewildered, with tears. Brenda grasped Angela's shoulders firmly, saying, "IT'S REAL, Angela! Jesus touched me! I feel like I've had two gallons of whiskey, except that I feel wonderful!" Her entire body swayed, eyes flashing as she began to giggle as hard as she could.
Within Angela's spirit flickered a small hope as she gazed at Brenda's condition. I could see the Holy Spirit working within her. Eyes opening wide as she grasped the meaning of Brenda's actions, and making her decision quickly. "Lets all go ba.... back. I want to receive Jesus." Tears welled up as she shook her head in belief. All agreed, with the exception of Diane, who said, "I'm going to the ladies' room . The rest of us went into the room where they were instructing the people.
"Peter said unto them, 'Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost", (Acts 2:38) the speaker was saying as we took seats again. At last, Lord... the harvest of fruit: Marie and Brenda are going to receive the Baptism of the Holy Sprit... It's about time! Suddenly, Angela, without a word stalked out. "Marie, you and Brenda stay here and I'll go and see about Angela", I said. I followed Angela out to the ladies' room where her friend, Diane, was sitting there staring into the mirror in deep thought, smoking. Her eyes, set hard, were filled with hatred, fear, and revulsion. Clearly, she wanted to be somewhere else.
"I'm just not ready to make a commitment to Jesus right now". "Diane, Jesus loves you... He died for you..", I replied. "No, I don't want to hear it." Steel-gray eyes looked cool in their transparency. Her spirit was in total rebellion. She would not listen.
"If you don't do it, then I'm not going to do it either," Angela said, drawing in her breath as a mark of decision. I turned to Angela, saying, "Honey, you know that no one can force you to accept Jesus. You must want and accept Him to receive salvation. If you want Him, you should not let someone else make your decision for you. If Diane is not ready, don't let her influence your actions. Give Christ a chance in your life. He can turn it around and make a new creation of you." Hesitantly she replied, as though this was the first decision she had ever made alone... "Well, I'll go watch Mother."
A few minutes later, as Nora and I were standing behind Angela and praying in tongues, she suddenly began to cry very hard. Her entire body convulsed; she held her hands tightly across her face as the Holy Spirit began to convict her of her sin. "Oh god, Oh Jesus. " She moaned, lapsed into unintelligible groans. Her shoulders shook violently. Nora spotted Mr. Carr, a member of the Full Gospel Business Men's Chapter, and asked him to help us with her. He began to talk to her and instantly she fell back, slain in the Spirit. No one was touching her.
A wave of rapture and great joy carried her away, as the Spirit of God ministered to her. She really received a super dose. She was staggering, laughing, and crying at the same time.... drunk on the New Wine. God's power had touched her. "He's real! He's really real! Jesus is alive!" We were holding her up now because she appeared unable to stand. "Let me go. Let me go. I've got to go... She was dazed and staggered to straighten her body, which now looked like an overcooked noodle. "Where, Angela? "I've got to go get Diane. She's just got to come and get what I just got. It's the best high I've ever known. I hope it lasts forever." She spoke dreamily, a sly smile on her face - a face that reflected suffering. God is great. Praise Jesus!
Several months after this experience, Brenda appeared in court to stand trial for shooting her roommate. The newspapers presented the case sensationally:
"Witchcraft Spurs Shooting... Lesbian Lovers..."
Reporters quoted the victim, who had recovered: "We were in witchcraft together. I loved her. I still love her. I will always love her. She's mine..." The jurors stared thoughtfully at Brenda. She sat looking like an angel. Would her innocent face affect them? The drama was intense. The lawyers continued to pound away, but Brenda told the truth. She told them everything without fear. She was calm because God was there with her. Finally, the lawyers summed up and the jury left the room. Several hours later, the jurors filed in and the foreman handed over a sealed white envelope to the court crier. The judge glanced at it. The air was tense. The foreman stood, eyes strained, cleared his throat. "NOT GUILTY, YOUR HONOR!"
The courtroom came alive with surprise. Brenda looked as though she would faint, as her lawyer hugged her. June bolted forward in her seat, face a mask of hate now. The judge's face was red with anger. Brenda reviewed the trial with me, later. "I did not lie", she said, smiling broadly... "I promised God that no matter what my lawyer told me to say, I would tell the truth." She bubbled on and on about how relieved she was, how she looked forward to her freedom. Her words tumbled out a mile a minute. She was brimming over with child-like excitement.
Jesus Christ had already paid the price for her. The judge had to set her free. God gave Brenda a wonderful miracle. Jesus had snatched her from the jaws of Hell... and prison!
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