My Brother's Keeper

Volume 4, Number 2, April, 1999

Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV) - Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

At the age of 42, the consequences of sin have made their mark on Tony Lee Wright. Even though he has confessed his sins and has been blessed with eternal life through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior; this natural, physical life for Tony is bittersweet. It is sweet because God has accepted and forgiven him for his past sins. It is bitter, because of the consequences of sin. Not even God will wipe away the destruction [waste] caused by sin.

Recently sentenced to 40 years in prison as a "habitual offender," Tony deeply regrets not finding Jesus a long time ago. It is painful for him to look back and see all the wasted years that Satan had deceived him. As Tony confessed, "Sometimes I cry to myself at my past behavior; like Paul, I persecuted the Christians, God's Word, and even God Himself."

Before Tony became a Christian, he had been a faithful and believing Muslim for 30 years. At the age of 21, through rigor ous and disciplined study, he had become the youngest Imam (spiritual leader) in and throughout the world. In fact he held every position within the Islamic Religion and is familiar with every aspect of their faith.

Tony's public confession of sins and his acceptance of Jesus Christ, took place when he was attending church at the Jefferson County Jail, in Golden, Colorado.

"I felt the Holy Spirit touch my heart. First I felt cold, very cold, and I had the chills. Then chill bumps was all over my arms. Then tears started rolling down my cheeks. I felt a love within my heart like I had never felt before. Then I realized why the tears. They were tears of joy and happiness. So I stood up and confessed my sins, my wrong doings, and I asked God to forgive me. I asked Him to come into my life - that I was sorry for persecuting Jesus' name. I said, Lord Jesus, I don't want the life of a Muslim. I want to live in you, I accept you Lord Jesus, as my Lord and personal Savior. Right then and there, I felt something lifted off of my shoulders and I knew then, that God had just forgiven me."

Giving up the Muslim faith was not without sacrifice for Tony. In the process of accepting Jesus, he lost his wife and children, because they (Muslims) deny Christ as the Son of God or that He died upon the cross.

One day Tony received a visit at the jail from some of the Muslim leaders (Imams) who were upset and very disappointed with him for accepting Christ into his life. They tried to get Tony to denounce Jesus Christ, even putting pressure on him by offering him gifts. But, he stood firmly in his beliefs, as he boldly proclaimed, "Jesus Christ's words are written in my heart and He is my God and my Lord and Savior. I confess all my sins to him."

Tony later told me, there was no way he could denounce Jesus, because Jesus had not denounced him. He was filled with gratitude that God had sent the light of His Holy Spirit to show him the way out of the darkness that had engulfed him - to expose the error of his ways.

Ephesians 5:8-11 (NIV) - "...You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."

As Tony pointed out, while many churches and groups don't want to have a lot to do with inmates, most sinners have found Christ in jails and prisons. Why? When sinners get into a place that will teach the Word of God with simplicity [clarity] and understanding, then Satan has to work extra hard to keep his guard up! That's because the "light" is getting ready to break forth! And Satan does not want sinners to see what they could not see before.

He knows that if they get a little bit of light, they are going to want some more light!

II Corinthians 4:6 (KJV) - For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

With the light of the gospel turned on, now Tony could look around and see all the darkness that had surrounded him, that he was living in, and had become a part of. While he was still walking in the darkness, he almost fell off of the cliff. Blinded by the craftiness of Satan, he could not see the color of sin. Deceived by the rose colored glasses, which was hiding all the truth, Tony didn't consider himself to be such a bad guy. After all, he never smoked cigarettes, never smoked weed or took any illegal drugs. He never drank any kind of liquor (didn't even drink coffee). He had never been involved with a gang. In Tony's eyes he saw himself as a respectable family man!!

How did Satan get into this otherwise "nice guy's" life? Which door did Tony open to let the evil one in? Without Jesus as his guiding light, it was the lust of "material wealth" that played upon his sinful nature. Tony broke into stores, stealing money out of the store safes. He was a safe cracker. There was no safe or vault that he couldn't pick the combination to. That was his past life.

Tony had gained material wealth, but he lost it all while hanging on that cliff. The price proved to be too high. Material things can be replaced, but it was Tony's very life that was at stake here. While crying out in his heart, a bright light suddenly appeared. As he looked about the cliff, he saw a "handhold" and it was then he knew he was being rescued and saved from the darkness. As he got on his knees and lifted his hands up in prayer, he asked the light to forgive him and to accept him.

The light got brighter and he knew in his heart that the light had forgiven him for his sins.

With the clear knowledge of his Savior, Tony understands that he must pick up the cross daily and follow the light. Whenever he begins to feel discouraged, lonely, sad and blue, when he suffers and goes through hardships; he just calls out to the light - and with the "speed of light" the light shines down upon him, giving him back that glow that he had turned down so low.

"Since I've believed and have faith in the light, I will praise His name both day and at night. I am not a Muslim no more; just a Christian who follows the light, trying to live a Christ-like life."

Romans 13:12-13 (KJV) - "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day..."

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Tony Wright is presently incarcerated at Jefferson County Jail, Golden, Colorado. While he waits to go to prison, he spends his time preaching and teaching the Word of God. He encourages inmates not to make the same mistakes he did.

"Evil and sinful things await those who play in the dark. Satan is the master of temptation, who fills our hearts with nothing but lust. But, if you will step out of the darkness and into the light, the light will save you and protect you from the dark. While living in darkness, your life is lost and only lasts just a short while, while Satan claims another one (sinner). If you accept the light you will live in peace and joy, knowing that you will have eternal life, living in heaven and being with the light, "Jesus Christ."

All the gang members in Tony's pod, who call themselves bloods or west bloods have accepted Jesus Christ. This wasn't any easy task for Tony, because some still had a very "sinful nature" of wanting to hurt, fight and kill the opposite gang. It took some time and help from the Holy Spirit and some time and help from the Christian brothers to bring these gang members to the Lord.

The Word of God, is the source of light, truth, and power, for those who seek its meaning and apply it to their life. Jesus Christ is the word made flesh, and we seek to follow him.

John 8:12 (NIV) - "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Each issue of "My Brother's Keeper" features a WORD study. This month's study was prepared by Tony Lee Wright, an inmate at Jefferson County Jail, Golden, Colorado.

Death could not contain Him, for he was mightier then death. The tomb in which he was sealed knew the truth. Others had died and passed away, only Jesus Christ still lives on.

A group of Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus, seeking and demanding a miraculous sign. These are the same people who didn't believe nor accept Jesus as the promised Messiah or the Son of God. Yet, they had witnessed Jesus performing many miracles. And they still refused to believe in him. They knew that some of the witches and sorcerers [magicians] could perform some of the miracles that Jesus had performed. So, they wanted to put Jesus to a test and see if he could perform a far greater miracle then any mere man, witch or sorcerer could do.

Jesus saw through their evil intention and said, "A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given except the sign of Jonah. As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."(Matthew 12:38-41)

Jonah had disobeyed God and tried to run away from God. Jonah had boarded a ship and as this ship headed out to sea, God caused a violent storm that surrounded the ship, threatening the ship to break up. Jonah knew he was the cause of this violent storm at sea, and told the seamen to throw him overboard. Once Jonah was thrown over board the storm went away and the sea grew calm. God, being merciful as he is, sent a huge fish to swallow up Jonah and saved Jonah from death. Jonah was protected inside the huge fish belly for three days and three nights. Now, Jonah wasn't dead physically, but was mentally dead. Just imagine being inside the belly of a huge fish for three days and three nights, without anyone to talk with, and nothing to eat or drink. The inside of the fish's belly became Jonah's tomb, his grave for three days and three nights. Then the Lord commanded the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land. While Jonah was in the fish's belly, it was Jonah's tomb, his grave. He was mentally dead, powerless to do anything but pray inside the fish's belly for three days and three nights. Jonah was dead mentally, but not physically, and yet, it was God who saved him! It was God who resurrected Jonah from out of the fish's belly. (Jonah 1 & 2:1-10)

Now, the sign Jesus gave was, "As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

Jesus was crucified and put to death on a cross, and since Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation, which was to be a special Sabbath for Jews, they didn't want the bodies to be left hanging upon the crosses. Pilate had the legs of all those who were crucified with Jesus, broken, because they were still alive. But when they came to Jesus, they found that he was dead. To make sure, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus in his side with a spear. (John 19:23-34)

After Jesus' body was wrapped up in strips of linen, Jesus was placed in a tomb and the tomb was sealed with a huge stone. On the first day of the week, some women took spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. When they found the stone had been removed, they entered the tomb, not finding Jesus' body. While they were wondering about Jesus' body, two men in clothes that gleamed, stood before them. One of the men said, "Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here: He is risen. The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day, be raised again." As we can see, the men said, "He is risen." What does this tell us? It tells us that Jesus was resurrected. How can a dead man just get up and walk around, unless he was resurrected and only Jesus was resurrected from the dead. (Luke 24:1-7)

When the women went back and told the apostles that Jesus had risen, they didn't believe. So when Peter and another disciple had gone to the tomb, they saw Jesus' burial cloth folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Peter who had gone inside the tomb, looked around and then he believed. (John 20:3-9)

After the two disciples went back home, Mary Magdalene stayed back and stood outside the tomb crying. As she heard a voice that spoke out to her, she turned around - not knowing it was Jesus, because she thought he was the gardener. After Mary had seen that it was Jesus, she believed. Jesus told Mary, go tell them that I am alive.

As Jesus appeared before his disciples, they were frightened, thinking that they were seeing a ghost. The reason they were frightened is because Jesus was supposed to be dead. When they saw Jesus standing before them they had doubts. They couldn't believe that Jesus rose from the dead. So Jesus had to prove himself, that it was him and not some ghost. So he said, look at my hands and feet. Touch me, for a ghost has no flesh and bones. Here, give me something to eat! Jesus knew no dead man could walk around and eat. So, by having his disciples look at him, feel and watch him eat, they knew he wasn't a ghost and that Jesus had risen from death. (Luke 24:36-49)

Thomas who was a disciple had heard that Jesus had risen from death, but still didn't believe. Unless Jesus appeared to him and he could see the nail marks and put his finger through the hole, and place his hand into his side, he would not believe. Well guess what? Thomas ended up believing! Jesus appeared to Thomas and told him, "Here, put your finger here, see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side." (John 20:24-29)

After Jesus was resurrected from the dead and appeared to his disciples, Jesus appeared before many. Over five hundred people witnessed that Jesus was risen from the grave. This is the greatest miracle known to mankind. Jonah spent three days and three nights inside a fish's belly, but he was alive while in his tomb in the fish's belly. On the third day he was cast ashore.

But, Jesus was dead for three days and three nights inside the heart of the earth, in his tomb. Only, on the third day, Jesus was resurrected. He rose himself from death. Jesus beat death.

Jesus is our only hope for salvation. And through him we will have eternal life. Jesus is alive! There-fore He is our only hope. The tombs of Buddha, Mohammed and every other religious leader of the world are still occupied today, but Christ's tomb is empty. Jesus isn't there. He was resurrected because he is greater then death and through death he might destroy him, Satan, that had the power of death.

Jesus not only gave us a last will and testament with great promises and provisions, but he then rose from the dead to become the Executor of his own will. What a Savior we have in Jesus. Jesus is the only person who rose from the dead to validate his claim. No one else has ever compared to Jesus in this respect. This put him in a category all by himself.

God's Word is backed by his personal integrity. Therefore, our hope in his promises is alive, since he is alive!

"Jesus lives Forever!!!"

A Poetic Adaptation of John 20: verses 1 & 11-18.

The woman slowly walked toward the tomb;
she felt the heartache of a love lost too soon---
Her movement was joyless, sad and forlorn,
in the darkness of that early morn.

She walked with sorrow deep in her heart,
for her Lord was dead (or so she thought).
Tears of anguish flowed from her eyes
as she wondered, "Did He really have to die?"

When she came to the place His lifeless form was laid,
where the entrance was covered by a stone so great,
she gasped in shock, and quickened her pace---
for she saw that the huge stone had been rolled away!

In confusion and sorrow, with brokenhearted woe,
she looked into the tomb and saw that His body was gone!
Stunned by the empty tomb that she had just seen,
the woman lost her strength...and fell down to her knees.

And as she wept, two angels in white
appeared and sat---in peace---nearby.
They looked upon her as dawn drew nigh,
for they had heard her heartbroken cry.

They then asked her, "Why do you weep---
who is it, woman, you so lovingly seek;
and what is this burden of grief you so heavily bear?"
So she answered, "They've taken my Lord---I know not where!"

Then she turned and saw, standing nearby,
a man who also heard her anguished reply.
With tenderness He asked, "Whom do you seek, and why do you cry?"
Again she answered, "They've taken my Lord---His body I must find!"

Then said He---one word---her name;
and Mary voiced a cry of joy as recognition came!
For she knew then, this was He (her Lord returned to life again!);
who she had thought was for all time slain.

So with joyous and happy heart she ran,
to tell the others of God's glorious plan!
With tears this time of joyful vision,
she, with renewed hope and mended heart, proclaimed:

"Our Lord is not dead!

He's Alive!


He is Risen!"

Everett Morgan wrote this testimony to M.L. Doyle, on 8/21/98), from Macon Tran-sitional Center, Macon, GA.

I went on a 21 day fast in the name of Jesus. It was hard, but with the help of my Daddy I made it. I started getting up every morning at 4:00 A.M. to pray and spend time with the Lord. I wouldn't eat after 6:30 A.M. or before 4:00 P.M. I did this For 21 days.

As you know they put my name in for the half-way house the last week in July. On the 12th of this month, they called to see if I was allowed to go to the half-way house. They hadn't looked at my case, so on Friday they called back and said I would be going as soon as a bed came open, 2 to 6 weeks or longer.

Sunday the 15th was my last day of fasting, so I got up to pray at 4:00 A.M. and then laid back down. I got up again at 6:00 A.M. and prayed out to my Daddy. I asked that He would give me favor and open up a bed for me at any halfway house in Georgia.

The more I prayed and called out to Him the better I started to feel. As the tears fell from my eyes, I looked to my left and there was a spot on the blanket. So I ran my hand over that spot and kept praying. It came back so I ran my hand over it again. Then it came back again. I started to smile. My Daddy was in the room with me.

As the day went on I kept fasting and praying, ending the fast at 6:00 P.M. That night I prayed and went to church. We had a good time in Jesus. They came with an all male choir (about 60 of them). The pastor had a word for me after Church and then I went back to the dorm. People were waiting for me to pray with them and for them, so I did.

That night I laid down and tried to go to sleep, but I couldn't. It was about 1:00 A.M. and I had my head phones on, and in walked the C.O. He said, "Morgan, pack it up,"

I said, "Am I going to the half-way house?" He said, "Yes."

I said, "If I didn't think you would write me up, I would kiss you."

He said, "Your crazy, Morgan." J I couldn't stop thanking and praising the Lord.

So here I am back in the free world. In this place I work Monday through Friday. I can go to Church Saturday night, and on Sunday morning and night in the free world. Praise God! So, as you can tell, M.L. - I'm having a good time in the Lord.

"...God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation."

II Corinthians 5:19 (NIV)

FROM: Sharon K. Griffee, CA's Director of Spiritual Growth Ministries

I want to thank my husband, Alan, for his loving support (both financial and spiritual) in making it possible for me to minister to prison inmates. I also want to thank both my family and extended family whose encouragement keeps me focused and dedicated to the cause of Christ. And last, but certainly not least, I want to thank those prisoners who have opened their heart to receive ministry through Christian Ambassadors. My prayer is that God will Bless each and every one of you.


FROM: Frank Kerr, CSP, Canon City, Colorado

Dear Sharon, I want to tell you that your last Spiritual Growth Lesson, "The Law of the Spirit of Life" really hit home with me and was right on time, because I had been struggling with thoughts of getting even with the DOC system and some people from my past. Your lesson prevented me from following through with those negative thoughts.


From: Mike Roussel, Huerfano Correctional, Walsenburg, Colorado

Dear Sharon, It takes a real special person to make the sacrifice you make all the time, to reach out to prison inmates and devote her time and energy, to what most would consider a lost cause.
Thank you Sharon.


FROM: Smylee (George) Wright, Orofino, Idaho

Dear Sharon, Your whole newsy note (February Spiritual Growth) gave me several nice "bites" to chew on. Nice point about how we actually become "Satan's advocate" when we hold things against people.

These fleshly, garbage, human, "natural man" traits are horrid! Even with the Word firmly indwelling, I find some "idiot thought" welling up at times - usually when I least expect it.

Thank you for the feeling of joy that your newsy report brought. Surrounded by such a great crowd for witnessing, I must go tell it on the mountain!


FROM: Jess McDowell, Colorado Springs, CO. Jess was released from prison on November 15.

Dear Sharon, I want to tell you what a blessing it was to read your February, "Spiritual Growth Lesson." I am a past educator and still write a lot of materials for education purposes (i.e. Bible Studies). Your study was well-written and I was blessed by it. It should have proved a blessing to any inmate who received it. I thanked God for giving you the inspiration and ability to use your talent for Him in this way. Praise God!


FROM: Donald Woodward, B.V.C.F, Buena Vista, CO

Dear Al and Sharon, I thought I should let you know of my change of address. I am celling next to an inmate who receives your letters of "Spiritual Growth Ministry," so I am pleased to inform you that I have not gone without reading a copy of your "Spiritual Growth Lesson" #5 (February, 1999), "The Law of the Spirit of Life."

By the mysterious works of our Lord, I have not been left without your ministry. I thank God for Christian Ambassadors. I ask God to use "Spiritual Growth Ministries" to help guide me in my spiritual struggles. Keep up the good work in the service of our Lord.


FROM: Akpan E. Udo,

Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Dear Sharon, I am happy to write you after hearing how God is using you to bring change in the lives of prison inmates across the globe. I served in Nigerian Prisons for 2 years and 6 months. During my time in Prison, I received ill-treatments and had bad experiences of which I nearly died. Such experiences were; poor feeding, no medical care, nakedness, insect bits and intimidation.

Since being released from the prisons three months ago, I have been with my poor widow mother and other family members. While I was in sorrow, pains and in poverty, God brought an ambassador of Christ to me, in the person of brother Onokala.

On the 10th day of January, 1999; Rev. Onokala and his colleague visited our residence. Brother Onokala prayed with us and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ based on "God's freedom and hope for the lost." He explained to me what "Christian Ambassadors" ministry is all about and the need for me to repent and accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Money was given to me by Rev. Onokala for malaria drugs because of sickness I had complained of since being released from the prison.

He also shared the Spiritual Growth Lesson from Christian Ambassadors titled "Putting our Trust in the Light" by Sharon K. Griffee. The Spiritual Growth Lessons received from Brother Onokala were a good resource for my spiritual revival and in fact, after reading the lesson, I had a touch of the Holy Spirit upon my life. I now testify that of a truth I have seen the light of God and hope for a good future. My earnest prayers is that God would continue to use people like you and Brother Ono kala for the ministry of His Son, Jesus Christ in order to bring a total change in the lives of both prison inmates and X-Cons in the world.


FROM: Donna Avery, Denver Women's Correctional Facility, Denver, Colorado.

Dear Sharon and Alan, My daughter gave me a copy of "My Brother's Keeper" (January issue) and I have read it over and over again, wanting to know more. That is why I wrote to you. When I first went to prison in 1983 I lost all faith that there was a God. Now after reading "My Brother's Keeper" I feel that maybe I was wrong. God didn't put me in prison, man did! Thank you for taking the time to help me.


FROM: John Daugherty, Kit Carson Correctional, Burlington, Colorado

Dear Miss Sharon, I must tell you that your letter could not have arrived at a better time in my life then just now. I had not, until I read your letter, understood why God had wanted me to write you and why God told Shawn to convince me to write to you soon. God wanted me to get your letter today. He knew I would need his light and peace today and he sent it by mail.

I had felt violated by the injustice visited on me by a man's lie. I was angry and defensive because of his lie. My anger mounted and the Lord's light was dimmed in my life at that moment. I was entering a familiar world of gloomy dark, anger and despair. All of a sudden there was your letter. Two of them!!

At first I put them away for later. When I felt better, I would read them, but my mind kept going back to those letters. I opened them and the Lord's hand guided me first to your "Spiritual Growth Lesson." Of all the people you write to Miss Sharon, the Lord guided your hand to me the day you wrote that lesson. Your lesson was of "The Law of the Spirit of Life." It was about scribes, the letter of the law, forgiveness, accusers, and the Spirit of Life. How fortunate for John! The Lord spoke in my heart through your lesson. His light came back into my life like a flare and I could once again hear his voice speak to me.

He said to me, "John, do not let this scribe's adherence to the "Letter of the Law" spite you, for he knows no other way. Do not place value in his hatred and condemnation and it will have none. Pray instead for forgiveness and understanding that you will not become an accuser like Satan!" I prayed then for this man's forgiveness. I prayed for my hatred toward him and my heart was lifted.

I must trust in God's words. God told Shawn Parker I must write to you, Miss Sharon. God told me I must write to you. Reluctantly, I wrote. Today God showed me that His wisdom is irrefutable. I needed your letters just as he said I would. I wallow in the glory and light of life that God has brought me. He is my path and happiness. Today I have learned that behind the great dark cloud of anger and hatred is love and the light of God. Thank you for the light Miss Sharon.

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was only one. This bothered me because I noted that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord, "You promised me, Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has been only one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there with me?" The Lord replied, "During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

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