God is Not in the Thesaurus - Softcover

Cox, Bo Don

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0880282142 ISBN 13: 9780880282147

Publisher: Forward Movement, 1999

Synopsis

There is a tradition of powerful Christian testimony written from prison. These stories from an Oklahoma prison are part of that tradition. They speak of hope behind razor wire and prison walls. They offer the promise of new life.

About this title

About the Author:

Bo Don Cox has been in prison since July 1986 where he is serving a life sentence for murder. While there his faith has developed and he has shared that faith through writing. His previous work include several puiblications for Foward Movement.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Your Owner's Manual Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

-Philippians 4:8

Before you begin . . .

These stories are about people. They're about prison. Some are about people in prison. They're about life, including death. Sometimes they're about doing life. I'd be a liar if I said they weren't also about "the system." They're about God. I'm not a theologian. I'm not a spiritual giant. I'm a stumbling student of life. I'm a sinner. I'm a mistake-maker. I'm a young man, trying-sometimes easily, sometimes desperately-to make sense out of my own little slice of existence.

These stories are my perceptions. Nothing-not prison, death, or life-is black and white. Depending on who you are and where you stand, literally and figuratively, you see shades of gray. This book is gray.

Had a young man named Bart Ennis and I not gotten into a fight on the night of July 26, 1986, had I not caused his death, had I not gone to prison, none of this would have been written. There is more than one side to every story. It would be callous to pretend this is different.

When I quit alcohol and other drugs, it was suggested I make amends to the people I had harmed while I was drinking and using drugs. My list was long. To amend is "to improve" or "to better." The harm I did Bart is irreversible, but I'm still alive and so are you, and we're both a part of humanity, and we can try to improve or better our little corner.

These stories, written from my point of view, are in memory of Bart Ennis. Bart, I have something to tell you: I'm sorry. I wish I could change that night. Please forgive me.

The following pages contain stories. Nothing less, nothing more. They are yours.

About this edition

• Publisher: Forward Movement
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0880282142
• ISBN 13: 9780880282147
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 153