A Change of Heart: A Testimony of Transformation

Copyright © 2013 Pricilla Baker.

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-9802-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-9804-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-9803-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013910615

WestBow Press rev. date: 6/17/2013

Table of Contents

Photographs

Forward

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1 The Prodigal Son

Chapter 2 Inevitable Destruction

Chapter 3 A Fork In The Road

Chapter 4 Reprehensible Qualities

Chapter 5 The Beginning Of The End

Chapter 6 With A Changed Heart

Chapter 7 Accountability To God

Chapter 8 Freedom To Obey

Epilogue

Afterwords

About the Author

Appendices

End Notes

Glossary

Resources

References

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

All Scripture quotations in this publications are from The Message. Copyright (c) by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

All Scripture quotations in this publications are from The Message. Copyright (c) by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

T his is a memoir. While inspired by true events and my recollections, they may not coincide with what others depicted in the story experienced or remember. Therefore, in consideration of that fact and in the interest of protecting their privacy, in some instances I may have changed some names, locations, or situations.

To The Lost Sheep

This is the story of a man’s life changed by a gospel of love. Once that gospel of love was implemented into his heart, change started to take place. As I look back at my life, I begin to understand that we are here to fulfill a genuine purpose. Life is a test, we either pass or we fail. I pray that my story will help others understand that choices play a major role. We either make the right selection or pay the price for the wrong one, but hopefully we will learn from it. Life is truly a gift from our Creator, and surely, it should be cherished.

Photographs

1. Birthday Cake

2–3. Young John

4–5. Military

6. Aranda Point

7. Yanique and I

8. Yanique and I

9. Mugshot

10. Baptism

11. Spirit-filled

12. Dakota Reunion

13. Mom

14. Chris, Desiree, and Dakota

15. Reunion with Mom

16. Reunion with Family

17. Top Gun Cleaning

18–24. FBI documents

25. Prosecutor’s Letter

26. Chaplaincy Services Letter

27. FL Dept. of Corrections Letter

28. Personal Records

29. Letter of Recommendation

30. Education Foundation

31–50. Certificates of Accomplishment

Forward

My father has lived an audacious life. For many years he struggled to rebuild it, but only to revert to an uncertain and potentially hazardous lifestyle. As a child I was exposed to a vivid display of misconduct and a alluring style of living. I had to contend with a few trials of my own through the years, many with great error from the misconception that I had. It would take a divine intervention to bring me to the understanding that I have in Christ today. My father has dignified himself in the eyes of many, and will continue to develop himself spiritually with the opening of his ministry , that may help the Christian community, as well as to bring to light the Salvation that is available to all man-kind.

Preface

This is the testimony of a John Delgado. A man that was misguided by his own understanding of the world. It wasn’t until he decided to embrace, and maintain the will of God , that he would find the true meaning of his purpose. With the acceptance of God’s presence, this wisdom would be observed. His diligence to obey God’s word, would assure God’s provisions and eternal salvation. I have depicted his story with my best effort to portray the events of his life as well as to reveal the truth of our awesome God in heaven. Our efforts to follow God’s commands are not meant to bring us closer to God, but to the contrary of bringing God closer to us.

Acknowledgments

I want to thank God most of all for not giving up on me, and placing all the right people in my present day life. I want to thank the author of this book for all her hard work, research and dedication. A special thanks to her daughter for the graphic inserts for the cover of this book. I’d like to express my appreciation to Moody Radio, for the sermon broadcasts, featuring my favorite pastor, John Mac Arthur. I would listen to his teachings through Grace Ministries, while incarcerated, bringing great hope to myself and many others.

I want to thank Chuck Colson, founder of the non profit ministry Prison Fellowship who is responsible for my coming to Christ. He was indeed a great friend and leader. Rest in peace my brother in Christ.

I’d like to thank my good friend and mentor, Rocco Morelli; author of the book Forgetta Bout It, for pointing me in the right direction. He and his wife have been a cornerstone in my life, and to that I owe much gratitude. His guidance and positive reinforcement has brought me to the feet of Our Lord Jesus Christ. To Officer Michael Macalam, for giving me the inspiration to put my story into text. Also to my great friend Kenneth Michael, who shared the agony and anguish with me in Salem County New Jersey, and for all his continued support.

I want to thank a very dear friend of mine, Jorge Valdez, for his letter of encouragement that he sent to me while I was in confinement, and for all his prayers and support.

I want to extend my thanks to Samuel Gonzales, who took a leap of faith by relocating his wife and children to south Florida, to dedicate his time and efforts to the opening of the Change of Heart Ministry. I would like to thank the Sicilian Oven Crew, Ralph, Maria, Andrew, Mitch, and Peter for the opportunity that helped my business to achieve it’s growth. I’d also like to express my gratitude to the Galuppi Family; at Galuppi’s Restaurant, for the favorable position that your family has extended to me.

Thanks to West Bow Press and the hard work presented by the staff in the assembly and publishing of this book.

Also, a very special thanks to Tania Fileti, of Fileti Professional Services, for her incredible efficiency. Such an amazing lady with a great passion for helping humanity, devoting her efforts with the launch an extraordinary project, From the Corner of the World.

A Special Thanks to Jim Law, of Deerfield Beach, FL, for providing the photograph of the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse for the back cover of this book.

Introduction

This is a story on how a gospel of God altered and changed a life but only when the gospel was implemented. We must establish a foundation. As I look at the world today I see a world of division caused by religion which is merely man made theories.

John 14:6— Jesus claims to be the way the truth and the light. Studying this verse closely the structure of a path leads to the truth. That you will have a better life. That love and all true emotion come directly from the heart.

Look I stand at the door and knock, if you hear my voice open the door, and I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20[NLT]

He also gives us power and authority.

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. John 14:12[NLT]

That is a very powerful verse. When you translate this verse and apply it to your existence. Life, it starts a new walk. You are no longer blind, crippled, or spiritually dead.

I was inspired by a conversation with an officer named Mike Macalam, to put my story on paper. With that in mind I started to reflect. Where would I even begin? It’s almost like looking back at a movie. A film so incredible. God’s Grace at it’s finest. He allowed me to live my life my way, with my own choices and experiences. Only to choose to follow Him when every other direction was exhausted. If only I could rewind and select the chosen path of His will for me. It brings me to a point in my life where I now realize the extent of my actions. The damage that I afflicted, on myself and on others. How amazing God is to bless me with His Grace and Mercy. His forgiveness is unchanging. His Love it now lives in my heart. God proclaims to have created us in his own image.

Jesus answered them, " Is it not written in your laws, 34188.jpg I said, Ye are gods?" John 10:34[KJV]

As an only child, I walked into a world of darkness. Like walking into quicksand, I started to sink, and it was within that darkness that my life was consumed. I ran for over 21 years from the law, myself, and God. But the race would end and my greatest nightmare would come to life. I was. wanted in three counties, in two states. I prayed and I hoped that they would not find out about these warrants or my aliases. This knot in my throat was unbearable, I was gasping for air. Emotions of fear, I didn’t even know existed. I would be arraigned in the morning. Until then, I was placed in a holding cell, awaiting a transfer to a permanent one. The next morning, an inmate came over and said to me , We are having a prayer meeting in my cell before lock down, and you are welcome to join us.

I needed something. Someone. Anything. I decided to follow him. When I arrived at the 5’ x 12’ cell, there were five or six men, all with Bibles in their hands. One of them said welcome, and then he started to pray. He then looked around and asked a few of our names. He said, The only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ. He spoke briefly about the resurrection and then he opened his Bible. Then one of the other men said I’d like to read something. He led us through the scriptures to Galatians 5:7–10. He read the deep penetrating words that I will never forget—Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? "This