Streets That Speak - Thank God for His faithful servants

Streets That Speak
Lexington, KY USA
Voices From the Street Feature
Submitted by Timothy
March, 11, 2006 10:10 AM EST

Hello my name is Timothy and this is a sure testimony of what God has done for me through the Lord Jesus Christ. If I were to go into detail about where the Lord has brought me from, it would take days to read my story, so I have prayed, and asked the Holy Spirit to give me the words my Father would have me write. All Glory, Honor, and Power belongs to God, because, He is worthy.

I have gone to great length trying to fit in, in this world of ours, and like, Solomon, I've found it all to have been vanity. By the time I had turned twenty-six years old, I had two children, was married, and had served in the Armed Forces, and had served five years in Arizona State Prison. I turned twenty-one in A.S.P., and while there, my wife divorced me, and had my parental rights to my children severed.

It's been twenty-four years since I've seen either of my children, but, God, who is rich in mercy, has allowed me to hear of their progress in life, and I am proud of both my children for their acco9mplishments.

When I was released from prison in Arizona, I was re-married and moved to Florida, where, for the second time, I was divorced, and proceeded in and out of prison, six more times before God saved me. After serving approximately seventeen years in prison I was released in 1999 on five years parole.

I need to go back a few years, because in 1994 God saved me. Looking back on my life I can see why Paul says to 'judge nothing before it's time.' Three months after my release I backslid and to keep this short, I violated parole and ended up with another charge.

I lived on the streets in Daytona for six months until one day I heard the Lord speak to me during a street minister's preaching. I told him my story and decided to get my life back in right standing, with God and man, so the only thing for me to do was to turn myself in.

After having been in prison seven times, I knew I was facing a life sentence, but when you know how good God is, nothing else matters, even your own life.

I went in to the Branch Jail in Daytona and God began to use me. A Bible study was established in my cell block and I had the privilege of leading a few men to Christ. As the days wore on I had made a decision in my heart, that no matter what, I was going to serve our Lord. Forty-five days went by and I wasn't even supposed to go. The judge, the district attorney, my attorney, (whom I hadn't even met), and the two preachers were in the courtroom. No one else, but of course, God.

The states attorney did everything he could to persuade the judge to send me away for life, but I knew that the 'Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord.' When it came time for my attorney to speak, God had caused him to stumble over his words, and all he could do was look at me in apology.

The judge took a few moments, then looked at me, and said, "Mr. Gallagher, how would you feel if I threw this charge out, terminated your parole and set you totally free today?"

I was at a loss for words, and all I could do was just praise God in my heart for His love and mercy.

All the men I had ministered to at the jail, watched me ...

walk free, and I can only imagine how their faith was increased, but this is far from the end of my story.

When I was released from the courts, my life began to take on a beautiful meaning, but needless to say there's more tragedy to come.

After my last and final encounter with prison, I began reaching out, ministering and feeding the homeless in Daytona Beach, Florida. God had placed in a brother's heart to offer me a job and home, and I should say that he was more of a spiritual father to me.

Mark's wife and children, and myself were all members of the Rock Church in Daytona, and the little time we had together, I really came to love them as my own.

Mark died in my arms in Daytona, and I felt confused, abandoned by God and you can probably add to the list, but I didn't understand and I ran. I came here to Kentucky after Mark was cremated, and went to work on the horse track. I spent from 1999 until 2003, drinking and doing drugs on the race track, and God, in 2004 led me to the Hope Center.

I went through their program, only to find that it's not what I needed. I needed healing from God, and His presence back in my life. I needed prayer, fellowship, and His Word. I needed to see my Jesus again and to be comforted by His Spirit.

The Light House has been a very willing vessel that God is using to put one and many of his soldiers back on their feet.

Thank God for His faithful servants, of which I am to be now, named again among His Children. (Jeremiah 15:19)