At the beginning of my journey, I wrote the semi-biographical memoir, For What I Hate I Do, back in 2005. It revealed my journey from adolescence into adulthood, where I sought purpose and belonging. This rewritten memoir highlights my upbringing in a working-class Baptist family in Houston, Texas, where I pursued an interest in track and field and eventually obtained an athletic scholarship to college.

Unfortunately, while in college, I began to indulge in some very destructive behaviors, like self-condemnation, sex, and rebellion against God's precepts.

Eventually, after college, bad choices and so-called friends led me down a path of sexual misconduct, destruction, a failed marriage, and cocaine use. Filled with deceit and envy, I went out of control and robbed 6 Houston-area banks to support my cocaine addiction.

In the end, I was caught, convicted, and sentenced to a 15-year prison term in Texas. While I was in prison, it became my therapy as I reconnected with God and Christ. I received God's calling to write my story of redemption and transformation while incarcerated.

After 6 1/2 years of incarceration, I was released on parole and transitioned back into society. 30 days later, I was gainfully employed and back in the family of God.

But as always, challenges came my way, and sin continued to crouch at my doorstep when I self-published my first novel. I went on tour, and sexual enticement from the Evil One reared its ugly head once again.

I faltered but realized during my many challenges that I had to turn my misery into a ministry because obedience involves sincere change.