The Addict Speaks

So, this former addict, boozer, play boy I met turns out to be one of the most thought provoking and inspirational cats I know. I mean, come on! How many Christian authors do you know that write books full of sex scenes? Blog posts about loving prostitutes?

Try as I may, I could not get him to do a photo shoot in drag for me, so I interviewed him instead. This week, instead of my usual column, I’m going to share an interview with a recently acquired treasure. His name is Marvin Wilson, and he has an awesome blog at http://www.inspiritandtruths.blogspot.com. Stop by there today and read the awesome wonderful interview/write up with me yesterday that you can check out. If you’ve been wanting to know more about me for a while, here’s your chance (AND I released some new photos there). And here’s your chance to know more about Marv. He is author of a couple books that are worth checking out, Owen Fiddler and I Romanced The Stone, which both deal with addiction and redemption. As someone who’s had her share of addictions in the past, I’d recommend them We’ve All got our addictions from drugs to alcohol to other people to a certain way of thinking to religion to branded toys, clothes and more. So set your mind modes to open and awestruck and dive right in. You won’t walk away empty minded.

Divinity: What was it that brought you around to your faith? What made you take a step up in your beliefs?
Marvin: I had a powerful spiritual experience. A direct encounter with Christ. God spoke to me when I was so down, so lost, so broken, so empty of any self-worth - I was a crack cocaine addict, an alcoholic, a liar, a sexual and ethical whore - the result of my addictions - that’s what happens to even formerly honest upright individuals like I had once been - the drug sucks out your very soul and leaves you an empty shell wherein live the insatiable hungry ghosts that drive you to fulfill your bottomless cavities of desires no matter what. When I read the account of Apostle Paul’s conversion experience in the New Testament I can relate. God didn’t strike me blind for three days, and I was not a mass murderer like Saul was, but the experience was tangible, extremely powerful, and just as real - perhaps even more real - than making love. I wrote all about this in my first book, I Romanced the Stone.

Divinity: How would you differentiate yourself from other Christians?

Marvin: Well I am not religious. Not to say all Christians are religious, far from it. But like any other spiritual path that has become “organized” and “dogmatized,” the original spirit-filled message of the founder of the faith, the Avatar upon whose teachings the faith is based, over time invariably gets replaced with religion. A blogger friend and Christian whom I respect very much who goes by the blogger name of (and you see why I JUST HADDA love her from the get-go) “Free Spirit,” posted this most apt and lucid distinction on her blog, With Unveiled Face.

Religion is what happens when grace is misunderstood. Religion is man’s attempt to seek God. Grace is being found by Him.

Well said, Free Spirit!

Divinity: What is your intent with the Free Spirit Blog? Where would you like to see it go in the future?

Marvin: Well, here’s the sub-title blurb taken right off of Free Spirit-

Free Spirit promotes spiritual growth and excellence in the craft of writing. And we have a good time. Laughter taps into the deep well of the soul.

That pretty much sums it up. Where do I want to take it? Far as the universe wants and receives it, I reckon. I just write and network and cross-link and inter-link and continue my ministry of the spreading the WORD of the free unconditional non-judgmental Love of Christ. So far the message is well received and the readership is growing rapidly. I have readers of all faiths, spiritual practices, etc., as well as plenty of secular readers who profess no faith at all but just enjoy my brand of spiritual writing, my sometimes off-beat and very often humorous take on things. Everyone is welcome at Free Spirit. It’s a come-together and come as you are place, a cosmic Law of Attraction gathering cyber hall for intergalactic fellowship between like minded souls and those seeking truth and freedom.

Divinity: YAY! Cyber halls for intergalactic communion! Any plans for a new book?

Marvin: Oooh yeah. Lots. I have the first sequel to Owen Fiddler about two thirds done, a comedic detective whodunit, titled Detective Snoop. I posted a short story on Free Spirit on Halloween featuring this new nutcase character I thunked up, titled Detective Snoop and the Case of the Selfish Thirsty Vampire. He’s quite the charismatic sleuth, this guy, you’ll love him in spite of his sexist male chauvinist ways. The short story was well received, and I think the novel will be a hit. It’s short on spiritual messages, at least for this writer, but I do sneak in some valuable nuggets about not paying any attention to Satan lest you grant the (bleep)head power that he’s not worthy of. For the most part though, I just want to make people laugh with this one.

Another novel I’m working on is a spiritual quest for knowing God set within a romance, titled Heaven’s Slope Ascended. A multi-talented mountain climbing black chick meets a white rock and roll star and they fall in love but there are many issues. It’s really about me and my wife, but totally extrapolated out there into the generic. Anyone will be able to relate at some level.

Then another pet work in progress is this story about, well, here - let me paste the ad blurb for our readers-

What if a homeless, smelly, ugly unkempt old man had a hug so powerful it could cure cancer? Cause a prostitute to stop hooking and seek true love? Shake the demons of addiction free from a junkie? Make a fundamentalist Christian want to hug and love a radical terrorist Muslim and visa versa? Cause the blind to see? Raise the dead to life? But rare is the beneficiary of his divine hug - nobody wants to come near him out of fear.

I’m going to have a holy rolling ball writing that one. Just started it, but it’s tops. And I got more. The stuff is just pouring out of me. Owen Fiddler will be a series.Owen Fiddler will be on the big screen one day. Bet on it. God is just drilling me, shooting me full with inspirations faster than I can possibly key them in. Pretty cool.

Divinity: Would you say that writing your books has been a healing ritual for you?

Marvin: Oh most definitely. Well especially I Romanced the Stone. Writing that book was extremely cathartic and healing. Painful though, I mean having to write the TRUTH about just how far gone and lost I had gotten was brutal. But the pain was worth the gain. I’m all healed, happy and better now, so now I just write out of joy and love and a desire to share.

Divinity: What would you say to recovering addicts or hopefuls? Not just substance addicts but addicts of all sorts.
Marvin: Read my books, for sure. I Romanced the Stone will inspire you to either A) never go down that road, or if you already have, then B) have faith that there IS hope for you. I made it. So can you. You CAN be cured. Cured. Not rehabilitated, not tied forever to endless AA 12-step meetings, no. Cured. The cure is called God. Re-connecting with the ALL. And also read Owen Fiddler, my latest novel. The reason addicts become addicts, and you are right, Divinity - addiction comes in all forms - the obvious: alcoholism, substance abuse, smoking, eating disorders, etc., and the not so obvious: nagging depression, love of anger and rage, constant low self-esteem, and so on - all of these are indicators of a disconnection from God. You are trying to do it all yourself, and you are being selfish about it. God is within you, but you see/feel/hear IT not because you are too wrapped up in your tiny “little self,” your fearful little itty bitty “me against the world” mindset. Even mega-successful (materially) people get strung out on addictions because they operate with a set of “self-first” ethics - not realizing that their TRUE self is none other than God. Jesus said, “Is it not written in your law, I said, ‘ye are gods?’”

And if J.C. sez it, I believe it.