I don’t write about my husband on such a personal level very often. He’s a private man and doesn’t care to have me tooting his horn. I do it as often as I can though – I’m very proud of him and honored to be his wife.

I am writing this entry with Jon’s reluctant permission. He hopes that you will see the bigger picture and not just his wife’s biased opinion of him. I say – see my man for who he is – a really terrific guy with a generous heart.

Several years ago, Jon invested in a business with energy and optimism. Instead of a return on his funds or encouragement from the company leaders, he received years full of loss and struggle.

It started as soon as he was official with the company. An ominous phone call came from one of their employees warning us about the true nature of the company and included a personal warning to me about the dangers of being involved with a mafia-like organization. Jon was on a business trip for his much more stable and profitable job with American Family Insurance when the call came. I was told to be aware of my surroundings at all times and the caller warned that being alone wasn’t in my best interest. When I tried to reconnect with this source later, he was suddenly missing in action. (This man later dropped off the face of the earth – even private and state investigators could not find him.)

Jon worked to have the company honor their promises and then with no choices left, he took them to court. He put up a valiant battle across several state lines and for a few years. Jon worked harder building his AFI agency so he could pay off his loan and support us. He did both in a very short period of time, but hiring an attorney wasn’t possible for most of this engagement. So, in what little spare time he had, he went to the local law library and with great courage and dignity, he represented himself.

While he often won in court, getting payment proved impossible. At one point, a judge over turned her decision originally in Jon’s favor although she admitted it was with great hesitancy that she did so.  A win became a loss.

Finally, the battle went to Texas. Worn out, Jon called a local attorney who said he’d look at the case and get back to him. Jon hired the attorney, sent him all his information, and boarded a plane.

While in the air, the attorney called me. He wanted to know where Jon got his law degree – he’d rarely seen such detailed and excellent work. When I told him Jon’s story, the guy was not only impressed, for some reason, he was moved.

When Jon arrived in Texas, the law office had cleared out an office for him to use and had called together a team of lawyers to guide Jon through the next steps. They met him at the courthouse – yes, they. The whole law office was on board.

This time, he met his nemesis face to face.

 Jon’s efforts made it impossible for this man to legally do business in at least three states, and a very small settlement was offered. My weary warrior accepted. He’d fought for his rights honestly and with integrity, but he was done.

The man I married honored God,, impressed judges (they said so!), attorneys (they said so too!), and me. Then, my tenacious, but tender husband made another decision: he spent that  small settlement on three kids who wanted to go to Disney World.

What the lawyers, his opponent, and those Jon blessed didn’t hear were the prayers said for this guy. My husband fought a worthy legal battle against the man who literally robbed him of tens of thousands of dollars and he also fought for the man. Jon didn’t assume his enemy wasn’t saved, he simply prayed if he wasn’t, he would be. Then, Jon went a step farther and came up with a way to share his faith personally with the man.

Jon was and is a living testimony of Matthew 5:43-45 (NKJV) to me.  He’s also my hero.

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Freedom. We treasure it, fight for it, and some give their lives for it. For those behind bars for the rest of their lives, there is no freedom in sight. For those on death row, freedom isn’t a possibility. For a few who have become true believers in Jesus Christ – freedom will come the same day they “pay the ultimate price for their crimes.”

Author, Kathi Macias, recently released a novel titled, My Son John. This book walks readers through the halls of a mother’s heart when her son is arrested for the murder of his grandmother. This excellent book is available at: www.sheafhouse.com, www.amazon.com, and can be ordered anywhere books are sold. To dig deeper into what you believe, I urge you to purchase the book.

I also want to ask you – what do you believe about life sentences and the death penalty when it comes prisoners whose hearts are truly regenerated by Jesus Christ? What would you believe if it were your son or daughter?

On her blog Kathi recently wrote the following article:

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Does Forgiven Mean Forgotten?

As one who has worked in jail/prison ministry for many years, including interviewing such notorious criminals as Charles “Tex” Watson of the Manson Family and serving as editor for the personal memoirs of David “Son of Sam” Berkowitz (both now dedicated Christians), I am concerned at the controversy over the fate of those who become believers after being convicted of a serious crime.www.kathimacias.com.

I have heard the argument that if a person has been forgiven by the ultimate Judge, he should no longer have to face the full extent of his punishment and that somehow leniency is in order because the person has truly repented and been born again and is no longer a threat to society. I have also heard the argument that “jailhouse conversions” aren’t worth the so-called paper they’re written on and should therefore have no bearing on a prisoner’s sentence.

There is merit in both arguments. I, for one, believe jailhouse conversions–if they are truly conversions and not dramatic attempts to gain freedom from incarceration–are as legitimate as conversions that take place anywhere else. I also believe that the One Judge over the universe, before whom we will all one day stand, has precedence over human law. Whether or not we believe someone is “worthy” of forgiveness is irrelevant. If God declares it so, then it is so.

But does being converted and spared eternal punishment after we die automatically preclude our need to pay the price for our crimes on earth? Does being forgiven by God mean our sins are forgotten by the world? Not at all. Though the change that comes from being born into God’s family may impact the way others perceive and relate to us in this world, as well as the way we spend whatever time we have left on this planet, it does not necessarily change the conditions of our earthly sojourn, whether we are inmates convicted of crimes against society or simply individuals living in various life situations. As many inmates I have spoken to over the years and who have become believers while incarcerated have told me, “I have the joy of knowing I will go to be with the Lord when I leave this place; until then, I will serve wherever God has me–in prison or otherwise.” Those prisoners who have experienced true conversions also know that prison walls and jail cells cannot prevent them from being free once the Son of God has made them “free indeed.” They also know that many outside the confines of correctional institutions are in prisons of their own making, refusing to repent and be set free.

That said, may I suggest that you consider reading my latest novel, My Son, John, from Sheaf House, which deals with this very subject. This poignant, gripping story of heartbreak, loss, and unconditional love will challenge you to walk in a level of freedom you may never have considered before.

You can find out more about the book, watch the accompanying video trailer, and order a copy directly from my website,

Blessings, beloved, as you walk in the freedom that has been purchased at such a costly price!

I don’t like having my picture taken – at all.

Recently, I realized it was time to change my professional pictures on my websites. I wanted to wait – at least 10 more years. Instead, I emailed my friend, Lori Reinalda. She’s a professional photographer with her own studio and I decided to put myself in her capable and artistic care.

I’m so glad I did!

I’ve known Lori a long time so I can tell you a few things about her . . .

-She has a natural way of making people comfortable – she’s easy to be with even with a camera in her hands!

-She’s a professional

-She has the eye of an artist when she’s looking through a camera lense

If you’re looking for a photographer for your children, wedding, anniversary, family, or professional pictures, take a look at what Lori can do – check out her website at www.heartouchedphotography.com

Here are some of the photos she took. As you can see, we had a ball.

                          We laughed – a lot!