All is not dark, however, and through the courageous faithfulness of a loving family and above all – an encounter with the living God – this man was born anew. Whole healthy, awash in love, restored, forgiven – with God all things are possible.
As a survivor of recreational drugs myself, I’m amazed at the coherence with which Wilson writes. This work was rapidly completed within the ten weeks following the end of his addiction. I did find some awkward phrasing and word choices throughout the book, but when I think back to my own mind-melding experiences with drugs, I’m amazed that Wilson was as equipped to write as his book demonstrates. His ability to write well is nearly as miraculous as his own deliverance!
Written as a brand-new follower of Jesus, Wilson’s conclusions need to be read with some discernment. I remember my deeply flawed understanding of the ways of God at ten weeks post-conversion, and I’m thankful I never wrote them down. I would have resonated with Wilson’s somewhat pluralistic statements mingled with an enthusiasm to introduce others to Christ; I’ve had nearly identical conversations with my own husband a couple of weeks after meeting Jesus. In truth, even now Wilson and I hold wildly divergent doctrinal positions, but I can see God's hand at work in his life.
While Wilson was already one of the most vibrant personalities I’ve met online, the opportunity to know him better through this autobiographical work has meant much to me. If you’ll journey with him in print I think you’ll feel the same.
Article comments
1 - Jeannie Danna
Jennifer,I wish Marvin Wilson had not used the word 'Hippie" in the tittle of this book! I came out of the seventies myself and crack-cocaine has nothing to do with being a "Hippie" in my opinion anyway.
I hate the way corporate America stole all the things they liked about the 'Hippie movement" clothes,jewelery,posters,incense..and SOLD them back to us. walk into any mall and the chain "head shops" are there while leaving all the truly great things about being a "Hippie" in the dust..Loving and caring for each other no matter what the color of your skin was or how much money you possessed. Drug use as I recall was primarily pot(not much stronger than a drink!) although some went on to harder substances and even that is a personal choice in a free society(if only we were free!) I will have to visit Marvin Wilson's blog thanks for peaking my interest. Jeannie :)
2 - Bill Sherman
While, I agree with Jeannie, it's an unfortunate fact that the word "hippie" has degraded via politically motivated misuse to a much broader stereotype. (It wasn't just pot, though, but hallucinogens that were part and partial of the hippie movement, though you're correct in noting that crack cocaine years away from the hippie era.) Still, I wish he'd used a word like "Stoner" in the title.
3 - roger nowosielski
Well, the reason is simple. The dominant culture had to put a spin on counter-culture.