This is the testimony of Henry Lair. Henry stepped into the presence of the Lord on the morning of April 5, 2020. I had the pleasure of knowing Henry for a number of years before he moved away from Central Florida. His personality was a unique combination of fun-loving but with a seriousness born of his life experiences.
Select Quotes:
“Not just look at the wreckage of my life, but look at the value of my life.”
“I use the notes because some of this stuff I woulnd’t go back over if I didn’t have to.”
“I thank God the Lord didn’t call me home before I had the chance to decide where to spend eternity.”
“I won’t get through this whole testimony without a little shaking going on.”
“Three years in prison beats an eternity in hell every time.”
“When I stand here and tell you drugs and alcohol will never satisfy your needs, I talk with the conviction and witness of my very life. When I speak of the total devastation of cocaine, I testify having lived through the pain. When I tell you drugs and alcohol will take your life, your health, everything precious from you, I speak from the very edge of death.”
“Before I go on, stop and think. That little decision to go along with the suggestion of an old friend, whom I trusted and loved like a brother, would set the stage for a crippling near death experience with drugs and a five year prison sentence for me. Think of me next time someone asked you to try something that’s against your better judgment. Think of me.”
“I was overwhelmed completely by the need to fill this void that kept growing inside of me.”
“Even so near to death, this demon cocaine held me firm in its grip.”
“I stumbled into the prison chapel looking for answers. Isn’t that just like the carnal mind? When we’re hurting and looking for answers, we turn to some some building. I didn’t need a building, I needed a savior!”
“I fell flat on my face and said, ‘Oh God, can you truly know me? Can you love me and truly, truly know me? Do you know what I’ve been? What I’ve been through? You know how low I’ve gone? Can you truly love me?’
He seemed to say, ‘Son, I died for such as you. Yes, I love you!’
What a thrill to know peace in the pit of a federal prison camp!”
“[Do you] know the kind of love that could take three years of what the world considers the worst possible experience—three years of federal prison—and turn it into three best years of your entire life? Three years that would set the stage for eternity with Jesus Christ? Do you know that kind of love?”
“I believe drugs and alcohol is the Devil’s number one weapon. When I fight my compulsions and sick thinking, I’m fighting Satan himself.”
“Funny, what we go through in our lives to get where we are. How God can make such a blessing out of it.”