Behind Prison Walls: Inmate Number 27773-016

By Corvalis G. Hodges

Behind Prison Walls: Inmate Number 27773-016 is my expression and experience in prison. During my wilderness experience, I had to rely on God like never before. It was my breaking point; God was then able to speak to me where I wasn't able to run. I tried boxing with God, but I soon realized my arms where to short to box with God, so I begin to let go and let God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 20, 2009
• ISBN: 9781462843992

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Copyright © 2009 by Corvalis G. Hodges.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except by a

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To keep in line with the integrity of the author’s voice, grammar and, in some

cases, spelling has not been altered/edited.

All scriptures in this book are from the Holy Bible, New King James Version.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

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Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GRATITUDE

DEDICATION

SPECIAL DEDICATION TO WOMEN

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

INTRODUCTION

PART ONE

INMATE 27773-016

PART TWO

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

PART THREE

GOD WILL MAKE A LOSER WIN

TREATMENT

LETTING GO AND LETTING GOD

GOD, YOU HAVE FAILED ME

TO MY SISTER WITH LOVE

STOPPING THE GENERATIONAL CURSE CYCLE

WHEN OUR DREAMS ARE SHATTERED

STONES CAN’T STOP US

LIVING IN TROUBLESOME TIMES

THE RICHES OF GOD’S GRACE

REAL COMMITMENT

COMMITMENT AND RECOMMITMENT

CHANGING YOUR WAY OF THINKING WITH AN EXPECTING END

HOLINESS IN SITTING, WALKING, AND TALKING

PRISON LETTERS

MY END THOUGHTS

THE END

PRAYERS

A PRAYER FOR YOU

PRAYER FOR ADDICTED CHILDREN

PRAYER WHEN OUR CHILDREN DISAPPOINT US

PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE

FRIENDS THAT PRAY TOGETHER, STAY TOGETHER

APPENDIX

WHAT DO THE BEATITUDES MEAN?

A PRAYER FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

PSALM 23

ORDER FORM

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GRATITUDE

I must start out with thanking my Lord for his continued support and love, for he was there for me when friends did not like me anymore. He was there for me when I did not know how I was going to make it the next minute, hour, day, week, month, and year. Thank you, Lord. I made it all because of you. In fact, being thankful for everything about my life has been one of my cornerstones of strength and resilience and has kept me going. I have many ways of showing gratitude especially in times of hopelessness or when a state of despondency threatens the core of my being and its essence.

My favorite ones are my songs of praise. I thank God for those before me who went through similar things or even worse and made it through.

I would like to use this medium section to thank those individuals, church families, my pastor (Willie Wilson), copastor (Mary Wilson), Apostle J. M. Johnson Sr., Elder Esidore Gray, Rev. Mary Smith, Chief-Apostle Ann Savanna, Rev. Diane Griggs, deaconesses (Lavern Hines, Bridgett Turner, Elise Brown, Nadine), my son (Clinton Adams Jr.), my daughter (Dominique Gomez), my sister-in-law (Delia Hodges), (Aretha Williams, Rev. Ronald Hawkins Sr., Rev. Alva Rowe, Evangelist Joyce Thomas).

To the inmates behind prison walls, and other institutions that I may not have included, you all made it possible by supporting me when I needed your help and partaking in helping others realize their dreams. I hope our relationship was fruitful to you as well. I have mentioned just a few names here in this list, by no means exhaustive, of all those that help me succeed and not listed in any particular order of importance.

Jesus Christ. There is none like you. I know that I would not be who I am today and achieve this far without you—you are the greatest!

All the inmates that voluntary step forward with their life testimonies and not afraid of being transparent. I honestly do not think that this book would have been easy without all the moral and the assistance that they gave daily.

The staff of FPC Alderson, I would like to thank you all because you were my angels (my case manager, counselor, and my team manager) that were assigned to me. A job well done! God bless you all for your good deed.

I would like to thank my four wonderful sisters in Christ (Leslie Matthews, Crystal James, Bridget Bond, and Mona Lisa Gaffney). The role you played in my life over the past year is definitely proof that everything God does is for a reason. Thanks for all your insight and for letting me know that everything is going to be all right in the end. Thank you for believing in me and loving God’s way. I thank God for providing me the opportunities to be a wife, mother, and a leader for God’s people. God bless each and every one of you.

Thanks for all your sincere help and your true life testimonies for making this book a less painful ordeal. To those who rejected me—thanks a lot! It’s God’s inspiration that assists me to write, not man’s alone. So no weapon formed against me shall prosper because my Lord God and his Son is with me.

DEDICATION

To my family

You are the best! If I were to enumerate the trials you have gone through with me and the love you have shown me throughout, your confidence in me has been great for my self-esteem. The only way I can summarize it here is—a woman’s beauty lies in her God.

Thank you for being there for me when others abandoned me, for being my strength during my struggles behind prison walls.

I wish and pray that every woman will be blessed enough to share their lives with a family like you. I consider myself to be very blessed. It never ceases to amaze me that we have made it, despite all the external problems we went through. With prayer and fasting, we were able to stay happy while others who had few struggles watched their family fail.

Thank you for allowing me to be myself and for bearing my burdens when you did not have to. You have shown the world and me what a true family based on friendship, love, and, most of all, God should be. You are my role model. I hope you take these statements to heart; you have touched my heart forever. I love you all.

SPECIAL DEDICATION TO WOMEN

I am making a special dedication of this book to women everywhere in the world, particularly those behind prison walls; thank you for the contributions you make through every aspect of your lives. To all you women out there, I want to say if there is anything you want to do, you must find a way to do it. Never make excuses, no matter how legitimate those excuses may seem. This advice assumes, of course, that gratitude, happiness, joy, thanksgiving, appreciation, self-empowerment, and no procrastination through God’s grace is there.And to the men in our lives, read this book to better understand our needs and help build us up so that we can better fulfill each other’s needs!

Ladies, just keep on going and doing the right thing by all around you. I can tell you that even if man does not know and appreciate you for what you are worth, see 1 Samuel 25:35/ 41 or do, believe me, God knows. In his own time, he will reward you immensely in ways you cannot even imagine—even in your wildest dreams! I know because I have been there done that, as well. Despite what man did to me, despite thinking it was over, I perished, believed, stayed faithful, persevered through it all; and in the end, God showed his might. When God intervenes, no one can stop you or hold your blessing back, even if they try. When you leave prison walls behind, you can achieve if you know how. If you know what you really want out of life, no matter what has happened to you in the past or others have expected from you, you can achieve! To conquer adversity, you must first conquer yourself. God bless you.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

God inspired me to write the book Touched by an Angel. The Holy Spirit has been prompting me to tell of my testimony in a written format. It is my duty to obey the Spirit and my ministry to let others know how good God is. I’m delighted to be sharing my testimony with you and especially to the struggling drug addicts and alcoholics. I want others to know how it feels to be set free. I was once in the same predicament, but thanks to God’s grace and mercy, I have been delivered from both addictions.

My book will testify to how one day an angel of God touched me and instantly changed my life. The angel of the Lord found me hopeless, in despair, and a vagabond in the land. He touched and transformed me into a new creature (just like Apostle Paul in the desert). My eyes were opened to the truth, and I begin to transform into a brand-new person. I began to conquer sin and my many demons. I didn’t do this on my own; it was by the work of the Holy Spirit. I remember giving my life to Christ, and the Holy Spirit took control of me and began to deliver me from the power of sin. God showed me how precious his blood was and how the blood of Jesus Christ was shed for my sins. The blood of Jesus paid the price for me. Jesus was the lamb that was stained for my transgressions, and up on the rugged cross was Jesus’s blood for my righteousness. Once, my soul hungered for drugs, alcohol, and fast money; but now my soul desires God’s love. I thank God every day for intervening and canceling Satan’s plans on my life.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION

Jehovah Sermonettes is not a fiction or mystery; it is the true story of my journey. It will exemplify my happiest and darkest times. I will take you through some of my journal entries that will reveal some of my life’s experiences as a child and as an adult. You will travel with me down my Road to Damascus and then up to the mountain of Zion.

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

Rising above Your Struggles is a life-transforming truth. You will come to understand my struggles as well as my walk with Almighty God. As God is my witness, you will read of my true life story through the present.

It is my hope also that my testimony will transform a life; bring spiritual revival to a backslider; deliver possessed minds, bodies, and souls; unveil the wiles of the devil and set the captives free; give conquering power over their enemies; and, most of all, bring salvation to a dying soul. I encourage you to tell others of my testimony, especially if they are lost or desperate.

PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION

Behind Prison Walls: Inmate Number 27773-016 is my expression and experience in prison. During my wilderness experience, I had to rely on God like never before. It was my breaking point; God was then able to speak to me where I wasn’t able to run. I tried boxing with God, but I soon realized my arms were too short to box with God, so I begin to let go and let God.

I believe others will be able to benefit from hearing or reading about my personal trials. I encourage youth pastors to contact me through my publisher to obtain a free copy of my book for their church library. In addition, anyone can contact me for a speaking engagement.

Thank you for purchasing my book; I am truly grateful. Your purchase will not be in vain. For it is by a divine appointment orchestrated by God. I hope you enjoy the adventure, and may God continue to richly bless you.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

To Walk Your Talk as a successful businesswoman is a challenge very few meet. Corvalis Hodges, walks her talk, is a successful businesswoman, and brings her wisdom and experience to all of us in a very readable and understandable form which originated from her experience behind prison walls. I encourage you to not only read this book, but to practice its principles.

—Sister Rita Taylor

This is a significant book. It covers key issues women face exactly like it is. Behind Prison Walls is a Christian book of encouragement for all women and men who are incarcerated. As I read it, I found myself challenged, stimulated and from my own previous imprisonment conviction. This book will be around for decades.

—Sister Bridget Bond

Corvalis Hodges is one of my favorite people. A Godly woman of integrity and high principle. This book is an excellent presentation of lessons which she has learned at her hardest side and in the marketplace. I recommend this book to Christians who are tired of just going through the motions spiritually and are ready for a healthier and more balanced life. Experience the rich, meaningful and abundant life available to true and faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.

—Rev. Alva Rowe

This book goes right to the root of many of today’s problems concerning healing and priorities of our lives. Besides nailing the issues on the head, it provides clear, substantiated answers from a biblical point of view. I think it is a must-read.

—Areathia Williams

I have seen Corvalis Hodges live this book. Behind prison walls, is not simply an expression of a woman’s thoughts or opinions. I watch her go through, and I watch God bring her out. It is truly an expression of Corvalis Hodges’ life. It is a must-read for anyone who would be a spiritually mature person.

—Rev. Ronald Hawkins Sr.

Dear Reader,

The book you are now holding has helped thousands of women find a deeper significance to lead more balanced lives.

This special edition copy of Behind Prison Walls is part of a unique effort to distribute a million copies to women throughout America.

A number of women made sacrifices for you to receive this book. Why would they do that? They sacrificed because the book changed their lives.

We live a busy life in stressful times. Many women have found an oasis of sanity in these pages. My dream is that, by reading them, you will find contentment in God, which really matters.

I would love to hear from you if this book has changed your life.

Please write to

Corvalis Hodges

6207 Dimrill Ct.

Fort Washington, MD 20744

301-536-7165

[e-mail]

Trust in the Lord with all