Interview with Michael English
about "The Prodigal Comes Home"

In the Library Reviews welcomes Michael English.

Joyce: Your story, The Prodigal Comes Home is both gripping and gritty. Why did you write this book? What did you want your readers to know about this time in your life?

Michael: I had always wanted to write a book, but in the past I had my own agenda and it would have been a horrible manuscript, so God made me wait until he had worked on my heart more and gotten rid of all the bitterness and anger that was there and opened my eyes to HIS way. So when I finally had the opportunity to write it I can honestly say my motives were to bring glory to God, to show people that you are NEVER too far gone for God's love to reach you, and to help bring people out of that pit that satan has them believing they can never get out of. I guess what I want my readers to know about this time in my life is that even thought I thought I was alone...I was never ever alone God was walking with me making sure I lived through it to tell about it.

Joyce: Why do you think God gave you a second chance?

Michael: I think God gives anyone who asks a second chance, I think he gave it to me because God had a plan from the beginning...I mean you think about how public my fall was and how public all my sins were...they were out there for everyone to see. So now his Grace is out there for everyone to see, they know how ugly it was, and now they can see how God is able to turn that ugliness around and literally make you "A new Creation"

Joyce: What are your long-range plans? What do you see yourself doing in 10 or 20 years?

Michael: You know I don't know anymore, I of course hope to still be spreading the gospel and singing and ministering to people, but God may have a different plan, and I will have to be okay with what he has for me...I stopped driving my own life after my last crash!!!!

Joyce: Have you written a song about your experiences? And if not, will you set your story to music?

Michael: I have not done that yet. I haven't written anything in a long time. I would love to write again, I am not sure if I will put my story to music or not, there are A LOT of songs out there already with my story. There is a song on my new album that will be coming out shortly and it's called "The Prodigal" and 2 friends of mine wrote it back like 7 or 8 years ago, I did the demo on it back then. Then it was like God saved it for me because no one else recorded it in all those years...and it's a great song, it is my story.

Joyce: If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?

Michael: Nothing...there is nothing in my life that I would change...okay I would like to drop 10...20...30 pounds...and have thicker hair. (ha ha:))

Joyce: Like the prodigal son in the Bible, the Father has embraced you and rejoiced that you returned home. But what about the other son- the one that resented the prodigal receiving blessings from the father? What can you say to those people who may be upset about your restored position?

Michael: After being asked that question hundreds of times, I have only found one good answer. Nothing. There is absolutely nothing I can do to change someone's heart, or where they are in there walk with God. Some of those people have never faced trials to such a degree where they needed God to reach down and grab them from the pit, and hopefully they never will. Sometimes thought it takes that for someone to be forgiving and understanding, and non judgemental. We are all just one bad decision away from being at the bottom. All I can do is hope that they see my heart, and that they listen to my story so that they don't get trapped in the same mess I did. Bottom line....just like in that story in the Bible aren't we all in the same family? Shouldn't we all love no matter what...like God does? Either way I would rather be the prodigal son in that story everytime ..then the son who carries around bitterness, jealousy and anger.

Joyce: Is anyone ever too far from 'home' to return? What's your advice to someone who believes to be out of God's reach?

Michael: No...I don't think so, I believe that what we see as too far gone is what God see's as just right for him to be able to work with. What I mean by that is ...we see a drug addict or prostitute, or thief as someone that is "So far Gone" when in reality they are ripe for God to use because they know they are wrong, deep down inside they know their lives need some kind of intervention. I think the one's that are more gone are they one's that go to church every Sunday, that sing in the worship band, that lead the bible studies...who's lives at home our a mess. Whichever category your in (and I've been in both) you are still not too far gone, all you have to do is just say "I give up Lord, I can't do it on my own, I need your help" and leave it before him...and he picks it up and carries it with you.

Joyce: Thank you, Michael, for taking time to answer these questions. May God continue to bless you with His perfect mercy and grace.

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