Testimony of Michael Orndorff
Along with my story (I Was Kool), I have been asked to give my testimony. I find
this very hard to do, because I would like to tell you of great things…of
supernatural things. But it just didn’t happen that way.
It was just a simple prayer and a few tears. But, when I did get up off my
knees, I felt from the most inner being of my soul that everything was now all
right that no matter what happened, “everything” was taken care of. I have never
in any experience felt an inner peace so comforting and so loving. There’s only
one way I can explain it. It’s being loved from the inside out. The comfort and
the love came from the inner being of my soul, through my whole body and the
surface of my skin. What amazed me was that others noticed it too. (Matt. 5:16 –
“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and
glorify your Father which is in heaven.”) This doesn’t mean that all my troubles
are over. But, I can tell you this, in everything that has happened, I’ve been
able to cope because of the love and comfort I told you of earlier. It seems
that the bigger the trouble or problem is the more this inner love intensifies.
(II Cor. 1:4 – “Who comforted us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to
comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are
comforted of God.”).
I doubt you could imagine the problems that have beset me on death row. But that
comforting voice in me always said, “Fear though not, for I am with thee. Be not
dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee. Yea,
I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
My friend, you also can have the very same inner joy. Your problems may not
vanish, but you can face them with comfort and love instead of sadness and
turmoil. I believe the reason I am comforted in times of trouble is that I feel
no burden. The reason why is simple: “Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He
shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” (Psalms
55:22). That’s the good part. I like to call it a fringe benefit. The reason I
came to the Lord was not to be comforted or loved, but because of fear. “And
unto man He said, Behold the fear of the Lord, what is wisdom; and to depart
from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28).
You see, I was in prison awaiting trial. My wife was asking for a divorce, the
prosecutor was saying I was going to be executed. I felt I’d never see my
newborn daughter again. All this plus much more – all happening at once. I was
terrified; finally in my life I had to face death. But what scared me was the
thought, “Where would I go after death?” I made up my mind I wanted to go to
heaven. I didn’t want to suffer any more – I had suffered enough.
But how could I go to heaven? Me of all people. I didn’t even know if God would
hear my prayer. Besides, how do I pray? If only my old chaplain from years ago
were here. That’s it. That’s what I’ll pray. If there is hope I’ll ask God to
send this chaplain to me. That was my prayer. I asked God if it wasn’t too late,
to send this chaplain to me one more time. If the chaplain didn’t come, then God
didn’t want me and I’d never bother God again.
I was soon to discover God’s power. When the chaplain came to my cell he was
sick. He said he wasn’t going to visit me but he felt God calling him to do so.
With all my heart I believe God allowed him a few extra days on earth just so I,
a lost soul, would be saved. Two days later my chaplain died. If God will answer
my prayer, I know he will answer yours. I know He will.
So I came to God in fear and when it was over the fear was removed and replaced,
of all things, with love and comfort and I praise God. There is no other way I
could have adjusted so easily in an environment such as this. Whatever else
comes my way, I stand assured God will see me through. “Let us therefore come
boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help
in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
I’ll leave you with this thought: There are only three things in life that are
certain… 1)
we are born alone, 2) we die alone, 3) and only we, by ourselves, can come to
God – no one can do it for us.
So what will you do? I pray you join me. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Sincerely,
Micheal Orndorff #104119
P.O. Box 240
Tucker, AR 72168
By the grace of God, Michael is off death row and serving a
life sentence