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James was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and is the youngest of 8 children in his family. Despite both of his parents working, his family was always involved in illegal activity. At a very young age, James began selling drugs. He saw the benefits it brought to those who did it.

He was arrested at the age of 20 for this very behavior. By the time he was 21, James was convicted by a jury and was sentenced to 40-years in Federal Prison. His life changed in his first year of incarceration. He heard about the Lord and committed his life to Christ in 2000.

He spent the next almost 21 years growing in his faith and relationship with God and changing his perspective on what is good in this world. Miraculously, 10 days shy of 21 years, his sentence was commuted. This was done on the last day of Trump’s presidency with the support of about 30 other people he didn’t know.

As he looks back on his experiences, he’s humbled by how God orchestrates people’s lives, and he’s grateful. “You never know whose life you are going to change” - James Cruz

We do a few shout outs and announcements then a devotional on being blinded by darkness. We honor Dalton on his last weekend with a trip to the Ranger game.

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ell your loved one in prison or jail to watch on the Pando app on Forgiven Felons channel or listen on the podcast app on their tablet.

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In this episode, Jay Dan and Jessa talk about the Ranger game they went to, do some shout outs, discuss FI-5’s in Texas, show off some drawings and do a devotion about not going back to the old you.

Then we get to hear from Dalton and Dakota. Dalton came to us from the Way Back connection which he talks about. After they got married, they both were on their own meth journey. They have kids of their own, as well as adopted kids, and they lost custody of them during their journey.

Dalton’s dad was in prison too and he’s the one who connected Dalton to us. Since Dalton has been at Forgiven Felons and Dakota got out of jail, they have leaned into Jesus and their lives, marriage, and journey to get their kids back have taken an amazing turn.

We can’t wait for you to hear this story. Let your loved ones inside prisons and jails know they can watch this episode on our Pando App channel Forgiven Felons Have a great week.

Zoom Call information coming soon.

Tell your loved ones to follow Forgiven Felons or Jay Dan Gumm on Facebook for all the information. If you're interested in joining us for Breakfast Bible Study, we have it every two weeks at the Forgiven Felons house. email us for more information, jaydangumm@forgivenfelons.org

To buy our Forgiven Felons or Background Check merch visit https://www.forgivenfelons.org/shop

In this episode, we sit down with Bryan Burns, from Trinity West Roofing and Construction to hear his story. We talk addiction, divorce of his parents, his love for the LA Dodgers, and who he thinks is the biggest crybaby in the NBA. We talk about how he got into roofing too.

Jessa and I do the announcements and we talk with a newly released inmate from the Florida prison system, Jimmy Cowden. We also get some shout outs from the church I spoke at over our anniversary weekend.

This episode is best watched on our youtube channel. @forgivenfelon

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forgivenfelons.org/shop