From Felon to Forgiven
From addiction to redemption—this is my story. I sat down with Jay Dan Gumm on the Background Check Podcast to talk about sobriety, second chances, and what life looks like when you finally surrender and start over. If you or someone you love is facing hard times, this one’s for you.
Hello, World!
My Redemption Story on Background Check Podcast
I recently had the honor of sitting down with Jay Dan Gumm on Background Check Podcast to share my story—raw, real, and fully redeemed.
We talked about my journey through addiction, hitting bottom, and the road to sobriety. But more importantly, we talked about what life looks like on the other side—purpose-driven, Christ-centered, and fully alive.
Jay Dan is the real deal. What he’s doing through Forgiven Felons is more than a ministry—it’s a mission. He’s giving men and women a shot at new life, just like I was given.
If you or someone you love is struggling through re-entering life after prison, addiction, or starting over… take a moment and listen. You’re not alone, and it’s not over.
🎧 Listen to the episode on Background Check Podcast
📅 Join us July 20 for the next Breakfast & Devotional
📍 Details on Forgiven Felons Facebook page
Follow and Support:
🔗 Forgiven Felons on Facebook
📧 michaelking@kingofhabits.com
🌐 www.kingofhabits.com
Dear Building… I Was Wrong
Sometimes God removes the crowd so we can hear Him clearer. I’ve expected too much from others and not enough from myself. This is my confession, my correction, and my course forward. It's not about them. It's about Him.
I was wrong.
I heard it said, “pay attention to Him, not them.”
But I didn’t. I let the system—and people just as broken as me—invade my space. I expected others to be as self-motivated as I am. I expected people to understand the saved seat at church wasn’t theirs. I expected them to stop blindly listening to the voice behind the podium and start thinking for themselves. Start reading. Start asking questions.
I was wrong.
It’s time I carry the bowl of water through the church service—without spilling a drop.
It’s time I go to build community, not ego.
It’s time I get challenged by men better than me. (Wait… that’s the easy part.)
My faith is real. My desire is too big. My hunger? Even bigger. I’ve always wanted it all.
God has had His foot on my throat for a couple years. Not because He’s angry.
But because I asked for change.
So… attention? Gone.
Crowds? Gone.
Stages and lights? Gone.
Messages, texts, and calls? Silent.
Applause? Gone.
Stillness. Quiet. Isolation.
And that’s where He met me.
Church is a building. I’m just His child. And this? It’s just one step toward home.
Dear Building,
See you soon.
"Sometimes God isolates you so you can focus on Him. Not punishment. Just preparation." — Unknown
#FaithWalk #SpiritualReset #ChildOfGod #ChurchHeart #QuietSeason #Accountability #HeIsEnough #PurposeOverPeople #KingOfHabits
Email:
📩 michaelking@kingofhabits.com
Don’t Blame It. Claim It.
Your story is not your shame—it’s your strength. What felt like trash is actually the training ground for your testimony. Every moment, every mistake, every mess… God uses it all for His glory.
I know I’ve blamed.
But on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Social Dallas, Michael Jr. reminded us that God uses EVERYTHING for the good of HIS glory.
It doesn’t have to make sense.
It won’t make sense.
It’s cruel.
It’s unethical sometimes. Immoral even.
Sometimes it’s faint, and sometimes it hits big.
But we’re in practice.
Every single day.
Every battle.
All of it is training for your purpose.
Your trash is God’s gift in disguise.
Don’t blame it—claim it.
Use your story. Build on it. Never stop learning. Never stop growing.
Then share it.
Because someone out there needs it—and God planned the timing perfectly.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
—Romans 8:28 (NIV)
#TheForgeBlog #DontBlameItClaimIt #TestimonyTraining #FaithInTheFire #SocialDallas #GodsGlory #PurposeInThePain #MichaelJrMessage
📧 Contact: michaelking@kingofhabits.com
🌐 Visit: www.kingofhabits.com
When Expectations Break Us (Closer to Our Hearts)
Nobody broke your heart—they broke your expectations and brought you closer to your heart.
Nobody broke your heart—they broke your expectations and brought you closer to your heart. Expectations stir up more emotion than almost anything else. Research suggests we have tens of thousands of thoughts each day, and in those thoughts, we create stories, replies, and outcomes. So when someone speaks or acts outside the script we imagined, it cuts deep. The hard part? Learning to care—without tying your peace to how things “should” go.
“People can sometimes be held hostage by their expectations. The key is to reach for an extremely high bar, but to be adaptable enough to reframe the failures, disappointments, and defeats into fuel for the next thing.”
— James Clear
#TheForgeBlog
#EmotionalGrowth
#LetGoOfExpectations
#MindsetMatters
#JamesClearWisdom
#Heartwork
#MentalStrength
📩 Email me:
michaelking@kingofhabits.com
777: The Love That Transformed Me
Nine years ago, I said yes to a woman I didn’t just meet—I was sent. Robin wasn’t just a chapter in my story; she was the divine rewrite. Six years with her on earth, and the next three… learning how heaven doesn’t mean distance. It means depth. Her love wrecked me—in the best, most sacred way.
Nine years ago, I said yes to a woman I didn’t just meet—I was sent. Robin wasn’t just a chapter in my story; she was the divine rewrite. Six years with her on earth, and the next three… learning how heaven doesn’t mean distance. It means depth. Her love wrecked me—in the best, most sacred way.
She taught me what it feels like to be loved as a man, fully, without conditions. She didn’t fix me—she saw me. She showed me what God’s heart might look like in human form.
We got tattoos the day we met—King and Queen of Hearts—because somehow, our souls already knew. And now, even in her absence, she still reigns beside me.
Quote:
"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly."
—Proverb
#LoveLikeRobin
#777Legacy
#UnconditionalLoveLivesOn
Call to Action:
If you’ve ever been changed by love like this, tell someone today. Don’t wait. Butterfly moments don’t last forever—but they sure leave a mark.
Forged in Redemption: My Conversation with Jay Dan Gumm
In life, we all face heat, pressure, and shaping that hurts—but in the right hands, we come out stronger. Today, I sat down with Jay Dan Gumm of Forgiven Felons, a podcast and ministry helping people reenter society after incarceration. We recorded an episode for the Background Check Podcast — where, as Jay Dan says,
“Your background doesn’t hold you back, it pays you back.”
In life, we all face heat, pressure, and shaping that hurts—but in the right hands, we come out stronger. Today, I sat down with Jay Dan Gumm of Forgiven Felons, a podcast and ministry helping people reenter society after incarceration. We recorded an episode for the Background Check Podcast — where, as Jay Dan says,
"Your background shouldn't hold you back, it should pay you back".
Though I’ve never done time in a state or federal prison, I’ve been locked up in the mental kind—built by bad habits, shame, and poor decisions. We’re crafted for something greater. Every story matters.
🎙️Check out his podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127
▶️ YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@forgivenfelon?si=8kVBnKCbiq-LnbIP
Upcoming Fellowship Event:
📍 Forgiven Felons House
7943 Claremont Dr, Dallas, TX 75228
🗓 Sunday, July 20 2025 (and every 2 weeks reoccurring) Follow Jay Dan Gumm on Facebook for further info!
⏰ 8:00am–9:30am
👥 18+ — Men, women, married, single — all welcome.
The guys are cooking. And you never know who’ll show up.
If you've been to prison, have a loved one incarcerated, are in recovery, or just love raw community — this is your place. We eat. We share. We receive. We laugh. We cry. We pray. We grow.
My Reflection:
The Forge isn’t just a blog—it’s a mindset. A place where pressure and fire shape something new. This conversation reminded me that God uses everything, even our background, as part of His design. Forgiven Felons proves that transformation is possible.
#TheForgeBlog #BackgroundCheckPodcast #FaithInFire #ForgivenFelons
The Sound of Regret: Why Parents Must Chase Their Dreams Too
While I was playing drums in dim honky tonks, I dreamt big dreams for my son. But looking back, the biggest injustice wasn’t in what I lacked—it was in what I didn’t dare to do. The truest way to teach our children to chase dreams is by living ours first.
"Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives. Let your life be one."
— William Martin
While I played drums in some sleepy honky tonk in Texas—or maybe somewhere across the country—I’d drift into thoughts of my son. I’d imagine him taking music further than I ever did. In my head, he was on a tour bus headed to a concert in some far-off city. He and his bandmates had rehearsed in a dusty warehouse for weeks because the label had lined up a string of dates across America.
I could see him behind a stunning drum kit, dressed like the mysterious soul that only drummers understand. His Berklee education backing him. His practice routine solid. His passion alive. Reading charts, writing songs, making his mark.
But here’s the hard truth:
The greatest injustice I ever did wasn’t failing to “make it.”
It was not being the example first.
I used the classic excuse—“I just can’t leave my kids to chase my dreams.”
But is that really noble… or is it fear in disguise?
What if the most powerful thing we can show our kids is that anything is possible—because they saw us doing it?
Why tell your child to go to college while you work three jobs and live in quiet misery? Why preach about following passions while we bury ours under bills and busy schedules?
Yes—life happens. Responsibilities matter.
But most often, it’s not circumstance—it’s comfort.
The truth is this: Not chasing your goals as a parent teaches your child not to chase theirs.
Parents are the most influential people in a child’s life.
Even in rebellion, kids return to their roots.
It’s not too late.
It’s never too late.
Be the inspiration they’ll remember.
Live the dreams you talk about.
Do the thing.
Let’s stop raising the “I wish” generation.
Let’s show them what “I did” looks like.
Got thoughts or a story to share?
Email me at: michaelking@kingofhabits.com
Let’s talk dreams, legacy, and doing the thing.
Leave a comment below—
Sober Mind, New Mission
“I didn’t hate my job—I hated who I was in it. Now that I’m sober, I can’t pretend it fits me anymore. I’m not lost… I’m just not settling.”
What happens when you wake up… and your career doesn’t?
May 13th, 2020—the day I got sober. I thought that was the finish line. Turns out, it was just the starting gate.
I had no idea how much my interests, values, and even my identity would shift once the fog cleared. I thought I loved my career—but now I realize, I just loved the freedom it gave me to be a drunk with no real accountability.
And here I am, five years later, seeing it all differently.
The Career I Chose—or Inherited?
I’ve been in the same industry since 1989. It’s what my grandpa did. What my dad did. And naturally, what I did. Back then, it was easier. The job was hands-on, dirty, blue-collar work that you could coast through with grit and a bit of charm.
But times have changed.
Companies don’t value workers like they used to.
Education is weighed more than experience.
And to be honest… my job doesn’t require a mindset. It’s not respected. It’s not fulfilling.
It’s just a paycheck.
The Sobriety Shift
Getting sober didn’t just remove alcohol from my life—it removed my blinders.
I don’t find joy in what I used to.
I don’t chase the same distractions.
And now that I don’t play in bands anymore, I have time—real time—to think and grow.
But with that clarity comes conflict:
What do I really want to do?
The Money Trap
I make decent money. Enough to survive well.
But I’m only there for the money…
And that feels wrong.
Because deep down, I know that purpose matters more than paychecks.
And I know this truth: “Decent” money is not worth a life unlived.
So What’s Next?
Here’s the honest part—I don’t fully know yet.
I’m drawn to psychology.
To business.
To writing.
To storytelling.
To building something meaningful.
But none of that pays the bills yet. And making a leap without a net is terrifying.
So here’s where I’m at:
📌 Staying employed.
📌 Studying every day.
📌 Blogging my truth.
📌 Stacking skills for a future I’m designing—on purpose this time.
Maybe You’re Here Too
If you’re sober, or just awake enough to realize the life you built doesn’t feel like you anymore…
You’re not broken.
You’re just changing.
And that’s a sacred place to be.
📧 Contact: michaelking@kingofhabits.com
The Verb is the Victory
Change doesn’t happen because we want it.
It happens when we do something different.
One action at a time. That’s how confidence is born.
Take Action Without Attachment
“You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.”
— Bhagavad Gita
We often wait for permission.
For the perfect moment.
For clarity.
But the breakthrough doesn’t come before the action.
It comes because of the action.
Stop Trying to Be the Noun
Everyone wants to be the noun.
The writer. The leader. The musician.
But the noun never moves mountains.
The verb does.
The verb is the spark.
The verb builds the road.
No Tools? No Problem.
Don’t wait until you have the time.
Don’t wait until you know how.
Don’t wait for the money or the permission.
Just start doing.
The action will teach you.
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
— Robert Collier
Stack Your Do’s
Action.
Doing.
Habit.
Outcome.
It’s a slow, messy process.
But stacked habits are unstoppable.
You can’t outrun consistent wins.
You build the new you by changing the ingredients—
not the entire recipe overnight.
Reflection Questions:
Are you stuck trying to be instead of do?
What action can you take today without worrying about the outcome?
What habit is your future self begging you to start now?
Email me:
📩 michaelking@kingofhabits.com
Let’s build a life based on verbs, not titles.
Aristotle Was Right About Habits
Aristotle said it best—excellence is not a single act but a repeated choice. Our habits shape who we become, not in loud moments, but in the quiet ones we live every day.
Excellence doesn’t come from random motivation—it’s the quiet, steady rhythm of our choices. This quote from Aristotle reminds us that greatness isn’t about one big act, but the small, repeated ones we commit to daily. If your habits are aligned with your values, success isn’t a matter of if—it’s when.
The Elevator Button Principle
We push elevator buttons harder, thinking pressure speeds things up. But life doesn’t work that way. Sometimes, the gentle first touch was enough. The real strength? It’s in patience, not pressure. As Angela Duckworth said, “Endurance is rare.”
Pressure Isn’t Always the Answer
Push the button once. It’s gentle. Simple. If the elevator doesn’t come right away, what do we do?
We push it again—harder this time. As if applying more pressure will make it come faster.
Where does that reaction come from?
Is it doubt? Impatience? Revenge on the button?
We do this in life, too. Applying pressure to things that only needed a touch.
We force. We press. We push people, relationships, and even ourselves—believing intensity will deliver speed.
But how many conflicts could’ve been avoided with the gentleness of that first elevator tap?
Parenting and Pressure
Take parenting.
Wouldn’t a softer, slower approach often yield better results?
A calm voice instead of raised tones.
A patient explanation instead of punishment.
I’ve seen it—over and over. The hardest pushes rarely bring peace. But soft and peaceful parenting? That rarely misses the mark.
What Are We Really Expecting?
Maybe the root isn’t the push—but the expectation.
We expect the elevator to come now.
We expect our kids to get it.
We expect life to move when we say move.
But maybe the lesson is this:
A gentle touch often gets more movement than a forceful one.
And when it doesn’t?
Pushing harder isn’t always the answer.
Sometimes, the waiting is the work.
📬 michaelking@kingofhabits.com
The Kindness Project: Let the Small Things Speak
In a world chasing noise, the Kindness Project is my quiet rebellion—proof that small gestures can still echo the loudest.
In a world chasing noise, the Kindness Project is my quiet rebellion—proof that small gestures can still echo the loudest.
What is the Kindness Project?
Kindness is the hardest thing to keep simple. It’s so rare. The highlight reels show the chaos. Social media is a dopamine volcano. Good things? They’re slow. Meaningful things? They’re simple.
Kindness is a thought, transferred into action. Kindness is unique. And so, I’ve decided to make it a point.
Here’s the deal:
I take a photo or print an image that carries some meaning—a moment, a feeling, or something that just makes you smile. I tuck it in an envelope, number it, and leave it somewhere in the world for someone to find.
If you’ve found one:
➡️ Visit www.kingofhabits.com
➡️ Click on the “Kindness Project” tab
➡️ Scroll to find your photo and its number
➡️ Leave a comment (with your name or anonymous)
➡️ Keep it, or pass it on to someone else
The next person can leave their note on the same photo. The kindness continues.
Just know—the picture found you.
Definition of Kindness:
Kindness: The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
But more than that, it’s the quiet act that often goes unseen. It's what remains when there's nothing to gain. It’s sacred. Simple. Still rare.
Quote about Kindness:
"Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are."
— Harold S. Kushner
Contact:
📬 michaelking@kingofhabits.com
Happy hunting,
Michael
#KindnessProject
🖤 MY HEART HAS GLUE ALL OVER IT
I used to think the hardened stuff around my heart meant I was broken. But it turns out, it was glue—healing me, holding me together, and reminding me that real love sticks to real hearts. Sometimes, when things fall apart, the glue is just drying.
by Michael King
Posted in: Reflections / Healing / Identity
❝ I hate that I love so hard.
But I love that I love. ❞
THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE
I wasn’t made to love shallow.
For years I thought something was wrong with me—like I was missing a part or made wrong.
That stuff hardened around my heart that I thought was blocking me from being loved?
It’s glue.
THE GLUE THAT HEALS
The kind that seeps into cracked places.
The kind that takes time to dry.
The kind that doesn’t stick to fake things—only real surfaces. Real hearts.
"You are not broken. You're just in the middle of being rebuilt." — Unknown
Shallow hearts don’t hold glue. They shed it.
But real hearts? They bond.
WHAT MY FATHER TAUGHT ME
I was raised by a man who loved with his wallet.
And doubted with his words.
He made me question my worth, my thoughts, even my instincts.
For years, I thought it was me.
It wasn’t.
THE HEALING
This glue I carry—
It’s the proof I was built to mend.
It fills the fractures. It doesn’t erase the scars.
It honors them.
And sometimes, when something doesn’t work out—
A relationship, a job, a dream—
We blame ourselves.
We tear it all down.
But maybe...
“Sometimes the glue is just drying.”
✦ REFLECTION QUESTIONS ✦
Have you mistaken healing time for failure in your life?
What are some cracks in your heart that glue might be quietly mending?
Are you loving from a real place—or trying to connect with something shallow?
Who or what taught you to believe you were broken, and are you ready to let that go?
Can you sit still long enough to let the glue dry?
If this blog connected with you, share it or leave a comment below. We’re all just walking around with a little glue on our hearts.
Dream Without Fences
Dream Without Fences
Dream Without Fences
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
—James Clear
What Does It Mean to Dream Without Fences?
To “dream without fences” is to imagine a life where fear can’t get in. Where your passions burn hot, undisturbed by self-doubt.
But often, the moment a dream enters your mind, a second thought follows—doubt.
Anxiety creeps in. The “what-ifs” and “who-do-you-think-you-are” voices begin to shout.
You start battling your own dream with the same mind that created it.
The Internal Fight
So what’s really happening?
Is your past trying to remind you of its limits?
Are the voices of your childhood replaying like old tracks?
Has your current reality drawn a line in the sand, daring you to cross it?
One mind. Two thoughts.
A dream… and a doubt.
That’s not weakness. That’s human.
The Separators: Habits Over Hype
Athletes. Musicians. Leaders.
They feel doubt just like you. But they keep going.
Not because they’re fearless—but because they trained for the fear.
They:
Practice the basics
Stick to the plan
Write down the small steps
Master the boring
“Our potential is one thing. What we do with it is quite another.”
—Angela Duckworth, Grit
Tear Down the Fence: One Dream at a Time
Try this once.
Dream all the way out.
Don’t stop when fear shows up. Practice the full dream in your mind:
What do you see?
What are you wearing?
Who’s around you?
What do you smell?
What car are you driving?
What music is playing?
Make it vivid. Make it real.
And when that fence starts rising—knock it flat.
Build Your Foundation
Build habits.
Shape behavior.
Train your mind to expect success.
Practice again.
Plan again.
Write again.
Dream Without Fences.
Live it.
Write it.
Repeat it.
The Responsibility of Being Present
There’s a presence I’m responsible for.
Not because “I am”.
Not because I’m better than anyone.
Not because my challenges are unique.
My past? It’s typical.
No character. No honor.
Living for ego.
But every life has a path.
And I have a responsibility to live mine—because God needs it walked… then shared.
When your eyes are open, the energy in a room becomes something sacred.
You see humanity take shape.
Eyes find you—not because of who you are, but how you are.
How you stand. How you think.
And yes—how you dress and carry yourself.
Appearance can be shallow, but it also shifts perception.
And perception? It can start the conversation.
And the conversation—that’s where it happens.
That’s where relationships are built.
Where stories turn into lessons.
Where Jesus lives.
I’m not big on church buildings, religion, or politics.
But a story shared… a testimony heard…
even five honest minutes with a stranger—
That’s church.
Last night, at a prestigious beautiful church in downtown Dallas, I watched my favorite gospel family band, The Isaacs.
I was mistaken for a band member, Jason Crabb, even someone in the orchestra.
But the real moment? Two complete strangers came straight to me and shared their testimonies.
Both shook me.
That’s God.
It’s no longer my job to avoid church buildings or skip Sunday mornings.
It’s my honor to speak when He opens a door.
To brighten a day.
To offer a word.
To maybe—just maybe—save a soul.
Always humbled.
Always available.