WattsIt’s rare I read a book in one sitting, but Tuesday night I did. The title was “The Devil In Pew #7” by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo (2010). It’s the true story about a man who decided to run off a preacher in North Carolina. The story is written by the Pastor’s daughter. The “Devil” in the book’s title was Horry James Watts from Sellerstown, N.C. (Right) who lived across the street from the preacher.

How far he went is unimaginable, but is true. Over five years the events intended to run Robert and Ramona Nichols off included: Daily harassing phone calls (up to 30 a day); Shotgun blasts into their house and car; 7 dynamite explosions; Multiple anonymous threatening letters; Constant disruption of worship services; An attempt to contract kill the pastor. Eventually Pastor Nichols was shot twice and his wife was killed in front of their children. The result was a physically, emotionally, and mentally broken man of God who died in his mid 40s. Mr. Watts was eventually sent to prison… for one year. The actual murderer served 21 years for his crimes.

I haven’t suffered…

The main message of the book is the later contact by Mr. Watts with Pastor Nichols’ daughter seeking forgiveness. Spoiler alert… she told him she and her brother had already forgiven him. The main message of the book is not what happened as much as it is the message to forgive. Rebecca Nichols Alonzo told Mr. Watts that she and her brother had already forgiven him because “there are no apologies in heaven” and it was what her parents taught her while they were alive and “forgiveness is the language of heaven.” Part 2 Monday…