Charles Paul Stephens seems to have no fear of saying - or writing about - what's on his mind.
Stephens, easily the most prolific YourHub.com contributor for the "North Texas" category, lived in Wichita Falls in 2004 and 2005 but now lives in Dumas, Texas. He's a former drug addict who now is executive director of The Refuge at Dumas, a faith-based recovery support center.
An account of Stephens' remarkable story of addiction, recovery and Christian faith was featured in a three-part series of YourHub columns in May 2007. Those YourHub.com columns can still be accessed on the Web site, under the categories "Wichita Falls" and "Blogs." Look for "Hitting bottom, one vein at a time," from May 19, 2007, "An addict finds life," dated May 25, 2007, and "1-1-92 - a new beginning," posted online June 1, 2007.
Stephens was living in Fort Worth at that time. He was hired to manage The Refuge at Dumas in July 2007. That facility, which had already been part of an ongoing ministry there with oversight from a board of directors, accepts "people coming out of 28-day treatment, out of state jail, and people coming out of hospitalization," Stephens said recently by telephone. "We supply food, housing and transportation until they get their lives turned around again."
Stephens also purchased a 409-acre ranch after moving to Dumas. If that wasn't enough to keep him busy, he and his wife Linda run the Double XXL Steakhouse located on the ranch. It's open for two hours each Friday and Saturday night. (see description and photos posted May 20 in the "Stories" category of the "North Texas" section).
Stephens has continued to voice his opinions through the
Times Record News letters to the editor, as well as on the "North Texas" section of YourHub.com under both "Blogs" and "Stories."
He became the heavyweight champion of the "North Texas" category with more than 100 blogs and 100 stories - and he doesn't seem to be slowing down to catch his breath. The leader for the "Wichita Falls" "Stories" category is Ann Weyant with 74. Jim Miller leads in "Blogs" posted under the "Wichita Falls" heading, with 62.
Approaching Election Day, Stephens was on a head-spinning roll with rapid-fire posts about his political views.
"I think it's time for term limits," Stephens told me. "People hanging out in Washington 20, 30, 40 years is way too long."
He added, "I am kind of sad my writings have turned toward this political thing but I'm so sick of this political roller coaster."
Writing isn't just a passion for Stephens - it's a key tool in his life survival kit. His honesty in discussing his personal history is amazing.
"I suffer from manic depression with manic episodes. Because of my past and my drug addictions, I'm very much against prescription drugs so I try to manage through my writing," said Stephens, who mentioned that he has penned five nonfiction books that have been published. His latest is "The Variety of the Spiritual Awakenings."
Stephens is an advocate of writing as much as possible the old-fashioned way - by hand.
"There seems to be a great release when you're hand writing," Stephens said. "When I wrote, I noticed my feelings would disappear. My negative thoughts would go away."
Stephens noted that Kellie Pickler recently revealed she had suffered from depression last year, then discovered a nonmedical solution - writing lists of things that had been bothering her. Pickler has been through turbulent times that got her down even though she was among the final six contestants on "American Idol" in 2006 and became a successful recording artist. Stephens said he came up with a theory that one reason post-traumatic stress syndrome is now so common among war veterans is that the act of writing has been all but abandoned.
Stephens said his work at The Refuge in Dumas, as well as his own journey through recovery and life, has strengthened his faith.
"My walk of faith with Jesus has increased by being able to see he will heal if we'll let him," Stephens said.
He doesn't believe that real answers will come from the government.
"We want the government to fix us, but we continually turn away from the church," he said.
Stephens noted that when he is able to serve others, he receives a gift of energy and happiness from Jesus.
"All of the religions in the world tell you to be in service to other people," he said. "Get your mind off self, then, amazingly, healing happens."
Column by Mark Wilson, originally published Nov. 12, 2008, in the Wichita Falls Times Record News.