Andrew Palau - The Secret Life of a Fool: One Mans Raw Journey from Shame to Grace

The Secret Life of a Fool reminds us of the rebellion created when we buy into the worlds definition of kick em up party fun. It grooms a life of exponential selfishness, arrogance, and self-indulgence. I know because Ive been there. The Secret Life of a Fool is the sometimes pitiful and sometimes shocking story of Andrew Palau, son of my good friend Luis Palau. But Andrew didnt write this story for shock value. He has written it because of his overwhelming desire for everyone to know of Gods universal offer of love, forgiveness, freedom, blessing, hope, and purpose. This is a remarkable story of a radically changed life.

NORM MILLER
Chairman, Interstate Batteries

I have known the Palau family for over twenty years. I saw Luiss painthat of a father watching his son descend further and further from sight. But Andrew Palaus story is one of good news, for it shows both the diligent work of a loving earthly father (and mother), as well as that of our heavenly Father, refusing to give up the search for his son. This is a remarkable rescue story that you wont be able to put down, because weve either experienced it or are in the middle of it in our own waysa loving God offering freedom from guilt and a hope for a future. Im not surprised Andrew has finally penned his story, for every time I have heard it told, it is through the teary eyes of a broken man who only desires that others will understand the grace and mercy offered by our loving God.

JOHN DALTON
Former Secretary of the Navy

Here is a story in which we can each see our own story and be encouraged. There is hope. We are not alone in the universe. God is waiting to welcome us. Dont wait a moment longer.

OS GUINNESS
Founder of Trinity Forum and author of Long Journey Home

Andrew Palaus story is a gripping reminder of what happens when we live for ourselves. Its the story of a young man descending into a deep pit of hopelessness and despair, only to be rescued under the most ironic of circumstances. Andrews story shows how a merciful, loving God offers to each of us forgiveness, peace, and a future. It is a powerful, engaging story of hope that will encourage every reader.

MIKE HUCKABEE
Former governor of Arkansas, New York Times best-selling author, radio and TV commentator

The safest way to navigate a minefield is to follow the guy who has already walked through it and survived. If your minefield is drugs, alcohol, or doing everything you can to run away from God, then Andrew Palau is your guide. Trust him; he knows the way out.

DAVE RAMSEY
New York Times best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio host

This book has both guts and grace. Andrew Palau guides us through his story with such a raw honestyand yet all the dark moments and detours along the way are ultimately overshadowed by one thing: the beautiful grace of God. Its a compelling read, and a wonderful reminder that there is no heart so distant that it cannot be reached by the majestic mercy of Jesus.

MATT REDMAN
Songwriter and worship leader

This is not just another bad-boy-finds-salvation-in-Jesus story. Rather, it is an honest account of Gods patience through the bad years. Im happy to have this book in my personal library and can easily recommend it to others.

AL EGG
Beyond Victory Ministries, Portland Trailblazers team chaplain

Andrew Palau tells an extraordinary story. The son of one of the worlds most renowned evangelists, he drifted into a life of drugs and alcohol, only to find forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ at one of his fathers missions. This is a story of hope.

REV. NICKY GUMBEL
Alpha chaplain, Vicar of Holy TrinityBrompton, and author

Jesus once looked into the soul of a woman guilty of more than her share of sins. He saw something nobody around her could seethe reality that her years of sin made her more ready and grateful for Gods forgiveness than most. Andrews story is a lot like that. Through a lens of uncompromising honesty, he lets us look into a life enslaved to sin. The effect is heart-wrenching, but it reminds us that Gods forgiveness is limitless, and that those whove been forgiven much, love much... and are often those who proclaim Him most powerfully. Whether youre the praying parent of a prodigal, a believer who hasnt totally surrendered to Gods will, or a sinner seeking to be set free, Andrews fools life is sure to encourage and enable you to take the next necessary step with God.

PASTOR BOB COY
Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

ONE MANS RAW JOURNEY FROM SHAME TO GRACE

BY ANDREW PALAU

Copyright 2012 by Andrew Palau

Published by Worthy Publishing, a division of Worthy Media, Inc., 134 Franklin Road, Suite 200, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027.

HELPING PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THE HEART OF GOD

eBook available at www.worthypublishing.com

Audio distributed through Oasis Audio; visit www.oasisaudio.com

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012932499

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of Nav-Press Publishing Group.

Published in association with Yates & Yates, LLP; www.yates2.com

For foreign and subsidiary rights, contact Riggins International Rights Services, Inc.; www.rigginsrights.com

ISBN: 978-1-936034-76-5 (trade paper)

Cover Design: Faceout Studio / Jeff Miller
Cover Image: Tyler Gould
Interior Design and Typesetting: Juicebox Designs / Kristi Smith

Printed in the United States of America

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 RRD 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

This book is dedicated to my mother, Patricia Palau.
Thanks, Mom! I love you.

But by the grace of God, I am what I am,
and His grace to me was not without effect.

1 Corinthians 15:10

BY TOBYMAC

ANDREW PALAU AND I are complete opposites; we go about most everything differently. Andrew dives in with pure passion, while I am a methodical perfectionist. Andrew plans life, while I let life plan me. Andrew truly rebelled early in life, while I truly wanted to please authority. Hes a West Coast kidflannel shirts and fly fishingwhile Im all East Coast, baby. Andrew loves to serve his friends, while I love to be served. He is impatient, while I can be patient with his impatience. Andrew is quick-witted, while Im still processing. He loves college football, and Im an NFLer. Andrew loves the great outdoors; I love a fast break on the hardwood floor.

We came together by marriage, with both of us marrying into the stratosphere, a.k.a. waaay above our heads. Two beautiful, God-loving Jamaican sisters. They are storybook, to be surefrom a family that has taught me so much about really walking with God in all that it is and all that it is not. But thats another story for another time.