January 2007
The purpose of the monthly
view is to share things that will interest
You. For instance, things that go unanswered
in the many letters that come my way. My
hope is that you will keep coming back to
visit us and reply when you have time. Though
the monthly hits are several hundred thousand,
we don't know the results unless you respond.
Viewing 2007
I realize there are many situations worse
than mine. Whatever yours may be, I pray
that you will rise up out of it by faith
in Christ to realize an abundant life. 1
As the old hymn goes "Trust and obey,
for there's no other way to be happy in
Jesus but to trust and obey.”
For me, I'm singing the chorus “
It gets sweeter and sweeter as the days
go by, oh what a love between the Lord and
I. T keep falling in love with Him, over
and over and over and over again.”
There is another I like, “Turn you
eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful
face. And the things on earth will grow
strangely dim, in the light of his glory
and grace.”
The way we view our life ofter depends
on how things are going around us, but It
is
better to depend on God daily, with a song
always in our heart. This reminds me of
the heart being in the shape of a harp,
which is to be tuned to the harps of heaven.
The Apostle John saw in his vision the harpist
playing as the redeemed on the earth. 2
Let us rejoice evermore. 3
Experiencing God's Love
I'm often asked what is the answer to prison
reform. It was a privilege to write a chapter
for Larry King's new book Beyond a Reasonable
Doubt where I shared my beliefs concerning
prison reform . This book can be purchased
from Phoenix Book in it's entirety, but
my chapter can be read on this site. Click
Here.
My teaching began this year with a class
on Experiencing God's Love, which I believe
is the key to reforming the hearts of prisoners.
I experience His love daily and find it
to be the sole solution for healing an angry
heart. As a result of this experience, we
are able to overcome our fears causing the
anger. A heart that is healed makes it possible
for us to express love for God and for others.
Simply put, experience God's love, then
express it.
It is my belief that missing the love of
a father can destroy not only a marriage,
but the children. This can make it impossible
for us to understand the love of our Heavenly
Father, until we are born again. When asked
about His miracles, Jesus told Nicodemus,
“Except a man be born again, he cannot
understand the kingdom of God.” 4
This new spiritual birth initiates our understanding
and experience of God's love.
The DaVinvci Code
The book The DaVinci Code has caused much
controversy, and the video just arrived
in prison. We don't have cable television,
but a video department that broadcasts channels
from the air and plays a couple of videos
each week. Most of us have a television
that we purchased with our own funds.
The movie has received a variety of responses.
I was surprised when it was announced from
the pulpit that the Christian brothers should
not watch it because it can cause a person
to question their faith. If this is the
case, that person would have weak faith.
It could cause him to seek out a strong
brother to answer his questions. Many believers
felt it ridiculous that one would question
their faith, so they were unwilling to discuss
it, since it was so silly.
I found it an open door of opportunity
for witness and to encourage people's faith
with the truth. I put up fliers called "Fact
or Fiction”, concerning the movie
using material from the May 20, 2006 issue
of Newsweek magazine. Personally, I was
able to view the movie as pure fiction and
actually found it entertaining.
Mending The Body
Mending the Body of Christ Behind Prison
Walls is an outreach where Christian brother
come together in their prison housing units
to reach other for Christ. We encourage
this outreach to be established in all prisons
from our example on this website.
The outreach in the housing unit where
I live was very successful during the New
Year's weekend. A hundred and thirty men
were reached with song, testimony and served
burritos, chips and punch prepared by the
brothers. Most important, several men received
Christ into their life.
The affect of the outreach is evident to
most everyone. The unity of the Christian
brothers, the favor from security and the
response from unbelievers is evident by
the peace that can be felt in the housing
unit. We are praying now for the next major
outreach during Easter. This is our life,
and we need your prayers for a successful
harvest.
Jesus Prayed for you
I am praying not only for my disciples,
but also for all who will ever believe in
me. Father, I pray that just as you are
in me and I am in you, so they will be in
us. Then the world will believe and know
that you sent me and will understand that
you love them as much as you love me. I
have revealed you to them and will keep
on revealing you. I will do this so that
your love for me may be in them and I in
them.” Amen. 5
Scripture References:
1. John 10:10b
2. Rev. 14:2,3
3. 1 Thess. 5:16
4. John 3:3
5. John 17:20-26
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