 Scott
Peterson
I can emphasize with Scott's
plight, having walked in his shoes. My
book Will
You Die For Me?, Chapter
19, On Trial tells of my days
in court. When I saw him on the news in
court, it was like me sitting there. I
knew each step he went through: getting
dressed for court, meeting with his attorneys,
dealing with custody and facing his family,
and the victim's family. I knew the loneliness
he would experience each night in his
cell after his day in court. It is a time
of emotional stress and pain, while justice
is being sought for Laci and Conner.
After having been found
guilty, Scott continued to proclaim his
innocence, even though some felt a confession
might keep him off death row. He hopes
his appeal will free him. He has a legal
right to appeal, but this can be a confusing
process, and the appeals can take years.
As God is working on his heart, I pray_
he _will understand _ His legal_ right
for a spiritual acquittal from the court
of heaven. Only the Lord and Scott know
if he is truly guilty of this crime. What
is important is Scott's realization that
all mankind stands guilty before God for
inherited sin. I pray he will realize
that he can be honest with God and admit
that he is a sinner in need of the blood
of the Savior, Jesus Christ, to cleanse
his sin and to make him righteous before
God.
In the above mentioned
book, Chapter
20, Lock-Up, I explain my experience
on death row. Scott will go to death row
in late February or early March. He'll
be driven under heavy guard to San Quentin's
death row. He'll experience a process
similar to what I did in 1971. Identification
photos will be taken once arriving at
receiving and release. He'll receive his
clothing and other state issued items,
then be escorted to his cell. More than
likely, he'll be relieved to have the
stress of the trial behind him.
Quickly, he'll settle
in to death row living: eating, writing
his family, exercise and sleeping. He'll
be tested academically, psychiatrically,
medically and be classified. He'll be
able to get magazine subscriptions, watch
television and eventually visits and make
phone calls. All these activities will
help take his mind off his crime, but
eventually he'll have to be transparent
before God concerning the crime in order
to find peace. He'll get a visit from
the chaplain, other Christian brothers
will minister to him, and he'll have every
opportunity to receive the healing Christ
has to offer. Let's pray that Scott will
be receptive to the regenerating work
of the Holy Spirit.
 Andrea
Yates
I stood for society forgiving
Andrea when I discussed her case in Manson's
Right-Hand Man Speaks Out!, Chapter
8, on Forgiveness. Now that
her conviction has been overturned on
January 6, 2005, she is in the media spotlight
again. Many are still calling for the
death penalty, but by law she can't receive
in a new trial a stiffer sentence than
she received in the previous trial. More
than likely, she will receive the same
sentence, or be sent to a mental hospital.
The difference being in prison for life,
or spending years in a mental hospital
like John Hinkley who shot President Reagan,
the length to be determined by a psychiatric
panel, who will decide if and when she
can return to society.
It is inconceivable that
someone could drown their own five children.
Yet, women who have suffered from postpartum
depression are coming forth who have experienced
similar thoughts, but received help before
taking action. I wonder if Andrea shared
the thoughts of killing her children with
anyone before acting out. I don't know
every detail about the case, so I am not
sure if her husband knew of her murderous
thoughts? Did her pastor, a counselor
or psychiatrist know of her thoughts?
If they did, these folks may find it extremely
difficult to forgive themselves for failing
to adequately help Andrea. The Lord is
offering peace for them too!
Her case cries out for
justice; doing what is right. It is sad
that our society tries to "get justice",
rather than "do justly" for
both the victims and offenders. The prophet
Micah spoke for God, saying: "He
path shewed thee, 0 man, what is good;
and what the LORD require of thee, but
to do justly and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with thy God'
(6:8 KJV). In every case, justice is to
include loving mercy and walking humbly
before our God, according to the Lord's
three-point requirement. We may be tempted
to seek vengeance, but as we walk humbly
before our God, the voice of our conscience
will lead us to love mercy, creating a
balanced expression of justice.
 Martha
Stewart
I was saddened to see
Martha Stewart placed in prison, but possibly
the Lord has a greater purpose for her
in mind. I'm not sure where her relationship
with God stands, because I haven't heard
her profess faith in Christ. After her
experience, she writes with compassion
for women prisoners, saying they are "devoid
of care, devoid of love, devoid of family."
This is very good insight
on Martha's part. Many prisoners have
burnt all their bridges with their family.
Others have never experienced a caring
and loving family. Studies show that many
women in prison experienced extreme abuse
as girls, going through the critical time
of childhood without a loving father.
For this reason, many women prisoners
find it hard to believe in a loving Heavenly
Father, who is willing to care for them
as His very own family. A Father who is
never devoid of care and love for His
children. One who desires to spiritually
connect with them through Christ, giving
them the father and daughter relationship
that was missing in their childhood.
Martha is calling for
reforms in the federal sentencing guidelines
for nonviolent first-time offenders. She
is experiencing life from the other side
of the fence. I've known several individuals
working in or retired from the corrections
system, with children who have committed
criminal offenses. After the tragic experience
of visiting their children in prison,
they come to a rude awakening. They gain
great insight after seeing things from
a prisoner's point of view.
Martha appears rejuvenated
and rested after having the opportunity
to experienced life from inside. It has
been a time of reflection, writing and
planning. Let's first pray for her relationship
with Christ. That she will learn to seek
the Lord with all her heart. That He would
use her to speak up for Him in her coming
programs. That prison reform will stay
on her agenda, and that her desire to
help prisoners and their families will
come to pass. Amen!
A Mechanic & His Hound
A mechanic who worked out
of his home had a dog named Mace. Mace
had a bad habit of eating all the grass
on the lawn, so the mechanic had to keep
Mace inside. The grass eventually became
overgrown.
One day the mechanic
was working on a car in the backyard and
dropped his wrench, losing it in the tall
grass. He couldn't find if for the life
of him, so he decided to call it a day.
That night, Mace escaped
from the house and ate all the grass in
the backyard. The next morning the mechanic
went outside and saw his wrench glinting
in the sunlight. Realizing what had happened,
he looked toward the heavens and proclaimed:
"A grazing Mace,
how sweet the hound, that saved a wrench
for me!"
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