Sharing with an Islamic inmate

While at the Regional Justice Center in Kent last week, I had the privilege of interacting with a Muslim inmate for about 20 minutes.  Our conversation was mutually very respectful, unusual as these kinds of discussions may be highly charged. I actively asked the Lord for a peaceful spirit and His words to speak. We shook hands graciously and thanked each other for a respectful interchange after we finished.

Justin asked me if God was a man in Genesis 18:1-21.

We discussed verses 1-3--

1 And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth  3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.

He clearly intended to prove another Christian inmate wrong and even called this other man over to our table to hear my answer.  Their brief conversation was tense. Debating is not productive. I stated that God is not a man but is described by Jesus and He takes a form as a spirit in John 4.

In Genesis 18, He (the Lord) miraculously appeared as man.  God is not a man.  We struggled together, on that point, and moved on.

Justin cited Moses talked to God "as a man talks to a friend."  So, then, did God speak man-to-man, or face-to-face with Moses?  No, Moses had clear conversation with God, as one friend would talk with another friend, so Moses did not talk with a physical or fleshly man that was God. 

In Revelation 4, then, Justin asked who the Lamb took the scroll from? It was the Father, but Scripture doesn't say what He looks like.

I concluded our time with:
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.  Hebrews 1:1-4

Pray for the safety and work of officers

Please pray for the morale and safety of  officers and their families who are significantly impacted by the five recent deaths of officers in
Seattle...
      Lakewood...
                 and now the ambush event  with two more Pierce County deputies near Eatonville.  We often share and pray with officers at the RJC. 




I traveled with a PFC team to the Fort Lewis Jail Sunday night to put on a concert and preaching service. 

Wayne Orendorff and Jim Dixon shared music, Chuck Boyce reflected on the early years of Jesus, Mike Otto prayed, and I preached from Revelation 5:9-10. 


There were 20 Army inmates and 10 shared with us after the service.  I was privileged to speak with one young man who needed to get his relationship with the Lord settled before he leaves jail and is sent to Afghanistan.  He wants to be able to express his heart for the Lord to other soldiers in the field and be assured of his position with Him in light of the obvious dangers. Another is a baby believer who prayed with me about forgiving a family member and huge levels of abuse there.

Wayne, Jim, and I prayed for an Army chaplain intern near the conclusion of our time there. This officer is being discharged after suffering from severe PTSS as a result of four tours in Iraq and is seeking to faithfully serve the Lord.

Here, Jim Dixon, Chuck Boyce, and Wayne Orendorff  by the PFC Standing Stones clean and sober ministry.

With school out for the Christmas break, I will be joyfully serving at the Regional Justice Center in Kent through these next weeks.

The Chaplaincy Advisory Group is distributing 600 goody bags to inmates and staff over these next days which is always a huge encouragement there.

The evil hunter

 As we reflect now on the recent deaths of police officers in Lakewood and Seattle, we also observe the unfolding accusations around the life of Tiger Woods that started just outside his home.  I see direct connection to my own life and the deceiving and evil nature of sin.  I could be enveloped in public embarrassment, as well.

I think of the men I serve at the Regional Justice Center in Kent and other locations.  I am providing a portion of a column by Pastor and Speaker CJ Mahaney that helped focus my heart on what is swirling around.  Every time I read the name Tiger, I insert my own name.  How about you?

Deception is part of sin's DNA. Sin lies to us. It seeks to convince us that sin brings only pleasure, that it carries no consequences, and that no one will discover it. Sin works hard to make us forget that character, conduct, and consequences are interconnected. And when we neglect this relationship--when we think our sins will not be discovered--we ultimately mock God.

Sin Hunts
We've all experienced it: Sin lies to us. We take the bait. And then sin begins to hunt us.

One commentator on Proverbs articulated this truth like this: "The irony of a life of rebellion is that we begin by pursuing sin...and end up being pursued by it!....You can 'be sure your sin will find you out' (Num. 32:23...)."* In other words, sin comes back to hunt us.

In light of this fact, sin is an enemy Tiger can't manage. He can't shape this story like he does a long iron on a par 5. Tiger doesn't need a publicity facelift; Tiger needs a Savior. Just like me. And just like you. And if by God's grace he repents and trusts in the person and work of Christ, Tiger will experience the fruit of God's promise that "whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." (Proverbs 28:13).

Conclusion
Tiger cannot intimidate this enemy like he can Pebble Beach or any of the field of professional golfers. And there is no privacy he can claim from this enemy, regardless of his resolve, his silence, or the name painted on his yacht. It's likely Tiger only perceives the press hunting him out of a vain "curiosity about public figures." But Tiger is being hunted and hounded by a far greater foe: the consequences of his sin.

And this story should humble and sober us. It should make us ask: 

• Are there any so-called "secret sins" in my life? 
• Is there anything I have done that I hope nobody discovers? 
• Is there anything right now in my life that I should confess to God and the appropriate individuals?

And this should leave us more amazed by grace because there, but for the grace of God, go I.

This article originally appeared on Sovereign Grace Ministries Blog.