Setting the Prisoner Free

2011-12-31T13:07:00.000-08:00

A memorable gaze in Clallam Bay

2011-12-26T13:16:00.000-08:00

Olympic Peninsula

As this Christmas season is now heading toward 2012, the peaceful gaze on an inmate's face continues to play in my mind as I reflect on a recent PFC concert with the Unchained band at Clallam Bay Correction Center.

This tour helped make the ministry Christmas season special for me. I participate as a travel warrior and occasional preacher at select sites, as opportunities work out within and outside PFC. So, I accompanied the band to the Clallam Bay and Olympic Correction Centers on the Olympic Peninsula off Highway 101 on December 17.

Reflection on Christmas

How was your Christmas season? To many like ours, families are taking time out for catching up over scrumptious dinners, gift exchanges, and worship services. For others, this season is lonely and new obstacles arise. Challenges of everyday life don't stop. This season brings out exhilarating highs and depressing lows. Some events kick us in our stomachs.

Charles Spurgeon

"This is the best ending of a Christmas day—to wash anew in the cleansing fountain. Believer, come to this sacrifice continually; if it be so good tonight, it is good every night.

"To live at the altar is the privilege of the royal priesthood; to them sin, great as it is, is nevertheless no cause for despair, since they draw near yet again to the sin-atoning victim, and their conscience is purged from dead works."

~Charles Spurgeon

The Holy Spirit working
Clallam Bay CC

We had 54 men at CBCC and 16 at OCC. We were all delighted one man made a first time commitment to receive Christ at CB and several took steps to deepen their walks. We met KC and Craig, PFC group leaders at CBCC, who have served there monthly from Bothel for 14 years.

We saw signs of the Holy Spirit working even as we entered the facility. The officers and PFC group leaders were incredibly welcoming. As our concerts progressed, Kent, who facilitates the sound, was not able to come on this trip so Bruce and Chris stepped up to meet the need.

Olympic CC

The inmates at the concert were very actively participating as Unchained led in concert-worship before and after I spoke. I felt the very joyful presence of the Holy Spirit throughout this service. I preached from Luke 2:22-35 on Simeon's prophetic statement about the baby Jesus directly to Mary and Joseph. My theme wrapped all around Jesus meeting every need in our lives. While Mary and Joseph watched and listened carefully, Simeon held Jesus in his arms. He had been waiting his entire life to see this Jesus. Can we imagine that?

What are your deepest dreams? Jesus meets you right there! The ministry of Jesus speaks to the deepest places of our hearts.

Jesus is our very personal and every people group's:

consolation
anointed Messiah
revealed salvation
appointed judge...and
opposing sign for the lost

Serving with Unchained

Geoff White of Unchained

At our CBCC service, many men greeted us with handshakes and words of appreciation as the concert ended and they returned to their units. I noticed this one man sitting near the back on my left during the concert music and several times during my preaching. He was really focused above and beyond his singing along, listening, and clapping to the beat with Unchained and again following my preaching points. This man appeared deeply moved.

As most of the men pursued me after the service, particular one stood out, again. As we shook hands, he wanted to hold on.

Very appreciative, he said, "Thank you for coming, thank you for your message. I needed that, today. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Only then, he left.

Chris Sherry and Homer Haynes of Unchained

Several others offered their gratitude witnessing to my heart about the work of the Holy Spirit through Unchained, PFC hosts KC and Craig, and me. The Unchained band members packed up their multiple instruments, cables, speakers, amplifiers, and microphones and we headed off to Olympic about 70 miles from CBCC, just south of Forks.

Each corrections center culture is different. I am one of the PFC group leaders at Olympic and always find the officers appreciative, helpful, and genuinely friendly. Over the five years serving at Olympic, about 9-10 months each year, we get to know the inmates and enjoy praying and sharing with them.

We choose our greatest Christmas ever

2011-12-03T10:06:00.001-08:00

We all make this Christmas season exactly what we want it to be. We don't have to get sucked in to whatever we think stresses and oppresses us.

This was the very sign

So, fix your eyes on Jesus, pray, and let the Spirit guide you to your greatest Christmas ever!

When I was maybe around 10 or 11, my Mom and I were Christmas shopping around the Old Federal Way Shopping Center across from People's Bank. There was a drunk man walking around us and a sign about X-mas that upset her. The X-mas sign commercialized Christmas. I couldn't figure out why people would walk around drunk in a public place.

Steel Lake Presbyterian Church, now

I have rich and wonderful memories of family and church celebrations around this awesome season. From about 1961-1978, our Federal Way, family attended a late night Christmas Eve Service at Steel Lake Presbyterian Church, visited our neighbor family who never attended church, and back home opened one present before heading off to bed.

Our FW home now

On Christmas morning, Mom (and Dad) made us open presents slowly and watch one another. Like the kids, Dad got a big kick out of it all....then, it all ended so quickly and then we ate breakfast and we were off running the rest of the day.

What are your cherished Christmas memories?

So, what should we make of celebrating the birth of Jesus, what we have always known as Christmas?

Charles H. Spurgeon

On December of 1855 Charles H. Spurgeon preached on "The Incarnation and Birth of Christ" from Micah 5:2. His opening words were these: "THIS is the season of the year when, whether we wish it or not, we are compelled to think of the birth of Christ. I hold it to be one of the greatest absurdities under heaven to think that there is any religion in keeping Christmas day. There are no probabilities whatever that our Savior Jesus Christ was born on that day.

"I wish there were ten or a dozen Christmas-days in the year; for there is work enough in the world, and a little more rest would not hurt laboring people. Christmas-day is really a boon to us, particularly as it enables us to assemble round the family hearth and meet our friends once more. Still, although we do not fall exactly in the track of other people, I see no harm in thinking of the incarnation and birth of the Lord Jesus. We do not wish to be classed with those--

"Who with more care keep holiday
The wrong, than others the right way."

Found in Jesus

2011-11-30T07:51:00.001-08:00

"So, now I understand His amazing grace. I once was lost and now am found, was blind and now I see."

Justin shared about his journey from his street life into the kingdom of Jesus in my one-to one visits at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent over these past months.

One day, several months ago, he was visibly shaken and nearly in tears after learning about the depth of his legal charges and potential future prison time.

Justin came to saving faith. Jesus found Justin.

He shared being actively involved in the gang scene in South King County since he was 13 years-old first in the South Seattle Rainier Beach area. He started hanging out even earlier than that--when he was nine with older people in the apartments and neighborhood.

He was looking for an older brother and positive father figure. He was raised by his single mother who tried to teach him good morals and about being a good person. She wasn't able to dish out, as Justin put it, the discipline needed to a hard-headed young kid. His Dad was long gone and could have supported her to do more.

The gang provided exactly what he lacked at home in an older brother and a father figure. He was every bit as hard-headed as ever and never graduated from high school although several coaches did everything possible to encourage him through football.

In the unit at the MRJC, some of the other gang members are meeting around a table for daily Bible study, "to find out what is real, as Justin says, "The lyrics and music videos of the rappers is a fantasy entertainment. If they were really doing what they are rapping, they would be in the jails and prisons and wouldn't be on-stage. They portray a lifestyle for fantasy entertainment and to make money."

In the wake of the gang-related shooting that injured 13 people at a Kent car show in July, King County leaders are looking to refocus efforts on combating gang violence, as reported by Greg Allmain in the Federal Way Mirror in August.

According to statistics provided by the county:

• In 2008 and 2009, King County averaged 29 gang-related homicides and 200 reported gang-related shootings, according to the prosecuting attorney’s office.

• The King County Sheriff’s Office believes there are more than 10,000 gang members associated with an estimated 140 active criminal street gangs.

• Gang-related crime has increased 165 percent since 2005, with much of that crime shifting out of Seattle city limits into South King County.

During an August 23 meeting of the King County Council’s Law and Justice, Health and Human Services Committee, council members and local law enforcement officials addressed the growing issue of gang violence in South King County.

King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg said July’s events in Kent are a clear example of why the issue needs to be addressed. “The Kent car show shooting is the highest profile incident in a long-running gang war in South King County. Police and prosecutors have launched an intense initiative to identify gang leaders who are responsible for shootings and other violent crimes.”

After the July shooting, the Kent Police Department convened a “Gang Violence Intervention Summit” that was attended by more than 60 high ranking law-enforcement officials. The intent of the meeting was to “identify strategies to respond to the problems posed by organized street gangs and the impasse of the increasing gang-related violence in South King County.”

Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas echoed those thoughts. “We have to tackle the gang problem from multiple angles, Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas said, "to be effective, and need a mix of approaches that includes suppression, intervention and prevention,” he said. “Gangs are a problem that affects every community, which is why regional cooperation and coordination is so important.”

Justin awaits trial at the MRJC and continues to grow in faith and even invited several to join with the others to fellowship, pray, and read the Bible.

Come to the Living God

2011-10-27T15:07:00.000-07:00

Carl's life is reeling

The Lord appears to be opening up Carl's heart as I visit with him at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

Carl attended a pagan church since he was 13. At 22, that church ex-communicated him from their fellowship. That experience left him reeling.

I left him with a "spiritual journey inventory" so he could evaluate his life in the quiet of his cell.

                                Come right where you are
Right from the beginning, he was relaxed and ready to talk. He read and interacted with me about it openly. From the inventory, he started by acknowledging:
"faith in Biblical Christianity is "OK for others but not for him"
            "not certain a living God exists"
                           "willing to seek some answers individually."

That is not where we ended. Once again, this entire experience needed to be fully submerged in prayer.

Come with others

He continues to sit at circular tables with a number of the believing men but has cautious and limited spiritual conversation with them. His form of paganism stands on feelings, the worship of nature, and the pantheon of Greek gods. His dad is a Roman Catholic and his mom has a Christian background.

As I approached him before, I kept quiet and asked him questions and encouraged him to share more with me, as he uncovered his feelings and beliefs. It was clear in all three of our visits a major issue is him coming to grips with the reality of the existence of God.

He has not read the Bible but listens to a group of inmates who share Bible study sometimes several times each day. He is watching what they say and how they live.

Come to the Living God
I asked if I could read some Scripture about God from Acts 17. In the middle of my reading, I asked if he wanted me to continue and he was eager following along with a King James Bible.

"So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

"The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.

Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for
“‘In him we live and move and have our being’ as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.'" ~Acts 17:22-28 ESV

He was listening carefully. After my reading, I asked what it said about God. He recognized it said a God created man and places people where He wants them. I didn't coach that answer.

I kept listening. He wants to thank the person who asked me to talk with him if he would approach him. He carefully placed the KJ Bible on top of mine watching my response.

"I don't want to be rude but you brought it for another man and I'm not quite ready for it, yet. ...I think I will be in just a little while."

Come to quench your heart thirst
I asked if I could read one more short passage I thought would be helpful in his thinking. He agreed so I turned to Isaiah 55:1-3--

1 Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;

and he who has no money, come, buy and eat.

Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live;

and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

Come to the One who loves you

I shared simply this:

"Come to JESUS!"

"Carl, God really loves you, I know you have many questions and unresolved issues in your life. There is a whole lot going on. In everything, Jesus invites you to come to Him. He just says, Carl, come."

Silence filled the room for a short instant. He whispered, "Wow!"

I invited him to talk to and ask questions with the others around the tables. We agreed to get together again in the next few days.

Annoying pride

2011-10-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

On October 21, Justin Taylor posted on his, "Between two worlds" Gospel Coalition blog a quote from C.S. Lewis. The Lord is using these short paragraphs to probe into my multiple levels of levels of real sin and pride. To read more of Justin Taylor, click over to: Between two worlds

.
Why We Find Pride in Others So Annoying

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, chapter 8:

"There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which  every  one in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which  hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty  themselves. 

"I have heard people admit that they are bad-tempered, or  that they  cannot keep their heads about girls or drink, or even that they are  cowards. 

"I do not think I have ever heard anyone who was not a Christian  accuse himself of this vice. And at the same time I have very seldom  met anyone, who was not a Christian, who showed the slightest mercy to  it in others.  

There is no fault which makes a man more unpopular, and no fault  which we are more unconscious of in ourselves.  And the more we have it  ourselves, the more we dislike it in others. 

The vice I am talking of is  Pride. . . .In fact, if you want to find out how proud you are the  easiest  way is to ask yourself, “How much do I dislike it when other people snub  me, or refuse to take any notice of me, or shove their oar in, or  patronize me, or show off?” 

So, where is this vice of pride in me? Well, at just about every level, the deeper I dig. I keep hoping as I dig through layers of my fleshly life, I'll find a really "good" place. At the very core, aren't I a good guy? At the very core, aren't you and I a good man or woman?

To begin to answer the question, I consider what the writer to the Hebrews said:

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

~Hebrews 4:12-13

I am almost finishing rereading and listening to, "The normal Christian life," by Watchman Nee, as I was encouraged by Student Ministries Pastor Aaron Bauer at our Faith Church in Kent. First read in 1992 and 1994, parts of it are hitting far deeper, this time.

One of Nee's lines is a commentary on C.S. Lewis. Nee says my pride competes with the pride of other people in my life. Our pride competes. Other people's pride competes with my pride.

I am prideful about my:

...pastoral education, Bible knowledge, and what I "do" and "accomplish" in my Faith Church in Kent

...service as a chaplain with Prisoners for Christ at the Maleng Regional Justice Center and with the Chaplaincy Advisory Group in Kent

...knowledge of baseball, basketball, and football

...impact or influence with men I "mentor" in and outside the sphere of faith

...numerous frustrations and failures as a public middle school special education teacher

...responses to whatever matters most and the people I interact with daily

.... ___________________________________________________

...____________________________________________________

What does your "pride list" look like? Maybe, you don't struggle with pride, like me. If not, what do you struggle with? If you do, fill in the blanks because there is more!

Ugh! I repent, Lord, right now, I repent of all these things. I have been arrogant. Right now, I am dead to me and alive to You!

If you can join in with me, c'mon along.

For I know my transgressions,
        and my sin is ever before me.
    Against you, you only, have I sinned
        and done what is evil in your sight,
    so that you may be justified in your words
        and blameless in your judgment.

~Psalm 51:3-4

Journeys from paganism

2011-10-17T21:56:00.000-07:00

This morning, I rejoiced to watch the Lord answer my prayers right in the middle of a one-to-one with Carl at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

I met with Carl in September after another inmate encouraged me to speak with "the guy in 51."

The referring inmate may have made a "mistake,"...but this was no mistake from God's perspective.

Would you pray with me for Carl, this week?

Paganism

Carl graciously agreed to share. He believes in "paganism," so he worships nature and follows Greek gods and attends church in Kent. I started praying, right then.

A Wiccan website reports, "In Wicca, and Paganism in general, each of the Goddess and Gods represents an ideal, a human quality, something we as people can relate to, something to engender our passions. Above the individual Gods and Goddesses are the overall principles of male and female polarity. Nothing happens in the Universe without this flow of Energy between polarities. Above even this personification is the Universal Power. It’s very difficult to focus on this Power, however, so we invoke human-like deities to summon."

Praying

In that first meeting, I didn't open my Bible. I suggested I would be pleased to meet with him as often as he would like and would listen to whatever he wanted to talk about. He suggested he would like to meet often. I began to pray for Carl regularly. He sits in proximity to an active small group Bible study fellowship group of inmates and so is carefully watching and listening. We said hello and smiled several times.

...and Jesus

As I continued praying, I was very mindful of the incredible words of Jesus in John 6.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” ~John 6:35-40

This morning, there was a kite request for a visit waiting for me from Carl. I began to pray and headed for his unit.

...and listening

As I went in to visit Carl, I wanted to be a great listener and practice "spiritual direction" principles I appreciate from Eugene Peterson, the editor of the Message Bible, a retired Presbyterian pastor, author, and Regents Seminary professor.

spiritual journeys

"I have two basic definitions of spiritual direction," Peterson wrote. "One is you show up and then you shut up. It’s important that people have a place they can come to and know that you’re going to be there with and for them. The other is that spiritual direction largely involves what you do when you don’t think you’re doing anything. In other words, you’re not trying to solve a problem. You’re not answering a question and it doesn’t seem like you’re doing anything. It takes a lot of restraint and discipline for a pastor not to say anything, not to do anything. But the pastoral life is an ideal school for learning how to do it."

So is being a chaplain

Carl shared right away he is unhappy. He observed the Christians carefully and that they seem happy despite their circumstances and asked my opinion why they are different than him. That is almost exactly what he said. The other guys are shining with the joy and light of Jesus.

I asked him questions around what he is feeling and what he is like in his life outside of jail. He has never been in jail before. He has received a few visits but, "my pagan church ex-communicated me because they don't like people who get in trouble or are in jail."

...and struggles

I reflected some Christians struggle with significant depressions and discouragement as much as anyone else and that some families and churches don't know what to do when family and friends are incarcerated. I tried to keep quiet but he pressed me about what Christians have.

I kept praying, now, for the right words and the clear leading of the Holy Spirit. Clearly, Carl is in the midst of spiritual warfare.

...and speaking

I shared Christians believe in a living God who loves us and saves us from our sins. I also shared Christians read the Bible, God's message for us, and care for each other. I kept it that simple. He was still listening.

Before our time concluded, I left him with a simple "spiritual journey inventory" brochure for him to review and answer follow-up questions for him to think about or write out. We agreed to meet later this week. I also suggested he grab a Bible and start reading the Gospel of John. Later that day, he was sitting with some of the Christian inmates.

I am actively praying the Lord will draw Carl to Himself for salvation. Maybe, you have a friend to pray for, as well.

The life-changing Word

2011-10-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

Student Ministries Pastor Aaron Bauer and I are leading our Sunday morning high school Sunday School "Gathering" through First John, chapter 1 at Faith Church in Kent.

We are walking through 10 verses in 10 weeks and are focusing together on the solid truths about what life-changing believing looks like and on making all these deep things relevant.

Aaron Bauer

Pastor Aaron and I are praying through how to actively engage with the students around 1 John 1. We want them to be able to participate in genuine spiritual conversations with one another and with their peers in the real world they live in. Many of our kids know how to give us "the right answers." We want to hear where they really are.

What does the LOGOS and the truths from1 John 1 impact Aaron and me? What difference does it make to our students? As you read this, what difference does the LOGOS make in your life?

The presentation of the Good News message and heart belief pivots around the Person, claims, and accomplishments of Jesus. Was He who He said He was? Did He do what He said He would do?

“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

~Luke 24:46-48

Next week, I am taking the lead as the Holy Spirit spoke through John, who identifies Jesus Christ as "the LOGOS Word."

Genesis 1:1 says, "In the beginning God created..." Moses used the Hebrew plural word, "Elohim," for God. Right from the beginning, the Bible presents one God with plural parts. The creation story presents the work of the Creator God and the Holy Spirit. The first chapter of the Gospel of John, verse three, says nothing was created without the LOGOS Word.

John 1:1 says, " In the beginning was the LOGOS Word and the Word was God and the Word was with God."

Jesus Christ is recognized as the "LOGOS" Word in John 1:1 and John 1:14 where it says, "And the LOGOS Word became flesh and dwelt among us..."

In His high priestly prayer, Jesus said:
"And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed." ~John 17:5

John says he is speaking about "the LOGOS word of life," at the end of 1 John 1:1.

John writes again in Revelation 19:13, "He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood and the name by which He is called the Word of God." Same word, "LOGOS."

The LOGOS is Jesus Christ, who revealed Himself and His message of saving life to creditable witnesses who delivered His message to us through our totally trustworthy, inerrant Bible.

The Greek word LOGOS appears throughout the New Testament when the declared message of God.

Leon Morris, a greatly respected commentator, said the LOGOS, "was not a principle but a living Being and the source of life; not a personification, but a Person and that Person divine. The Word was nothing less than God."

In A.T. Robertson's "Word pictures in the New Testament," a commentary set known by many seminary students as "ATR," he explains, "LOGOS is an old word in Homer to lay by, to collect, to put words side by side, to speak, to express an opinion. It is common for reason as well as speech.

Heraclitus used it for the principle which controls the universe. The Stoics employed it for the soul of the world (anima mundi). The Hebrew memra was used in the Targums for the manifestation of God like the Angel of Jehovah and the Wisdom of God in Prov 8:23.

"John's standpoint is that of the Old Testament and not that of the Stoics nor even of Philo who uses the term Logos, but not John's conception of personal pre-existence.

"ATR"

"There is a possible personification of "the Word of God" in Heb 4:12. The personal pre-existence of Christ is taught by Paul (2 Cor 8:9; Phil 2:6 f; Col 1:17) and in Heb 1:2 and in John 17:5.

"This term suits John's purpose better than sophia (wisdom) and is his answer to the Gnostics who either denied the actual humanity of Christ (Docetic Gnostics) or who separated the aeon Christ from the man Jesus (Cerinthian Gnostics). The pre-existent Logos "became flesh," John 1:14 and by this phrase John answered both heresies at once."

Those are the "facts." How do we deliver these things to our high school students at Faith Church?

Brandon's journey from emptiness to Jesus

2011-10-12T22:16:00.000-07:00

"I'm ugly, I'm worthless, I'm stupid, I'm an accident. God's grace can't save me," Brandon said. " Have you ever felt this way before? I know I certainly have. In fact, of all these thoughts, as hurtful as they are, these are the better of some of the lies that Satan had me believing."

Brandon has been an inmate at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent since November 19, 2010 and continues to meet with fellow Chaplain Dick Rothlisberger and me. Originally, Brandon was in a wheelchair because of incidents surrounding his crime. He wanted comfort and help from God but was stressed and could not concentrate or remember what we shared about in our previous visits.

I asked if I could share what he read to me this morning here with readers of my blog. Let's let him tell his own story:

"(I am talking about) things I have done in the past and the pain that I have felt in relationships with family and friends and teachers and others who have come into my life who affected my outlook on having a close relationship with God.

"I didn't know the true power of God's saving grace. I never knew what it felt like to be free from the bondage of sin. One day, I was living the 'FREE LIFE,' I thought I was, anyway, when my whole life changed in less than a minute. Everything I had was taken away from me and there wasn't a thing I could do about it. I almost lost my life and got my family killed that day.

"The most ironic thing was I had everything I would want but I still had an emptiness inside. Satan, the deceiver, had me lost and I was believing all of those lies he put in my head.

"The Lord made you in His image," Genesis 1:26. So, regardless what we look like, or how we appear, you can be sure it is beautiful in the sight of the Lord. God does not make mistakes. Your days were numbered before you were conceived. The Lord made you in the womb, Psalm 139:13-16.

So, me and you are not a mistake but a loving plan of God to show that God's creation is not worthless. Just turn to Matthew 10:30. Every single hair on your head is numbered and created individually. Anyone who has someone who cares enough to intimately know the atoms of millions of hairs on their head, my friend, is not worthless.

"If I had found time in my all too busy life to pick up a Bible, I would have understood why I had such an overwhelming emptiness. Man does not survive on bread alone, but off every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, Matthew 4:4.

"The Bible is nothing but the word of God. Therefore, the emptiness I felt was my lack of the word, or spiritual food. Without the word of God, I had no armor to protect myself from Satan's attacks which left me spiritually blind.

"Then, I was susceptible to believing all of Satan's lies. Who goes to war hungry? Any wise soldier would eat and renew his strength before battle. It should be the same in spiritual warfare. The Bible is our daily bread which gives us strength and wisdom to fight off Satan's attacks. If there was a choice for me to pick one message for the reader to take with them out of this letter, it is this, "Seek first the Kingdom of God...and all these things, _______, _______, will be added to you."

"Fill in the blanks with fruits of the Spirit and you and I can be happy wherever we are because we are at peace with God and we know our salvation is secure with Jesus."

10,000 hours to invest

2011-10-05T15:06:00.000-07:00

When I was a little boy, my Dad tried to interest me in working with him in his garage woodshop in Boulevard Park near South Seattle. He loved that shop and spent endless hours after work building and painting.

Over the years, he came home from his job an an industrial engineer manager at Boeing, changed clothes, talked to Mom, and headed straight to the basement until dinner was ready. Often, he would head right back downstairs after dinner with his lifetime friend, Kenny.

He loved woodworking and really wanted me to enjoy it, too. On that day when Dad tried to get me into the shop, Mom and Dad got me bundled up in a coat and we headed for the garage. They were really excited because there is a picture of me out in the shop smiling with my gray-speckled coat and glasses.

I know I wanted it to be a great day.

He had me around some kind of a saw within several minutes. Despite his caring protection, I cut one of my fingers on my right hand. Everything changed in that moment. It wasn't a big cut but that was the end of the shop experience for me.

I never took industrial arts nor shop in school. I spent many hours watching and talking with Dad later in the shop in Federal Way but it was all "hands off," by my choice. I wanted to throw and catch whatever sports season it was, coach, read The Sporting News and study my Bible.

Many people are frustrated with embarrassment after they fail at an activity for the first time or first couple of times so they give up. Someone might remember falling down while being introduced to skiing or struggling with a new version of software at home or at work.

Macolm Gladwell, a sociologist and author, asserts 10,000 hours practice are required honing your skills to be a success at anything. My Dad I know spent 10,000 hours in his shop. He and Mom never missed a concert, ball game, or play for my brother, sister, and me. Dad spent 10,000 hours in his shop and with his family.

What does 10,000 hours look like?

Who spends that kind of time?

It is not just the hours but the quality of time spent practicing.

Gladwell recognizes sports stars such as Boris Becker, Jonny Wilkinson, Tiger Woods and the Venus sisters, who have all become world-beaters because of the obsessive devotion they have shown to their game since childhood. He says it is all about dedication to practice.

In his book, "Outliers: The Story of Success," Gladwell says that if you examine the greatest athletes, entrepreneurs, musicians and scientists you will notice they only emerged after spending at least three hours a day for ten years practicing.

'What’s really interesting about this 10,000-hour rule is that it applies virtually everywhere,” Gladwell told a conference. 'You can’t become a chess grand master unless you spend 10,000 hours on practice."

World class performers don't always spend this 10,000 prescribed hours to perfect their craft. Some pick up skills and are amazing performers. They just "get it." Some are satisfied with this initial success and even get A's, win games, and are profusely applauded. We all know friends and co-workers who are applying the 10,000 hour practice pattern with solid results. They work faithfully at their passion.

Geoff, one of my friends, leads a band, writes music, and plays a rockin' electric guitar with a Christian band for Prisoners for Christ and elsewhere called, "Unchained."

Ted, another friend since 1971, has played tennis from high school and sees no reason to stop at nearly 60.

George, a student from our church at WSU, may have even passed 10,000 hours practicing and performing on the piano with Mozart and a wide range of classical artists.

There is a special giftedness required to persevere over a prolonged season of years. Many celebs work with coaches who motivate, push, and encourage them through 10,000 hours or whatever it is for each. Others are remarkably self-directed.

At a recent Al-anon meeting, this issue of frustration over failure after trying something new came up. We shared about feeling frozen, just like I was as a child with my Dad back all those years in his shop. Then, one of the members changed the spin relating to discouragement and frustration. What if we give ourselves the gift of time and practice to change "from the inside out."

There are two Bible verses that speak directly to this focus of life and how we spend the time God Himself has given each of us in His grace and mercy.

Puritan John Owen reflected on Romans 8:13 when he said,
"Be killing sin or sin will be killing you."

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33

"For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Romans 8:13

I don't have to be so hard on myself. I don't have a deadline for character development. I don't have to measure up. I believe 10,000 hours is all about getting to know God deeper and deeper and living out His customized purposes for our lives. We are walking by faith every day as we are seeking to please Him.

Geoff suggested for him it's not about his band, writing music, and practicing or playing his particular instrument. He suggested it is spending a lifetime following Jesus, serving Him, and remaining sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in obedience.

Now, that is a quality 10,000 hours and a quality lifetime.

Anybody and everybody who calls

2011-08-26T18:59:00.000-07:00

"My relationship with Jesus is so much stronger," Will wrote, "and I know that with You, and with Him on my side anything is possible. I could go on and on but You know how I feel God."

Will is 17 years-old and gave me permission to use his real name. He is incarcerated as a minor at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent for adult inmates. Earlier this week, I met him briefly with others. Jon, another inmate, suggested I meet with Will because he was really reading his Bible and was getting it.

Will and I read together a quote about Joel 2:32 in Romans 10:13 and placing our burden on the Lord from Charles Spurgeon.

"With Him I have His royal promise: "I will be saved."  And with Him I never need to ask if I may call on Him or not, for the word "everyone" is all-encompassing.  It includes me and means anybody and everybody who calls upon His name. Therefore I will trust in this verse and will immediately call on the glorious LORD who has made such a great promise."

Steps of salvation

RJC in Kent

We met Thursday when I went over my "Steps to salvation--the greatest news you've ever heard," worksheet. I start with an adapted walk through the Romans Road: Romans 1:16-17; 3:10-11, 21-24; 6:23; 4:4-5, 5:6-8; 8:1, 10:8-13. Next, we had time to work through "salvation is through Jesus Christ alone": John 14:6, Acts 4:12. There is a third section on assured repentance and salvation he finished on his own, later.

In each verse, we looked at how it applies to him and really the greatest news he has ever heard.

Will attended an alternative school after things were not working out in his regular high school in the area. Being incarcerated as a juvenile in an adult facility means the charges are strong with a felony, most often. Despite his struggles in school, he is a very good reader and clearly comprehends the material. He has received biblical instruction, as you will see in his leeter to the Lord, below. He was fully engaged as we worked through the Bible texts.

"I really want to get this," Will said.

I suggested he complete the study on salvation through Christ with Acts 16:30-31, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 6:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, 1 Timothy 2:5-6, and 1 John 5:11-13 and the section on repentance on Luke 15:7 and 10, Luke 24:46-48, and Acts 2:37-38, 3:19-20, 5:31-32, 17:30-31, and 26:20.

Finishing the worksheet

Many adults don't finish the readings in two or three weeks. I also invited him to write a letter to Jesus in his own words about calling on Him to be saved or whatever was on his heart. He told me it would be ready on Friday, the next day.

When I came in about 3 pm, he asked the unit officer to get his paper and Bible in his unit. Back in the unit multipurpose room, he showed me his completed work. We first went through 1 John 5:11-13 and Acts 2:38. We talked it through and Will wrote, "I have the Son so I have eternal life. I am confident that I have life because of Jesus," from 1 John; and "the old Will died and Will was raised following Jesus Christ."

Will's prayer

"I want to start by saying thank you not only for sacrificing your one and only Son for us humans and our sins but also for the heart, mind, soul, and the spirit of the Jesus Christ that sits in us. Some people choose to try to live their lives filled with sins. But you know, and now I do too that that is not the way to go.

"I really had it bad before I got interested in reading and studying Your word. Once I did, it really opened my eyes and made me see things a lot clearer now and turn my life in a complete 180 and I love it. Thank You for bringing me to this place I would have to say because if You hadn't I probly of got this oppertunity or chance to change. Now that I've changed I feel a lot better about life knowing that You have a place for me in your eternal kingdom just waiting for me and I want that spot more than anything.

"My relationship with Jesus is so much stronger and I know that with You and Him on my side anything is possible. I could go on and on but You know how I feel God so I'll just end this letter by saying thank you again for everything GOD. It all means so much to me. I appreciate life a lot more in a better perspective. thank you and I love You with all my heart. Amen."

Strengthening faith

2011-08-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

Unchained after Purdy concert

I richly enjoyed participating with the band, "Unchained," at women's facilities Mission Creek in Belfair and the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Purdy, these last two weekends. Jessica Parker joined us in Purdy as the PFC group leader.

Robbi Baskin, from my home Faith Church in Kent, recently joined this band and plays the keyboard and sings back-up. Other members of the band are Chris Sherry, Jeff Reed, Homer Haynes, Terri Gierke, Kent James, Bob Steen, and leader and song writer Geoff White.

When I am with them, I provide prayer, listening and encouragement. We nearly did not get into to Purdy because of a paperwork disruption. Our group gathered around a table to pray to lay everything before the Lord, whether we entered or went home while Jessica and Geoff interacted with the gracious officers. We received favor from Him and were able to enjoy great ministry. The band rocked for two services and Terri preached Spirit-empowered messages.

Jim Dixon

Steve Lamken

Last Saturday, I accompanied Steve Lamken and Jim Dixon for a concert at Olympic Corrections Center in Forks. I was pleased to preach on "you must be born again," from John 3:1-16. We saw two men make first time commitments to Christ.

Daily faith needs constant focus. Growing Christians are supernaturally enlightened and given faith by God.

At the same time, we cooperate with God to progressively strengthen our faith--to nourish, feed, and cultivate living faith--sanctification, the empowering work of the Holy Spirit.

“Poor coming soul, you are like the man that would ride full gallop, whose horse will hardly trot! Now, the desire of his mind is not to be judged by the slow pace of the dull jade he rides on, but by the hitching, and kicking, and spurring, as he sits on his back.

"Your flesh is like this dull jade; it will not gallop after Christ; it will be backward, though your soul and heaven lie at stake." (John 1:47; Psa 51:6; Matt 26:41).”

~John Bunyan minimally edited

I visit with 20-25 men each week as part of my PFC ministry at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in downtown Kent. I meet with many through one-on-one discipleship to build up their living faith.

I often share, "Men, this is His local church as you meet together, right here at the RJC. His church is a living organism. It lives, and grows, shrinks, and changes. Your life can change forever, here. Your faith can get very strong. Sometimes, you don't come because you get discouraged or conflicts develop.That is the real church. Sometimes, it's messy. You don't all stay the same amount of time. While you are here in this unit, you can enjoy coming to church for the first time."

These men share with me about weakened faith. Some think they might be Christians and recount some church attendance as a child or teen-ager. The common cycle begins with drugs and alcohol, disruption at school that leads to dropping out, dysfunctional family relationships void of a present father. They entered into gangs and street life all spiraling downward to jail and prison time.

If there was any church attendance and introduction to saving faith, they often chose drugs and alcohol. Any attachment to religion or genuine church involvement was commonly through their mothers or grandmothers. Some were living with a woman and have several kids.

Faith is strengthened by standing on what the Scriptures proclaim about who God is and what He promises to do in, through, and for us. We gain confidence as we watch Him work over time. He is faithful. Christians meet in and around the church to encourage each other. In the jail settings, the men can develop local churches as they meet together regularly.

I often take them to Romans 1:4-7, 4:20-24, 5:1-3; Ephesians 2:8-9; and Hebrews 11:6. I am providing the focused text in each passage.

"...Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ..." Romans 1:4b-6

" No unbelief made him (Abraham) waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised." Romans 4:20-21

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Hebrews 11:6

Reaching high school boys

2011-08-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

Our Faith Church Student Ministry team in Kent is working to engage our high school boys in effective ministry. We met earlier this week to discuss activities to build relationships and develop a lifelong spiritual foundation for our boys.

We want to keep our boys!

We know a lot of youth, boys and girls, leave the church during and after high school. The statistics are frightening. Some return. Here is one of many articles, this one by George Barna, on this huge challenge: Teens are leaving the church

These are the most recent and most cited studies from one website by Brett Kunkle in 2009:

88%: The Southern Baptist Convention's Family Life Council study in 2002 (unfortunately, I can't find the actual study and methodology)
70%: LifeWay Research study in 2007 (LifeWay also found only 35% eventually return)
66%: Assembly of God study (again, I can't find the actual study, only references here and there)
61%: "Barna study in 2006 -- "Most Twentysomethings Put Christianity on the Shelf..."

The LifeWay and Barna studies include research details. I’m no sociologist but from what I can tell, their methodology seems sounds.
Here are some related studies:

"Spirituality in Higher Education": The Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA found that 52% of college students reported frequent church attendance the year before they entered college but only 29% continued frequent church attendance by their junior year.
College Transition Project: The Fuller Youth Institute's current data seems "to suggest that about 40-50% of students in youth groups struggle in their faith after graduation."
"The Religiosity Cycle": A 2002 Gallup Poll study found that church attendance “drops during the teen and young adult years.”

Conclusion: It's safe to conclude the church is losing a signficant portion of its young people for some period of time. Even if we take Barna's lower numbers and then cut 10% off to be extra conservative, we're still talking about losing half of our young people.

Pastor Aaron at baptismal service with boys

Our youth pastor, Aaron, is focused on "teaching them to observe (or obey) all that I commanded you."

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20

Are our boys disciples? Are they identified with Christ? What does their spiritual development look like as teen-agers? How can we walk alongside them to next levels, this year?

We did a Monday night Bible study with sharing and prayer, most of last year with 10-12 solid participants. I saw how active they wanted to be and so we did several activities with them. I even let them run around the elementary school playground as part of what we did. They ran all around the church. Once they accidentally broke a window. Boys are active, some are really active.

Many others did not participate. Many don't come and don't want to come and sit. We are looking at groups of three with each adult leader and grow each group from there.

We want to expand and multiply by reaching the other "20," and their friends. One of our considerations is getting the Dads involved, as much as possible. Many of our regular church men do not read their Bibles nor see it as relevant, either.

I want to lead a regular consistent teaching that gets my group exposed to the Biblical text with my own heart and method that moves to engagement, personal application...yes, obedience. I want to get them really active in Kingdom activity.

I am praying for:

Pastor Aaron and our team of adult leaders
The dads
The boys the Lord will give each of the leaders
The work of the Spirit to save and mature us all
The relationships we develop
The activities the Lord shows us
The teaching and methods He Himself gives us

Jim and Carol from Nebraska

2011-08-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

Carol and Katharine at the Seattle Aquarium

Even before Katharine and I were married back on July 10, 1982, Jim and Carol started visiting us nearly annually from their various homes in Nebraska.

Jim is one of Katharine's two older brothers and Carol is his wife. Both have served for 37 years in United Methodist churches and administrative positions in Nebraska.

Jim and Carol on vacation

Jim and Katharine at Waterway Museum

Jim and Carol also tour to visit family members in Portland and west Spokane. This time, we visited a museum on the Tacoma waterway and the Seattle Aquarium. We eat out and enjoy Cutters Point drinks in Covington. We started our relationship when Katharine and the Brewer family were living in Parkland and spending time on their family property on Oakland Bay in Shelton.

We needed three separate dinners for us to arrange visits with Andy and Sherrie, Peter and Knaid, and Jon. But, we persevered and did it. During our visit with Andy and Sherrie, we learned significant news in their relationship was forthcoming.

Tyrone and Miguel at the MRJC

So, contacts at the Maleng Regional Justice Center remain very productive and I'll be returning to a full-time routine again, next week. Tyrone should be starting his trial soon. He has made tremendous strides since we began meeting in 2009.

Tyrone was influential to introduce Miguel to receive Christ and begin studying the Bible. He actually said if he lost his trial case, he would begin seeking after the Lord. That was an unusual response. Usually we hear "jail faith type things something like "if I get out of jail... or win or get a favorable ruling... because I am innocent of these charges even though I did other things... and He gives me another chance, I'll respond to God."

Oh yes, the Lord can use these kinds of manipulation-soaked offerings to draw men to Himself. Occasionally, we see genuine transformation with all these trappings but not very often and these men must be warned God is not a maker of deals. He wants men who will seek Him for who He is with all their hearts.

Hope and faithfulness in Lamentations
I am journeying into Lamentations, this week. John Calvin has rich commentary on chapter 3. Verses 17-24 lead into the often quoted and comforting verses 22-23. Notice the sequence about fleshly and eternal hope in verses 18,21-24. Great is Thy faithfulness!

17 my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is;

18 so I say, “My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord.”

19 Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall!

20 My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.

21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases his mercies never come to an end;

23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“therefore I will hope in him.”

I don't often turn to Lamentations for much of anything. It's a weeping look at Jerusalem after deportation to Babylon. As I read through the Bible most years, I let the verses 22-23 stand alone. Jeremiah's words are ever more powerful and are reaching deep. John Calvin is more than a challenging theologian. He was a caring pastor, as well. When all real hope in this world is close to lost or more concentrated as completely drained, the Lord's very character and promises shine as He faithfully draws us to Himself for comfort and strength.

Miguel took some significant steps but continues to attend Friday Muslim services where he can sit in the chairs, watch the services, and learn about their religion. Yes, that is very frustrating after we've shared about Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Ruling Master of His harvest so we share with Miguel as much as possible before he leaves for his prison journey.

Cameron and the Allen family on the road

Saturday, I am invited to Stanwood to visit Cameron and his family. Cameron completed a year-long regeneration stay at Standing Stones in Wapato. He lives in Arlington. On the way home, I'll stop by to visit with Travis, Angie, Thad, and Derek Allen around their housewarming open house in Lynnwood. Travis, Thad, and I remain in solid contact from our time together and Faith Church in Kent

Robbi and Unchained in Purdy

Mission Creek

On Sunday, I am accompanying the band "Unchained" as they provide a Prisoners for Christ worship concert and message at Mission Creek Washington Corrections Center for Women in Purdy to pray, support, and listen. This will be my first trip to Mission Creek.

I enjoy weekly fellowship with Geoff White, the band leader, and have shared some with Homer Haynes, one of the lead singers. From our home church, Faith Baptist in Kent, Robbi Baskin began playing the keyboard and singing and Bob Steen occasionally plays percussion with Unchained.

Praying as co-workers together with our pastors

2011-08-11T21:24:00.000-07:00

Winslow on pastors in the local church

2011-08-11T00:35:00.000-07:00

Octavius Winslow

“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.” Romans 15:30

"There are many weighty and solemn considerations which powerfully plead for the prayers of the Church of God, in behalf of her ministers and pastors.

The first which may be adduced is- the magnitude of their work. A greater work than theirs was never entrusted to mortal hands. No angel employed in the celestial embassy bears a commission of higher authority, or wings his way to discharge a duty of such extraordinary greatness and responsibility.

He is a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ- an ambassador from the court of heaven- a preacher of the glorious gospel of the blessed God- a steward of the mysteries of the kingdom.

Properly to fill this high office- giving to the household their portion of food in due season- going down into the mine of God’s word, and bringing forth to the view of every understanding its hidden treasures- to set forth the glory of Emmanuel, the fitness of His work, and the fullness of His grace- to be a scribe well instructed, rightly dividing the word of truth- to be wise and skillful to win souls, the grand end of the Christian ministry- oh, who so much needs the sustaining prayers of the Church as he?

Secondly. The painful sense of their insufficiency supplies another affecting plea. Who are ministers of Christ? Are they angels? Are they superhuman beings? Are they inspired? No, they are men in all respects like others. They partake of like infirmities, are the subjects of like assaults, and are estranged from nothing that is human.

As the heart knows its own bitterness, so they only are truly aware of the existence and incessant operation of those many and clinging weaknesses of which they partake in sympathy with others. And yet God has devolved upon them a work which would crush an angel’s powers, if left to his self-sustaining energy.

Thirdly. The many and peculiar trials of the ministry and the pastorate ask this favor at our hands. These are peculiar to, and inseparable from, the office that he fills. In addition to those of which he partakes alike with other Christians- personal, domestic, and relative- there are trials to which they must necessarily be utter strangers. And as they are unknown to, so are they unrelievable by, the people of their charge.

With all the sweetness of affection, tenderness of sympathy, and delicacy of attention which you give to your pastor, there is yet a lack which Jesus only can supply, and which, through the channel of your prayers, he will supply. In addition to his own, he bears the burdens of others.

How impossible for an affectionate, sympathizing pastor to separate himself from the circumstances of his flock, be those circumstances what they may. So close and so sympathetic is the bond of union- if they suffer, he mourns; if they are afflicted, he weeps; if they are dishonored, he is reproached; if they rejoice, he is glad.

He is one with his Church. How feelingly the apostle expresses this: “Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of how the churches are getting along. Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?”

To see a Christian pastor, in addition to his own personal grief, borne often in uncomplaining loneliness and silence, yet bowed down under accumulated sorrows not his own- others looking to him for sympathy, for comfort, and for counsel- is a spectacle which might well arouse in behalf of every Christian minister the slumbering spirit of prayer. We marvel not to hear the chief of the apostles thus pleading, “Brethren, pray for us.”

real or just professing repentance

2011-07-30T09:25:00.000-07:00

"I just can't believe it," Malcolm whispered to me. I entered his unit at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent just as he received a report from a community corrections officer that reflected most recent violations while he was out for just one week.

This time, I just listened and asked questions. I wanted him to get out his feelings and responses in a safe place. I listened more. In the times we met over the past weeks, I don't a recognize repentant spirit. He isn't doing anything wrong and the people he is doing it with are agreeable. He has his Bible with him but isn't connecting, yet. He "says" he is a Christian. Charles Spurgeon called this kind of man "a professor."

I distribute tracts and sermons by J. C. Ryle. I am reading an entire sermon on Luke 13:3 and repentance for myself, this weekend.

Repent or Perish

"1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them,“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

On Friday afternoon, 1:45-3:15, I substituted for Mary Ann Morbley as the MRJC "proctor" for the Muslim service. Since the Muslims only bring one person to their service, we provide a second person so they can have their services. The service allows for men to actively participate on a sheet laying on the floor and others to observe and ask questions at the conclusion of the service.

I don't do this service often but I am amazed how some of our men, including this particular time, who are actively involved in Bible study and appear to be Christians attend these services.

The eman spoke very carefully about amassing as many good works as possible to balance the bad things before you die and so enter heaven. I was pleased to hear the actual teaching so I might know how to respond to a Muslim should I get a chance to share and to other men who are confronted with Muslim teachings.

Five marks of true repentance

By J. C. Ryle

True repentance is never alone in the heart of any person. It always has a companion—a blessed companion. It is always accompanied by lively faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Wherever faith is, there is repentance; wherever repentance is, there is always faith. I do not decide which comes first—whether repentance comes before faith, or faith before repentance. But I am bold to say that the two graces are never found separate, one from the other.

J. C. Ryle

Five things repentance produces

Knowledge of Sin

They discover, to their surprise, that in thinking themselves a “good sort of person,” and a person with a “good heart,” they have been under a huge delusion. They find out that, in reality, they are wicked, and guilty, and corrupt, and evil in God’s sight. Their pride breaks down. Their high thoughts melt away. They see that they are a great sinner. This is the first step in true repentance.

Sorrow for sin

The heart of a repentant person is touched with deep remorse because of their past transgressions. They are cut to the heart to think that they have lived so madly and so wickedly. They mourn over time wasted, over talents misspent, over God dishonored, over their own soul being injured. The remembrance of these things is grievous to them. The burden of these things is sometimes almost intolerable. When a person sorrows like this, you have the second step in true repentance.

Confession of sin

The tongue of a repentant person is loosed. They feel they must speak to that God against whom they have sinned. Something within them tells them they must cry to God, and pray to God, and talk with God, about the state of their own soul. They must pour out their heart, and acknowledge their iniquities, at the throne of grace.

They carry a heavy burden within them, and they can no longer keep silent. They can keep nothing back. They will not hide anything. They go before God, pleading nothing for themselves, and are willing to say, “I have sinned against heaven and before You—my iniquity is great. God be merciful to me, a sinner!” When a person goes thus to God in confession, you have the third step in true repentance.

Breaking off from sin

True repentance shows itself in a thorough breaking off from sin. The life of a repentant person is altered. The course of their daily conduct is entirely changed. A new King reigns within their heart. They put off the old man. What God commands they now desire to practice; and what God forbids they now desire to avoid.

They strive in all ways to keep clear of sin, to fight with sin, to war with sin, to get the victory over sin. They cease to do evil. They learn to do well. They break off sharply from bad ways and bad companions. They labor, however feebly, to live a new life.

Deep hatred of sin

True repentance shows itself by producing in the heart a settled habit of deep hatred of all sin. The mind of a repentant person becomes a mind habitually holy. They abhor that which is evil, and cleaves to that which is good. They delight in the law of God. They come short of their own desires not infrequently. They find in themselves an evil principle warring against the spirit of God.

They find themselves cold when they would be hot; backward when they would be forward; heavy when they would be lively in God’s service. They are deeply conscious of their own infirmities. They groan under a sense of indwelling corruption.

But still, for all that, the general bias of their heart is towards God, and away from evil. They can say with David, “I count all Your precepts concerning all things to be right, and I hate every false way” (Psalm. 119:128).

Transition from Fort Macleod to Kent

2011-07-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

From FM to home, now

Our FSM missions trip to Fort Macleod was a higher spiritual mountain than I ever realized for me. We saw the Lord work mightily in us, first. Then He worked through us. The Lord ministered to us. The host church and youth in FM ministered to us. The many hosts at the Alliance Church were humble servants. I enjoyed several heart talks with Pastor Ralph.

Jeff Jacobsen asked or reflected on what the short and long-term results will look like at the Alliance Church. We are praying with them.

I am praying with Pastor Ralph, Gerri-Jo and for all the youth there--Cheyenne, Ty, Sam, Gillian, and so many more. Cheyenne became part of our team and I really missed her on the trip home and even on Sunday.

Or, my commitment is to pray and I am asking the Lord to give me the strength to do it otherwise I will have only great intentions like in so many other areas and it will slip into a back burner experience.

I have a whole other set of faith prayers. What will the results look like in my own life and then with our Faith Student Missions group at our home Faith Church? The idea we are focusing on with our youth now in transition is follow-through on Mission 51. We are home, now. I am home. I head right back down to the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, today, recharged to see what the Lord has for me there.

One scene stays in my mind as we drove away from FM. The area where we shared testimonies in Centennial Park was quiet and empty. Who might use the model we employed there after we leave? Will we be able to do the same kind of ministry at Lake Meridian? What will our student outreach become here? What real growth and change will we see with our own youth with their peers in church and at their high school missions settings?

Right at Faith Church, we began our own Mega Sports Camp VBS, last night, with our volunteer training and walk-through. We already have 300 pre-registered. I am praying for the Lord's increase. We may even need more help from volunteers over and above the amazing team that gathered with Angie Swanson, last night.

The theme for me is very timely, "Go the distance," from 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

Go the distance!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."

So, the faithful work continues and right with our youth. One very caring mother shared with me about her son's journey. I had been thinking and praying for him, even on the trip to Alberta. I asked the Lord, why wasn't he with us? What's goin' on with him? I started to find out, Sunday night. I was in tears within my heart. That was very good.

It's not about all those other kids in Canada where we just left. I am praying with them, too. The Lord is working out His glorious purposes in my own life and with us, right here. We are His servants where He has us planted right here.

Friday testimonies in the park

2011-07-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

Alliance Church

Our teams finished VBS ministries at the Anglican and Alliance Churches, Friday. The Anglican team helped with snacks, games, and encouragement. There ended up being 16 students most of the week.

The Alliance VBS started from scratch Sunday and we started with 7 and finished with 32.

We will be reuniting with the Pincher Creek team and beginning our trek back to Kent beginning Saturday morning.

VBS in two churches

Our Anglican VBS team was Dawna Mitchell, Jordan Kelly, Nathan Ruter, and Camden Hartliep. I was proud of our team because they were away from their peers and they served with a joyful spirit. Each of them jumped right in with the kids through every part of the program with everything they were asked to do. This VBS was run by most senior adults who really care about kids and expressed genuine appreciation for our kids. The theme was, "Jungle adventure." They were faithful to lead the kids right out of the box.

The Alliance VBS was based on a "Gospel Journey" theme with Mikayla Kagle and Jeff Jacobsen taking the lead. Our youth team was equally awesome and was blessed by several Fort Macleod teens who jumped right in to support the work. Our kids canvassed the community throughout te week to support the Alliance VBS and the evening Centennial Park outreach and after-party back at the church.

Roles at Alliance VBS:

Tabitha Lovell and Sarah Blair: crafts, skits, song motions

Christine Benner: teaching, support Mikayla, crafts, song motions

Derek Allen and Austin Sisley: teaching

Brandon Haynes: games

Luke Jacobsen: led music with guitar
Beck Denney: skits

The themes were:

God created us to be with Him. Genesis 1:27 Creation story

Our sins separate us from God. Romans 3:10-11 Cain and Abel story

Sins cannot be removed by good deeds. Ephesians 2:8-9

Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again, 1 Cor. 15:3-4 Resurrection

Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life

and

Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever. John 3:16 Nicodemus and Jesus story

Rodeo clean-up

Our kids picked rocks, moved dirt, cut back plants, painted, mowed, cleaned and swept in the pavilion, and picked up garbage Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at the Midnight Stadium rodeo grounds. Today, a group served at a church family home to do clean-up.

Park outreach

Tonight, we hosted about 20 FM youth who enjoyed volleyball, frisbee, and steal the flag, and just hangin'. Then, we had testimonies from our team--Luke Jacobsen, Austin Sisley, Nathan Ruter, and Chris Dellicker. Each of our kids spoke during the nightly sessions about tehir struggles, journeys, and how they are looking at where tehy are at with Jesus.

Pastor Ralph from the Alliance Church pulled me aside after the time at Centennial Park to share that two messages, one on Monday and another tonight, revealed deep struggles that led some to strongly consider suicide. A particular FM adult was profoundly touched by what each shared.

Then, there was the last youth from our team to share in Nathan Ruter. Nathan shared with amazing clarity and force that brought me to tears. He shared about being deeply impacted by alcoholism in a very close female person in his life. He was wounded and betrayed. The Lord brought him face-to-face with 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 as he experienced and gave the love of Jesus toward the special one and others all around him.

The way of love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2

Sharing the greatest news ever

2011-07-14T21:51:00.000-07:00

I was blessed to share the gospel good news with Sally and Tim, both 15 year-old Fort Macleod students who are connected with our youth at our evening outreaches at Centennial Park and are staying for our after-parties at the Alliance Church.

I woke about 6:10 this Thursday morning and was sitting in a fellowship area when Sally came down the stairs. I didn't know why I was just sitting there except to wake up and enjoy the quiet of the morning. We introduced ourselves and began to talk.

Sally

Sally attends a Mormon stake house in town but immediately said she didn't believe, "I shouldn't be forced to have babies to fill heaven and especially if my husband turned out to be an evil man." Later, she asked, "Won't my good works get me to heaven?"

There are two stake houses in Fort Macleod, population 3,600, that serve four LDS services with 2,000 for the surrounding area.

Astounding! This was a Divine Appointment. I began to pray and asked if she would like to read some Bible verses with me. I collected two NIV Bibles and I had her read with me through Romans 1:16-17, 3:10-11 and 21-24, 4:4-5, 5:6-8, 6:23, 8:1, 10:11-13 and 2 Corinthians 6:1-2.

Several times the issue of good works is addressed within those verses. She was on the brink of tears throughout our precious time together.

She understood and received the truth and clearly embraced the Good News for her life. She made some kind of decision for Christ at 13. Her parents were very angry as they attend the FM stake house. She cannot read a Bible at home nor attend a Christian church, now. Sally's response was very genuine. I am entrusting Sally's care to our Great God, the Lord of the harvest.

I had her start a personal letter to God about where she has been and where she stands, right now. She shared she finished it and was rejoicing amazed when she reread it later in the day. Sally shared throughout the day with several of our youth group, Pastor Aaron, and the FM youth about the step she took to receive Christ. I am just jumping up and down in astounding joy!

Tim

I enjoyed a real outstanding conversation with Tim's step-mom earlier this week and we saw each other at breakfast, this morning. Tim also comes to Centennial Park and our after parties. He is very friendly and agreed to come apart tonight and share with me on a park bench. Tim is warm and has a friendly, inviting smile.

When Tim appeared at the park this evening, Jeff Jacobsen and I prayed for our outreach and my heart to speak with Tim. He shared very openly about his family and his dad's very recent threatening stroke that was very similar to my own dad's situation in 1980.

Prayerfully, I addressed the issue of faith and addictions which he shared earlier in the week with our large group. He listened carefully as we read Romans 4:20-24, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and John 1:12-13.

He stumbled over believing God would forgive his sins and knowing he will continue to sin regularly. I talked about life and faith being a long journey. The Lord Jesus is faithful to catch him and hold him safely throughout life. We left it with 1 John 5:11-12. The Lord impressed on me He Himself is working around Tim and I should leave him with, "he who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son does not have life."

I shared, "Every man, woman, boy and girl either has the Son or does not have the Son, Tim. It doesn't appear you have the Son so you don't have life. That can change, right now. You don't need me to make that decision. You can surrender to Jesus and receive Him."

His journey continues. I may see him Friday evening.

Family time with FM youth

Jeff Jacobsen and I hosted four FM youth this afternoon and encouraged them with their own awesome youth group and their personal spiritual journeys. Tonight, Judy, one of the four, came in at the after-party and prayed with Mikayla about taking huge steps in her commitment to Jesus.

Family time with our FM team

2011-07-13T21:20:00.000-07:00

The entire team enjoyed building each other up at our family time this afternoon in the sanctuary of the Alliance Church as part of our Faith Student Ministries mission in Fort Macleod.

Pastor Aaron gathered our team after lunch to communicate what we are seeing the Lord do through each of our team and then to connect with one another about needs we are sensing. As this is Wednesday, it is the middle of the week so we want to keep focused as we seek to finish faithfully.

Here are reflections on each of our team members:

Austin: sensitive to others, growing as he teaches the Bible stories

Derek: willing to stick with projects, listener to peers, searching

Brandon: servant leader in painting at Rodeo Midnight Stadium, growing

Luke: enjoys having awesome fun, sensitive, smiling, leads music

Nathan: kids just love him, jumps right in at Anglican Church, all-star

Camden: "Mr. Awesome" with boys in soccer at Anglican Church, all-star

Dawna: Growing great heart for children, leading games at Anglican Church, all-star

Jordan: Runs out to talk with community teens, joyful, kids love her, all-star

Sarah: listener, doing skits with Becky and Tabitha, coming out in Christ

Christine: dependable, servant-leader whenever asked, relates well to all

Tabitha: ear to relationships and group, loves skits, cares deeply

Becky: bubbly, enthusiastic, loves everyone, connects with community teens

Mikayla: servant leader at VBS, connects with girls, genuinely sensitive to all

Jeff: faithful and active prayer warrior, currency manager at VBS, connecting with teens

Fuego: supports PA in anything he needs, cares about every member of our team

Pastor Aaron: reminds us we are dead to self and watching God do amazing things

Expanding work in Fort Macleod

2011-07-13T16:13:00.000-07:00

We saw the Lord bring 14 to the Alliance VBS in the morning and 20 youth at our evening Centennial Park outreach Tuesday, both more than doubling our numbers from Monday, in our Faith Student Ministries missions trip in Fort Macleod and Pincher Creek, Alberta.

At the park, Dawna Mitchell and Tabitha Lovell gave their testimonies after awesome "steal the flag" and "ultimate frisbee" battles among the youth.

It was amazing to have 14 return to the church tonight for our after-party and prayer time at the Alliance Church. We opened with worship songs and then discussed questions about genuine faith amidst real doubts and broken circumstances. Several asked real questions they are struggling with.

How can I know God is real?

Why should I trust trhe Bible?

What can I do with my addictions?

Why should I trust Him when I am hurting because...?

Is God in control of the bad things?

PA tried to answer their questions the best he could. Once, a young lady asked a question and took off to take a phone call. Where did she go? I thought she had a question. Maybe another one needed to think through the answer and hear what PA or somebody else said.

The Pincher Creek team is running full-speed, as well. Friends may follow their progress on our blog.

As these days are unfolding here, I am keeping up with and our Youthmark Roadgrip devotional. Today, we focused on Romans 12. We are experiencing great things from the Lord yet I can choose to be so self-focused. That could be minutes after I witnessed Him do awesome things.

He would have me daily, moment by moment, give myself to Him as a living sacrifice. Romans12:11 says, "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."

I spent the day reminding myself, meditating on a fervent spirit to serve Him with joy and gladness.

Again, we spent the afternoon cleaning and painting at the Fort Macleod Rodeo Grounds. I worked with Brandon Haynes, Becky Denney, Dawna Mitchell, and Sarah Blair to paint the riding shoots red inside the pavilion.

Packed Monday in Fort Macleod

2011-07-11T21:43:00.000-07:00

Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Fort Macleod--Today, we watched Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada after he ate lunch at an Italian restaurant and his body guards came over to the Igloo ice cream restaurant. His party got in their SUVs and were in and out of town.

I enjoyed an awesome sharing time with Pastor Ralph Light from the Alliance Church, this morning. Ralph and his congregation are feeding us three awesome meals and even snacks a day. Some of the youth are faithfully joining us for many of our activities.

All of the kids have been astounding.

On this Monday, we started our Alliance VBS with seven kids run by our Mikayla and our students. I took Dawna, Jordan, Nate, and Camden over to the Anglican Church to support their VBS. I was super, super proud of them! At the Alliance Church, we are praying for a huge breakthrough from the community that would build up God's Kingdom and the Alliance Church. The Anglicans can support a maximum of 36 kids.

We picked rocks on this grandstand area

After lunch, we went immediately to the FM rodeo grounds for clean-up all around the facility inside and out. We went to the Igloo right after returning from the rodeo.

After dinner, we rejoiced to have eight high schoolers from the community join us for games, pop and chips, testimonies from 6:30 to 8:30 and then an after-party with them at the Alliance Church until 10 pm.

Beginning in Fort Macleod

2011-07-10T22:05:00.000-07:00

Crowsnest Pass, Canadian Rockies

There isn't a photo that does justice to the glory of God in His creation as we drove into the Canadian Rockies on our Faith Student Ministries mission trip to Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod, Alberta on Saturday.

Our teams are settled now, 11 in PC and 18 in FM, ready to begin VBS and contact with youth in both towns on Monday.

We traveled to Spokane Friday night and stayed in a beautiful family home of he Sundin family. Our kids were amazed by God's goodness to us through their amazing hospitality.

Our travel time seemed significantly longer from Spokane to our Alberta destination Saturday morning. Despite that, we were all stunned as we drove through the Canadian Rockies in southwestern Alberta.

Our kids have been awesome. The FM Alliance Church youth and overall body greeted us with genuine warmth. Today, we attended church, prayer walked with some of the FM youth, and prepared for our newly-planned VBS.

Please pray for:

1. Our intercession around brokenness in FM.

2. Continued enthusiasm to engage with the youth.

3. VBS and outreach to community youth.

4. My gentleness in serving with our FM team.

5. Our hearts to abide in the word and to pray for what He is doing all around us here.

Together now to Fort Macleod and Pincher Creek

2011-07-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

Our Acts study

This coming Thursday night and Friday morning, I will be participating in our Faith Baptist Church Together youth missions trip to Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, from July 9-15.

This missions trip is organized through Youthmark. Several months ago, a group of about 30 adult leaders and students attended a training with several other area churches led by Brian Aaby, Youthmark founder, at Lake Retreat in Ravensdale.

Fort Macleod team
Leaders: Youth Pastor Aaron Bauer, Chris Dellicker, Mikayla Kagle, Jeff Jacobsen, and me.

Students: Derek Allen, Camden Hartliep, Nathan Ruter, Luke Jacobsen, Brandon Haynes, Austin Sisley, Christine Benner, Kristina Neff, Jordan Kelly, Tabitha Lovell, Dawna Mitchell, Sarah Blair, Becky Denney

Pincher Creek team
Leaders: Youth Pastor Aaron Bauer, Assistant Youth Pastor Topher Lindstrom, Justin Blair, Michele Denney, Christie Brakke

Students: Abbey Swanson, Lanh Watkins, Katherine McDonald, Sarah Jo Jones, Tiegan Heald, Kristen Haynes, Billy Denney, Will Amodie

Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod

We worked through "Anywhere," a Bible study in Acts to prepare us for this trip. We've focused on the themes during our Sunday morning Sunday School classes.

I've been mediating and praying through Ephesians 3:14-21 for each of us and this missions trip.

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

We are preparing by praying and developing our testimonies. Sharing a testimony is a gospel conversation with listening and questions led by the Holy Spirit.

Our basic itinerary
Travel

Gather at Faith Baptist Church Thursday night
Leave very early Friday morning from Faith Baptist Church
Travel information: 619 miles on I-90 east through northern Idaho and into southwest Alberta and east to Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod

--11 hours, 13 minutes actual driving time to PC and then FM
Arrive Friday night with dinner at FM Alliance Church
Return after breakfast Friday, July 15

Schedule during the week

Sunday morning: Music and introductions in worship services
Monday-Friday, 9-noon, Serve in Daily VBS in FM and PC churches
Afternoons: Paint rodeo grounds in FM and other project
Evenings: Outreach to community and fellowship with host church youth--this is where we all share gospel conversation-testimonies.

So many other things

2011-06-26T06:47:00.000-07:00

Michael said, "I am spiritual and talk about faith when I am in jail, but as soon as I get out, I just go back to my old ways. I drink a lot and it gets me in trouble all over again."

Vince and Michael challenged me with a mix of honest and evasive responses about making real changes during my visits at the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent, this week.

Many are indifferent or do the "Sarasota or Saskatoon Shuffle" to avoid interaction. They are too tired or stay in bed. They get their coffee stirred, laugh to cover their discomfort, talk to other inmates, watch a video...play cards, or are embroiled in a hot dominoes competition at one of the tables.

Just like so many in every church or at our jobs, they are too busy to talk. They aren't ready.

Vince wanted to get his life turned around but needed a Bible. He didn't even know what the Gospel of John is. I provided a New King James and "Anchor for the soul," by Ray Pritchard. When I came back the next day, he told me somebody took his books.

Honestly, I almost walked away but the Lord spoke to my heart about loving this man and i provided a second set for him and suggested he put them in his room.

The next day, he was too... whatever ... to talk.

He may be at the MRJC next week or just could be released. He has the books and I suggested John 3, 10, and 14. We might talk. I'd love to share the Romans Road, a Bible story, or lay out John 3:1-21 with him.

He might talk with another chaplain. He's workin' the phones to get bailed out and likes to appear real smooth. I'm available but am not chasing him.

Michael may be 19, now, and has been in the MRJC at least three times in about 18 months. We have met numerous times. A couple of other chaplains met with him, during past visits. He is like so many. He gets spiritual when he comes to jail but falls back to old ways upon release. Over and over. The alcohol and drugs call. I share that naturally in the flesh their noses know the old pathways.

In our previous one-on-ones, I recalled Michael struggles with basic decoding reading skills. He's probably a first or second grade reader. Oral Bible storytelling was exactly right for him. I told him the story of when the rich young man met Jesus in Mark 10:17-22--

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Young man and Jesus

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”

And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

As I told Michael the story, he listened really intently. He was getting it. He retold the story through about two-thirds of it and was eager to listen as we read the actual text. In the interchange, Mark recorded that Jesus loved him and told him he "lacked one thing." Jesus was also sad. This guy had really important great possessions. He was wealthy.

Youth alcoholism

I asked Michael what he might be lacking.

"When I get out, I start right back in with drinking and other things," he confessed.

So many "want God" if it gets them out of jail.

I asked him about a spiritual disconnect.

Like the rich man and Jesus, Michael said he doesn't want to give up a lifestyle and group of people he spends time drinking with. He goes back to what he knows. He hasn't attended church, isn't aware of any people who are Christians, doesn't go to AA or Celebrate Recovery type groups, and doesn't talk to anyone about his struggles.

Michael acknowledged he keeps on living his old life that he is most comfortable with because that is what he has done for a long time. The Lord is not caught off-guard about any of these things. Jesus loved the wealthy man. He loves the poor man and the alcoholic.

Michael and I may talk again, soon. He was touched when I shared that like the rich guy in the story, Jesus loves him, as well.

Resentment

2011-06-22T15:19:00.000-07:00

The transition for Sol from where it appeared he was to what he shared with me was very discouraging on Monday. This inmate seemed to turn from a very painful and even demonic background to be pursuing faith in Christ at the Regional Justice Center over the past months.

He explained he was seeking his creator individually as he heard from this creator without the foundation of the Bible. Jesus, he said, is a man with a message. He is a man, not God. My step today was to ask questions and assure Sol that I love him.

What changed for Sol? He said, "I woke up. I don't want to read any book that has been tainted by man. The Bible has been translated so many times that it isn't what God says. I don't trust anything with man's hand-prints all over it. I am talking directly to the creator."

"So," I followed up, "how is that working for you? That is a big change."

"It is very hard and exhausting but I only want to talk to the creator, myself. The Bible has so many translations it can't be trusted as what it really said from the beginning."

I started to share about the trustworthy nature of the Biblical text. He became very defensive so I just started to pray, listen carefully, and ask questions.

Loving evangelism is not about winning arguments but walking beside him, right now. Well, that was where Sol was at, today. This is God's work in progress. He agreed to let me pray for him and I asked the Creator God, the LORD of hosts, to reveal Himself to Sol. We may talk again in the next weeks.

Another inmate, Joe was really eager to talk as he used to meet with PFC President Greg VonTobel when both attended Overlake Christian Church in Kirkland. Joe struggles with alcohol so I encouraged him to start working through a Christian perspective on resentment in the 12-step program.He may be released in a short time but needs to respond to several other legal situations.

From an Alcoholics Anonymous perspective, resentment comes to play is Step 4 and involves recycling old negative feelings, revisiting old wrongs done to us by others. It's as if each of the offending incidents is captured on videotape in our minds. Resentment, in effect, is mentally replaying the scene countless times each day. As we do so, real wrongs grow worse, and wrongs that are merely imagined assume a life of their own.

Joe says he is overcome by anger that leads to bitter feelings, depression, acting out, being provoked. Then, he drinks and ends up in jail. He doesn't listen to his wife who has stayed with him.

Oral Bible storytelling

2011-06-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

Topher Lindstom

Topher Lindstom, Middle School youth pastor in our Faith Student Ministries (FSM) team said, "The kids all stayed interested, even when we went through the questions."

Topher actively interacted with his students as I used oral Bible storytelling Sunday morning around Acts 20:7-12.

"They were great," Topher continued, "during the telling of the story and reading it with each other. Even when we went through the questions they were really into it. Lots of application and involvement. They got it!"

Diane Brask

One of my goals Sunday morning was to practice and refine the oral Bible storytelling model I was introduced to at Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church in Burien by Diane Brask and supported by Tom Horton, Rural Church Youth Ministries. Tom has been a major encouragement to me for 30 years. Diane is quick to refer learners to: Simply the Story

I wanted to give this new method serious field testing at Standing Stones in Wapato this past week and again with our FSM class, Sunday morning.

Tom Horton

Ever feel like falling asleep during a sermon in a stuffy room? Has it happened? The kids stayed focused in on the story of Eutychus falling asleep and toppling three stories from a windowsill in Acts 20:7-12. The story changes as the youth is raised from the dead in the arms of Paul.

Oral Bible storytelling
The story we used Sunday morning was from Acts 20:7-12--

Eutychus raised from the dead

Paul and Eutychus

7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.

The process of oral storytelling in groups begins as the presenter tells the story without any notes and everyone with their Bibles closed and listening carefully. I attempt to be as clear and accurate as possible. I don't get overly stressed about missing details. Then, I ask a volunteer to retell the story from my telling without opening their Bibles nor taking notes. Learning starts by careful listening. We are digging into the Scripture story.

Now, we go to the actual text and read it carefully and ask another volunteer to retell the story. If we can divide the group into pairs or groups of three, we have these groups read the story, retell with everyone else but the teller with their Bibles open. By rotating reading the text and retelling the story, each person gets a chance to retell the story twice and listen to the reading four or six times.

Our goal is to be just as accurate and even precise with the text, as possible. Nobody has an advantage over anyone else. We learn, "everyone is on an equal footing before the story." We are working toward accuracy by what the text says.

In the table groups, now, we begin asking questions. The first sequence entails seeking sequence of order and fill in the blank answers verse-by-verse. We want the accurate facts by focusing on exactly what the text states.

With the basic facts determined, we begin digging for treasure. We ask each group to work through five C's. Here we begin to set the stage for applications and personal stakes about timeless truths.

First, the context. What leads up to and follows the target story? What is the flow of the book?

Second, the characters. Who are the main and other characters in the story?

Third, the conversations. What do each of the characters say?

Fourth, the choices. What do the characters choose to do, or choose to avoid?

Fifth, the consequences. What are the results of their chosen actions?

Next, we dig into applications: We want to bring the story into our settings and ask what it says to us.

Which character do we identify with?
How does that character speak to what we are dealing with, right now?
How can we empathize with the characters?
What choices might we have made?
What consequences are we facing based on our choices?

Finally, we transition to summary conclusions:

How does the story and its characters change our lives?
How does it correct our thinking about God, others, and ourselves?
What action or steps of obedience does it require from us?

Jamie's steady support

2011-06-17T18:56:00.000-07:00

Jamie Neault

"Jamie's here!" the guys shared together, "we really missed him. This is great. We're glad he's back."

The group energy ratcheted up several notches this week when Jamie Neault's red Pontiac SUV rambled upfront at the Standing Stones Ministries (SSM) upon returning from his vacation in Wisconsin.

Jamie supports Dave throughout daily activities with the men--Cameron, Freddy, Glen, Jim, Michael, and Wilson.

He maintains a separate room upstairs in the main living home, leads a morning Bible study, and oversees the daily routine. Jamie does whatever Dave needs help with.

Jamie came to SSM as a participant when Prisoners for Christ Outreach Ministries opened up the facility to develop a Christ-centered regeneration and transitional living ministry on 1000 N. Wildwood Road in Wapato, Washington. He also volunteers weekly at the Yakima County Jail.

He progressed through the training sequences and has served with Dave since the Gartons arrived in the summer of 2010.

I taught Bible studies each morning and evening, shared with the men individually throughout the day, and shared with Director Dave Garton from Sunday to Friday, this week. Dave and I took great long walks several times which is exactly what I needed. I wanted to sit in on Dave's Genesis Process training sessions.

Genesis Process

Each man rises daily at 6 am, eats breakfast at 7, and carries out a personal quiet time with journaling and a self-inventory through 7:30. Bible study and recovery-focused classes run from 8-noon. The men eat lunch at noon and are working in the furniture shop from 1-5 pm.

Dinner is at 6 pm. The men rotate through house-cleaning and responsibilities around the grounds. The men are in various levels of substance abuse recovery and bang against one another and with Dave and Jamie.

Jamie supports the high levels of expectations established for the men. Dave walks them through a Genesis Process Workbook Monday-Friday each morning with Jamie sitting in when they get to a certain point. Time is carefully monitored throughout the day. Television, telephone, and even mail is carefully restricted. There is no internet nor e-mail.

Incoming and outgoing mail may be read, as needed. The men must stay on the grounds. As they progress through the initial 10 month program, some of the limits are relaxed but may be re-established.

Round back to Standing Stones

2011-06-16T16:22:00.000-07:00

Glen, Cameron, Michael, Jim, Freddy, and Wilson with me

"I think I am going to start screening," Nancy said, "Mark and Geoff's calls. They come up with some crazy things. This time, the sales pitch was Mark called Geoff with a great opportunity to sing on his own and to lead in worship in Wapato, later tonight. What will they come up with next?"

Katharine, my wife, would understand. They may need to be checking notes.

There was another motive in my strategy. I hoped Nancy would get to know and share with Gail Garton. It worked!

I was deeply touched in the Lord that Geoff and Nancy would come over to partner with me at my invitation. I prayed the men would really appreciate their ministries.

We were privileged to experience a special, genuine, real deal, powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. It was a gathering of 12 people way out at the end of a gravel road. He left our expectations out in the dust of our gravel road. We experience Him!

We were blessed at Standing Stones Ministry (SSM) in Wapato with a concert by Geoff White crowned by a communion service led by Dave Garton Wednesday night.

I felt prompted to call Geoff in Kent on Wednesday about 9:30 am to ask if he and Nancy would like to come over to present a concert for the men. Nancy could step into what she is so gifted to do. After getting the approval from Nancy, we had it nailed down for that very evening at 7 pm. Their availability and willingness to drive 2 1/2 hours each way to Wapato was testimony to the hand of God and I was running over with thanksgiving as I knew we were all in for a blessing. they left about 4 pm and got home again at 11:30 pm.

My secondary purpose was to get Geoff and Nancy a real solid look at SSM. Those who get to minister to and listen to the awesome men and then see and hear about the furniture shop directly from Jamie Neault and the men will absolutely want to come back. Hopefully, Geoff and Nancy will come back themselves and with others.

Dave Garton at communion

Geoff could provide some solid Bible teaching, more awesome concert music, share with Dave, Jamie and the men, and do some pheasant hunting. He already teaches once a month at the UGM transition ministry at Riverton. Then, like me, the Lord will continue working deeply on their hearts like He is working in me.

Geoff and Nancy, and the Unchained band completed a 900 mile Prisoners for Christ whirlwind concert and worship tour to Airway Heights Correction Center, the Spokane Union Gospel Mission both in Spokane, the Pasco Union Gospel Mission, and Two Rivers Corrections Center in Umatilla, Oregon on Friday and Saturday.

Michael's changes

Geoff writes all the music for Unchained and has been taking vocal lessons in the last months. We meet just about every week for encouragement and he shared his heart to bring his guitar and do some things on his own. Geoff shared an ongoing testimony about how the Lord is miraculously working in Ramona, Geoff and Nancy's daughter in California.

Our Wednesday night concert was transformed by the Lord into a celebration of Jesus and worship service. Dave asked Jim to share his testimony and then was led to bring in a cup of juice and bread after Geoff was done with his major concert selections. Each of us shared where we were when we grasped our need for the saving work of Jesus.

Unchained at Spokane UG

“If there is one name sweeter than any other in the believer’s ear, it is the name of Jesus. Jesus! His name moves the orchestra of heaven to melody. Jesus! It is the life of all our joys. If there is one name that is more charming, more precious than another, it is this name. Jesus! Many of our hymns begin with it and scarcely any that are good for anything, end without it. The name of Jesus is the sum total of all delights. The precious name of Jesus is five letter-- is the music with which the bells of heaven ring. He is a song in a word; a matchless oratorio in two syllables; a gathering up of the hallelujahs of eternity in heaven.” ~Charles H. Spurgeon

Jim's testimony

Dave asked Jim to share his testimony and then preached about considering where we were when we heard Jesus drawing us to Him to get cleaned up from the individual messes each man found themselves in.

As I have done many times, Dave connected with Geoff's "Round back," to proclaim the Greatest Good News we'll ever hear and share with the world.

"Round back” swings us to where some experienced reality. It’s a place of fear and deliberate hiding. Regardless of our situations, “Round back” is a place of evil, gloom, and twisted darkness. It’s a fraud, fake cover-up.

Jesus shines His great light on our round back places to draw us to Him. God Himself took away our filthy rags, covered us with His blood, and clothed us in His righteousness. That's the Great Exchange.

The men stepped right into it. Their sharing was worth the whole week over here.

Geoff White

'Round back

by Geoff White

2009

"'Round back the concretes hard,

Around back talking my front yard,

'Round back even the weeds won't grow,

but Jesus came 'round back and saved my soul.

'Round back midst the garbage and grease,

Around back hard to smell me,

'round back the polite won't go,

but Jesus came round back to save my soul.

He put on my filthy rags; washed my shame away,

clothed me in His righteousness;

now I don't have to stay around back.

'Round back, sometimes I still go

'round back just so you might know

'round back, you don't have to stay

'round back because there's a better way

And He'll put on your filthy rags; wash your shame away

Clothe you in His righteousness; you won't have to stay

You won't have to stay....you won't have to stay....you won't have to stay

You don't want to live.... around back

Jesus came to live around back

No one needs to live around back."

Men in the desert

2011-06-15T22:30:00.000-07:00

Teaching in the morning

Wapato--Men at Standing Stones have a HUGE chance to watch the Lord Himself transform their lives forever. There are six men enrolled at Standing Stones Ministries (SSM) here in a Christ-centered regeneration transitional living home.

Each of the six, ranging from 32-49 years-old didn't arrive here because they wanted to be here or for the "right" reasons, at least to begin with.

There are no fences or gates around or locks on the doors. The men are not trapped behind gates around the facility. Each could leave at any time. They could relapse to their addiction of choice right here or upon leaving.

For every one of us living with our families, being where we all are supposed to be because we want to be or for the "right" reasons may be shaky, at best, at the beginning. Each of us may walk into dark hallways in our lives. We hurt in a hard place.

Guarantees and promises are non-existent in the world of recovery for substance abuse people. In the past, men have left the program. Others relapsed. Some came back and failed again. A few are choosing peace in the power of the Holy Spirit and strength that comes from engaging, stepping into their program in the Lord, with other men.

Dave teaching

SSM is all about the men who are serving and receiving. It's not about the facility, buildings, property, wood shop. Because the Lord's people are here, He is here. His Holy Spirit is working.

The men are Cam and Wilson (both graduating July 9), Freddy, Jim, Glenn, and Michael. Their 10- month program is run by Director Dave Garton, assisted by Jamie Neault. Dave and his wife Gail have been at SS for about 1 1/2 years.

Jamie sharing

Dave brings 25 total years overseeing recovery and received training from the Dunklin Memorial Camp in Florida. Before landing in Wapato with SSM, he and Gail, his wife, spent 14 years at Dunklin and seven years in South Africa.

Like most of the men, he's experienced the grinder of abuse from his dad and then his own rounds with substance abuse. When he teaches and mentors the men, he really knows, having actively experienced what the men are thinking and doing.

Jamie is from Wisconsin, 41, and went through the program himself and has served for several years to the glory of God to support Dave.

The men work through four phases in the 10 months-- orientation, regeneration, inner healing, and discipleship. Each day, the men balance Bible study, journaling, rigorous moral inventory, instruction about substance abuse recovery, daily chores around the facility, and five hours of work responsibilities. On Sundays, the men from SSM attend the Selah Community Church.

There is God-driven huge hope I can palpably sense with the men here. Most of the men currently enrolled have strong family support or are praying to reconcile with them. It's not an easy road for any of the men and their families.

Cameron

Cameron is 32 and will be returning to his wife and two year-old daughter in July. I met Cam when he came last September embroiled in heroin abuse lifestyle subculture and hammered with cycles of selfishness. His wife was really distressed one centimeter away from divorce on her first visit in September. He got it right from the beginning. He was contrite and teachable. He is working on dying to everything in his pride and selfishness. His family is coming again, this weekend, for the last time before he graduates, he said.

Wilson

Wilson is 44 and from the Navajo people group. He has been drinking since he was 15. So, he has been sober for nine months. His dad and older brother abused him. His mom actually got him out of their house so he wouldn't be further abused. His dad died and the abusing brother is in prison.

Wilson lived under a bridge in Tacoma before he came to SS. He's a hard worker and wants to learn. He's got more support than he even knows from his family and by God's grace has a place to stay and a job to return to when he graduates on July 9.

Jim sharing with me

Jim, 49, is from Arlington and has been in the program for three months. He has struggled with levels of alcoholism. The drinking cost him his job and placed his marriage and family in serious jeopardy. He came directly to SS after a family intervention. He is working through issues of long-term recovery and whatever the Lord does in his marriage

Freddy

Freddy has been in and out of the Yakima County Jail for the last several years as a result of alcohol and other substance abuse issues. He ran off several members of his family when he came to SS one month ago. Everything is really fresh for him. I met Freddy in 2006 during a PFC concert at the Yakima God Pod, as they called it, then.

Michael's garden

Michael is single and 33 from Colorado and has scientist and engineer oozing out of him. He is considering youth ministry, as well. He cleaned up a trashed mobile home for a multiple-stage vermaculture fertilizer process. Dave got him started from his experiences in South Africa and he took off with it. He is engaging in recovery from substance abuses here. I believe the Lord wants to use Michael for His glory. During the teaching times, he steps into it.

'Tana Glen

Glen is 49 and from Montana. He has been at the program for five months. He has a wife and three children who are at the end of their ropes with his alcohol issues. He desperately prays his kids will be safe and learn from his mistakes.

Addiction becomes a family illness and disease. Long-term recovery was an intervention and ultimatum.. He is an alcoholic since he was 12 years-old and escalated in 2004. After jail time in Billings, with still incompleted legal issues, he was driven to SSM by a lifetime friend. The program is works through his anger, selfishness, and pride.

Rebuilding lives at Standing Stones

2011-06-14T21:03:00.000-07:00

Men with furniture

"I am really at a different place than when you first met me," Cam shared, "back in September. I am amazed at what has happened. I needed to go through so much."

Cam is one of the six men enrolled in Wapato at the Standing Stones Ministries. I am teaching, mentoring, and encouraging at the Christ-based transitional living home at the invitation of Director Dave Garton, this week.

I first taught at Standing Stones last September and was so moved myself I needed to return. I'll receive 100-fold more than I give.

Wilson woodwork

Cam is joined by Freddy, Jim, Michael, Glenn, and Wilson. They receive participate in a 10-month orientation, regeneration, inner healing, and discipleship training adapted from the Dunklin Memorial Camp in Florida and in in cooperation with Prisoners for Christ.

Wilson and Cam will be graduating on July 9. Cam will return to his wife and 2 year-old daughter back home. Wilson will return to the Tacoma area.

living waters

"for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,

broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Jeremiah 2:13

Today, I taught through ways the Scripture teaches us to seek His living water from Jeremiah 2:13. Tonight, we'll explore a story about a rich young man who balked at what Jesus shared with him from Luke 18:18-25.

Wealth and His Kingdom

18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Michael in vermaculture center

The men build reclaimed propwood and wine barrel stave furniture to supplement the financial needs of the ministry. While working, they strengthen communication, following directions, team-building, and self-esteem success orientation for future employment.

Each man has an amazing life story. Michael is building and tending a terraced multiple vegetable garden for gravity irrigation walls with stones for directing water. He's also establishing and overseeing a vermaculture composting food recycling center. It will produce organic soil and liquid tea.

Unchained through prisons

2011-06-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

Unchained

I have the privilege of joining the band, "Unchained," on a PFC concert and worship tour 800 miles around eastern Washington and Oregon, this Friday through Sunday.

"Unchained" band members are:
Geoff White, leader-writer, guitar
Homer Haynes, vocals
Terri Gierke, vocals and keyboard
Wayne Orendorff, guitar
Chris Sherry, bass guitar
Jeff Reed, percussion
Bob Steen, percussion
Kent James, sound

Bob will not be able to come with us on this trip.

In this picture from left to right back row: Geoff, Jeff, Bob, and Terri; front row: Chris, Wayne, and Homer. Kent is not in this picture.

The journey

We will go from Kent, to Spokane, to Pasco, to Umatilla, and finish in Wapato.

On Friday, we'll leave Kent at 6 am do an afternoon service at Airway Heights Correction Center a little west of Spokane and then at the downtown Spokane Union Gospel Mission. We will stay in a Spokane hotel.

Standing Stones in Wapato

On Saturday, we'll do an afternoon service at the Tri-city Union Gospel Mission in Pasco and in the evening at Two Rivers Correction Center in Umatilla, Oregon. We'll drive from Umatilla to Standing Stones Ministry in Wapato Saturday night.

On Sunday, we'll do a morning worship service at Standing Stones and fellowship with the men and head back to Kent in the afternoon. We'll be really tired and even more greatly blessed.

Unchecked and unguarded

2011-06-01T22:54:00.000-07:00

Very uncomfortable things happen in daily life when my flesh is unchecked and my tongue is unguarded. That is a recipe for disastrous results.

On June 10-12, I am traveling with "Unchained" on a concert tour to prisons and Union Gospel Missions in eastern Washington and Oregon. On July 9-15, Katharine and I are scheduled to go with our Faith Student Ministries team to Fort Macleod and Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada. In November, I am scheduled for another PFC missions trip to India, led by Greg Von Tobel.

Four principles stick with me from our PFC African missions trip training last summer and then what I lived out in November as we traveled to Rwanda and Berundi. Perhaps, we can learn together as you read this.

First, everything is exaggerated "on the field."

exhausted and stressed

We are in a spiritual battle that is physically, emotionally, and spiritually demanding. We can expect to be overwhelmed by the enormity of needs witnessed on the field. Our reactions to what happens can get twisted and warped.

Humble and considerate team members take care of one another. We give each other space but are careful about isolation. We are always "on stage" and being observed. What is my daily fruit with my team, our hosts, and those we are serving? Who am I really in public and private?

"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Second, die to self.
I struggled in this area as my personal expectations were not met. I complained about some of the conditions, food, and even the roads in front of host nationals.

I corrected my words but one of my lifelong lessons is that once words are spoken they cannot be retracted. My only entitlement is to experience God working in my life and to get home safely. I experienced those things 100-fold!

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Third, consider stresses as either irritations, offenses, or hills to die on.
An irritation is a personal disturbance that should be dropped. At that point, suck it up and extend grace. Then, in the humble Christ-like spirit, keep on extending more grace.

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus..."
Philippians 2:1-5

An offense arouses anger, displeasure and resentment. It is an affront that outrages perceived sensibilities. An offense requires a Matthew 18 chain of procedures to win peaceful reconciliation with the offender 1-to-1, with two or three witnesses, and before the large group. This is not a lynching but to secure godly peace and continued fruitful ministry.

Hills to die on need to be prayerfully considered. Great prudence needs to be exercised. These are places where I really might find it cost me a great deal and may take me farther than I want to go and cost more than I want to pay. There are virtually no hills to die on, really, when I die to self. With that in mind, extending grace appears really right before the Lord and the people He surrounds me with.

Fourth, guard my tongue carefully.

The tongue sets fires

I could say I am amazed at what I say, what "falls out," but I am not amazed at all, based on my own failed experiences in numerous other places. When I am off-guard, my tongue can go way out of control.

James says great forest fired are set by unguarded tongues. Ungodly words spread, tear down, stink, cause illness, and are hard to correct. Ungodly words cut deep into the hearts of our hearers.

ship rudder

"Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell."
James 3:4-7

Declared outcasts

2011-05-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

I could be in this picture

Some families embroil themselves in destructive behaviors. It isn't another family somewhere. I own this one. My first Al-anon reading from "Hope for today," described behaviors with amazing clarity.

"One of the family's methods for coping with the insanity...has been to declare certain members outcasts. The decision is never overt, and explanations are never made openly. The outcasts simply find themselves excluded from the family for a period of time. I sometimes have been judge, sacrificial lamb, or member of the lynch mob."

page 80, March 20

Al-anon emphasizes family members are creatures of God whose shortcomings are beyond my power to change. Some are not even yet to the point of making amends regarding damage done by participating in adult family habits of casting members out. Unwritten family codes unravel.

I am praying and surrendering to detach with love and respect from those traveling down paths I choose to avoid.

"Thought for the day: A statue looks different depending on the angle from which I view it. If I change the angle from which I view my family members, they might look different, too."

Our Al-anon group focused on Step Nine which is: "Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others."

One looks for miracles waiting for the death of an addictive parent by seeking to be kind and loving. Anger and bitterness still torment. She has lost her home due to unemployment and asked the Lord to take the wheel. She cried.

Several respond to family substance abuse by repeated isolation. They express a need to take care of themselves. Caring for the needs of others when uninvited is intruding on unwelcome ground.

Some love their own soap operas. Family dark sides disorient reality. Crises are addicting. We either have one or create one. Some are gifted at identifying them for others.

"You have a crisis. There, see it?"

We are off to our next crisis. Sitting at peace is hard. Al-anon is seen as a spiritual program. God has a plan.

We are neither perfect parents nor were we perfect children. We might be dealing with angry spirits developed from childhood. We have no idea how to solve our problems nor anybody else's. Only God knows. We need safe places to cry. One was told her stress level was like a Vietnam vet. Life has no boredom. She tries waiting but is not comfortable.

Another Al-anon concept is: "don't just do something, sit there."

Roadblocks are overwhelming. Everything goes wrong. More tears. Fear of further disappointment leaves us frozen.

There is HOPE. The Lord Himself gives us peace beyond our understanding.

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

“Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Psalm 46:10-11

Hula hoops and detachment

2011-05-27T12:10:00.000-07:00

Control what's inside my hula hoop

When a family member continues addictive patterns, I recognize the squalling opportunities to gossip or cause a big drama. The world starts to be a big drama. With the family struggling with addiction, there is always a daily soap opera.

Stop!

Crazy-making swirls all around, from one incident to the next. I can’t fix my addicted child. I can work on myself. What are my issues and needs?

A couple of weeks ago, I started attending an Al-anon group Saturday mornings in Kent and am learning critical life lessons. Al-anon is for family members of those who struggle with a wide spectrum of addiction issues.

One Al-anon word picture I am applying is the hula-hoop model. I control the hula hoop space around me. I can control and work on what is inside my hula hoop personal space.

Focus on what is really true. I can seek His spiritual food by seeking God and reading the word of God. I can read Al-anon materials. I am not anybody’s savior. Stop trying to save the world. They are not asking to be saved from their addictions. I am to take care of myself and my issues. The addicted person’s issues are not my business. I need to learn and respect boundaries.

How much space is inside the hula hoop?

I can gain experience, strength, and hope from other people’s stories. I, myself, need to look beyond what certain other people did to me. That is really an issue for me.

Am I in the habit of doing what I say I will do? Do I commit to leaving things alone, giving the process time, and then going back on my commitment?

In dealing with the deep wounds of life, some really struggle with what to do with themselves when they are alone. These troubled ones are really stressed when they get home and are alone. When they are working or busy, they feel functional. They have a deep need to always be busy and working so they don't think about how much hurts.

Some people need safe places to cry. They can’t talk, yet, or now. Crying is very good.

Servants and Puritans of vigilance

2011-05-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

One of my most favorite library and ministry mentor- friends is Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones. I highly recommend all of his books and sermons. I listen to a selection of his sermons regularly. If you would like to hear for yourself, check out:Martyn Lloyd Jones sermons

His words on the bombing raids by the Germans on London speak to our contemporary setting. This color footage from the blitz and it rewinds me to 9-11-2001:German blitz on London

"During the air raids many of us, indeed most of us, objected to the restrictions that were imposed upon us by the army commanders.

"We objected to dark blinds and shaded lights. We objected because we did not realize the danger, we did not realize that we were at the mercy of those powers that were in the air or might be there at any moment. But the army commanders knew and carried out the preparations on our behalf."

Our high school and college-aged groups from Faith Baptist Church are preparing for July missions trips to Fort Macleod, Alberta and Costa Rica. I am planning on going with Pastor Aaron Bauer the high schoolers so these words on spiritual warfare really speak to me.

“The Puritan is not the strong man. He is a very weak man who has been given strength to realize that he is weak. I would say of all men and women that we are all weak, very weak, the difference being that the sinners do not appreciate the fact that they are weak, whereas the Christians do.

"I have mentioned Baxter, Bunyan and Fox, but if you wish to have the best description of all of what Puritanism means, read the epistles of St. Paul.

"Sin is ignorance, and we object to the restrictions and the vigor of the Puritan regime, but let me remind you that the Puritans are, and were, the commanders-in-chief of God’s garrison upon earth.

"Is it surprising that, to the Puritan, life is a serious matter, demanding the whole of his time and attention? If you have once seen the face of God, there is nothing else worth seeing as far as you are concerned. All these other things merely obscure the vision, therefore they must be swept away …

"If anything interferes with the worshiping of God it must be destroyed. … It is because of these feelings that the Puritan is always a crusader. To him, Christianity is a fight, a noble crusade, not merely a defensive action against the principalities and powers, but also a challenge to and an assault upon their fortress. …

"Oh! how far have we wandered from this! ‘Plain living and high thinking’ are no more! The church is no longer distinct from the world, for instead of the church going out into the world we have allowed the world to capture the church from the inside. We nearly all recognize the position. When will we return to Puritanism? Let us be up and clear the brushwood and the thorns that have overgrown the face of our spiritual world!” (1:99-100).

Hungry right now

2011-05-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

Julio is hungry to receive the salvation that only Jesus Christ can give. He met me in Robert unit of the RJC and asked, really begged, to meet with me. He is more comfortable with Spanish but speaks some English so we moved slowly but effectively.

He knew he wanted to understand more. He attends the Resurrection Church, a Spanish-speaking congregation, in Tukwila, where Juan is the pastor. One transition step is to ask him what it means to be a Christian.

Remembering that Julio and I were struggling with a language obstacle, he said it meant "surrendering ...and giving the Lord 100%," looking for my approval. He is using a Spanish Bible and was reading a little because he wasn't getting too much out of his reading. He said he wasn't applying it to himself.

He said he tried to get through Matthew and was starting to read through Markos. I took him on a brief tour of Matthew

4:17 The message of Jesus was "repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand"

4:1-17 Jesus wants you to hear, obey, and bear fruit

4:18-19 Jesus said, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men."

6:33 Jesus tells us to seek first His Kingdom and righteousness

7:21-25 Jesus is the Foundation Rock through te storms of life

28:19-20 Jesus wants us to be and make disciples of all nations

Mark 10:45 Jesus came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many

Surrendering and giving 100% is right-on but every believer first needs to receive and rest forever in what Jesus Christ has done once for all. Jesus paid the price and did all the work. Jesus took all our sins upon Himself at the cross--past, present, and future, ALL our sins, and covered us with His blood and clothed us with His righteousness-- that's called "the Great Exchange."

We moved to 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, the greatest news message of salvation in two verses:

"For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him."

2 Corinthians 6:1-3 brings the supernatural miracle work of salvation to right here, right now.

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says,“In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation..."

So, nothing else needs to be required to receive eternal life. Jesus Christ died for us. We can hear and obey the message of salvation.

We can live with Jesus forever, starting right now.

It is a Grace-Favorable Time right here, right now.

I prayed with Julio and he was ready. He is studying a worksheet and answering the questions in Spanish. He agreed to write his own prayer thanking Jesus for saving him, when he is ready.

6:

The Dread Warrior of Salvation

2011-05-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

Rick and Carol Stark, missionaries

Career missionaries Rick and Carol Stark from Brazil shared some practical steps of evangelism with our high school class at Faith Baptist Church, this past Sunday. He focused on Jesus Christ being the dread warrior of salvation--in the warfare of salvation, Jesus always wins and seeks the needy.

"But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten.

"O Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause.

"Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers." Jeremiah 20:11-13

Youth in Crackland, Brazil

"And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you." Luke 10:6

Whether speaking to the deepest domains of darkness in Brazil's Crackland, our July 8-15 mission destination of Fort McLeod, Alberta, Canada, or our 51 other weeks in our high schools and community, those who desire to share the eternal, saving work in Jesus are warrior sons and daughters of peace.

Here is a depiction of "Crackland in Brazil: Crackland exposed in Brazil

The adversary and enemy of salvation does not want anyone seeking to be bring the message of salvation to the worlds we live in. Rick suggested the enemy wants us and every listener to be concerned about ourselves with evil deception and self-focus. Some of the thoughts might be like:

Maybe I won't be popular.
I am too messed up to talk about Jesus?
What will my friends or those people think of me?

Rick gave us an incredibly key question to ask someone in our conversations to transition to presenting Jesus and salvation through Him:

Jesus is our saving anchor

2011-05-06T15:01:00.000-07:00

Hope like an achor

Osvaldo, an inmate, today received Christ to become a child of God while we shared 1-on-1 at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

We began sharing together Monday afternoon as he was searching. I encouraged him to read John 3, 10, and 14 and arranged to follow-up with any questions or responses. I also passed on "An anchor for the soul," by Ray Pritchard.

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast, and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 6:19-20
the great exchange

by Ray Pritchard

Osvaldo read in the chapter on "the great exchange," in "Anchor for the soul," so I outlined this Biblical theme. The Lord Jesus takes away all our sins--past, present, and future--placing them on Himself on the cross, once for all. In response, He clothes us with His righteousness and covers us with His blood.

The prophet writes, "Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and you cannot look on wickedness with favor," Habakkuk 1:13 As the guilty sinner who is believing Him for salvation, the Father looks on you and me with favor and receives us as His children.

In the eternal courtroom of heaven, Jesus acts as our lawyer and announces,
"He died for our sins according to the Scriptures, " 1 Corinthians 15:3;

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him," 2 Corinthians 5:21

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us...," 1 Peter 3:18

"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit." Galatians 3:13

The very heart of the gospel message is that Jesus Christ paid for all of our sins in full.

Ray Pritchard summarizes what the Father has said about the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ:

He is the Savior of the world, and the only way to God, the Father.
He came from heaven for you.
He died on the cross, paying the price for your sins.
He rose from the dead on the third day.
He is ready to forgive you.
He wants to give you His perfect righteousness.

Jesus invites every new believer to "come and follow Me."

Where we were on 9-11

2011-05-03T18:57:00.000-07:00

flag raising on 9-11-200
Can you recall where you were on September 11, 2001 when you learned of the multiple attacks in New York and Washington D.C.?

Our radio alarm was set for 5:45 A.M. and as it clicked on, we heard the KIRO news report of the first plane flying into the World Trade Center. We needed confirmation as it all was surreal. We turned on the TV news and shortly thereafter saw the report of the second airplane. It looked like some kind of animation.

We learned of the Pentagon crash and a Todd Beamer flight that crashed in a Pennsylvania field, perhaps headed for the White House, or who knew where. Was there more?

There was a video of Usama bin Laden claiming credit for the attack. I remember an aide whispered in the ear of President Bush as he visited an elementary school classroom.

Here is a YouTube video as President was informed of the attack:
Read to Suceed on 9-11 with the President

The world stage was changing as we knew it and we had no idea what future implications might be. Katharine and I were dazed. I am not rejoicing over this political assassination of bin Laden. His actions and life were evil. He faces an eternity separated from the mercy and love of God in hell. That sickens me.

We must pray faithfully over the next days, weeks, and months. Draw near to the Lord Jesus. Speak to others about Jesus. Walk in His love.

What can we learn about what the Lord God thinks about all these things?

"At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, 'What have you done?' " Daniel 4:34-35
Attack at the Twin Towers

I asked Facebook friends. Here is what others shared:

Greg Benton said,"I too was relieved and somewhat rejoicing that justice had been done. I was on the U.S.S. Constellation on 9/11 between Hawaii and San Diego."

"I was immediately sobered on Sunday night when I heard on the radio that there was joyful celebrating over the death of OBL. Somehow it seemed like celebrating would not be something Jesus would have been doing, "Marcia Ruark said.

Lynn reminded Marcia of Ezekiel 33:11, "As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their wicked ways and live."

Chris Sherry: "I was just barely out of high school and fell asleep with the TV on and woke up to the news coverage. I was dating someone in the military at the time and our entire household literally disappeared for a few days after reporting for PT that... morning. (3 room mates out of 5 of us living there were in the military!)

"I am both relieved and rejoicing at the same time. Not rejoicing for someone's death, but rejoicing for the closure that so many families have been waiting for. While this may or may not end the war in the middle east, this will definitely bring peace to so many families that have had to go on living without their loved ones, and for THAT I rejoice! :)"

"I was relieved," Mary Vance Nasvik said, "but not joyous. I wonder about retaliation."

"We were in Manila," Cal Redmond wrote, "and because it was 12 hours different than Eastern time, I had fallen asleep. My wife woke me up, showed me CNN on our cable, and then I woke up and realized what happened. After the first plane, I thought maybe it could be a horrible accident, but after second plane, I knew it was terrorist action. People in Manila I didn't know extended their sympathy to me as an American for about 2 weeks."

"Although I know he was dangerous and full of hatred," Gail Morris reflected, "I could never rejoice in anyone's death, especially when I know he will burn in hell. I would rather they had captured him instead and imprisoned him. But they had to do what they had to do under the circumstances. Just can't rejoice in it."

Snatched seeds

2011-05-02T18:57:00.000-07:00

What happens to the seed?

Some evangelism seems to fall flat. In the parable of the seed, sower and soil, Jesus paints a word picture of the message of salvation falling on rocky soil and eaten by birds.

"The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them." Mark 4:14-15

The word snatched away by Satan, according to Mark's account. We don't know the whole story when the Lord gives us opportunities to evangelize. The snatching represents front line spiritual warfare.

We may also be:

watering the soil
fertilizing the soil
loosening up the soil

Isaiah presents another very strong assurance as each of us faithfully presents the seed, the message of truth.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth,making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11

Dan, a member of our Chaplaincy Advisory Group at the RJC, recently requested I follow-up with Mike, an inmate at the Regional Justice Center in Kent. Dan also meets with inmates at the RJC as a member of a local church in Kent.

Mike apparently requested to be moved to participate in Bible study and fellowship in his unit.

He received materials from me when I met with him, the first time. He was very brief and not enthusiastic. Mike told me he was a new believer and just beginning during our first visit.

I suggested Felipe, next cell, follow-up to encourage him and see where it might go. He reported Mike expressed feeling pressured and wanted to find his way on his own. He did not want help.

God faithfully uses His word for His glory

I met with Mike a second time, last week. He was less enthusiastic than the first time. He had not read any of the materials I gave him, nor his Bible, and felt like my visits were too much pressure. He denied wanting to have Bible study and fellowship, from the beginning.

I actively pray for Mike and others like him. Dan believes he responded favorably to the message of salvation, earlier.

He is free to send me a request for a visit or share with another chaplain should he be interested.

More evidences of God's providence

2011-05-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

World Series ticket

Every once in awhile, we get chances to treat other people right. In my case, today, it was about treating a father and son right.

More than that, we recognized how the Lord Himself sovereignly places people and circumstances together for a testimony of His amazing faithful providence.

Perry bobblehead

I went to a "fan go round" at Cheney Stadium to see some of my friends and to get an autograph on a Gaylord Perry bobble-head. I was standing in a long line and started talking with Eric and his son Karl.

The Lord had other, greater plans, again. There were a series of "God incidences," not coincidences.

They had a ticket and program for the Game 5 World Series perfect game by Yankee Don Larsen over the Brooklyn Dodgers on October 8, 1956.

Larsen finished his baseball career in 1968 with six games for the Tacoma Tugs and was at "the fan go round" as a special guest and to sign memorabilia along with Perry.

Don Larsen

Eric and Karl were getting their autograph and hustling back over to Columbia Junior High in Fife where Karl was playing in a weekend select baseball tournament.

Gaylord Perry

They got their autograph and quickly skedaddled for their game at Columbia. We didn't say good-bye and I didn't even see them leave. All of a sudden, another man discovered the ticket on the floor less than ten feet from me. I immediately saw what it was because Eric showed it to me so I told the other man who briefly gave it to me.

At that point, I knew where Eric and Karl were planning to be but I didn't even know their names. My credibility wasn't very strong. The man who discovered it graciously took the ticket back saying he was afraid it might be sold on-line.

I might not have seen this man find the ticket nor where Eric and Karl were on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. He did the right thing, too, and called the Rainiers personnel.

I got my signature and skedaddled myself to Columbia to locate Eric and Karl.

They discovered the ticket was missing shortly after arriving at the parking lot at Columbia and had no idea where to look. They were pretty shook up, as we can all imagine.

Hopefully, Eric will be able to connect with the Rainiers front office Monday and arrange to recover his autographed World Series ticket.

I prayed with Eric before I came home, just thanking God for His remarkable faithfulness and providence.

Experiencing God's providence

2011-04-30T00:38:00.000-07:00

Winding paths of His providence

"You coming right now is providence. This is really incredible," Russ quietly opened with me.

On this Wednesday morning, a young man, Chris, answered the door as I was to meet with Russ at his home. He is a sophomore at a nearby high school and had some classes with one of my nephews.

After Chris quietly disappeared downstairs, Russ asked me if I would talk to him. That was the "providence" part. We would work together.

Chris was on his first day of a 90 day suspension from his high school because of marijuana use apparently just off his high school campus. This status stands unless he enrolls in appropriate classes. Then, it is a five day suspension. A second offense is 90 days with the classes, as I understood him as the policy at his school. He may fail his sophomore year.

Umpiring mechanics

I met Russ this spring as he helps me immensely as an umpire trainer. We met together over coffee several times as he offered to mentor me. We talk about pregame meetings, game management, rule clarification, and game situations.

We also talk actively about faith and our journey with the Lord. I attended church with him recently, as he plays piano on their worship team.

Russ came into the kitchen to explain why Chris was there. After briefly sharing with me. Russ invited him to come upstairs to talk with us for about 20 minutes. I was actively praying like crazy as I realized Russ was inviting me into a really vulnerable place with his family.

"More high school seniors have used marijuana in the past month than have smoked a cigarette, according to a federal study released Tuesday, according to PBS Newshour.

"The National Institutes of Health's annual Monitoring the Future study has surveyed trends in teen alcohol, tobacco and drug use since 1975. In 2010, marijuana use ticked up slightly while tobacco use stayed steady."

Want to read more? Check out PBS Newshour

Whatever numbers we read from multiple sources, most substance abuse statistics are under-reported.

Chris admitted starting marijuana as an eighth grader a few times and said he was using "a couple times a month." He knows perhaps 20 acquaintances who are using at least marijuana and five he knows well.

"Why was this high school being so hardcore about marijuana and drug use?"

It is against the law. It's illegal. Marijuana impacts ability to make decisions and process for at least a year even after its out of the user's system. The user has lessened boundaries and is not thinking clearly.

So, I pressed, "how many "fellow users" would continue being your friends if you or they stopped using?" He pretty quickly agreed they wouldn't likely remain friends as marijuana is what they do together.

"Fellow users" are not friends.

Russ peacefully reminded him being a leader at school starts with saying no. At first, there may be smirks, then respect develops. You just aren't using. He readily agreed many of his peers are using more than he is. Chris got caught.

Chris knows how much he is using, whatever he told us.
I wrote out this often used quote and passed it across the table:
"Sin (marijuana) will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay."

Getting caught is either unfair or possibly the greatest blessing in his young life. Russ and I shared much would be up to his responses and future choices for the rest of his life.

Later, Russ shared his Dad tells him to get off marijuana but has himself been a heavy marijuana user so Chris get a warped, hypocritical message at home. A grandfather really struggled with substance abuse, as well. This just might really help Dad do some introspection.

Chris actively listened while looking down and away, at first. Then, it appeared he was actively processing how safe this interview was going to be. Obvious remorse and solid eye contact developed as our time passed together. He was near tears.

Chris took the "sin will take you" quote agreed to let me pray before he left and that was a real blessing. I think he knows he needs the Lord. We stuck to our 20 minute promise. I sent him a note to let him know I am cheering for his success. The next weeks are really critical in his life.

Q chain reactions

2011-04-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center

Three men in two days. Three huge chances to share about the saving love of God with three men back-to-back in Q unit during this past couple of days at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

Here is Andre's story, first.

It started out with asking the officer to make announcement about me being available to meet with anyone.

Andre stepped forward quietly. His Mom is a pastor and has been working to get him to turn his life over to Jesus.

"I told her," Andre said, "I didn't want to make a commitment and then go back to my old ways and let her down." That's honest.

Many don't want to go there. They know Jesus means a changed morality where they live every day. Their behavior will change. Some of the people they care about won't approve. They are players--some want to give their problems away if they think it will get them out of trouble, for now, a far cry from working out restitution or making things right with those they have hurt the most. They can't manipulate God.

Andre knows giving his life over to Jesus will mean lasting changed behavior. He's been in Sunday School and knows some facts. He has been in church and knows his way around the Bible.


Ray Pritchard's book

He flipped right to Romans 1:16-17 where we started.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.' "

He completed a worksheet I prepared on the Romans Road, Christ as the only way for salvation, and repentance and forgiveness of sins. He was ready to talk.

Romans 1:16 says the gospel is the power of God for salvation. God does as astounding supernatural act to save a lost and condemned person through the Holy Spirit. He continues to give a saved man the power to live the Christian life.

The saved man lives from faith to faith to faith... by the power of God.

Now, that is the greatest news anyone can receive.

He wanted to move forward to receive Christ so I asked him to write the Lord a prayer calling on Him to be saved. He was to use his own words. Later, he was to share with his Mom. I'll check in later and see where he is. I asked him to read Ray Pritchard's book, "An anchor for the soul."

He is on the journey of his forever life. He has an entire, wonderful opportunity to live for Jesus.

Obituary of Jesus Christ

2011-04-20T20:52:00.001-07:00

Line of duty deaths--behind the badge

2011-04-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

Randy Schulz, WCA vice-chairman

I learned a great deal from a presentation by Randy Schulz, from Prison Fellowship and Washington Chaplains Association (WCA) vice-chairman, on line of duty deaths (LODD) at the April 12 semi-annual meeting at the Hal Holmes Center in Ellensburg. It was also very stretching and emotional.

I serve as the co-secretary of the WCA, a group for jail and prison chaplains, along with Bob Jordan, the secretary for eight years. Bob, pictured below with Joenne McGerr, is also the board chairman with Prisoners for Christ Outreach Ministries.

"Just as life in the United States life was forever changed after 9-11, so the Washington State DOC will never be the same following the murder of Jayme Biendl. This is our 9-11 and things will never be the same" Randy said.

Behind the Badge Foundation

Randy is Field Director for Prison Fellowship for Washington State. He served as a volunteer with Behind the Badge Foundation’s (BtBF) LODD Response Team as Volunteer Coordinator for the Memorial Service honoring Jayme Biendl.

Randy’s wife, Gayle Frink-Schulz, is a long-time member of BtBF’s LODD Response Team and is the organization’s Program Director. The memorial in Monroe and Everett welcomed officers from as far away as New York. This was the first Department of Corrections (DOC) officer death at a corrections center facility for 31 years.

As I was listening and taking notes for this LODD presentation, I kept recalling how close we came to an officer death at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent right around the same time Officer Biendl was killed. I recounted those events in our closed custody NE unit and wondered how I would have reacted and what the dynamics would have looked like at the RJC.

The BtBF LODD team follows an Incident Command Structure. Officer Biendl’s memorial planning team was comprised of 60 or more people. Among them were WA State DOC staff, police officers from other agencies, honor guards, chaplains, CISM volunteers and support staff from numerous entities coordinated to prepare and facilitate the memorial.

Two MCC Corrections Officers were selected to be family liaison officers. There are incredible waves or ripples starting with the family, friends and co-workers, MCC inmates, and their families and MCC volunteers.

This impact radiates out to WA State DOC staff state-wide and the Governor’s Office, to the community of Monroe. Departments of Correction across the country, law enforcement agencies across the State are also impacted.

A WCA group of 37 watched a three-minute presentation on the memorial honoring Officer Jayme Biendl who was killed on duty October 29, 2011 after a religious service at the reformatory unit in Monroe Corrections Center.

WCA at Holmes Center

In the days following the death, Chaplain Imo Smith mentioned walk around services in the tiers provided care throughout the Monroe complex. Each facility around the state maintains differing procedures based on custody levels ad other factors.

Trauma brings out stress

Trauma accentuates vulnerabilities already present among officers. Their families may have difficulty coming to terms with the shocking display of how badly things can go wrong resulting in questioning their loved one’s occupation. A tension rooted in differences in the way they view their environment may develop between custody and non-custody staff.

The physical presence of the crime scene in the center of the Reformatory grounds makes it impossible to get any distance from it. This keeps the trauma in the faces of WSRU staff and inmates.

Shannon O’Donnell, a Roman Catholic pastoral care minister from the King County Jail in Seattle, mentioned the additional stress experienced by families of other inmates.

Bob Jordan and Joenne McGerr

Joenne McGerr, DOC programs, noted children asked heartbreaking questions in counseling sessions about why the officers were not kept safe.

Many volunteers were locked out of the attending facility although DOC promptly provided information on a timely basis.

Revised decisions and policies
Major DOC policy changes are being implemented around the state facilities. Some react to these changes with another layer of stress.

Volunteers are in prisons by the permission of the facilities where each serves. Regardless of how necessary or helpful the services provided by volunteers are, the volunteers do not share the responsibility for outcomes. Only those who share the responsibility can truly be partners.

Volunteers are encouraged to adjust, adapt, smile and keep on serving in the role the given each of us. The responses of the volunteers in the aftermath of this tragedy will determine whether they are welcome guests or not.

wonderful days right in church

2011-04-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

A wonderful proposal

The Lord blessed me with an incredible surprise--near the conclusion of a service I was attending, a young man proposed and presented an engagement ring to his intended right in front of the congregation.

I was completely stunned in wonder and awe. This was truly a most wonderful day for this couple and for everyone privileged to be there.

Well, I wasn't convinced right away, at all. I didn’t know what to think. The old critical spirit stirs up trouble to snatch joy right out from under me. How about you?

Luke shared with the congregation about this “most wonderful day in his life,” and how the Lord spoke to him earlier in the day. He gently motioned to Susie, inviting her to join him and continued to share about how they first met and spent time together and how Susie blessed his life over these last months.

This was a precious moment for this couple and the entire church family.

Luke retrieved the ring in a box carefully hidden behind the communion table to his right. Susie was embarrassed but deeply moved by Luke’s humble display of love for her. Oh, nearly in tears, she said, "yes." He presented the ring and placed the ring on her finger.

The pastor took a picture while the congregation joyfully applauded. Together with Luke and Susie, we participated in one very special moment orchestrated by the Lord.

This couple shared their precious and wonderful moment with their church family. They all have been watching them together. As they continue in counseling with their pastor, they will need the comfort and exhortation of faithful married couples who can come alongside them in upcoming days.

I preached there recently as part of a Prisoners for Christ focus along with, “Unchained,” a band Geoff White from this church along with Bob Steen, from Faith Baptist Church in Kent. “Unchained” ministers in jails and prisons and are scheduled to go with me on a PFC Eastern Washington and Oregon missions trip concert tour on June 10-12.

This was an “outside the box” church experience to God's glory. Experiencing this was worth going to church for weeks and years for the wonder of this moment. There was great joy amidst this church family.

Wonder!

Great moments happen in our church families every week if we are looking for them. Sometimes, they fly by us. Watch carefully!

When we are looking, we can witness loved ones being saved, getting baptized, recommitting their lives to Jesus, and praying together around special needs. We laugh and cry, rejoice and mourn. Together, we struggle through hard things and stand arm-in-arm, and back-to-back.

We may attend for years without witnessing something that causes our hearts to leap for joy as a brother and sister in Christ share with us "a most wonderful day."

Every once in a while, the Lord blesses us greatly as we share very special moments together He orchestrates for His glory and our most wonderful rejoicing together. Watch and pray, a most wonderful day could be coming to your church, soon.

PFC University on April 30

2011-04-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

PFC website

I am preparing to teach two classes in the Prisoners for Christ University on Saturday April 30 from 8 am to 4 pm at Cedar Park High School in Bothell. Courses are open to the public so affiliation with PFC is not required.

This training is a phenomenal place to explore where the Lord might use you in all kinds of astounding ways and learn nuts and bolts skills for serving in our jails and prisons.

Cedar Park High School location

Cedar Park High School l is located at 16300 112th Ave. NE just off I-405 exit 22. The PFC staff team prepares a continental breakfast and short worship time from 8 to 8:30 am. Pre-ordered lunch is $8 and served on-site or participants may bring their own lunch.

A free-will offering is taken. We suggest an offering of $15 for each class to cover expenses. PFC volunteers actively enjoy networking as we hear the great things the Lord is doing in, through, and all around us.

Advance registration is required at:

email: volunteer@pfcom.org

online: www.pfcom.org

phone: 425-483-4151, ext. 207

fax: 425-487-1680

mail: PFCOM, PO Box 1530, Woodinville, WA 98072

With enough registered, I teach two three-hour classes,"Becoming a PFC missionary," a morning class for those considering a full-time calling to jail and prison ministry; and an afternoon class, "Speakers workshop and Church liaison," focusing on effectively communicating to the local church about PFC ministries.

Other class offerings are:

All day: Basic juvenile training

Morning classes: Basic adult training, Bible study graders, Understanding different doctrines, and Understanding addictions.

Lunch and learn classes: Becoming a pen pal, code of conduct, conducting an altar call, short-term international missions trips, Prison Rape Elimination Act training, and aftercare.

Afternoon classes: Effective music and drama, group leader, preaching and teaching, spiritual warfare.