6 minute gospel presentation by Piper

I often share the gospel with the inmates at the Regional Justice Center in Kent in one-on-one and small group settings by sharing this sermon by John Piper. I provide copies for each member and we read around the group, as many as are comfortable reading. Then, I take questions and see where the Lord leads us together.

More often, I use the text ideas to share freely. The men respond to that the best because its coming from me. They need to hear from me. Others like to use this printed text to read themselves or share with others.

The inmates have believed in their hearts they have "gone too far" or keep failing so they can't be saved. They struggle with receiving forgiveness and then walking in forgiveness. A genuine Christian experience means we are supernaturally new creations because what He has done. Our changing lives prove our faith.

Pastor John Piper makes a huge point about preaching the gospel to ourselves.

The gospel in 6 minutes
By John Piper September 12, 2007 www.desiringgod.org

What's the gospel?
What’s the gospel? I’ll put it in a sentence.
The Gospel is the news that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, died for our sins and rose again, eternally triumphant over all his enemies, so that there is now no condemnation for those who believe, but only everlasting joy.
That’s the gospel.

You can't outgrow the gospel
You never, never, never outgrow your need for it. Don’t ever think of the gospel as, “That’s the way you get saved, and then you get strong by leaving it and doing something else.”
No! We are strengthened by God through the gospel every day, till the day we drop.
You never outgrow the need to preach to yourself the gospel.

How the gospel strengthens
Here’s an illustration, and I use it not because it’s any big deal to speak from my life, but because it’s what I walked through and where I most pointedly in the last year experienced the power of the gospel to make me strong. (Many of you are walking through things much heavier than prostate cancer—much heavier.)
Do you remember the verses that I shared with you back in February that were almighty for me? It was that moment right after the doctor says, “I think we need to do a biopsy,” when this stab of fear comes. It didn’t last long, mercifully.
And then came—what? 1Thessalonians 5:9-10. It’s just as pure gospel as you can get.

God has not destined you for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for you so that whether you wake or sleep you will live with him.
Settled. Peace like a river.

The Gospel Is Perfect for Your Needs
That’s just gospel—perfectly timed, perfectly applied, perfectly suited to my need. That’s why the Bible is so thick—because there are so many different needs that you have. And there are suitable places where the gospel is unfolded for you, so that if you immerse yourself in the whole book, always with an eye for what Christ has wrought for you and purchased for you in this thick, glorious history of God’s interaction with people, he will give you what you need.
Therefore, everything in me says, and I hope to say until the day I die, “Now, to him who is able to strengthen me, according to Paul’s gospel, to him—to that God—be glory forever and ever.”

God came into history in Jesus Christ; he died in order to destroy the power of hell and death and Satan and sin; and he did it through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A Plea to Believe
I know that there are people reading this who are not trusting Jesus Christ, and therefore can only expect condemnation. So I’m just going to plead with you here at the end, lay down that rebellion. Lay it down. And simply embrace the gospel that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Righteous One, died for your sins.

He was raised on the third day, triumphant over all his enemies. He reigns until he puts all of his enemies under his feet. Forgiveness of sins and a right standing with God comes freely through him alone, by faith alone.

I plead with you, don’t try to be strong in your own strength; it will not be there when you need it. Only one strength will be there—the strength that God gives according to the gospel.
Don’t put it off.

Undefeated

I attended our packed and enthusiastic Faith Baptist Church Mega Sports Camp planning meeting Wednesday night. We had a very encouraging word from Pastor John Nagle as Angie connected with him with her cell phone so we could all hear. I sat with Greg Plett and enjoyed awesome fellowship with him.

Our camp is July 13-16 from 6-9 pm. The theme is "undefeated." Steve Blair led the meeting to get us ready for our Sunday night walk-through.

I am really looking forward to building relationships with some incredible 3rd and 4th grade athletes and all the staff. I'll be working with Lisa Wagner and Sylvia Swanson, is everything remains as planned.

I am praying we can share the victorious saving faith message of the Good News with the youth campers at our sports camp.

Often, they need us to give them genuine attention. Children absolutely understand the truth of the Christ-centered gospel just as any adult understands it when the Holy Spirit sheds the light and unlocks hearts.

Wednesday at the RJC was another privilege for me. I dropped into two units and asked the officers to announce I was available to meet with whoever was interested.

I never know what will happen. Often, nobody is interested and I move on to the next unit. This time, three men approached me and we had really fruitful conversations.

Ed came up and asked, "I need to know what I need to do to get right with the Lord." That is exactly what he said. He went on. "I've been in church and I was baptized...I am young but I know I could die and I want to be right with the Lord."

Just then, Timothy walked in our meeting room and said, "I know I need this, too."
Ed was very familiar with the Bible. Timothy didn't know very much. Both asked what to do in a previous Bible study meeting the night before. They asked the leader what they needed to do and they were told they needed to have faith and believe. They didn't know what to do. What is faith? The leader at that time didn't have time to answer or didn't know how to explain it. Often, people answer by saying you have to believe. OK, now what?

Several months ago, our associate pastor shared this:
Faith is not a blind leap into what we don't know but is "positive action responding to convincing truth." At least, that is what I recalled and it really helped me. So, what is the positive response?

I very productively started out by reading with the men the testimony of Charles Spurgeon based on Isaiah 45:22, “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."

"Turn to me," or "look to me" speaks of repenting. I change my mind or turn away from my sin and look to Jesus to forgive my sin and then follow Him the rest of my life. It's never saying a "sinners prayer." That may be a start and says I did something to earn my salvation. Scripture says in forgiving me, Jesus took all my sin upon Himself on the cross and in exchange, a great exchange, gave me His righteousness forever.

I turn from my sin and follow Jesus.

Acts 26:20 says Paul's consistent message in the churches was to "turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance."

I also read Isaiah 55:6-7, “Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Charles Spurgeon said, That happy day when I found the Savior, and learned to cling to His dear feet, was a day never to be forgotten by me . . . . I listened to the Word of God and that precious text led me to the cross of Christ. I can testify that the joy of that day was utterly indescribable.

I could have leaped, I could have danced; there was no expression, however fanatical, which would have been out of keeping with the joy of that hour.

Many days of Christian experience have passed since then, but there has never been one which has had the full exhilaration, the sparkling delight which that first day had.

I thought I could have sprung from the seat in which I sat, and have called out with the wildest of those Methodist brethren . . . "I am forgiven! I am forgiven! A monument of grace! A sinner saved by blood!"

My spirit saw its chains broken to pieces, I felt that I was an emancipated soul, an heir of heaven, a forgiven one, accepted in Jesus Christ, plucked out of the miry clay and out of the horrible pit, with my feet set upon a rock and my goings established . . . .

Between half-past ten o’clock, when I entered that chapel, and half-past twelve o’clock, when I was back again at home, what a change had taken place in me! Simply by looking to Jesus I had been delivered from despair, and I was brought into such a joyous state of mind that, when they saw me at home, they said to me, "Something wonderful has happened to you," and I was eager to tell them all about it.

Oh! there was joy in the household that day, when all heard that the eldest son had found the Savior and knew himself to be forgiven.

Back to Yakima

Jim Dixon and I will be returning to Yakima County Jail for a concert and message for the inmates in the Biblical Instruction Units, pictured here.

We look forward to a rich worship time with the very receptive and enthusiastic men and women. They clap, sing, and rejoice with us!

Jim and I will be heading over to the Olympic Corrections Center outside Forks on July 18, as well.

My ministry at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center continues faithfully. I meet with Joseph regularly, as he awaits sentencing later this month. You may recall I attended several of his trial activities in June.

I just met Michael, who struggles with worry and stress as he deals with the ravage consequences of alcohol and drugs. Recently, we had a great time considering John 15 and Matthew 6:25-34.

Ministers to those we influence

As we move into the 4th of July weekend and we think about serving through our church and in and around our community, these thoughts by Missionary William Carey really speak.

Our church family is as community outreach focused as you and I take steps to be.

What are your responses to Carey's quote? Is he asking too much?

“A Christian minister is a person who in a peculiar sense is ‘not his own’ (1 Cor. 6:19); he is the ’servant’ of God, and therefore ought to be wholly devoted to him. By entering on that sacred office he solemnly undertakes to be always engaged, as much as possible, in the Lord’s work, and not to choose his own pleasure, or employment, or pursue the ministry as something that is to subserve his own ends, or interests, or as a kind of bye-work.

He engages to go where God pleases, and to do, or endure what he sees fit to command, or call him to, in the exercise of his function. He virtually bids farewell to his friends, pleasures, and comforts, and stands in readiness to endure the greatest sufferings in the work of his Lord, and Master.

It is inconsistent for ministers to please themselves with thoughts of a numerous auditory, cordial friends, a civilized country, legal protection, affluence, splendor, or even a competency. The slights, and hatred of men, and even pretended friends, gloomy prisons, and tortures, the society of barbarians of uncouth speech, miserable accommodations in wretched wildernesses, hunger, and thirst, nakedness, weariness, and painfulness, hard word, and but little worldly encouragement, should be the objects of their expectation.”

— William Carey, An Enquiry into the Obligation of Christians to Use the Means for the Conversion of the Heathens

preparing for Pastor John and Becky

What affirming news! Pastor John and Becky Nagle will be coming in September as John assumes the lead/senior pastor role in our church. I want to pass on a blog letter from a pastor's wife that should help us as we support our pastoral staff families.

Words of Wisdom to a Wannabe Pastor's Wife

"Your Relationships" posted on 06.29.09 by Paula Hendricks

Believe it or not, one of the things I would love to be is . . . a pastor’s wife! Obviously, there’s not much I can do about that. But, I did have fun asking several current and former pastors’ wives to share their words of wisdom with me—just in case God has this in store for me.

The following letter is from my current pastor’s wife, Holly. I love it. I hope it will help you as you seek to support, love, and respect your pastor and his wife as they shoulder the responsibilities and burdens of shepherding the church daily. So, here you are:

Dear Wannabe Pastor’s Wife,

I think it’s great that you would like to be a pastor’s wife! I consider it a huge privilege to be married to a man who preaches God’s Word week after week. I love my husband and am grateful for the ministry the Lord has given us.

Let me begin by sharing our current ministry circumstances. We’re getting close to completing our first decade in pastoral ministry. Brian is in his second pastorate. We’re in our mid-thirties and our children are currently 7, 3, and 2. So, the things that I’ll share reflect the context of a mother of three small children.

Sometimes there are unwritten expectations that the pastor’s wife will be a Bible study leader, the church pianist, and a great soloist all rolled into one package–oh, and she pulls this off with the kid’s hair and clothing looking perfect at all times! But we will become slaves to people’s opinions if we order our lives to please everyone else. I have sometimes found myself side-tracked with worries that I wasn’t meeting people’s expectations. Keep your eye on the ball (God’s Word)! I find much peace in going back to Scripture and reminding myself that my real acceptance and security rest in Christ’s grace, not my performance.

When we were interviewed before coming to our current church, we clarified what my role and level of involvement within the church would look like. My role is the same as most mothers with several small children. This church has been extremely supportive and respectful of me in that decision. Biblically, the role of a pastor’s wife is the same as every wife’s: love your husband and children, manage your home well, and be an example to women around you (Titus 2:4-5). Though keeping the home running smoothly may seem mundane, this is an important ministry to Brian. We regularly evaluate what I’m doing in the church to ensure that it’s best for our family. I let my spiritual gifting direct many of my choices. I would encourage you to do the same–pastor’s wife or not! My spiritual gift is service, which means much of my involvement is behind the scenes. This, of course, will vary from person to person. We will serve people best if we’ll just be ourselves.

Your main role is to support your husband. This will look different for each family but here are a few suggestions:

1) Watch out for him. You know him better than anyone and have his best interests in mind. If he is overworking himself, lovingly bring it to his attention. Try to find ways to lighten the load. Occasionally, there are seasons where there is no way around the busyness at church. During those times, be his “fun zone!” Be the place where he can relax and not have to fix problems.

2) Give your husband helpful and honest feedback. Brian often asks me for feedback on his messages. When he asks for advice, I try not to shoot off the cuff, but take it seriously. Some Sunday mornings, I am unusually exhausted or maybe one of my children was distracting me. So the problem may have been with me, not the sermon! Take time to think through your opinions carefully to be sure they are wise and accurate.

3) Stand with him when times are tough. Even when you disagree with him, respect him, both publicly and privately. Pray that God will give him wisdom in making decisions. Do not forget the seriousness of his calling. He is bringing the gospel to the church each week.

Here are a few other random thoughts:
• Never gossip. As a pastor’s wife, you will be privy to much personal information. Keep all of it to yourself. Let this knowledge drive you to pray. It is a privilege to have the trust of people and to be in a position to help them. We must guard that trust.
• Grow a thick skin. A pastor almost never gets a 100% approval rating from the church (except maybe during the first month)! There will be criticisms. Try not to take every conflict too seriously. Keep a sense of humor. This is easier said than done, I know. But Jesus will help us when we ask.
• Be careful what you read concerning being a pastor’s wife. There are lots of negative statistics and studies telling how hard it can be. This is not really helpful or useful information. Read people who are positive and offer help for getting through the tough stuff.

I call myself a “weekend widow” because Brian works long hours on Saturday and Sunday! But when I happily “hold down the fort,” it frees him up to do his job. Remembering the eternal significance of what he is doing helps me keep a good attitude.

Thanks for allowing me share with you. If the Lord does indeed call you to be a pastor’s wife, I pray he will give you many wonderful experiences and much joy in it!

Holly Hedges

a sobering moment in Walla Walla

David Warren Fisher's "Pilgrim Scribblings" blog was the first I really started to follow several years ago. He used to be a chaplain with the Toronto Blue Jays, which drew my attention. He also served with a hockey team. His writing speaks to me often. Several days ago, he reflected on the passing of Michael and Farah and carried a poem--

David's pastor/writer friend Greg Asimakoupoulos penned the following poem in the aftermath of Farrah and Michael's death and it ties in well with my thoughts.

Remembering an Angel and the King

Pondering the passing of two celebrities...

Farrah's dead and Michael, too.
The news is shocking, sad but true.
The King of Pop and Ryan's hope
are gone before their time.

But lest I think "Who gives a care?"
I'd best remember I'll be there.
What's bad will someday steal what's good.
There's no way to beat it.

So we'd do well to plan ahead
before our friends find out we're dead.
Let's make amends with those we've wronged
and make our peace with God.

Check out Greg's writing at "The Partial Observer."

Jim Dixon and I just came back from an amazing PFC tour of prisons and jails in Eastern Washington and Oregon. The trek passed over about 1,000 miles to Airway Heights outside Spokane, Pine Lodge women's facility in Medical Lake on Friday; Two Rivers in Umatilla, OR. and Walla Walla on Saturday; and Pendleton, OR. and Ahtanum in Yakima on Sunday. We really missed Chuck, Wayne, and Dwight. In various places, the inmates asked about each one.

I was approached by Peter, a student from my time at Jason Lee Middle School (1993-1997)after our ministry in Walla Walla. It was a rich, glorious, and sobering moment.

With very warm eyes, Peter said, "It's good to see you," offering me his hand.

Shaking his hand, I asked if he'd been at the Regional Justice Center.

"No, at a school." Pause. We held our hands in position.

"You were at Jason Lee in Tacoma."

"Yes, that's it. It is REALLY good to see you."

I will write Peter, if I can connect with the chaplain. I may never see him, again. The Lord confirmed in my heart Peter is a changing man. Peter was a "bad boy," as the current saying goes. He is a child of the King, a saint of God, a member of the family of God.

Mega Sports--undefeated

Our children's ministry at Faith Baptist Church in Kent is rolling out VBS on July 13-16 from 6-9 pm called, "Mega Sports Camp--undefeated," and I've agreed to serve as a leader.

Why? I love our kids and I love Jesus. I want to invite other men in our church to participate. Serving in our local church is part of Christian living. If you are in our church, contact Cindy Figaro.

Why serve in our VBS? What is my motive? 2 Timothy 2:2 is a really critical model for the PFC Kingdom work and literally everything else. Ministry should be founded and solid in our local church. Paul wrote: "and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (ESV)

I know by experience our children, particularly our boys, need to have solid relationships with men they really know who love Jesus and aren't afraid to live it and talk about it with them. Our three boys are young men, now--22, 19, and 17. My boys greatly benefited from children's ministry relationships. Our kids aren't in this program but other sons and daughters are.

Our youth are bombarded with worldly influences every day. We MUST NOT passively surrender them to the world. That would be irresponsible from a kingdom, biblical perspective. We are to use this Mega Sports Camp to encourage our kids to deal with the obstacles of life with God’s help and guidance so they can live life undefeated. That's the theme for this camp.

For families outside our church or who don't attend at all, or who are very active in our local church, Faith Baptist continues to be a loving, safe place to come and experience Jesus through every adult and youth worker and certainly the other kids.

Mounce on "love"

I ran across this awesome post teaching on "love" from the Bible. I hope you greatly enjoy it! I visited a loved inmate at Twin Rivers in Monroe on Monday and am back at the RJC for the rest of the week.

Would you pray for the Prisoners for Christ team, today, in Woodinville? They will need God's love in a very foundational way.



Everybody needs a little love

I am a bit surprised I haven’t been asked this question earlier, but I did just receive one about the different words for love in Greek. How many youth talks have been given on the different types of love, based on the different Greek words? More than I can count, for sure.

There are four basic nouns meaning “love,” and many derivations from these. I am going to rely on my Dictionary for the basic presentation of the data. φιλεω was the general verb for “love.” It has a wide range of meanings, stretching from hospitality to affection to love, even “to kiss.” It is not necessarily a softened form of love, and is used of God’s love for his Son and our love for God. For example, “the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does” (John 5:20). Paul warns the Corinthians, “If anyone does not love the Lord — a curse be on him” (1 Cor 16:22). Jesus loved Lazarus (John 11:3). εραω (ερως) was basically sexual love between a man and a woman. BDAG lists it’s gloss as, “to feel passionately about, have a longing for, feel fervently about.“ It does not occur in the New Testament.

στεργω is more the idea of affection and is used for a person’s affection for others, for their god, or even their dog (see Verbrugge’s Abridged Dictionary of New Testament Theology). It does not occur in the New Testament except in compounds. αγαπαω (αγαπη) was a colorless word without any great depth of meaning.

Perhaps it is because the word was so colorless that the New Testament writers chose it to express a specifically Christian kind of love, most importantly God’s love for his unlovely creation. All those great talks you have heard about αγαπη love being an undeserved love for the unlovely really has nothing to do with what the Greek word meant in the Koine. Rather, the word was infused with God’s love and so after the first century carried the biblical nuances of God’s love.

φιλεω overlaps in meaning with αγαπη so care needs to be exercised in assuming there are always specific differences in meaning between these two words. One of the famous passages is John 21:15-17 where the risen Jesus asks Peter if he loves him, switching the words for love (as well as other words that appear to be in parallel, e.g., “feed”).

* Peter, do you αγαπαω me? Yes, I φιλεω you. Feed my lambs.
* Peter, do you αγαπαω me? Yes, I φιλεω you. Tend my sheep.
* Peter, do you φιλεω me? Yes, I φιλεω you. Feed my sheep.

The fact of the matter is that Leon Morris has proven that John likes to use synonyms, and variations do not necessarily have any meaning other than stylistic concerns. And the variations here make no sense if φιλεω is a watered down form of love (e.g., “like”). B.B. Warfield’s, The Terminology of Love in the NT (PTR 16, 1918, 1–45, 153–203) is the classic work on the meaning of these words.

So what is love? I had a great morning. (Today is Sunday.) We didn’t go to church (since you can’t go to what you are), but a group of us were the church. We meet to share, sing, encourage, challenge, and finally pray for one another. Then we ate. This is the essence of what Christian love looks like on the human to human level as we reflect God’s love for us to one another. It is this bond of love that unites us and so shows the world that God the Father sent God the Son to earth (John 17:23). As long as we “go” to church and envisage our religious duty in terms of a corporate structures, Jesus’ prayer for us and the world will go unanswered.

A Barna report a few months ago predicted that in 15 years 30% of the true evangelical church will no longer meet in traditional buildings — traditional, I should say, for western Christianity but not for the world. Maybe that is what it is going to take for us to start being the church and stop going to church, and truly love one another.

We received horrifying news this afternoon that a good friend of ours (John) collided with his brother (Hunter) on a jet ski, and Hunter died a few hours later. He was 17 years old. Even though we have lost a daughter at birth, I cannot begin to imagine the pain of losing an older child, or especially in John’s case of living with the fact that he ran over his little brother. The only thing that can possibly salvage his life is an understanding of God’s love reflected off the faces of their good friends as they all walk together in the years to come. John will learn in new ways that God’s love for him is not based on who he is of what he has (or has not) done, but is based on the fact that God loves.

Please pray for John and his family that he come to know God’s love in ever-deepening and more powerful ways.

William D. Mounce (PhD, Aberdeen University) lives as a writer in Spokane, Washington. He is the president of Biblical Training, a non-profit organization offering the finest in evangelical teaching to the world for free. See BillMounce.com for more information. Formerly he was the preaching pastor at a church in Spokane, and prior to that a professor of New Testament and director of the Greek program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the author of the bestselling New Testament Greek resources, Basics of Biblical Greek, and served as the New Testament chair of the English Standard Version translation of the Bible.

Olympic Peninsula with Jim

On Sunday morning, our church voted 225-0 to call John Nagle as our new lead, or senior pastor. He and Becky, his wife, candidated with us beginning last Wednesday. If he agrees to the call, they could come in mid-September.

All of this culminates an amazing three year journey for our church and a two-year active process by faithful members of our search committee headed by Tim Larson. The faithful team--Linda Fredrickson, Gloria Peterson, Paul Dillard, Dave Baskin, Greg Plett, and Jeff Dial--met weekly on Tuesday nights for two full years.

Jim Dixon and I traveled for PFC worship services at Clallam Bay and Olympic Correction Centers on Saturday June 20. Clallam Bay is close to Sekiu, off Highway 112 and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Forks is near Lake Quinalt in the Olympic National Rain Forrest and Highway 101. The pictures are of Olympic Corrections Center and an awesome morning on Lake Quinalt.

We thoroughly enjoyed 31 and 17 worshipers in Clallam Bay and Forks. They are so receptive. Jim provides very interactive personal songs and testimony. I spoke from John 6:37-40 to support Jim about Jesus being the Bread of Life and then a longer sermon on the seven blessing statements in Revelation.

I'll be spending the next week at the Regional Justice Center in Kent and then next weekend, Jim and I travel to Eastern Washington and Oregon. We'll rejoice in services at Medical Lake, Airway Heights, near Spokane, Walla Walla, and Yakima, Washington; and Umatilla and Pendleton, Oregon.

knowing by experience

One of my most cherished study and devotional resources is anything preached by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. He was preaching through Romans when he was stopped. Here is his account--

“I was at Romans 14:17. I had dealt with 'righteousness', with 'peace' on March 1st, and there I was stopped. I was not allowed to deal with 'joy in the Holy Ghost'. I have the feeling that this was not accidental. God intervened and I could suggest a reason why. I was able to deal with righteousness and peace (I had fleeting experiences of it), but the third thing is the profoundest of all. Why was I not allowed to deal with it? Because I knew something, but not enough about it. 'I want you to speak with greater authority on this,' God said . . .

Here is what I would put before you. For six months, until September, I did not preach at all. For four months I have had the most valuable experience of being a listener. My general impression is that most of our services are terribly depressing! I am amazed people still go to church; most who go are female and over the age of forty. The note missing is 'joy in the Holy Ghost'. There is nothing in these services to make a stranger feel that he is missing something by not being there.”

That reflection comes from a servant of the Lord many consider to be the greatest preacher of the 20th century. His words touch me directly as I consider my daily contact with men at the Regional Justice Center in the chaplain ministry and my own participation at our home church. Does the Lord delight in my worship and activities? What do strangers see in me in my church? I often am concerned about what the children see. They need to see men who genuinely love God and want to serve Him.

I'll be heading to the coast of Washington for the corrections facilities at Clallam Bay and then Forks on June 20th and then to eastern Washington and Oregon facilities for worship services with Jim Dixon, my PFC co-worker.

Oh, that the Lord Himself would deliver me from being a terribly depressing worshiper at Faith Baptist Church where I am a member. Deliver me, Lord! I pray the services Jim and I will be leading over these next two weekends as ambassadors with PFC would be filled with "joy in the Spirit," and those actively participating would rejoice in His presence!

guilty verdict and full day

Wow! What a day. The accused inmate I have been supporting was ruled guilty by the jury which really surprised me. He will be sentenced in a month. I was the first person he saw in the late afternoon. Honestly, I still believe he is innocent. He was sick and "out of it" most of the day. He has a multitude of questions for the Lord. I told him I would, as well. I affirmed my genuine love for him. We read Deuteronomy 1:29-31 about the LORD carrying Israel through the wilderness. I exhorted him to let the LORD carry him, right now. He was a Christian when all this happened and has maintained a faithful witness in his unit. My role is to walk with him while he remains at the RJC, regardless of what unfolds.

I had a packed day meeting with other inmates, including two 19 year-olds. One I met with before who has gang affiliations. Another man struggling with meth addiction wanted to know about the wickedness of Satan. In the midst of all this during my afternoon break, I carefully read the "70 resolutions," by Jonathan Edwards which really focused my heart.


Then I said to you, ‘Do not be in dread or afraid of them. The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.’ Deut. 1:29-31

to the jury

I've continued to observe parts of a trial at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent to support the accused as part of my Prisoners for Christ ministry. Monday afternoon, the case went into jury deliberation dealing with "beyond reasonable doubt." I met with the inmate Monday night as he is now waiting for the verdict.

I tried to consider what the family of the deceased was hearing and then tried to place myself in the jury. As I wrote before, I know some of the family from high school, 39 years ago. We've talked briefly as if we hadn't skipped a day. We played intramural basketball together back then at Federal Way High School.

I am headed to prisons at Clallam Bay and Forks on June 20 and then on to eastern Washington and Oregon sites with my PFC team on June 26-28. Our team is dealing with changes so I would ask you to pray for that.

My guest teaching is winding down in Tahoma, this week. I am taking my first gang of awesome kindergartners, today. Wow! I am also umpiring girls fastpitch and boys baseball throughout this summer and am getting Jon involved.

Peter is off on a two week short-term missions trip to Japan with his small group from our church.

DNA trial

As part of my PFC ministry at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, I am attending a really emotional murder trial. The accused is a committed Christian. In fact, his home church paid for the services of an excellent lawyer. He and I have met many times individually and in small group Bible studies. The case received significant media coverage.

The additional hard part is that I know the sons of the victim from high school 39 years ago. Although we haven't talked for all this time, we picked up like we haven't missed a day. We'll hope to talk after this trial concludes.

The prosecution rested on Wednesday. Today, the defense lawyer scheduled a DNA expert whose expert testimony will be persuasive, perhaps the significant factor, in the case.

I am working some still as a guest teacher in the Tahoma School District and am umpiring fastpitch and some baseball with the USSSA. Our 19 year-old son Peter heads off to Japan for a two week missions trip on Sunday. Wow!

June travels

My PFC schedule for June is filling up quickly with Jim Dixon, Chuck Boyce, and me. On June 20, we are headed west for concerts at the prisons Clallum Bay and Olympic, which is outside Forks. That trip is always longer than I mentally plan for as its a solid four hours each way. On June 26-28, we are headed to eastern Washington and then south to Pendleton and Umatilla, Oregon. We are considering a trip dedicated to Oregon in September.

My work at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent continues faithfully and very fruitfully. Last month, I met with 140 different men and was able to present the gospel 15 times. Would you pray for our finances over these late spring days? The Lord continues to provide remarkable contacts with men within the units.


I enjoy guest teaching for these last weeks of school in the Tahoma School District. Recently, I started umpiring fastpitch girls and boys baseball on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights and some weekends which will definitely help our financial picture. This coming Saturday and Sunday, I'll be participating in a tournament in Federal Way. The season runs through part of July. I last umpired in 1988.

pleasing worship

I've been reading a great book by Sam Storms on Colossians that is deepening my walk with the Lord and keeping me focused in a spirit of worship through a sermon series by Pastor Gary in our home church. Sam writes on worship in "More Precious Than Gold," 50 Daily Meditations on the Psalms (Crossway Books: Wheaton, IL 2009), 180-184.

Sam reports how a man once told him, undoubtedly sincerely, that he was uncomfortable with the way Sam worshiped.

Sam’s reply? “I’m certainly open to correction, and I’m sorry you were offended, but I’m not particularly concerned with what puts you at ease. When the day comes that you are the object of my praise and adoration, I’ll pay a bit more attention to what makes you feel comfortable. Until then, I’m primarily concerned about what pleases God.”

This week, I've enjoyed focusing several of the men in Edward Unit on what it means to be genuinely changed. What does it look like to be saved? We used 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he IS a new creation, the old things passed away, behold, new things have come." I am set free to worship Him because He has worked, is working, and will work His supernatural, miraculous change in me. I AM a new creation because He saved me. I am under new management, now, because I am in Christ, I belong to Him.

Sam wisely shares 10 guidelines for the kind of worship that pleases God:

Worship that pleases God, then, is:

(1) perpetual and constant (Psalm 92:2)

(2) instrumental (Psalm 150)

(3) joyful (Psalm 92:4)

(4) celebrates His greatness (Psalm 92:5)

(5) loud and logical . . . worship entails noisy songs.

(6) physical (Psalm 95:6)

(7) fresh and creative (Psalm 33:3, 40:3, 96:1, 98:1, 144:9, 149:1)

(8) public (Psalm 96:3)

(9) ascribes glory to His name.

(10) joins creation to celebrate His goodness. (Psalm 96:11-13a).

real life about sexual offenders

Friends,
I recently attended an outstanding seminar in Monroe on caring for sexual offenders and want to share some facts they presented about these men in our community. All we hear about is really abusive cases. This treatment program has some very solid success stories.

I am delighted to meet with a number of SO's at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center here in Kent. Several of these men received Christ for salvation. Others display remarkable transformation. One of the huge issues in ministry to incarcerated men and women is their transition back into stable, supportive, and safe settings in the community which I will write about in another post soon.

The Sex Offenders Treatment Program (SOTP) is the DOC volunteer rehabilitation carried out at Twin Rivers Unit within the Monroe Corrections Complex. The SOTP is one of the largest such programs in the nation.

Present research shows that less than 7% who complete the SOTP return to a DOC prison with a new or repeat sex offense conviction. Over 90% of SOTP offenders are able to complete the program.

All male sex offenders in DOC prisons may volunteer for this program. Due to the lengthy waiting list, most offenders enter within 18 months of release and are expected to continue treatment in the community upon release for up to three years.

Bringing reality into treatment for sex offenders—

Facts you should know

Over 95% of convicted sex offenders return to the community eventually. Treatment improves the chance for successful reintegration.

Most sex offenders assault victims they know. Children are likely to be assaulted by members of their family; adults are likely to be assaulted in “dating” type situations.

Sex offenders are extremely heterogeneous. Treatment and supervision must be tailored to the unique characteristics and needs of the offender.

Treatment requires that the offender take responsibility for past and future actions.

Fewer than 5% of sex offenders suffer from a formal mental illness. Modern sex offender treatment uses cognitive behavioral techniques to teach the offender to control his thoughts and behaviors in order to prevent re-offending.

Sex offenders vary in likelihood that they will commit new sex offenses. Overall without treatment, fewer than 30% of adjudicated offenders will be arrested or convicted of a new sexual offense within five years.

Research shows that well-designed treatment can reduce recidivism by more than 35%.

Despite effectiveness, treatment is only one component of an effective strategy to protect the community from dangerous sex offenders. Monitoring and support by the community correction agents, other professionals, social support, and productive employment all play crucial roles.

Lifestyle circumstances directly affect chances of new offenses. Stable housing and employment, healthy social and leisure activities, a diligent and proactive support system, and ongoing treatment are ingredients to ensure successful and lasting transition into the community.

placing my burden on the Lord

"Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved."
(Joel 2:32)

So why don't I call on His name? Why do I run to this person or that person, when God is so near and will hear my faintest call? Why do I set down to plot my own course and make my own plans? Why don't I immediately place myself and my burden on the Lord?

Straight ahead is the best way to run, so why don't I run directly to the living God? Instead, I look in vain for deliverance everywhere else, but with God I will find it. 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.

My situation is urgent, and I cannot see how I will ever be delivered. Yet this is not my concern, for He who made the promise will find a way to keep it. My part is simply to obey His commands, not to direct His ways. I am His servant, not His advisor. I call upon Him and He will deliver me.

Charles H. Spurgeon

PFCU and Forks

I took classes on "the nature of addiction" and "assimilating sexual offenders in the local church" from Dr. Bob Segress at the Prisoners for Christ University held at Cedar Park Christian High School off 405 in Bothell on April 24. Bob serves with PFC in Shelton and holds multiple degrees in psychotherapy and theology.

"HALT" is an acronym Bob used to warn a person when they may be susceptible to falling into a particular addiction or sinful failure.
H--hungry
A--anxious
L--lonely
T--tired

Perhaps, some do not know that I receive funding for my PFC ministry through friends and family and am not paid by the jail in any way. That means that we serve in our various sites by their grace PFC and we raise our support like any other missionary. There are some Department of Corrections prisons and DSHS chaplains at juvenile locations paid by the state. That all makes me incredibly thankful for so many that provide for my support.

On May 2, I went with David Julian and Jim Krueger to the Olympic Corrections facility just south of Forks, pictured here, for a concert and sharing with the men. Its just about four hours travel each way down to Aberdeen and then up Highway 101. Yes, that's a long, long way. It is an incredible blessing the times I have gone there. We are so thankful for the privilege of watching what the Lord does right before our eyes and how much the men appreciate us sharing with them.

David led the concert and uses a song sheet with Scripture connected with each song. The 18 men participated in reading he Scripture and singing with us. It was awesome to experience them eagerly desiring to read and call David when he went on to the next selection to sing. It is inspiring to participate in active, involved worship with these men. I spoke on characteristics of a solid relationship with the Lord from portions of Micah 7:7-19. I'll be going back to Olympic in June, July, and August with Jim Dixon and Chuck Baxter.

I was also delighted to have Jim join us from Port Orchard. We enjoyed fellowship on previous journeys to Forks and on Eastern Washington and Oregon Mission trips. The men love his country gospel songs and his heart to care for them. I sing along and even dance in the Lord to his music. I love several of his CD's as I worship.

The tour ministry servants

While the Tahoma School District is taking the WASL (for the last year), I am doing just as much jail ministry as possible. On Monday, I was able to meet in Kent with Grant and Tony from the House of Mercy for an awesome Bible study on God's attribute of love.

On Saturday, I will be participating at the Prisoners for Christ University in Woodinville. I am also making telephone calls with area churches and friends to increase my financial and prayer team support.

On May 2, I will be accompanying David Julian to Olympic Corrections Center in Forks for a concert and message from the word. One of the incredible joys of this Kingdom ministry is sharing service with God's very talented and gifted servants. When I go on Prisoners for Christ Outreach Ministry concert tours to prisons around eastern Washington and Oregon, I team with Jim Dixon, Chuck Baxter, and Wayne Orendorff, most recently. Each has an amazing testimony of God's faithfulness.

Jim lives in Bothell. He has a tremendous gift of evangelism and shares his heart and story through creative ballads. Picture above, he joined me at Judson Park Retirement Community in Des Moines for a Sunday night concert.

Chuck lives in Lacey. The Lord has given him a deep heart of mercy as he shares what the Lord is doing in and through him. When he did some singing at JP, I was amazed as he sat down with several of the residents before the service. He also involved with Celebrate Recovery and other prison ministries in Shelton and Olympia. When he greets and shares with folks at our ministry settings, he offers his fully engaged attention, warm handshake, and a smile. We meet for breakfast or lunch in South Tacoma to build our relationship and care for each other.

Rocker Wayne lives in Renton and is a licking lead guitarist. In our concerts, he leads worship and accompanies Balladier Jim while "Don't call me Willie" Chuck and I offer backup vocals. Yes, we have a great time and I add in a little dancing before the Lord. Wayne also leads worship at the House of Mercy in Federal Way on Saturday nights. The Lord has given him a deep heart for recovery ministries. The picture here is at Standing Stones Orchards with Jim, Chuck, and Wayne on our last eastern Washington and Oregon missions trip.

In June, we have two PFC weekend tours in the works--one to the prisons in Clallam Bay and Forks on the 20th and another all over eastern Washington and Oregon on the 26th-28th. We have started planning an expanded trip in Oregon for future months.

God's goodness and love

After returning from Northwest Transitional Living, or Standing Stones Orchards, in Wapato, the Lord is blessing me with His goodness and love in a fruitful week at the Regional Justice Center. I've met with 20 men so far this week and was blessed to see two receive Christ.

Benito is a growing Christian who shared in joyful tears he believes the Lord is calling him back to Mexico to be used in our Lord's Kingdom work. It isn't clear what He is going to do. The Lord asks, "who will go for me?" Benito can say, with Isaiah 6:8, "here I am, send me!" Then, get up on His altar as a living sacrifice and watch and wait for what He will do, Romans 12:2.

Pat has been attending my regular studies in E-unit and asked to see me one-on-one, earlier this week. He was burdened under the stress and dark cloud of guilt for years. As we read Charles Spurgeon's conversion testimony and then I started sharing several verses to present the gospel, he started to weep openly as we met. I was overjoyed as I watched the Lord draw another sinner into His kingdom.

It isn't all "successful." Another man "who is a drunk" carefully read through a worksheet I use on the the King, His Kingdom, and repentance with me. He even wrote down notes as we walked through the verses. He is considering the truth but wasn't ready.

Tonight, Dwight Hawley and I were to have a Bible study in D-unit but nobody came. So, Dwight went to S-unit and I went back to E-unit and worked through an amazing study on the faithful love of God from an awesome article by A. W. Pink which I will also be using Sunday morning with our Sunday School class. It was more wonderful with every verse we read in Spanish and English.

Standing Stones Orchards over "Finished Work" weekend

I headed over to Standing Stones Orchards just outside Wapato in eastern Washington to experience the participants at the clean and sober ministry facility of Prisoners for Christ Outreach Ministries. Standing Stones Orchards is also called Northwest Transitional Living.

My first purpose was to free Greg and Rhonda Von Tobel, the president of PFCOM and his wife, pictured here, to be home over the crucifixion and resurrection weekend.

I enjoyed fellowship with Bobby, Cory, Noey, and Tyler. There are several others who will be rejoining the program or getting started in the next weeks. Jim Smith, from Monroe, carries out a weekly training and discipleship ministry during the week.

I was able to do a wonderful theological study of the exhaustive sovereignty of God and our compatible free will, using Dr. Bruce Ware's text, "God's greater glory," and I continued my verse by verse study of Colossians.

Loading Bucky up for Eastern Washington and Oregon

This coming weekend, our PFC team of Jim Dixon, Chuck Boyce, Wayne Orendorff, and I will load up Rocker Wayne's SUV "Bucky" and set off Friday for Medical Lake, Connell, Yakima, Walla Walla, Washington; and finally end up Sunday night in Umatilla, Oregon, March 27-30.

Last Thursday, we met at the Christian Bikers Tabernacle in Puyallup, to rehearse our music and fellowship over dinner to pray and prepare for our trip together as a team. The Christian Bikers Tabernacle is an exciting church and outreach to the motorcycle community with connections all over the country. It was an awesome experience to fellowship and sing even if it was informally for them. They were so welcoming and friendly.

At the Regional Justice Center, I started meeting with Troy. He recommitted his life to the Lord with me and just took off with a wonderful booklet based on the Navigator's wheel illustration called "New beginnings." When we met recently, he held the booklet up and said, "I am really into this. I heard these things a long time ago. Now, I am getting it." Praise the Lord! Amen!

I also finally got to meet 1-to-1 with John up at Twin Rivers Corrections Center in Monroe after numerous obstacles and frustrations. We first met while he was serving time in the D unit of the RJC in 2006 and we have been corresponding since he was transferred to Monroe. John is scheduled to be released in June when he will move to the House of Mercy in Des Moines. I have been coordinating with Randy Schulz of Prison Fellowship to establish a support and accountability team for John.

I continue to serve regularly as a guest teacher in the Tahoma School District and am extremely thankful for your ongoing prayer, encouragement, and financial support. Should you desire to give, you may contact:
Prisoners for Christ Outreach Ministries
P.O. Box 1530
Woodinville, Washington 98072-1530
www.pfcom.org

Review of the Shack

I recently completed William Young's allegorical novel, "The Shack," which has stirred up significant discussion and criticism over the Trinity and related Biblical issues. One recent blog listed 13 heresies in it. I was very careful to read it for myself before interacting with what others critiqued. I strongly recommend you read it and come to your own conclusion. It may really touch your heart. It is written as an allegory. You might not like it at all.

I was impacted by how God led Mac, the main character, through forgiveness in the midst of crippling pain and anger. Some of us have been wounded by the affairs of life. Do you know anybody like that? Yes, several troubling theological issues needed to be placed "over on the side" in a spirit of discernment to gain so much. The portrayal of Mac's daughter in heaven running toward him in the field was deeply moving for me.

The author's concluding comments are very interesting--he speaks about theological rewrites for future use and the unfolding of how this book came to be. I will be interested to see what or if Mr. Young revises in future editions.

Our PFC team of Chuck Boyce, Dwight Hawley, Jim Dixon, Wayne Orendorf, and I are getting ready for our March 27-29 Eastern Washington and Oregon mission concerts to Medical Lake, Connell, Yakima, Walla Walla, WA.; and Umatilla, OR. This team has gone out together now for several years recently so we are very close. As the team leader, I am facilitating the communication and resolution of frustrations that have grown up between us. We are making awesome progress. The Lord delights when His children seek reconciliation between one another.

Chaplain Mark

e-mails from Louisiana

I sometimes get connected with the inmates at the Regional Justice Center through phone calls. A family member will request I contact their loved one. Once, I went in on Christmas Day and it was worth every minute of time for the inmates, the family, and especially for me.

During these last couple of weeks, I've been in contact with Grace, a faithful Mom from Lafayette in southern Louisiana about her son, John, who was incarcerated at the RJC. He previously completed one term in IT support in Iraq where he experienced significant stress. He was being diagnosed for post-traumatic syndrome or whatever psychological issues he is dealing with at the VA Hospital in Seattle. I've met with him every day I've been at the RJC although he is simply not responding to the Lord, right now. John has a church background but lost interest or strayed. He has struggled with alcohol abuse. He showed apparent revived interest in the Lord right before he went back into jail. I am being faithful to connect with John without pushing anything on him--just be there--and keep his family connected with him.

I provided an outstanding New King James Study Bible for him but he honestly shared he wasn't reading it. I asked if he wanted to talk about what he read or whatever interested him. He was just not there. On the other hand, Mom has blessed my heart greatly as we e-mail about what the Lord is doing and their family. I think we are lifetime friends in Christ. That is awesome!

How should we pray for family members who are apparently not responding to the the Lord?

"Lord, I am no match for whatever is going on in _____'s life. He looks and acts like he is unsaved but I thought he was interested in the Lord and even saved many years ago. This is too big for me but it's not too big for You. You know what is in
_____'s heart and what all this means.

I surrender him to you and pray that You would do whatever You need to do to draw him afresh to You. Give me grace to stay out of the way. It's hard. I want to fix him. I trust You will draw him to Yourself. I am pleading with You to show _____ You are seeking him.

Give me Your wisdom for how to pray for him, Lord, as the days go on. In your mighty and powerful name, Jesus, Amen."
John 10:27-29

Thanks for continuing to pray and give, as the Lord leads you. Your faithful giving, prayers, and comments encourage us so greatly.

Chaplain Mark

Christmas Goody bags distribution at the RJC

On a recent Saturday, I joined my friends Tony Gault and David Palma (pictured here) at Mars Hill Church in Bothell for an awesome "Day with Don," Dr. D. A. Carson from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.

Dr. Carson powerfully spoke four times throughout the day, twice from the Gospel of John, then from Revelation 12 and Romans 3:21-26. Everything Dr. Carson shared equipped me for my sharing with the men at the Regional Justice Center and our very important local church ministries.

am so grateful for the increased giving over these past weeks. We know many have experienced a financially stressful season. Thanks for standing with us so faithfully in your caring words, prayer, and giving!

Check out our PFC website and contacts at:
www.pfcom.org,
Prisoners for Christ Outreach Ministries
PO Box 1350
Woodinville, WA 98372-1350

As the president of the RJC Chaplaincy Advisory Group, I am delighted to be part of our annual distribution of Christmas goody bags to the inmates and staff at the RJC.

Despite the snow and ice of December, Merv Weidner, one of the volunteer chaplains, and his family load just over 800 lunch bags colored by classes at Rainier Christian School on the grounds of Camp Beracah. Merv is in the burgundy shirt in the back. For several years, multiple generations of the Weidner clan have marshaled their forces to serve in this ministry that is so very much appreciated.


Over the Christmas holiday break, I was blessed with a great deal of time serving at the RJC. I am meeting with Victor, a Messianic Jewish brother, to confirm our Savior's saving and sanctifying work in his life.

I've continue to meet with Joe, who is making remarkable strides again even though he had to go back to the RJC. The Lord provided me a wonderful contact with a transitioning inmate named Gordon who has provided me outstanding wisdom in supporting a number of men. I am also able to support him in some writing projects to build community service time he needs. So, please intercede for:

• Victor, as he stands in faith
• Joe, Trish, his dear wife, and family, as the Lord resurrects their marriage and family
  
• Gordon, as we serve together
• Wise use of my time at the RJC as I am guest teaching in Tahoma.

I'll write again soon!

In Christ,
Mark

The generation seeking the King of Glory

As we move into the season of Christmas, I want to stand with you in praising our great God, the King of glory, from Psalm 24. From Him, we receive His blessings and righteousness. We are the generation who seek His face!

I have continued to go down to the RJC as often as I can in the afternoons after substituting. I am really thankful our church continues to support the "Angel Tree" ministry to children of inmates. In some instances, both parents are incarcerated. More, the gifts may be everything the families receive!

Grant is one of the men I have been privileged to share with over the past months. Pray for him as he prepares to transition out of jail hopefully in December. He has made huge strides spiritually as he memorizes transforming passages of God's word. Would you also pray for a couple with three children I care a great deal about and have been working with for most of this past year? The husband is out of prison now and we are praying together--extended family, husband, wife, and me--to see a mighty work of God to restore their marriage and family. They are starting out with some very encouraging steps. They are precious before the Lord.

In December, our Chaplaincy Advisory Group(CAG) at the RJC will be distributing 850 Christmas Goody Bags. One school and church in the community are coloring the bags. I am thankful to be the president of this CAG.

Our PFCOM income took another tumble this past month. The giving for November was $1200, a full $800 below our average for many months. I would be delighted if you would send a gift through www.pfcom.org, or at:
Prisoners for Christ Outreach Ministries
PO Box 1350
Woodinville, WA 98372-1350
425-483-4151

MSU with His Harmony

I am supplementing my support-raising income by guest teaching in the Tahoma School District. During this stressful economic season, our finances have been significantly challenged so my expected PFCOM giving is at about $1,800, or a full $1,000 below what I thought had been raised. Yes, this is the nature of being a real missionary. I'd greatly appreciate sharing with you. You may choose to continue giving by sending your gift to:

www.pfcom.org
Prisoners for Christ Outreach Ministries
P.O. Box 1350
Woodinville, WA 98372-1350
425.483.4151

On November 8, I participated in a concert with "His Harmony" at the Monroe Corrections Center. We were at MSU, which is a minimum security unit for men. The inmates may be finishing up their incarceration or serving time because of probation violations. His Harmony, Angie Swanson, Annette McDermott, Sherrie Fricks, Michelle Warnock, and Richard Fricks, always lead in outstanding worship. Angie shared a great message on her heart to impact change, regardless of her response to the recently-completed election process.



The highlight of this service was Michelle Warnock's announcement that she and husband Aaron are going to be adopting a daughter after the baby's January 22 anticipated birth date. Michelle was smiling and just glowing, six inches off the floor! Michelle and Aaron have been praying about this for months and are working through an adoption agency in Auburn. Angie, Annette, Sherrie, and Richard were ecstatic with her as Michelle chose the concert to announce the details to them. At dinner at Red Robin and on the way home, Michelle recounted all the wonderful details of their surprise party at the agency and made numerous calls to friends.

I preached from 1 John 1 about what a Christian looks like, how we act, what happens in our lives--we are changed, we live a transformed, joyful life focused on the great good news gospel and Jesus Christ. We have fellowship with one another and with His Son Jesus Christ. The Apostle John wrote this letter that our joy together might be complete.

After the service, one of the men recalled a message I shared in Q unit at the Regional Justice Center in Kent over a year ago from 2 Timothy 2:22 on fleeing youthful lusts and pursuing godliness with "those who call on God from a pure heart." He remembered I actually yelled "flee" in a very small room where we have our service to underscore the life-threatening danger of sin, as if our house was burning. Paul challenges believers to pursue godly relationships with the same kind of focus. We "flee" and "pursue."

I continue to serve at the Regional Justice Center in Kent and at Echo Glenn up near Issaquah. I also maintain corespondence with several men who are serving their sentences in prison settings around the state.

Eastern Wahington missions trip

I just completed a missions trip to Eastern Washington prison sites through Prisoners for Christ over October 10-12. a team of four of us traveled to Spokane, Medical Lake, Walla Walla, and Yakima. It was a tremendous experience. The Lord delivers special memories at each site. We ministered to 153 inmates with 8 professions of faith.

In the western outskirts of Spokane, we visited Airway Heights Correctional Facility on Friday afternoon. We traveled from there to Medical Lake for two services at the Pine Lodge women's facility on Friday night. On Saturday evening, we traveled to Walla Walla at the Washington State Penitentuary. We finished on Sunday afternoon at Ahtanum, a medical facility for men, outside of Yakima.

The women at Pine Lodge are always very appreciative and responsive. We did two 45 minute services back-to-back. There were 5 positive responses to the gospel message, there.
Chuck Boyce, a member of our team from Olympia, gave a great message for the women
on responses to the changes that come into our lives. Change is part of the reality of life. The women at PL are not allowed to have Bible studies in their living units but have great opportunities in the chapel

Pine Lodge in Medical Lake

On Saturday night, we met Lewis May, who has been serving as a volunteer chaplain at the WSP in Walla Walla since 1981. We are coordinating with Lewis to join him on a future Saturday night at McNeil Island. I spoke at Airway Heights, Walla Walla, and at Ahtanum on "the precious blood of Christ," from 1 Peter 1:13-19. Every believer is ransomed from their futile way of life inherited from their forefathers. Peter identifies Jesus as the "lamb of God without blemish."

We passed through much of the new construction at WSP (pictured to the right) where the state is in the process of locating all maximum security inmates. This facility is imposing and always causes a deeply sobering response within me. Our team will be heading back over to eastern Washington and perhaps Oregon in late March or early April of 2009.

I am also scheduled to share ministry with "His Harmony," from our church, Faith Baptist Church in Kent, in November up in Monroe.

I continue to serve at the Regional Justice Center in Kent during the week and the Echo Glen youth facility in Issaquah on Tuesday night. I am also doing some guest teaching within the Tahoma School District.

I continue to appreciate your faithful financial giving which has dropped off some over these past months. Thank you for praying for us. Should you be led, you may give through the www.pfcom.org website or at PFCOM, P.O. Box 1530, Woodinville, WA 98072, 425.483.4151,
attention Jill Payne Holman.