Sharing with an Islamic inmate

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

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

We discussed verses 1-3--

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pray for the safety and work of officers

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




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

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


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

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

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

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

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

The evil hunter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This article originally appeared on Sovereign Grace Ministries Blog.

Great opportunity amidst crisis

News reports about the killings of four police officers in Parkland Sunday morning are still unfolding.  The site is not too far away from where Katharine grew up.  As I write, police have not located the accused and believe he could have been fatally wounded.

He was recently released from the Pierce County, Tacoma. Why was the bail set so he could be released?  There are all kinds of unanswered questions. This tragedy could have happened in many places--a post office, school, or grocery store.

The church has another huge opportunity amidst a large community asking solid questions about what we all hold dear.  Rick Warren recognized these times as opportunities to be, "the church's greatest hour."  Ostrich living for God's people isn't what any of us want to be.   What should we do?

Olson suggests taking steps like this:

 
1. build bridges with love and servant leadership in our community.

2. present the Christian message to connect with true spiritual needs.
3. practice hospitality and build redemptive bridges to our neighbors.

4. be the mission of Jesus.

Author David Olson asks two very important questions in his book, "The American church in crisis":

1. How can a church witness survive amidst such iniquity?

2.How does the church speak and act out the gospel in the midst of this overwhelming evil?

We live in what has been called for years a post-modern and post-Christian society. His portrayal of our American culture fits so many we all know--secular yet spiritually "curious."  There is virtually no meaningful religious memory, as in the culture the author identifies from 1965 to 2000. When faithful Christianity is defined "primarily as protecting the truth, insulating our children, and surviving the onslaught of competing thoughts," the battle is lost. 

He suggests further the church at-large is competing for members and dollars by transferring participants hiding behind skirts of a few selected Scripture verses about purity, while burying our talents in the sand for fear of making a mistake with them.

Dangers for young men

While at the RJC sharing in both 1-on1s and in small group settings, one set of messages for young men has consistently been well-received and hard-hitting.  It is from a book by J.C. Ryle entitled, "Thoughts for young men."  It's worth every penny and moment of your time to read for any young man, youth pastor, or parent.  Writing in about 1900, my reflection is his message is written for today's young men.

Men have responded in open tears, repentance, and gut-level agreement as Ryle makes his case.  It may be just what you need for yourself and the young man in your life!

5 Dangers for Young Men - J.C. Ryle

Mike Anderson

Director of the Resurgence
J.C. Ryle's writing will punch you right in the face. He was an Anglican Bishop to the working class of Liverpool during the industrial revolution. He had tough words for tough people, and we could all use a bit of a challenge.

I first learned about Ryle by listening to a Sunday school message he delivered. Ryle wanted the kids to know that they were accountable for their actions, so he told them the story of Elisha calling calling 2 bears out of the woods to kill some kids who mocked him. Could you imagine a little kid's response to that? You can be sure Ryle will bring the truth, no matter how difficult.

5 Dangers from Thoughts for Young Men by J.C. Ryle

1. Pride
Young men, take to heart the Scriptures just quoted. Do not be too confident in your own judgment. Stop being so sure that you are always right, and others wrong. Don't trust your own opinion, when you find it contrary to that of older men, and especially to that of your own parents. Age gives experience, and therefore deserves respect.


2. Love of Pleasure
Youth is the time when our passions are strongest—and like unruly children, cry most loudly for indulgence. Youth is the time when we have generally our most health and strength: death seems far away, and to enjoy ourselves in this life seems to be everything... "I serve lusts and pleasures:" that is the true answer many a young man should give, if asked, "Whose Servant are you?"

3. Thoughtlessness
Not thinking is one simple reason why thousands of souls are thrown away forever into the Lake of Fire. Men will not consider, will not look ahead, will not look around them, will not reflect on the end of their present course, and the sure consequences of their present days, and wake up to find they are damned for a lack of thinking.

Young men, none are in more danger of this than yourselves. You know little of the perils around you, and so you are careless how you walk. You hate the trouble of serious, quiet thinking, and so you make wrong decisions and bring upon yourselves much sorrow.

4. Contempt of Religion
This also is one of your special dangers. I always observe that none pay so little outward respect to Christianity as young men. None take so little part in our services, when they are present at them—use Bibles so little—sing so little—listen to preaching so little. None are so generally absent at prayer meetings, Bible Studies, and all other weekday helps to the soul. Young men seem to think they do not need these things—they may be good for women and old men, but not for them. They appear ashamed of seeming to care about their souls: one would almost fancy they considered it a disgrace to go to heaven at all.

5. Fear of Man's opinion
The fear of man" will indeed "prove to be a snare" (Proverbs 29:25). It is terrible to observe the power which it has over most minds, and especially over the minds of the young. Few seem to have any opinions of their own, or to think for themselves. Like dead fish, they go with the stream and tide: what others think is right, they think is right; and what others call wrong, they call wrong too. There are not many original thinkers in the world. Most men are like sheep, they follow a leader. If it was the fashion of the day to be Roman Catholics, they would be Roman Catholics, if it was to be Islamic, they would be Islamic. They dread the idea of going against the current of the times. In a word, the opinion of the day becomes their religion, their creed, their Bible, and their God.

Dessert in Bothell and Kentridge

Katharine and I recently attended a donor's appreciation dessert for Prisoners for Christ at the Eastside Foursquare Church in Bothell.  The dessert honored workers with PFC and featured the Kate White Band, who presented a concert.

His Harmony, from our home church, Faith Baptist Church, was recognized for 15 years of service providing music ministry in jails and prisoners in western Washington.

I actually went to my first Prisoners for Christ University at Cedar Park in Bothell in 2004 and went on my first eastern Washington missions trip in 2006.  We now take three trips a year and venture into Oregon.  My main ministry is as the associate chaplain at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center, the second King County Jail, in Kent.

I'd love to be at the RJC more regularly with greater financial support but the Lord has been faithful to supplement our income as I continue to serve as a guest teacher this year in the Auburn School District. I am seeking to increase my financial support as a missionary chaplain as I receive no funds from the RJC. So many are faithful to provide for us financially, prayerfully, and with heart encouragement.

This past Monday, I also attended my 13th appreciation dinner for the Kentridge High School Chargers football program.  Our KRHS volunteering started for Katharine and me in 1997.  Katharine keeps the sideline score book and I support statistics, whatever the coaches need, and call the newspapers (and sometimes television sites) with the game highlights and statistics.

There is nothing like Chargers high school  football for Katharine and me.  I've enjoyed getting to know Robbie Steen and then Chris and Marcus Subia, from our church. Chris is now playing football at the University of Puget Sound.  Marcus, now a junior, is focusing on basketball so I'll be cheering him on at as many games as I can with Rollin and Karin, Mom and Dad around the Northern Division of the South Puget Sound League.

Keeping football statistics began in junior high when charted games while listening to former Oklahoma coach Bud Wilkinson during college football games on TV and then at Federal Way High School in about 1967.  Scoring baseball games began maybe in the sixth grade.

Pouring rain in Forks

Jim Dixon and I traveled to Forks Saturday for a concert worship service at the Olympic Corrections Center, for our monthly ministry. Jim plays his guitar, sings awesome ballads, and shares his story with the men. We have served together for 2 1/2 years on eastern Washington and Oregon missions tours and several other prisons. We are very good friends and serve fruitfully together.


In this picture, Jim is on the right and is sharing with Jerry Corelli, another awesome singer and guitarist, as we met together for fellowship and to prepare for future ministries.

It takes four hours each way to travel going through Aberdeen and north up the coast on Highway 101. We traveled cautiously as there was a very strong wind and rain storm on the Washington coast. Trees fell across the road that had been cut and moved by the time we drove through. The wind was calm but it was raining very hard all the way. When we go again on December 5, Jim committed to bringing his chain saw as a precautionary measure.

The 12 men who joined us were very responsive as we sang choruses while Jim led on the piano, while he presented his concert, and then I used a word study on an joyful attitude or mind Christlikeness. I shared about what it means to experience the mind of Christ from Philippians.

Praying for His change in our church

I have been giving the themes of change that our Faith Baptist Church faces in the coming months and years with our new Lead Pastor John Nagel serving with us. He was very clear in everything he said before he came that he will bring change. Nobody should be stunned when he and our church leadership team continues to take steps.

The first big step is the Sunday morning prayer time beginning in his office at 8:15 which has been going on now for several weeks. His heart is to see that group expand to another room outside his office and finally to fill our sanctuary. So, our first step is not to talk or teach about prayer, but really pray together.

How much are we willing to change to impact our community for the Kingdom of God?

If you read just what is below, I think you will agree we in our local church need to change.

While at the Converge NW meetings recently in Beaverton, Oregon, Steve Welling, the executive director, pictured to the right, began to stir my thinking. Or, I hope this ongoing stirring it is the powerful work of the Holy Spirit as I consider our local church and my ongoing ministry with Prisoners for Christ.

“The American Church in Crisis” Book Review

from: http://shepherdsnotes.com/?tag=church-planting

I picked up The American Church in Crisis by David T. Olson based on several strong recommendations from church planters who said that I simply must read it in order to understand the need for modern day church planting.

The American Church in Crisis is a book detailing the results of The American Church Research Project. While I normally could care less about statistics, Gallup polls, and all of the Barna research in the world this particular study did grab my attention because rather than cold calling people, this was a study of actual church attendance between 1990 – 2006.

The book is full of significant information about churches, church attendance, etc. (i.e. on any given Sunday 17.5% of the population actually attends an orthodox worship service and that number includes Catholics), but the main thrust of the book is that the church in the United States is falling significantly behind in attendance when you factor in the large population growth that the US is experiencing.

The population of the United States has grown by 52 million people from 1990-2006…Among those new arrivals are 68,510,978 newborn babies and 22,873,578 immigrants – a total of 91 million additional people. Accounting for 39,611,000 who died in that time period produces the net population growth of 52 million people…While this robust growth in the number of Americans has taken place, no growth in church attendance has occurred! In 1990, 52 million people attended worship each week – in 2006 the number remain unchanged.

The big idea behind The American Church in Crisis is that churches grow in two primary ways 1) Having babies by evangelism and especially by birthing new congregations and 2) Having babies and raising those babies in the church. While this observation alone does not seal the deal on the priority of churches to plant other churches, it is a tremendously significant insight that certainly begs the church to ask the question, “Why aren’t we planting churches when there are so many more people living here today than just 16 years ago?”

The book is full of other useful and interesting pieces of information. One of the most convicting was a look at the demographics of current evangelical churches.

The American church is growing the fastest in zip codes that are more affluent…A similar study on educational attainment produced [virtually identical results]. Evangelical churches, in particular are growing in suburbs that are home to affluent, educated residents.

If there is a bias in Scripture, Jesus’ inaugural sermon in Luke 4:18-19 reveals the predisposition. His heart was drawn toward the poor, the captive, the brokenhearted, and the oppressed…If the church is indeed becoming the home of affluent, educated, and suburban Americans, we had better let the countercultural power of the message of Jesus reshape our lives. That gospel is for all classes and types of people. That was part of the appeal of the church from the beginning.

In addition to statistical data and analysis, Olson offers advice on what the church ought to be doing today to correct these trends. The advice and suggestions were something of smorgasbord as far as their helpfulness. Some items were extremely helpful, while others would have been better left unsaid.

In the end, this was a very good book and very helpful and forming my thoughts on the need for church planting.

Church missions committee

I was privileged to meet with our Faith Baptist Church missions committee this past Sunday night to share developments with the Prisoners for Christ missions service. I really enjoyed sharing how ministry to inmates is remarkably cross cultural as the practical worldview of this incarcerated people group is so different from what we deal with on a daily basis.

I hope to hear back from Joseph, now serving time at the state penitentiary in Walla Walla, after he was found guilty for a Alzheimer's nursing care death in Federal Way. His last letter stated the case is reopened for further investigation. I am also corresponding with Josh in Shelton, John in Monroe, and Scott and Jason and Clallam Bay.

On Wednesday nights, I join Dwight at the Regional Justice Center for a service in the D-unit. As I shared previously, the RJC has been reduced to 525 inmates as a precautionary step as the Green River valley prepares for potential flooding.

On Friday, November 20, Katharine and I will be attending a donor appreciation dessert up in Bothell. At that dessert event, "His Harmony" from our church will be recognized for 15 years of ministry with PFC.

Then, the next day, Jim Dixon and I will be headed back to Forks for an appreciation event and service at Olympic Corrections Center.

J5OM PFC tour

We saw the Lord produce rich fruit on our missions tour through prisons in eastern Washington and Oregon on November 6-8. I was privileged to accompany the band J5OM, just five old men, who are from the Olympia area and present music written by Keith. Besides Keith, the band is Mick, Andy, Reggie, and Dennis.


Each of the chaplains were welcoming and accommodating. We did concert services at Walla Walla-East, Pendleton, Umatilla (2), and Ahtanum, just outside Yakima.

Service statistics:

Walla Walla, 35, 15 came forward for prayer

Pendleton, 32, 10 came forward for prayer

Umatilla, 80, 10 raised their hands to make first time commitments to Christ for salvation

Ahtanum, 25, 2 came forward for prayer

So, we presented to 172 men, prayed with 27, and saw 10 make first-time commitments for salvation.

There was a great deal of clapping and tapping while J5OM played in each service. When we arrived in Umatilla, there was not enough time planned to get unpacked, moved through inspection, and set up in the chapel so the first service was moved back and we ended up presenting to a second concert to a primarily Hispanic audience which had been planned as a Seventh Day Adventist service.

The band played several songs and then I preached a direct evangelistic message from John 1:9-13 and Jaime translated. At the end, I asked if any wanted to receive Christ and 10 raised their hands.

walking the second mile after spilled soup

With the Regional Justice Center offices in Kent taking preventative steps for a possible flood in the Green River valley, we got all involved in the chaplain's office. Nearly our entire religious services library was packed in boxes and taken to various homes or given away.

Here, Dwight Hawley, who faithfully works with me on Wednesday and Friday nights since 2002, is preparing for a Wednesday night session. The inmate population is now reduced from 1,200 at highest capacity to 525. Many are asking if we will see significant flood damage. We sure could.

I am blessed to meet with Dale, who is deaf and mute, in the medical unit. As you might imagine, this is a new challenge. We are working through a "new beginning" Bible study. We communicate by writing notes to each other.

I have been delighted to witness the transformation of Josh, a young man from our church family. On one afternoon, preparing for a visit with me, he unintentionally bumped into an inmate who was carrying a bowl of soup to his table. The soup was spilled on the floor and the other young man was interested in a conflict with verbal accusations, right in front of a guard.

Josh told me several weeks ago he might have handled it all very differently. He cleaned up the mess on the floor with a third inmate with the other inmate continuing his verbal jousts. Then, Josh purchased the inmate a dinner from a food machine in the unit, at his own expense. The rest of the inmates just watched. My Bible study with him changed to "walking the second mile" and "loving your enemy," from the Sermon on the Mount.

celebrations all over

Fresh manifestations from the Lord

By Charles H. Spurgeon

"No matter what level of spiritual maturity we are on, we need renewed appearances, fresh manifestations, and new visitations from on high.

While it is right to thank God for the past and look back with joy to His visits to you in your early days as a believer, I encourage you to seek God for special visitations of His presence."

I am meeting "Just Five Old Men," Saturday, October 10, for a concert in Olympia to support our PFCEastern Washington and Oregon Missions trip the first weekend in November. I'll be presenting the Prisoners for Christ ministry and our missions tour. On the way, I'll be sharing with a brother who is mired in a "slough of despond," as John Bunyan calls it.

Guest teaching has kept me busy in the Auburn School District. I even had kindergartners for an hour on Friday. That was a big stretch...yes... but is was good. I am scheduled for virtually every day in October and some in November.

Faithful ministry continues at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent where precautionary and active steps are being taken to prepare for a flooding condition now being thoroughly reported in the media. I saw the blueprints for a wall to be constructed around the RJC.

As part of the RJC work, I am president of the Chaplaincy Advisory Group that meets monthly. We just enjoyed a wonderful appreciation dinner with nearly 100 guests at the Valley View Christian Church. We were presented steps at the RJC surrounding the flood preparations. It was a fantastic night. I was especially pleased because Vivian, one of our godly officers, joined

us!

Recently, I enjoyed fellowship with Jerry Corelli and Jim Dixon in Tacoma as we considered future PFC concerts, shared our life stories, and started our friendship.

At church, we celebrated our first official Sunday with our new senior or lead

pastor, John Nagel and his wife Becky. Here, our "Loud and Clear" worship band is playing and our son Andy is ripping on the drums in the back left corner.

Back to "fresh manifestations" from Spurgeon--

I do not mean to minimize our daily walk in the light of His countenance, but consider that though the ocean has its high tides twice every day, yet it also has its spring tides. The sun shines whether we see it or not, even through our winter's fog, and yet it has its summer brightness.

If we walk with God constantly, there are special seasons when He opens the very secret of His heart to us and manifests Himself to us - not only as He does not to the world but also as He does not at all times to His own favored ones. Not every day in a palace is a banqueting day, and not all days with God are so clear and glorious as certain special sabbaths of the soul in which the Lord unveils His glory. Happy are we if we have once beheld His face, but happier still if He comes to us again in the fullness of favor.

I commend you to be seeking God's second appearances. We should be crying to God most pleadingly that He would speak to us a second time. We do not need a reconversion, as some assert. If the Lord has kept us steadfast in His fear, we are already possessors of what some call the higher life. This we are privileged to enjoy from the first hour of our spiritual life.

We do not need to be converted again, but we do need the windows of heaven to be opened again and again over our heads. We need the Holy Spirit to be given again as at Pentecost and that we should renew our youth like the eagles, to run without weariness and walk without fainting. May the Lord fulfill to His people His blessing upon Solomon! 'That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.'"

Essential Points in Prayer, “The Power of Prayer in a Believer's Life,” ed. Robert Hall, Emerald Books.

Prayers from Walla Walla

Jim Dixon, my faithful ministry partner on PFC missions trips around Washington and Oregon, shared this account from a previous trip.This was a very great answer to prayer for myself that happened while ministering at Walla Walla. Many times volunteers are ministering to the inmates but we are also very ministered to by them, as well.

Mark and I had an opportunity to allow several inmates play some solos and sing a few songs at Walla Walla, with the permission of the the volunteer chaplain. Some of the inmates are extremely talented musically and love to share in some music time and their fellow inmates love this.

After I was finished with my songs and sharing, Mark gave a message from God's word. While I was sitting with the inmates listening to Mark, I heard a word to me: "have some of the inmates pray for Aaron." Aaron is my son who has been struggling with drinking and church attendance. When Mark was finished, I went up and told a short bit about Aaron and asked if a few of the guys would come up and pray for him. A dozen men quickly came forward, gathered around me and began praying.

When I got home after just four days, Aaron told me that he was done with drinking. I saw him reading his Bible again and went to Church. He has been listening to worship CD's again. He is still not drinking after several months. His attitude in speaking with his wife is changed. His change is very clear.

I want the guys at the prisons and jails to know that their prayers are great and the Lord is using them as much as those that come to minister to them. The Lord worked in their prayers. I only obeyed Him and asked what I felt He said to me.

Mark and I have been ministered to as much as we minister. I feel that I get more than I give. I hope that the inmates are encouraged and know that the Lord is using them greatly. His ears are open to His children!

Rare jewel of contentment

“Since God is contented with Himself alone, if you have Him, you may be contented with Him alone, and it may be, that is the reason why your outward comforts are taken from you, that God may be all in all to you. It may be that while you had these things they shared with God in your affection, a great part of the stream of your affection ran that way: God would have the full stream run to Him now.”

During the last two months, I have just been absorbed in this book entitled, "The rare jewel of Christian contentment," by Jeremiah Burroughs, 1599-1646, reading several sections multiple times as the Lord ministers to my spirit.

I purchased two copies, sending one to John, an inmate brother at Twin Rivers in Monroe, and one for me. John tells me he really enjoys it but it sure appears the Lord meant the book more for my heart and ears. It is a small book of 228 pages and I'm disappointed to be on page 200 and in chapter 11 of 13. Our most cherished books are read multiple times, often in God's good timing.

I was doing my rounds at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center right after lunch on Friday and felt the Lord's leading to bring this book along and even focus somehow on a section quoted below on God's gracious work to humble our spirits and break our hearts.

I came into Edward Unit and called upon Luis who requested I also join with Francisco and Almondo. They were discussing dealing with their own cold and hard hearts. I had us read Numbers 16, first. I have read the below section by Jeremiah Burroughs in the rare jewel book maybe five times. Together, we were amazed and gave the Lord praise as I told them about reading this section and bringing the book with me.

So, on pages 181 and 182, Burroughs writes, "Now I am discontented and murmuring because I am afflicted; but that is why you are afflicted, because God would humble you. The great design God has in afflicting you is to break and humble your heart; and will you maintain a spirit quite opposite to the work of God?

"For you to murmur and be discontented is to resist the work of God. God is doing you good if you could see it, and if He is pleased to sanctify your affliction to break that hard heart of yours, and humble that proud spirit of yours, it would be the greatest mercy you ever had in all your life. Now, will you still stand out against God?

"It is just as if you were to say, 'well, the Lord is about to break me and humble me, but He shall not.'

"This is the language of your murmuring and your discontentedness, though you dare not say so.
But though you do not say so in words, it is certainly the language of the temper of your spirit. Oh, consider what an aggravation this is: I am discontented when God is about to work such a work upon me as is for my good, yet I stand out against Him and resist Him."

WCA at Standing Stones

I attended the Washington Chaplain's Association meeting held at Standing Stones Orchards in Wapato on Tuesday, September 15. Greg Von Tobel and Bob Jordan presented the clean and sober transformation ministry held there at Standing Stones.

Here, Greg and Bob are sharing together during a break during the meeting. Bob Jordan and I collaborated on the notes for this meeting as Bob is the WCA secretary. I rode over with Bob and we had an awesome time sharing together.

The WCA is a great chance to network with the Department of Corrections prison chaplains across the state. When I go on our PFC eastern Washington and Oregon trips (EWOMT) several times a year, I am well-acquainted with the chaplains.

One of our participants in this program is Noey, who is here sharing his heart with the WCA group. Noey has completed the first 10 month phase of the program and is being invited to continue with the next leadership segment.

Our next missions trip is the first weekend in November with a band from Olympia called "Just Five Old Men." We'll be going to Walla Walla for two services, perhaps two services at Two Rivers in Umatilla, and Pendleton Corrections Center in Oregon, and finishing with several sites in Yakima, as it now stands.

This past Saturday, I joined Jim and Linda Dixon at the Olympic Corrections Center outside of Forks for a concert with a remarkable group of young Ukrainian men and women. Jim sang several of his fantastic songs and played the piano as we sang "Amazing Grace," and "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus" with the Ukrainian choir. It was a rich blessing.

In late August, our church holds a potluck and baptism out at Lake Retreat with four of our young adults being baptized by Pastor Aaron. Here, PA is praying for each of the young people as they prepare for the service and a number of our congregation enjoys fellowship and the potluck.

Scheduled activities over the next several weeks:
Ongoing ministry at the RJC in Kent.
This week meet with Jerry Corelli and Jim Dixon for future PFC concerts.
September
26 Preaching two services with"Just Five Old Men" at Maple Lane.
28 RJC volunteer appreciation dinner at Valley View Christian Church.

October
3 Concert with Jim and Linda Dixon at OCC in Forks.
4 Family worship with John Coleman at Twin Rivers in Monroe.
5 Chaplaincy Advisory Group, RJC, Kent.
17 Teaching missionary class at PFC University in Bothell.
23 and 24 Converge NW meetings in Beaverton, OR.

November
6-8 EWOMT with "Just Five Old Men"

family worship at TRU

On Sunday afternoon, I visited my inmate friend John at Twin Rivers in Monroe during the monthly family worship service. John and I established a relationship while he was at the RJC.

We've maintained contact through letters and visits. I visit John up at TRU about twice a month and plan to attend the next family worship service in October.

The family service today ran from 1:30 to 3:00 led by John Burkholder, the prison ministries pastor from the Cascade Community Church in Monroe. Cascade is a Converge NW church, along with Faith Baptist Church in Kent. John oversees a solid ministry team at the Monroe Corrections Center and sits on the Converge NW board. I am hoping to meet with John for mutual encouragement in the coming days.

John shared a message from Jonah and was supported by the tremendous worship music ministry of Dave Irish from Bellevue. Dave led us in worship and some of his own music and then shared with many of the families and inmates who participated in the service.




Upcoming prison ministry activities:
Monday-Friday: ongoing ministry at the RJC.

Wednesday afternoon: meeting with Jerry Corelli and Jim Dixon, two musicians who go on eastern Washington and Oregon missions trips.

Wednesday night: Small group study in D unit at the RJC.

Thursday afternoon: meeting with Mary Ann Morbley at the RJC to continue planning our Chaplaincy Advisory Group appreciation dinner on September 28. I am the president of the RJC CAG group.

Next Monday and Tuesday: Washington Chaplains Association meeting at the Standing Stones Orchards PFC clean and sober ministry in Wapato with Bob Jordan, PFC board member and WCA secretary. There are two WCA meetings each year.