Jesus is in jail

My buddy Jim's incredible report from his prison ministry outreach. Simply amazing.

Thank you Jim, for bringing Jesus to jail...

I saw with my own eyes. Let me speak from my heart today. This last weekend at Plainfield has changed my life forever. There was six inmates assigned to our table of which two gave their hearts to the Lord brand new Christians. Two who rededicated their lives back to the Lord and two who walked with the Lord but who’s spiritual candles were about burned out. I must tell you that all those candles were burning brightly by Sunday evening.

I saw with my eyes 42 prisoners who were lost and sinking real fast back into a dark hole called prison. They were so hungry for God’s Word, and to hear they were not alone. They learned about making bad choices, and how they could have a friendship with Jesus. They sat for twelve hours a day hungering to hear more about Jesus and His love. It is too bad that in our churches if the preacher goes past his appointed time people begin to get restless or even mad. It is a sorry thing when we think all we can handle is one hour a week on the outside. On the inside (prison) these men are truly hungry for the Word of God and about His forgiveness and mercy.

Grown men cried their eyes out to just think they could be forgive for the things they had done. I guess it is true those who are forgiven much love much… Of the 42 men all but one said he wanted Jesus Christ into his life or renewed his walk with God. The one man said he was struggling with God and still need to work some things out with Him. His struggle was over a two year old son that had been killed while he was in prison. He was still blaming God and himself and need some time to work it out. Time he has, without Christ time is the only thing he has right now, Pray for him that he will see God’s mercy, and forgiveness, and turn and start a new relationship with Jesus. Too bad we couldn’t have had the total population of 1,500 but that just isn’t possible, but the work that has been started will carry on and spread though out those prison walls. We had the ring leaders, the toughest of the gangs and God turned His love loose on them like they had never seen or felt before. They, the gang leaders, have promised to take it into ever corner of that place. And with guys like Big Head, Bear, and the like, I believe we can count on it….

God bless and thanks again for your prayers, love, concern, and all those cookies. Someone said we needed 30,000 cookies to take with us to Plainfield, and the best estimate was that God provided over 50,000 (that's fifty thousand) cookies. If you have never seen 50,000 cookies before you really need to before you die. God over whelmed us with cash, posters, cookies, prayers and His love. It is great to be in His family….
In Jesus name and power

jim

Unforgivable? Open Forum

OK, so do you think Vader could have made it to heaven? I do. Did his life blaspheme God? Who's hasn't, at one point or another?

But what about the Holy Spirit? (Verse below)

In the end he was as repentant as any, the "prodigal father", if you will, but, I mean, blowing up planets and stuff. Isn't that blasphemous?

The Bible is pretty clear about blasphemy of the Holy Spirit being unforgivable.

Some denominations doctrines are pretty clear about "Once Saved / Always Saved".

Once we are saved, can we walk out of grace?

Can we really mess up and return the gift of salvation unknowingly?

Matthew 12:32
Anyone who blasphemes against me, the Son of Man, can be forgiven,

but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven,

either in this world or in the world to come.

~ JESUS ~

The Holy Spirit tells us where that line is, something the unsaved person probably won't detect so clearly. Do the rules still apply? Can you intentionally offend someone you don't know? Hmmm.

May God bless you as you continue to fight the Good fight!

Who Am I ? - by Casting Crowns

Yahweh - U2

It's all in the details

God loves details. Just look all around at his marvellous creation! And so do we.
We like to know where stuff comes from and why. God likes us to be that way. Childlike. Trusting. Dependent. So counter-cultural. Like Jesus. Not what "society" demands. Forgiving. Unconditionally loving.
Like a child.

1 Peter 1:4
For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

It's amazing how quickly after correction our kids are happily playing and have forgotten, and learned, and continue to love and trust more. No grudges. Clearly Jesus' way.

Here's a question to ponder:

Looking back, what is more precious to you? :

The things God has blessed you with that comforted you

~or~

The challenges that allowed you to grow stronger and more obedient,

which opened the doors for greater blessings?

Romans 8:17
...and since we are his children, we will share his treasures--for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

With all the bad news out there in the media, relax and know that God is in control,

and well, you can plainly see it in the eyes of his children.

PS Please do pardon the occasional typos - I typically post to the blog here amidst our playful, busy, bouncy kids, so multitasking abilities are surely a blessing! Have a great week!

What If I Stumble?

By DC Talk

...swimming with sharks (we are)

I've read a few things this week that really caused me to think about how we're supposed to run our race.

Like this lil' guy ~ facing the Light! Fearless, focused, and moving forward.

But it's so easy to look back, look around... no wonder we can fall into fear and stumble. Just stay focused on Jesus!

A few things crossed my desk that I thought were important to pass on...

First up: I am humbled to have received a prayer request from a Pastor in the Southeastern U.S. who specifically requested all of you to pray regarding his congregation. It's a doctrinal thing, so let's pray that he just continues in the Word, and that these divisions that can pop up and distract would drive all of his congregation, and us as well, deeper into the Word and time of prayer.

And on to something fitting for this ridiculous season of Halloween celebrations ~

I read an unverified, but interesting testimony on Hell that was so alarming that I had to ask around about it and also dig into the Word. (I'd post it, but it's pretty graphic, and if I post third party stuff, I feel better knowing the source). Regardless of it's origin, it was a blessing because it caused me to look deeper into the word regarding what Jesus had to say about this and was blessed richly by it. Go to the Word first, but if you'd like the link, just email me, and I'll send it to you so you can decide for yourself. I have heard several testimonies that line up with this, so for me it's especially intriguing. We hear so many messages about prosperity and life-application, rarely do we hear about the realities of Hell, and Jesus certainly did not skip over that.

Let's not just preach the popular - preach the entire Word.

So, regardlless of the dangers of the day (Ps 91) let's continue to stay focused on our life IN Christ, knowing full well that God is in control! ...but do stay away from the dangerous stuff, especially this Halloween season, because some of it is in disguise.

Psalm 91

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

he is my God, and I am trusting him.

For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague.

He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling.

For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, " I will rescue those who love me.

I will protect those who trust in my name.

When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.

I will rescue them and honor them.

I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation."