From jump street I need to say that we have had our share of troubles in prison recently. A few "mini-riots" that could only be called thus if you were no where near the violence. Lockdowns galore! But still I'm not deterred to spread the WORD of the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST.
In Brandon Heath's song "Give Me Your Eyes", he sings how he wants GOD'S eyes to see, feel, and have similar compassion as HE on the brokenhearted...arms to reach those who are out of his reach. A compelling telling of what the true "great commission" incurs upon us who do desire this. I sat at chow the other day with a man who had all his teeth knocked out with a lock in a sock..a preferred weapon amongst those wishing to inflict such damage as to permanently afflict. I want to buddy up to him so he can see my truth as a CHRISTian doesn't include those wanting to avoid him because he now looks bad. Since this guy was a co-worker of mine a few years ago it isn't hard to actually have an interest in his troubles. I'm no Dietrich Bonhoeffer who within the tyranny of the Nazi rule gave up his life to go back to his fellow peoples to spread the "WORD". "When CHRIST calls a man, he bids him come and die". Garnered from his awesome book "The Cost of Discipleship".
As we start to communicate (remember he just recently lost all his teeth....not two or three..all of them. So he can't quite form certain sounds due to this newly found speech impediment.), frustration set in early for him...then me. In the back of my mind I made a mental note to make sure I either: 1)Come up with conversations that won't include him having to form these particular tough words....2)Avoid him....cuz how on earth can I figure out what sounds may or may not be needed for him to express himself!
Of course there comes the third and very unpopular idea to just endure...mmm. WWJD? Would it be sin to capitulate to my proclivity of having those around me that are like me...viz..communicate with a robust mouthful? The grand mischief that sin does to man is this: It wars against the soul; it destroys the moral liberty of the soul; it weakens and debilitates the soul by impairing its faculties; it robs the soul of its comfort and peace; it debases and destroys the dignity of the soul, hinders its present prosperity, and plunges it into everlasting misery. "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty"(Corinthians 4:2) Renounce it as soon as it springs up; renounce the whole thing until there is no hidden thing of dishonesty or craftiness about you. "Not walking in craftiness", that is, resorting to what will carry your point.
This a great snare. Others are doing things which to you would be walking in craftiness, but it may not be so with them: GOD has given you another standpoint. Many have gone back because they are afraid of looking at things from GOD'S standpoint. The great crisis comes spiritually when a man has to emerge a bit farther on than the creed he has accepted. In his book "Radical," David Platt professes how America is missing the true GOSPEL by settling into a type of complacency that doesn't really preach JESUS. "The gospel demands and enables us to turn from our sin, and to take up our cross, to die to ourselves, and to follow JESUS. These are the terms and phrases we see in the BIBLE. And salvation now consists of a deep wrestling in our souls with the sinfulness of our hearts, the depth of our depravity, and the desperation of our need for HIS GRACE. JESUS is no longer one to be accepted or invited in but one who is infinitely worthy of our immediate and total surrender". That ought to sum up what most of us are missing...total surrender is not something we Americans are geared up for.
Better discover this now than later though. Because many who are religious with only their Sunday quota fill will find themselves cast out..that insufferable weeping and all that gnashing. I implore you whom call yourselves CHRISTians..search now and truly believe in what is the calling in your life. Then act on it as if there is no tomorrow...because there may not be for this earth as we know it.
I love you all with prayers in an intensity that HE knows is from my heart ...
later...
dougie boy
