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My Brother's Keeper
Volume 5, Number 2, April-June, 2000
GROWING on the WORD
A scripture study
The Word of God, is the source
of light, truth, and power, for those who seek its meaning and apply it to
their life. Jesus Christ is the word made flesh, and we seek to follow him.
John 8:12 (NIV) - "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows
me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Each issue of "My Brother's Keeper" features a WORD study. This
month's study was prepared by Shawn Parker, a friend and brother in Christ, an
inmate at Buena Vista Correctional Facility in Colorado.
"Easter"
by Shawn Parker
As I was conducting the research
needed to write this article, the Lord directed me to Exodus, and the beginning
of Easter. You know, I really never thought about how Easter came to be, and
honestly, never really put much thought into the significance that Easter holds
over my salvation.
The question that I would like to address in this Word Study is "How
does the cross of Christ fit in with my every day life?"
But first, let's get some background and history on Easter. The holiday we
call Easter celebrates the resurrection of Christ. Through my research, I have
found various dates with which Easter is celebrated, many accounts of different
traditions used to celebrate it, and many items added to the celebration to
signify different aspects of Easter (the rabbit represents the fertility of
spring, which is associated with new life; the egg represents the same new
life, a symbol of spring since ancient time).
However, the holiday we know as Easter is always found to be rooted to the
Jewish holiday "Passover". I have found it interesting that the
original meaning of Passover is one in the same with the meaning of Easter as
we know it. Nothing has changed - thank the Lord!
The Israelites, after nearly 400 years of slavery in Egypt, were about to be
liberated by God, and taken out of Egypt. To set the stage for the Israelites
exodus out of Egypt, God sent ten plagues onto Egypt. These plagues were
ferocious and intense, but served to separate God's people from their captors,
and establish Himself as the one true God.
God told the Israelites to sacrifice an unblemished lamb, and smear the lamb's
blood over the door frame of the house in which they resided.
Exodus 12:12-13 (NIV) - On that same night I will pass through Egypt
and strike down every firstborn -- both men and animals -- and I will bring
judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for
you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over
you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
Jesus is our Lamb's blood. By simply believing in Jesus, and accepting what
Jesus has done for us, the blood that Jesus shed while hanging on that cross
covers our sins. Death will pass over us.
I Corinthians 5:7b (NIV) - For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
I Peter 1:18-19 (NIV) - For you know that it was not with perishable things
such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed
down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a
lamb without blemish or defect.
The culmination of Jesus' life was His death, and His death was to give us
life. Jesus bought our salvation with His own pain and suffering. His work on
earth was to communicate God's message to us, to teach us through example, and
then to die for us. On Easter Sunday, He shows us that Life is ours, through
Him.
My Study Bible has a section called `Insight'. There are many insightful
stories included, and one that fits this conversation that I would like to
share with you.
American radio broadcaster Paul Harvey once told a modern parable about a
religious skeptic who worked as a farmer. One raw winter night the man heard an
irregular thumping sound against the kitchen storm door. He went to a window
and watched as tiny, shivering sparrows, attracted to the evident warmth
inside, beat in vain against the glass.
Touched, the farmer bundled up and trudged through fresh snow to open the barn
door for the struggling birds. He turned on the lights and tossed some hay in a
corner. But the sparrows, which had scattered in all directions when he emerged
from the house, hid in the darkness, afraid.
The man tried various tactics to get them into the barn. He laid down a trail
of Saltine cracker crumbs to direct them. He tried circling behind the birds to
drive them toward the barn. Nothing worked. He, a huge, alien creature, had
terrified them; the birds couldn't comprehend that he actually desired to help.
The farmer withdrew to his house and watched the doomed sparrows through a
window. As he stared, a thought hit him like lightning from a clear blue sky: "If
only I could become a bird -- one of them -- just for a moment. Then I wouldn't
frighten them so. I could show them the way to warmth and safety."
At the same moment, another thought dawned on him. He grasped the reason
Jesus was born. God Himself, the Creator of the universe and everything
within it, took on the form of a man, to show us the way to salvation. He lived
in poverty and died in disgrace, and thought us worth it.
The very minute you realize the reason Jesus was born, you will understand the
importance of pursing a life of righteousness. With this comes the
understanding that our daily trials and tribulations only serve to strengthen
our faith and prove our faith genuine, resulting in praise, glory and honor for
our Savior.
Throughout the Bible, especially in the New Testament, you will find examples
of how Jesus dealt with many of the same problems that we deal with today.
These examples are invaluable to us, because they are how we are to deal with
the daily crisis's that we face. But the most important aspect of dealing with
the trials of daily life is the ability to trust in God to guide us through
them. This then is our faith. And the goal of our faith is the very salvation
of our souls!
Jesus died for the salvation of the entire world. Individually, though, He died
for each of us. It is our responsibility and our duty, and by loving God it
becomes our pleasure, to not let that act of universal sacrifice be in vain! It
is with great pleasure that I accept the sacrifice that Jesus made for me. I
envision Him suffering on the cross, but with a smile in His heart, as He
thinks of me and whatever struggle I might be going through. Because, as I turn
to Him for strength and guidance, I am making His pain and suffering worth it;
to Him! Jesus has more than earned my respect and admiration, He bought it
with his life !
He has my allegiance!
In daily life, we make hundreds of decisions that affect our existence, our
environment and the people around us. The only thing that is constant in my own
personal decision making is the fact that I can never make all the right
decisions! Somewhere in the day, I will goof up. Not on purpose, mind you, but
after all, I am only human.
However, when you fix your thoughts on Jesus, and allow Him to guide you
through every aspect of your day, you will go to bed fully satisfied with a
perfect decision making record for the day, brimming with confidence for
tomorrow!
Keep focused on Jesus, and the meaning of His life and death. Every minute
of every day!!! Enjoy this Easter, my friends. God Bless you.
"The
Room"
Written by Joshua
Harris;
Contributed by Larry Stratton;
it originally appeared in the Spring 1995 issue
of New Attitude magazine.
In that place between
wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no
distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card
files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or
subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to
ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different
headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was
one that read "Girls I Have Liked". I opened it and began flipping
through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the
names written on each one.
And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room
with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written
the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't
match.
A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I
began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and
sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look
over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named
"Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed".
The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have
Read", "Lies I Have Told", "Comfort I Have Given",
"Jokes I Have Laughed At". Some were almost hilarious in their
exactness: "Things I Have Yelled at My Broth ers". Others I couldn't
laugh at "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have
Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents". I never ceased to be surprised by
the contents. Often there were many more cards then I expected. Sometimes fewer
than I hoped.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be
possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or
even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in
my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To", I
realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed
tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file.
I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast
amount of time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked, "Lustful Thoughts", I felt a chill run
through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its
size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to
think that such a moment had been recorded.
An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one
must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy
them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter
now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and
began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became
desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I
tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my
forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw
it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With". The handle
was brighter then those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle
and a small box not more then three inches long fell into my hands. I could
count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in
my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of
shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled
in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock
it up and hide the key.
But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here.
Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and
read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I
could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He
seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?
Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with
pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head,
covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put
His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word.
He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the
room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on
each card.
"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No,
No," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards.
But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus
covered mine. It was written with His blood.
He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the
cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the
next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my
side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There
were still cards to be written.
"Being Born
Again"
by Anthony Saldana,
an inmate at Delta Correctional, Delta, Colorado.
I became a Christian when I was
43 years old. I didn't know much about the Bible. I didn't even know for sure
that God would let me start over. But, I told Jesus I wanted him to take over
my life. Then something supernatural happened on the inside of me. I was born
again.
"Born again" isn't just a religious term. It's something that really
happens inside of you when you make Jesus the Lord of your life. "But what
about my past? I feel so guilty about it!"
If you've been born again and made a new creature in Christ, the past doesn't
belong to you anymore. And, it would be ridiculous to walk around feeling
guilty about "some-one else's" past wouldn't it?
For example, what would you think if I took a darling little baby on my lap, a
pretty young thing just a few months old, and said, "Oh, isn't she
precious? But just think about her past.
You'd think I was crazy! "Uh, what past?" You'd say, "She
doesn't have a past!"
Well, it's the same way with you once you've been born again. You don't have
any past. Praise God! Your life begins again the day you made Jesus the Lord of
your life. And when Satan comes around trying to remind you of what a worm you
were before, just tell him he's knocking on the wrong door.
Romans 5:1 (NIV) - Therefore, since we have been justified through
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The cross justified me. It acquits me of all my transgressions. This holy,
powerful God, wipes my list of debts clean and declares me right, innocent and
holy. I can cover my sins, deny them, even try to run from them, all the while
pretending to live. But only in the cross can I be delivered from their death
penalty.
God's law demanded perfection. I failed. Jesus accepted the execution in my
place. Now, because of the cross, I leave the courtroom free. Praise God!
In conclusion, don't let the world around you squeeze you into it's mold. Let
God remake you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed. Thus you will
prove in practice that the will of God is good, acceptable to him and perfect.
Sharing the Good News
===============
From: Sherman Johnson, C.T.C.F., Cañon City, Colorado
Dear Sharon, Sometimes I lose my way, but I always wander back to Christ.
And I come weary and burdened, seeking rest -- because I have done that dance
with the devil before.
I want to thank you for your letters. They lift my spirits and remind me that
Jesus is here and there, for me and for us all. God Bless you, Sharon.
===============
From: Calvin Welch, A.C.C., Cañon
City, Colorado
Dear Christian Ambassadors: I am a Christian here at A.C.C. and I am
writing to you, because a friend said that your ministry has been a big help
and a blessing to him.
Would you please send me some information about your ministry? I hope to hear
from you soon. Humbly, C. Welch.
================
From: Robert Staggs, Beeville, Texas
Dear Sharon, Thank you so much for writing me back. It is a blessing to
have someone willing to "personally" write me back rather then send a
computer print-out like some ministries do. Your letter was like a ray of
sunshine in this dark depressing place.
The advise you gave me concerning my situation was really helpful. I
appreciated your prayers and all the helpful scriptures. I feel like a weight
has been lifted off my shoulders.
I thank the Lord for giving me a friend like you. I believe now that God is
working all things for good because I love Him and am called according to His
purpose.
Thank you so much, Sharon, for your listening ear. If I can help you in any way
I would be honored. May God bless you and keep you.
===============
From: Robert Allen, Pre-Release, Cañon City, CO
Dear Sharon and Alan, I would like to commend you on your publication, "My
Brother's Keeper."
I was able to obtain a copy while I was at Jefferson County Jail. I found all
the articles that were published very inspirational. I find that as we share
our lives in Christ we all find strength from each other through God.
As the apostle Paul shared the faith almost 2,000 years ago, we should share
the faith with others; through spontaneous conversation about God, premeditated
ideas about the gospel, as well as personal experiences with God.
Today, the decay of man is indeed at hand. This modern world has no traditions.
All around us we see and hear the traditions of God and the spiritual policies
of man disintegrating. The world is no longer Godly. The handful of true
Christians must hold fast to the traditions of our Lord God.
================
From: Rowena and Vipula Godamunne, Sydney, Australia
Dear Sharon and Alan, Thanks for the newsletters, "My Brother's
Keeper," that we receive regularly.
We really feel that God has blessed you and Alan in a special way to be able to
correspond with inmates and rehabilitate them in a spiritual way. We think we
are blessed to have your friendship.
When you get a bit of spare time, please write and keep in touch. In the
meantime we will enjoy reading your newsletters! God bless you and keep you
both in His loving care.
================
From: Rev. Onokala Okechukwu, Abia State, Nigeria
Dear Alan and Sharon, Happy new Millennium! My comments on the
"January-March 2000" issue of "My Brother's Keeper," is
that the material is neat, well written and can meet the needs behind the
prison walls and the walls of those who are spiritually incarcerated.
I would express my joy for the inclusion of the extract from Newswatch
"The Prison Shame." In fact that would really give you the true
picture of prison conditions in Nigeria. I am sure you know Jesus Christ used
this technique, being able to identify one's primary problem before the actual
ministry; and that was why he succeeded in many areas during his earthly
ministry.
I do commend both of you for your good work in the Lord. I'm sure the year 2000
is going to bring a lot of blessings for us all.
===============
EMAIL Update from CA Nigeria, Wednesday, April 5, 2000
Dearly Beloved (Alan and Sharon)
We returned on Friday evening 3/31/00 after our two-day visit to Ebonyi State
for prison ministry; to pick up your letter of 2/29/00 enclosed in the
spiritual growth material posted to me on the 1st of March, 2000; in my mail
box.
Indeed, you have honoured your words. You have also proven your integrity as
servants and true ambassadors of Christ. On our side is really a big challenge.
The demands for the last news letter "My Brother's Keeper" was high
but I reproduced more copies to meet the need. And I am going to do same on the
"Spiritual Growth" materials that has just arrived.
Myself and co-ministers of CA-Nigeria are doing fine. I do my best to ensure
that CA activities are organised and executed properly to achieve the aim.
My prayers are that the Lord God Almighty would strengthen you and keep your
lives safe and prosper the ministry the more. My greetings, and may the peace
of the Lord be with you. Amen.
"Forsake Darkness,
Live in the Light of Truth"
By Sharon K. Griffee
John 12:44, 46 (NIV) - Then Jesus cried out, "I have come into
the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in
darkness."
Anyone who has become a
disciple of Jesus Christ will no longer want to tolerate sin in their life. A
disciple needs to live in the light, freed from sin, where truth lives.
There is no way that truth can live in the darkness. Truth flourishes on light,
where it can literally grow to its highest state of spiritual productivity.
Why? There is freedom in truth. The truth of God sets us free, because it is
based on reality, not deception. Through the light of truth (Jesus Christ), all
the pretenses and lies are exposed and laid open for examination. There is no
reason for a disciple of Jesus to stay in the darkness, for there is nothing to
run from, nothing to hide.
Caught up in the darkness of prison, inmates often worry about the truth being
revealed, so they try to protect themselves (through deceptive means), by
threatening physical violence against other inmates to keep them from snitching
(from telling the truth about injustices committed). It is time for a reality
check; There is no lasting protection for themselves from the truth. God
already knows the truth about their actions. Truth is not just a concept, it is
reality!
Hebrews 4:13 (NIV) - Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's
sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we
must give account.
Every prison inmate (along with the rest of us) will have to give account
to God for actions done while living in this physical body.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, is more important then our relationship with
Jesus.
Sin in its very essence, is an assault on that relationship. The goal of sin is
to steal the one thing we cannot live without, an intimate relationship with
Jesus Christ. The goal of sin is to separate us from our Savior.
If we lose our relationship with Jesus, then all the friends, all the
possessions, all the physical strength in the world won't bring us true joy or
inner satisfaction. Eventually our life would end in spiritual death, having
forsaken Jesus the very source of life (light).
John 3:19-21 (NIV) - This is the verdict: Light has come into the
world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for
fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into
the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done
through God.
"Lovers of the darkness," not a pretty picture to behold. Just as
I witness the transforming power of God at work in the lives of prison inmates,
I also witness the total destruction of those who have chosen to stay in
darkness, turning away from the Light of Christ.
One morning the Lord showed me in a "vision" the distinct image of a
large, muscular man, locked behind prison walls. By the world's standards he
could be considered physically powerful, even someone to be feared. As my eyes
remained fixed on this man's stature, he began to shrink in size before me. He
got smaller and smaller. Then, in an instant he was sucked into a black hole
and disappeared!
Startled, I began to weep for the loss of that inmate. It happened so quickly.
He was there one minute and gone the next. It was as if a giant vacuum cleaner
had moved into the path he was on, and sucked him into gloomy darkness.
James 4:13-14 (NIV) - Now listen, you who say, "Today or
tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business
and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What
is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
This life is only a small step in eternity. We are only here for a little
while. Yet, some inmates spend every waking hour fighting through court appeals,
seeking to gain their physical freedom from prison. When freedom doesn't come
as expected, bitterness and anger set in, taking their focus off Jesus, and
onto self.
But, God who sees everything tells us that true freedom comes when we know that
we have a permanent place in the family of God. Listen to the following
conversation between the Jews and Jesus.
John 8:33-36 (NIV) - "...We are Abraham's descendants and have
never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to
sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it
forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Physical freedom from prison bars means nothing, if we are still enslaved in
the darkness of sin, and are in danger of losing our soul. No one is truly free
until they make Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of their life, and are living
in the light of the gospel's truth.
A few weeks ago a fifth-grader took a gun into his school and threatened his
teacher and classmates. Fortunately the gun was taken away from the boy and no
one was hurt. Later, however, when the boy was asked why he had threatened his
teacher and classmates, he replied, "I wanted to do something bad
so that I would be sent to prison to be with my mom."
Even if the child had done something bad enough to be sent to a juvenile
facility, he would still not be allowed to serve time with his mom in a prison
cell. This child was living in an unreal world of deception.
This incident points out the need for parents to come out of the darkness and
reveal the light of truth about the mistakes they make in life and the
consequences of those mistakes. For an inmate or their spouse to lie to their
child about their crime or the consequences can cause their child to live a
life in darkness.
To help our friends in prison address important issues such as this, I asked
Becky Rollins of Mercy Prison Ministries (Founded by Sheilah Rollins, PO Box
1973, Cañon City, CO 81215-1973) to share with us.
Becky has graciously prepared, in outline form (printed on the next page), some
key issues that they teach when they go into the prisons. I would encourage
each of you to keep this outline handy for easy reference.
In conclusion, may we all strive to cleanse our lives of deceptive practices by
expelling the darkness with the true light of Jesus Christ. For if the Son sets
you free, both you and your family will be free indeed.
To Our Friends in Prison
By Becky Rollins
I.
Forgiveness (is a choice)
a. Forgive yourself and with the Lord ask the Lord for forgiveness.
b. Be honest with yourself.
c. When you have done that, you are able to forgive others, no matter what they
are, or who they are. When you forgive, you are able to move on with your life.
d. When we don't forgive, we don't move on. We stay angry and bitter and our
mind and our heart stays that way. We stay mad. We're not able to get involved
with other people and other things, because we're too busy thinking negative
thoughts. (We're to see through Jesus' eyes).
II.
Involvement
a. You're able to get involved in other things and with your family when you
tell the truth. Telling the truth gives understanding.
b. That's what your friends and family want; to be able to understand you. Your
people want to forgive you, too! It's hard to forgive when we don't understand.
c. Let the family have some insight on you (telling them you're hurting, etc.).
Let the family and yourself be involved in each other.
d. Let your children be involved. Let them see where you are. Tell them the
truth that you have done something wrong (not so much as bad, but wrong).
"I made a mistake," "What I did was wrong," and from there
teach right from wrong (you don't have to give details, depending on age of
child).
e. When your children and family are not involved they suffer as much as you
do. Don't let them suffer alone, and don't you suffer alone. Be honest with
your family. When we forgive and have understanding (involvement) we have no secrets.
III.
No Secrets
a. If we don't tell the truth, we have secrets. We don't have understanding and
involvement, we don't have forgiveness.
b. Secrets are hid in our hearts and in our closets (the dark). Secrets we have
learned, can't be told, so we carry pain with us. Which makes us have secrets,
because we are afraid of shame, humiliation, and rejection. When the truth is
told it's easier to accept the shame and rejection. Yes, some people will
reject us, because they don't have understanding. Those that reject us,
probably aren't important to us anyway.
c. Who matters is your family and friends, so be truthful to them. Tell your
secrets. Don't live in the dark. God has no secrets.
IV.
Conclusion
a. If we don't have forgiveness, and involvement, we have secrets and we don't
have the Lord.
b. Remember that the truth shall set you free!
c. Don't deny the truth. Truth and honesty brings closure.