What the Bible Does Not Say.

Today I take a bit of a risk to offer my thoughts out-loud. I grew up in the church and have served in pastoral ministry for many years. I have been taught that the Bible speaks about every issue or life’s circumstances. Today I want to consider what the Bible does not say.

Before you kick me out of the church for even daring to suggest that the Bible is somehow incomplete, I want to assure you that I fully believe that the Bible is God’s Word and is complete, without error. I fully embrace the belief that it is sharper than any two-edge sword and can penetrate into the very soul of mankind. God’s Word is God speaking to us through men and women, through illustration and fact, through wisdom and Truth.

I have read through the Scriptures and have made careful study of a wide range of topics. I am preached from its pages and have sought through quiet meditation and devotion the Truth through a very personal encounter with God and His Word.

Yet, today’s thought is considering for just a moment what the Bible me not speak about. In fact, God’s Word may have never intended to speak about everything, directly. I believe this to be deliberate and not by accident. I hope that you don’t consider my comments heresy.

Do I have your attention? I hope so because often people miss this idea. Perhaps we can’t clearly understand what the Bible does not say because there are so many tools and resources that speak about every topic or condition known to mankind. We have the Bible translated in many different ways and languages. We have Bible helps and books that expand our understanding of the scripture. We have commentaries and topics indexed so that we could easily find a wide range of information and even a list of the promises God has made to us. There are those who have studied God’s prophecies and helps us to understand what the meaning of the prophets were and of what is yet to come.

So, dare I approach the subject of what the Bible does not say? Should I be this audacious and even risk being perceived to be rude as I write this thought out loud?

Nevertheless, here I go. I have often wondered and thought, what does the Bible not say?
We are instructed to pray for God‘s specific Will. We are encouraged to memorize the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6 and even gain a deeper understanding of the prayer that Jesus prayed for His disciples and for us in John 17. We are told that as we pray against God’s Will that we are praying demonic elements in our prayer. We are encouraged to pray and seek God in all things. Yet, The Bible does not speak about everything as we are taught that it does.

When I was young I was told that God has a plan for my life. As I memorized scripture I found principles that guided me and even promised me that I would know His Will for my life. Scriptures that became very familiar to me helped me feel confident that I will know His Will. Passages like, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Romans 8:28.

What the Bible does not say ...

... is His specific Will for our lives.

Certainly it tells me about his plan of salvation for me. It tells me the many promises that guide my life and give me hope. The Bible tells me how to walk in faith and develop spiritually yet, it does not say what His specific Will is for our lives. You may say to yourself, of course it doesn’t! You may even think that I’m a bit naïve in my assumption that it does. You may even say to yourself that I am foolish by not understanding the scripture.

Maybe this was my journey and not yours but I wrestled with this idea for many years. At times the Bible even jumps off the pages for me, but knowing His Will was a mystery. I don’t go around thinking that I am not in His Will by any measure but the journey of discovering His Will for my life is ever present even today.

Without going into much detail of my journey let me simply say that I pray for His Will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. I pray for lost souls who have not found peace or hope because clearly the Bible offers both through salvation. That which I do know of what the Lord promises I do pray. That which I have a understanding and God‘s plan, I do pray for others. I even offer a bit of a prophetic voice for those who have no relationship with God through Christ as I do pray for them. I begin my prayers with a clear understanding of who God is as Lord and His full majesty.

To find that specific Calling and His Will for my life is a journey. It is a walk that I take, hand-in-hand with God through Jesus Christ. It is not as clear as leaping through scripture with my eyes closed and landing my finger on a specific verse. I don’t test God By saying, "If you show me your Will in this one area of my, life, I will follow." It isn’t as easy as that!

 To discover His Will for my life is a journey. 

To discover His Will for my life takes great faith.

To discover His Will for my life requires humility.

Never-the-less, once His specific Will for my life is discovered, it opens the door for every kind of help while discovering Spiritual Gifts. It gives us His peace that passes all understanding as well as other elements of the Fruit if the Spirit. It will unfold for us all His promises as we know more clearly His Will for our lives.

The Bible tells us that we must first seek Him, as searching for gold or silver. We then can know our purpose and His Will for our lives!

Love One Another, Despite Our Differences!

Let’s have a conversation. How different are we? We are all so different. Different by race, background, experiences, education, economic status, social status, political position, and even religion.

Like us, the twelve disciples were very different; some were fishermen, others were businessmen, even one was a tax collector, as well as one was a physician, as well as a thief, yet even another was an activist. Similarly, each of these men could be categorized like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. They all were uniquely very different.

As you read this article and realize that we all have differences we come to understand why so many of us cluster and create cliques; creating close friendships with those who have similarities.

It is easy to like people who are like me. Yet, it is much more difficult to love people who are different. We allow our differences to separate us! I am often curious and have to ask the question, why can’t we disagree, agreeably?

The Word of God & our National Day of Prayer (NDP) theme gives focus to "Love One Another." "A new covenant I give you," says Jesus, "to Love One Another." I add, despite our differences.

John 13:34 - "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other."

While we can find unity in our understanding of God’s love and loving one another, this passage is NOT about unity. It is about loving each other no matter how different we may be.
The disciples were very different people, each possessing a different motivation for why they responded to Jesus. Each of them were perhaps drawn to His calling to be a disciple for different reason. There’s not time to break it down except to say that they were called to a different way of thinking. The concept and command was to love one another as he loved them, no matter their differences!

I wonder what would happen if we could demonstrate that kind of love for "one another" as well as to "the others" that live in our community?

I have the opportunity through White’s Residential & Family Services to wake up each morning and spend my day in a different community throughout Indiana. I meet all kinds of people and I have been in many different churches. Last year I was in 45 different churches for worship. Despite what you may thing, it wasn’t because I couldn’t get along with anyone, it was because of my ministry. Believe me, I have seen all kinds of church settings, met many different people, experienced a wide variety of people.

We are very different people yet even as part the body of Christ, we too have various differences. We know that we are the church Universal in our Christian faith yet each of us represent a different part of that body. Jesus is the head of course yet we function with various gifts and abilities.

This year’s NDP theme takes from the scripture calling us to love one another. Yet, though the disciples were very different and often argued over who would be the greatest, Christ instructed them in his departing that they are to love one another.

As we do a better job of loving one another, the world will see us in a different light. They won’t see siblings whining and complaining but they will see a family who cares even for their neighbor.

Another passage in Hebrews puts a remarkable context to the meaning of loving one another through the incredible sacrifice of our Lord. Therefore, we are encouraged to find ways that demonstrate love and good works.

Hebrews 10:24 -- "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works."

One tactic that I have discovered brings meaning of life to people. I love to invite people to prayer, like waitresses and those of the service industry. I believe that God calls us to love the lost and forgotten segment of our population; those that are right in front of us every day!  They are the least among us and often those who are Invisible to us.

I’ve make every effort and often go out of my way to ask waitresses and others how I could pray for them. I try to find ways to build a positive context of the relationship through humor as my way to accomplish this; some might even say I tell bad jokes.

Jokes like, why didn’t the invisible man take the job he was offered? He couldn’t see himself there. Or, what did one cannibal say to the other cannibal after they eat a clown? Did that taste funny?

Ultimately it is about helping people encounter the gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that demonstrates his love for them. This theme is not just a reminder for us as believers but a reminder that as a nation we need to love as Jesus did for the least in the lost who are so obvious in our community.

Consider the following.

I should not be too great that I cannot serve others.
I should not be too rich that I could not help the needy.
I should not be so comfortable that I would not be inconvenienced for the sake of another.
I should not be too busy to stop and listen.
I should not be so pious and religious that I do not discover the true meaning of religion for the orphan and widow.

R.C. Sproul; "Men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance, until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God."

Remember;

On this National Day of Prayer may we mourn for a nation who’s sin is generational & should I dare I say it, includes my sin.
On this National Day of Prayer may we humble ourselves to serve the least & the lost and should I dare say it, set aside our own wants & needs.
On this National Day of Prayer may we pray for those in leadership and authority – and should I dare say, even those whom we may have disagreements with.
On this National Day of Prayer are we willing to humble ourselves and seek His face?

Foster Care & Myths: #1 - Kids Are In Care Because They Are Bad Kids.

Over the next several weeks I plan to do a series of articles and videos on the subject of foster care and myths. The series of short articles explore some of the various impressions and perspectives people have about foster care that are not accurate. My hope is to provide better information around the truth surrounding foster care. One expert that I reference is Dr. John DeGarmo. His further information on this subject can be found on his website and article on the 8-Myths of Foster Parenting.

Jumping right into this series, I want to hit the first topic regarding one of the most significant myths around foster care. I’ve heard many times that people believe that children are in foster care because they are bad kids. This is a myth.

Headlines do not help us especially when it comes to foster care. Many headlines are written because it is a topic of controversy and sensational headlines sell papers. Case and point, often there are assumptions but just because a child acts out badly it is not the result of being in foster care or the fault of foster parents. This could not be farthest from the truth.

Just because there are cases, though isolated, that children in foster care or headline stories of bad things that happen, this does not prove the assumption that bad kids are in foster care. Case-in-point was a mid-2000 report that discovered through the Justice Department that 70% of those in human trafficking have been in foster care. What makes this headline startling is that kids who age out of foster care may turn to sex trafficking or become victims of abuse later in life. We cannot draw the assumption that foster care is contributing badly to human trafficking but we can get an understanding that they are vulnerable to become victims because of the lack of support as a contributing factor.

The truth is that the majority of children and teens that are in foster care are removed from their natural parent or guardian home at no fault of their own. It is because of neglect and abuse of a parents or drug use in the home that state agencies are forced to step in to intervene on behalf of children and youth. Furthermore, children who have been in traumatic situations do not have the coping skills to deal with such "normal" family systems and circumstances.

Many articles substantiate the truth of the victimization of children who often are placed outside the home and a foster home, group home, or shelter facility. Consider the following article: AAP News Gateway: Developmental Issues for Young Children in Foster Care.

Often it is teenagers that share the biggest blame of the stereotype. Many people doing foster care prefer not to take teens because of the fear that they may themselves abuse others. Children in foster care who are teenagers are disproportionately stereotype but this is not accurate. Many teenagers are well-adjusted and responsible young people and are simply looking for permanence and structure in their lives.

Foster homes are a place of refuge for children and youth who have been abused. Foster parents often carry the heavy load of medical needs, psychological needs, and physical needs due to a negative experience in the home of their parent / guardian. Of course children act out and deal with the difficulties associated with their abuse or neglect but they are indeed victims. Yet, it is foster care, through services that begin the healing process for children and youth.

MYTH #2 Click Here. 

Evangelism: Five Simple Acts We ALL Can Do!

If you have ever shared your faith or just invited someone to church you know that it’s not an easy task. I’ve been there as well. I’ve gone to special classes and have been challenged by sermons and motivational speakers. I have listened to my pastor express the importance of sharing my faith.

Many use passive-aggressive tactics to let someone know that they are a Christian.

You’re sitting at a restaurant and just as you get up to leave you Place on your table what appears to be a $50 bill. You think to yourself, "There I’ve done that, the Bible track will make a difference." What you left behind was a biblical track that appeared to be $50 but when you open it the message reads, "Your soul is worth far more."

What you and I often do is think that if you leave subtle clues that somebody will come to Christ and you can justify your actions. The truth is, passive-aggressive actions don’t work. Leaving a Bible track alone is not the way we fulfill the great commission.

Often we feel as if we are not doing enough.

Another tendency that we all may do this feel compelled that we should do something more than just share our faith. Of course should you actually share your faith any action would be positive and fulfilling. The truth is, often we use methods that are clear about our motivation for our action.

So you give a few bucks to someone in an act of charity. Of course that person is grateful because the need is greater. Yet, all they know at this point is that you are a nice person, generous, and you did a nice act of kindness. 

Without clearly identifying your motivation, this is just an act that makes you feel better.

Much of what motivates us to share our faith is guilt.

This leads me to talk about the third point I want to share. We are motivated to act but we Respond and guilt. We know what the Bible tells us to, "go" and share our faith and we’ve heard sermons that compel us. Yet, or motivation is one of guilt and self righteousness.

Hold up your hand. Count your fingers. There are five ways we can share about Christ that makes a difference. I want to share with you that we can all fulfill the great commission through developing a relationship with another person as well as clearly demonstrating that our motivation is love.

A. Pray. -- God hears us & answers prayer!

We know that every good and perfect gift is from God. We know that our faith compels us to believe that as we pray, God hears our prayers. This is the first act of evangelism. We plead on behalf of others for God to save and redeem those that we interact with.

This first finger that we may use to count is our pointing finger. This is the finger often pointed at others when it should be pointed to God.  We can demonstrate our faith and thus our belief to a non-believer by simply asking them, "How can I pray for you today?"

Prayer is at the very beginning of a relationship because it is neither compelled by guilt nor motivated by self righteousness. It is often judgment the people here but in a genuine concern in prayer we point to God and ask of Him. It is demonstrated out of love. It is not passive-aggressive because we are entering into a spiritual context of our relationship with another person. If we demonstrate true humility as we ask for the opportunity to pray for someone, we bring someone into the encounter of the living God.

I have had no one ever turned me down when I simply ask, "How may I pray for you." Often I pray while they are with me and it’s clear that it is a ministry to their spirit. Often people have cried because of the wearysome burdens that they carry with them.

B. Share His Word. -- God’s Word NEVER returns void!

Certainly you can share the gospel through the word of God with somebody that you have just met. Often we get the idea that we need to gain trust or a relationship so that we could speak about biblical matters. The truth is that there is often a cop-out in a way to delay the work of God’s word and the life of another.

Somehow we believe that God‘s word is not enough or that we need to put it in some context but in reality if we share God‘s plan and God‘s promise it will not be done in vain. I believe God’s word never returns void. Perhaps it’s an issue of faith for us to believe that God‘s truth needs us to interpret but in reality we need to get out of the way.

I’ve heard people tell me, and try to convince me that they have to spend weeks and even months getting to know someone before telling them the good news. This is a trap. This is the belief that you are more important than God‘s word. It’s a believe that you are more powerful than the Holy Spirit. It’s a false teaching that says that someone may reject you and consequently reject God. Put aside your ego!

Memorize a plan or several scriptures that have been most meaningful to you. One of the scriptures that has been my life verse is out of the book of Philippians. It tells me every day that, "He (God) who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…" I will often use God‘s promises that have brought me hope and healing. I have often spoken of in scripture that is helped me during a difficult decision or a stressful moment. The bottom line is that I am weaving my testimony in to my remembrance of scripture and God‘s Word never fails.

With our second finger we can count. Holding up two fingers often represents peace. The Word of God is disarming and should bring peace.

C. Testimony. -- Telling my story in an elevator speech.

This brings me to the next way of evangelism. Sharing your story of what God is doing in you will make a difference. It is taking time to tell how God has helped you. It is taking time to share about a time when your needed God’s help and He was there for you. Whatever the story line, God will use it to help others see and hear the impact of God at work in you.

People need to see how God is working and your story adds to these messages that the Holy Spirit will use to change lives. People have a longing to know the work of God. They will likely make immediate application to their lives. Keeping the story of hope alive is demonstrated through your story.

Stay within a short "elevator speech" time-frame. People don’t need your political views. People don’t care how you voted in the last election. People don’t need your story to begin with, "When I was a child...." The elevator speech is a message or short testimony that is a 30-second statement about how your found peace in Christ. You may want to practice by writing it out and committing it to memory. The elevator speech is a discipline that keeps you from preaching sermons or stating only opinions.

Keep your message positive. Follow themes that everyone can relate to and want to hear. Topics like hope, peace, love, and joy to name a few.

Holding up three fingers should be your reminder that three minutes is all you need to share your testimony and ask a good question that tells someone that you are concerned about them. Any longer than that and it becomes a sermon, a lecture, and most people are too busy to hear more! Yet, if done correctly it will open up a door where you can share more later.

D. Love Appropriately. -- Agape Love is central to the heart of God.

When we say we love someone but we do not demonstrate appropriate love we make a mockery of the sacrifice that Jesus provided for us on the cross. Appropriate love are two words I used together because the definition of love is used in many hurtful ways. Some people use it to manipulate others or to cast fear upon them by making them do inappropriate acts defined as love. When we witness we must care for someone and elevate their status while presenting ourselves as a humble servant.

Nothing amazes me more than when I hear and even witness Christians who demand their rights in the public square. Nothing makes me more frustrated to hear about how our waitress was belittled or insulted because a Christian didn’t get the meal they felt they deserved and had requested. It is all too familiar on Sundays when I’ve been told by waitresses that it is the worst day of the week when "those Christians" come in after being at church. One waitress told me, "They are very demanding People and they leave little to no tip." Unfortunately this is not a rare occasion.

Demonstrating appropriate love in the day and age we live is so vital. So many of those to represent the Christian faith and even those in the profession of clergy and Pastor are making headlines today because of their inappropriate behavior. Yep beyond that we can all stand with an indictment because we haven’t done well to understand God‘s version of love called, "Agape".

Gods definition of love was demonstrated by Christ and was clearly understood by the disciples. If we stopped to really think about God’s grace toward us it would truly humble us because we all need forgiveness. Agape is unconditional and selfless love that we need to demonstrate each and every day. If we demonstrate it well it is very likely that people will remark about how different we are and therefore be a witness for Christ.

E. Be Kind in Tangible Ways. -- Being the hands & feet of Jesus make Him real.

I was standing outside a restaurant getting ready to go in one day when I saw a man standing at the door. I didn’t really think much about it as I approached him but then it came to me that he was looking for someone to give him a handout.

I was at a fast food restaurant one day in the city nearly 500 miles from home. I was a stranger. I noticed a woman who appeared homeless and hungry. I invited her to join me in the restaurant and that I would be willing to buy her anything she wanted on the menu. Humbly she stated that she would only have a small drink and a simple hamburger. I repeated to her that she could have anything on the menu and that price was not a concern for me. After ordering one or two more small items she quietly whispered, "thank you." I asked her if I could pray for her as we placed our order. I prayed out loud for her to which she responded very graciously. As I ended my prayer I looked behind me and to my surprise there was a long line of people patiently waiting yet bowing their heads in prayer.

I tell you those stories not to impress you but as examples of how this and other acts of kindness, though simple can witness for Christ. While others simply rush through their day and pass by the hurting, and at times even I am in that group, we need to be reminded that simple acts of kindness done in the name of Jesus echo for eternity.

This fifth reminder is likened unto an open hand as you count one, two, three, four, five. As the world clinches it’s fist and may even shake their hand at God our simple and selfless acts of kindness releases the power of God‘s love and causes many to relax and open their hands to receive.

We don’t have to be a rocket scientist or a clever individual, we just simply need to respond as Jesus would to those who are hurting. Each of these five can stand on their own and you may even find one more comfortable than the other. It’s important that you do not neglect the opportunity when it is in front of you or even if you must go out of the way to find that opportunity.

Recently I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Mitch Kruse, Restoration Road. His latest book tells us that we can do a better job witnessing if we simply ask questions. We are quick to give answers but what if we, as Kruse says, "put the verb at the beginning of the statement and end it with a question mark." Check out his new book, "Street Smarts from Proverbs."

Prison. If I Could Have Taken You With Me.

Imagine seeing yourself on the journey I am going to share with you. It may be hard for many. It may be easy for some who already know what it is like to be a prisoner. Yet, all of us need freedom in Christ from something. I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me start the journey and begin to paint the picture for your imagination as you see yourself joining me in prison.

The afternoon that began a three day journey started, for us in prayer. The day was going to be a good day. As we approached the Miami Correctional Facility my heart began to beat faster and faster as I thought about the opportunity that awaited us. Some of us chatted while others told stories of having done this before. I reflected on some of my years having visited some of the largest prisons in America and spending weekly visits in the local county jail teaching classes and getting to know those behind the heavy iron doors. Nothing could really compare with this experience; this journey is called, Kairos.

We, on the outside of prison as well as those inside mark our time with calendars and clocks. This is called "Kronos" time. On the outside of prison we can fill it with activities of fun and work, projects and recreation. On the inside it could also be wasted but time means something else. For many, it is about "doing time". Most recognize that their prison sentence behind bars is required to fulfill time because of something that was wrong, something that they may have done that required a judge to pronounce a sentence that began the clock for them. As the gavel fell the hollow echo pierced their ears and their time begins. Bitterness, anger, rage, fear, hurt, and rejection are all part of the experience as every emotion floods their soul with despair.
Our group walks in through the front doors of prison; entering through the large metal doors we experience an atmosphere that is stale and cold. Those cold steel doors and metal detectors provide our welcome and as we approach the guards we sign ourselves in to begin the process of being brought through the gate.

Prisoners are brought through a different gate and while there are some comparisons that mirror the one that we experienced, it is also very different for them. It is a stale and cold beginning. For them however, they are brought to the prison where they will exist for years to come. Every day their freedom will be lost. They enter, not of their own free but of one assigned with them along with their number. They receive very few items that are given to them, and they are assigned where they will sleep, when they will awaken, what they will do, and their new experience will eventually become a daily routine that many men and women could not deal with. I know for me, I would likely go insane because of the feelings of despair and emptiness; it fills their mind with nothing else but an empty and hollow existence.

There is another time that we call Kairos time. This journey that we take will intersect with the journey that many are already on. This time is not measured by clocks in calendars but it is gods time. It may be an appointed time and our mind cannot comprehend it. This is a time thar God determines. Through the journey of life we often avoid it and may even reject it but there is a time that God determines is the right time, when a good outcome can happen if we let Him.

For this reason, we enter the prison doors. We hope to set men free but not from the prison gates but the chains and walls that have held them as prisoners, yet many for their entire life. Many are fatherless. Many have had loss. Many have been rejected. Many have been betrayed. Many have wounds that have not healed while everyone has scars that tell stories.

We lineup as we begin with introductions. Each of us have been assigned to welcome a prisoner we call our "guest". As their name is called, the room of men irrupts in a torrent of cheers and applause. This is how we welcome our guests. We get them their favorite drink which could be coffee, orange juice, or fruit punch. We make a introduction and we hand them a name tag and we get them their favorite drink which is usually a cocktail of a blended kind. One takes their coffee with five creamers and five sugars. Another says I would like a mixture of red fruit punch with orange. Some want a blend of hot cocoa and coffee. Whatever they want we make every effort to memorize it so that the next day we are prepared with their favorite drink in-hand as their name is called.

Throughout the day and the days to come over the weekend that we meet together, we exchange questions and get better acquainted with one another. We asked questions about their favorite meal or their hobby or job. We will make it as normal of a conversation as we can. We even share bits of information about ourselves so that they feel comfortable with us. We never asked them anything about why they’re in prison and even if they share that information we tell them that here that does not matter.

There are chapel times and teaching times. But the best part is that we are feeding them both spiritually as well as physically. The man I’ve already heard that we bring in home-cooked meals, and incredible stories are told. The first day and a half a man over eat because this is the first real food that they have had in a long time. Their food does not even compare with what we feed them. Goes on the outside pray continually as they prepare delicious meals and track them over to the prison so that there are no delays in delivering hot food for the men to consume.

There are several that teach throughout the weekend with a time of discussion around the tables. There are times for fellowship which eventually feels like home because it is a safe place for them to tell us their story and tell of their deepest wounds. These are sacred times because they have told no one before and feeler yet as they gain further trust in our relationship.

Imagine yourself being there. See yourself as one of us. Can you smell what we smell? Can you see what we see? Can you hear what we hear? All of our senses are on alert because we don’t want to miss the miracles that are to happen in the lives of each man. Some of the miracles we saw was hardened men confess their sin and receive a freedom that only God can give through Jesus Christ.

One man told of a time when he tried to commit suicide while on the outside. He was a hunter and fisherman. He loves the outdoors. He had purchased a new rifle for hunting years prior. "It was a perfectly designed rifle," he told me. He described how this rifle never missed his target; deer, small game, and targets practice. At his lowest he took that rifle in an attempt to end his life using his rifle. After coming to a new relationship with Christ over the past few days he recounted that negative experience. He explained how low he had gotten to. He summarized his testimony by saying, "The only time that rifle ever misfired was that time when I put the barrel under his chin. Click, Click. It didn't fire." 

His testimony was more complete when he said that through Kairos, he now understands that God had another appointed time in mind for him. He shared, "The rifle didn't fire because I needed to be at Kairos to receive Christ for the very first time ever."

Nothing can prepare you for the reaction of the men when we bring out the meals. They haven’t had real milk in years. They haven’t tasted real meat in years. They haven’t had the amount of food that we serve in years. Some don’t know how to respond except to eat as much as they could consume. They eat the fresh baked cookies, they asked for seconds of every cocktail of kool-aid and coffee and hot cocoa that we could provide. They haven’t eaten like this in a long time.

Most have waited two or three years to get to this moment. They have waited a long time to arrive at this appointed time we call Kairos. These are our guest. We don’t see them as prisoners because at the foot of the cross the ground is level. We see ourselves in their eyes. We know our sin yet they were caught. We realize the transgressions in our lives but our guest are paying the price for those transgressions in their lives.

We who have planned and prayed watch with great eagerness as the shell of each man slowly begins to come to life again. We watch as they are hard and protected self slowly takes down their wall that they build with their own hands to attempt to protect themselves from any further disappointment or pain or rejection.

They built these walls with their own hands to attempt to protect themselves from any further disappointment or pain or rejection. They discover that their wall was built with stones that were familiar to them. Stones like selfishness and greed. Stones that were polished and cared for. Perhaps their favorite stone is what they lay upon is pride. They are taught new lessons about how the stones were not built by God but that God wants to tear down that wall, stone by stone so that He could reach them and He could care for them and pierce their heart of stone.

Slowly they share their story and slowly they trust us with some things that have told no one!  They eventually learn that we are a safe person to share things with. Eventually they learn to feel our sincere heart of love.

The cookies are their favorite. In this particular weekend we brought over 2,500 cookies for them to enjoy. Any leftover cookies we deliver throughout the prison to others who are incarcerated in the various cell-blocks of prison life. Everyone in the prison knows about the cookie drop and most wait six months to receive one dozen fresh baked cookies.

By the time the men begin to share their stories and testimonies of what God has done in their lives there is an overflow a genuine tears and life change. There is not a dry eye in the room because we have the opportunity to see miracles happen before us.

The men, and the women that do this are overjoyed. Hugs coming easy and laughs are plenty. We spent months praying and preparing in hopes that it will make a difference for Christ in the lives of our guest that will last a lifetime. It’s amazing to me how incredibly humbled I am to have been a witness of this incredible experience.

I hope you were able to join me in your mind’s-eye. I hope that you could begin to feel what we feel. For each of these men and our leaders we become a family. We call each other brothers in Christ. We remind the man that God has unconditionally forgiving them and challenge them to forgive  themselves and others. Perhaps the most difficult challenge for them is being able to forgive themselves. The transformation occurs once they receive Christ and begin to forgive themselves.

The Kairos experience in the prison hopes to introduce Christ to the men (and women) by helping them to receive His grace and forgiveness. It is also a way for our guests to forgive themselves and others. This message is not just for those on the inside but available to all.