I visited Roger in prison last night...

I try and visit Roger at the least twice a month. He has been in since 1969, 36 years and counting...maybe one day I will tell his story (it's not pretty) ...this guy never had a chance but he has accepted our Lord, Jesus Christ as his forgiver and redeemer.

At times I really wonder about what I do in life and if it is worth it. I know visiting Roger is beneficial for both of us spiritually but what I haven't told him and which I heard from another is that he may never get out. I know he lives for me and I live for him and that is important but I get so frustrated with the 'system' and how they manipulate the inmates. Believe it or not, that man has shown me more strength and forgiveness than I can imagine. He keeps telling me to keep up the good fight for Jesus in what I do on the 'outside' and he will keep reaching to others about having a personal relationship with Jesus from the 'inside'.

One of the reasons I am writing this morning is that I received an e-mail from our Baptist Conference leader which is addressed to all the pastors and lay pastors (and all of us Christians) about our responsibility to reach out to others at all times. We are all suffering pain in our lives and it is our commission to be available to 'everyone'...without predujuces, judgement and labelling of others...and let others know that Jesus is the answer and is always with us.

the e-mail...and why I won't give in (to Satan) and why we are 'servants of the Lord'


We are Wounded Healers

I am reminded of this from Isaiah 61:1-3.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendour.

Luke 4:21 makes it very clear that Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote 61:1-3. He is the Wounded Healer spoken of there. But then, we are His ambassadors. We are wounded ministers. We are healed ministers. By His stripes we are healed. We then as wounded ambassadors of Christ bring the message of healing to wounded hurting people. Betsy just finished reading Ruth Grahams book, In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart. The title really says it all. This Sunday as we stand before our people we need to recognize they come with broken hearts. They are deeply wounded with the lashes of sin. They come for a message of hope and healing.

One person said: The minister is called to recognized the sufferings of his time in his own heart and make that recognition the starting point of his service. Whether he tries to enter into a dislocated word, relate to a convulsive generation, or speak to a dying man, his service will not be perceived as authentic unless it comes from a heart wounded by the suffering about which he speaks. We need to admit our wounded ness. We need to proclaim the healing which continues to take place in our lives. Read Isaiah 63:1-3 again now. Read it before you minister on Sunday. Rejoice at the benefits and blessings that will come. You are a wounded healer.