Over the last few months I have had this nagging feeling that the longer I am a Christian the easier it is to forget the filth that God has forgiven me for and the sin He has delivered me from. I do not want to live in the past and dwell constantly on what God has brought from instead of focusing on where He is taking me to. Yet, I must always be mindful of what a great sinner I am and what an incredible Savior I have.
This past week I had the incredible privilege of being with some remarkable brothers in the Lord who are in prison in the Lino Lakes Confinement Facility (MN). I was again, as I was last year, humbled by their unashamed honesty. Unlike many Christians who when asked about the sins that God has forgiven, seem to glorify or downplay the magnitude of their sin... the men at Lino lakes in the InnerChange Freedom Initiative are just honest. http://www.ifiprison.org/site_hmpg.asp
They will tell you that they are guilty as charged and make no excuses. They will also tell you that they are paying a price for what they did but that Jesus has paid the ultimate price for them.
I left Lino Lakes very humbled after spending Thursday evening and all day Friday with nearly 170 men who are getting right in a place much different than where most of us live. They are getting it right under circumstances much more difficult than what most of us experience. They are getting it right when the odds are stacked against them instead of like most of us with the odds really in our favor if we want them to be.
This past week I had the incredible privilege of being with some remarkable brothers in the Lord who are in prison in the Lino Lakes Confinement Facility (MN). I was again, as I was last year, humbled by their unashamed honesty. Unlike many Christians who when asked about the sins that God has forgiven, seem to glorify or downplay the magnitude of their sin... the men at Lino lakes in the InnerChange Freedom Initiative are just honest. http://www.ifiprison.org/site_hmpg.asp
They will tell you that they are guilty as charged and make no excuses. They will also tell you that they are paying a price for what they did but that Jesus has paid the ultimate price for them.
I left Lino Lakes very humbled after spending Thursday evening and all day Friday with nearly 170 men who are getting right in a place much different than where most of us live. They are getting it right under circumstances much more difficult than what most of us experience. They are getting it right when the odds are stacked against them instead of like most of us with the odds really in our favor if we want them to be.
If you ever needed to get recharged and or jump-started to quit making excuses and get on with living for the Lord, maybe you need to spend a day with my brothers at Lino Lakes.
They will not be able to read this because they are not allowed internet. But I want them to know I am proud to be called their brother.
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2 comments:
We do sometimes need to be reminded that we are all prisoners and only Jesus can free us. Great blog and thanks for your refreshing approach to the throne.
Thanks, Chuck. I've seen God "arrest" the attention of a couple of friends recently while they served their time here in NC. To God be the glory for what He does, when He does it! Looking forward to seeing you soon -- update me on those April dates for the Charlotte area. Love you, brother.
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