Category Archives: love

God's love, Jesus, love, relationships

Finding Purpose Behind Bars

You can learn a lot if you are open to listening.

We visited the Louisiana State Penitentiary yesterday at Angola. Angola is the largest maximum-security prison in the United States, with over 5,000 inmates. The overwhelming majority of the inmates are serving life sentences, with a large number of its population on death row.

It was a sobering tour.

Angola is also known for its innovative programs for the incarcerated. One of them is called P.A.W.S. (Prisoners Assisting Warriors Service), which uses the inmates to train service dogs for military veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These volunteers work with canines for 14-18 months to learn basic commands, provide mobility assistance and detect stress triggers in their eventual veteran owners.

The two men who presented to our group were serving life sentences. One had been convicted of a crime at age 17. They were polished, poised and passionate about their work. In addition to their work with this non-profit, they had both obtained degrees in Divinity and expressed their desire to continue to give back.

They had joy in their hearts and purpose for their lives.

O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. Psalm 130:7

I often pray that the Lord will bring someone in my path that needs forgiveness, mercy and love. But yesterday- the Lord brought me into the presence of two men who could provide an example of brokenness, forgiveness and redemption.

These men had experienced the worst that this world has to offer. But despite their mistakes and crime, they have joyfully committed to spend the remainder of their days improving the lives of others. They have a clean conscience and an excitement of what comes eternally with a life in Jesus.

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14

My prayer this week is to be less bound to my thoughts about “where I am” and instead focus on “what I can be.” Despite any current distractions, obstacles and challenges… I can do more. Serve more. Love more. I just need to get out of my own way.

And please let me know how to pray for you.

If you are so moved, you can contribute to this important ministry at the following address:

P.A.W.S. Program, Louisiana State Penitentiary, 17544 Tunica Trace, Angola, LA 70712

Jesus loves you and so do I.

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God's love, Jesus, love, relationships

Winning and losing with grace

While watching football highlights last night, I observed that there were at least four rivalry games that were marred by ugly finishes.

In each of these games, the winning team rushed to the opponent’s logo and attempted to stick their team’s flag into the center. Pushes and shoves became full-fledged brawls. In Columbus, Ohio, police had to resort to pepper spray to break up the fight.

Emotions run high at these games. Rivalries matter. Passion runs rampant with wins and losses.

But what happened to winning with grace? Losing with grace?

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. James 3:13

We place too much emphasis on not just winning- but dominating. I win and you lose. And when you lose I’m going to tell you about it. I feel better when you feel worse. I’m going to “plant my flag” as a sign of disrespect for you.

This carries over to our daily lives. We can secretly find comfort in the failure of our neighbors…when those around us get humbled at work or at home. “They finally got what they deserved.”

As Christians we are called for more. To love others. To help those who hurt. To celebrate success and to share in others’ success.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

How can we keep ourselves in check when passion, excitement and enthusiasm go to far?

  1. Remember to keep everything in perspective. Our lives are built upon thousands of events- some big and some small. We learn from each and every experience, and that with perspective and experience comes maturity. As my grandmother used to say- don’t let your highs be too high or your lows be too low. Humility is a learned behavior.
  2. Pray for awareness of those suffering around you. One of the best ways to keep humble is to help those around us who are hurting. For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13
  3. Remember that we are a walking witness for Jesus. People all around us are watching everything we do. At work. At home. At football games (ouch). In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 Our actions speak so much more loudly than our words.

The is week I will pray for a more tender heart. I want to see others who I disagree with me as “people,” not as opponents. I want to show others the grace that our Heavenly Father has extended to me.

And let me know how I can pray for you.

God bless you and I love you.

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agriculture, God's love, Harvest, Jesus, love, relationships

Harvest

Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels.com

It’s been a beautiful autumn across Tennessee. We’ve had an abundance of blue skies and the leaves have been a brilliant tapestry of orange, yellow and red.

I’ve especially enjoyed watching the farmers take their annual yields from their fields this year. Because of some new job responsibilities, I’ve had the opportunity to visit many producers and farms from Memphis to the Virginia border. It’s been a good reminder of how hard our farmers work all year round. Planting. Cultivating. Reaping. Stewarding.

The Bible speaks often about farming as a profession or in parables. It shows the importance of our stewardship of the land and those that work hard to feed and clothe us.

It often uses harvest time as an analogy. An activity just as important centuries ago as it is today. Most notably, harvest is used as an illustration of the work that we have as followers of Jesus.

It’s a reminder of the souls around us that need to hear about Jesus.

“And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'” Luke 10:2

“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest?’ Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” John 4:35

It’s also a reminder of the work and actions of our own hearts.

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:8

How are we pouring into the hearts of those around us? How are we cultivating our very own hearts?

Please pray for me to be looking for ways to share the love of Jesus in my home, at work and in the Knoxville community. And also pray for me to pull the own weeds and thorns from my heart so that I can purely accept and reflect the love that Jesus has shown to me.

And please let me know how I may pray for you. God bless you!

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God's love, Jesus, love, relationships, Uncategorized

Are You Talking to Me?

I was walking across campus this week and saw a student coming toward me on the sidewalk. She had her head down and appeared to be in deep thought.

“Good morning,” I said.

She didn’t respond. She just kept walking toward me.

“How are your classes going,” I asked.

No response.

We passed one another.

About 10 seconds later I heard a voice behind me.

“Excuse me…were you talking to me,” she asked.

I laughed and told her yes…and I remarked that she must have a lot on her mind. She apologized and admitted that she was preoccupied with classes, work schedule and lots of homework.

As I walked away I realized that this happens to me quite a bit.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30

I get so preoccupied in my own worries and busyness I forget to give it all to God. We have a loving, caring Heavenly Father that desires to have a relationship with us…and all we need to do is seek Him.

My prayer this week is to have greater awareness of those times when I’m trying to solve life’s challenges on my own. I want to get out of my own head and into a direct conversation with God.

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

Give it to God.

Please let me know how I may pray for you this week. God loves you and I do too.

Keith

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