Shame ≠ Hope

 Shame, how many of us has felt this or continue to feel it daily? In the past, before I got locked up it was almost daily. I failed God again. Failed at controlling the lust filled thoughts. The bitterness deep inside still hung on from the abuse as a child. Because of all that I felt was shame filled. It pressed down on me like a Mack truck. Crushing the life out of my spirit. Being reminded daily of my failures and sins. From cheating and leaving my wife, never being good enough at anything I did for my second wife, to the sex crazed person I'd became. It broke me down. (Do you feel like this?) Then I gave my all to Jesus. My life, my heart, and my soul was His to take over. Did that mean there was no more days of shame? No more condemnation? Nope! Shoot, it's easy for us inmates to be overtaken in our shame. This leads us to hopelessness. According to the Apostle Paul, "therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 8:1) As a follower of Jesus, we have no shame! Sure we can regret and feel sorry for our past sins, but because of Jesus' blood those have been washed away. I, myself, on some days feel a deep regret. For the pain I have caused, the many missed opportunities as a husband and a father/step-father. Yes, I am so very sorry for these actions. However, we as His children, can't live in the past. We can't allow ourselves to be consumed with all the wrong doings we've done or the wrong that has been done to us. Even in the darkest days, Christians have hope! That is our faith in Jesus Christ! Romans 5:1 says we've been justified by that very faith and made righteous in the the eyes of God. Hallelujah! Thank you Father! Don't allow thoughts or circumstances to steal the peace and joy that the Holy Spirit has put inside you! Sing or listen to praise music, seek the Lord by diving into The Word, reach out to other followers of Christ if you are feeling lost. You say you don't know Christ? What's stopping you from reaching out for a relationship with Him? Send us a message, we'll gladly talk to you about starting that relationship. 

(Side note from Mandi: Nick is telling you his story and his walk with finding Jesus Christ. I will gladly step out of my comfort zone and share my testimony.  If you send an email though the blog I will get your message and will help you on your own path. We are always here for you.)  

Christmas 2020

 

It's Christmas time again! This time of year is the Mother of my child's favorite. I remember watching her in the car driving down the road with her hands on the wheel...her fingers dancing to the music, thinking his beautiful she was. Being together decorating the house and tree while she was pregnant, I'll tell you, she was positively glowing! Being locked up plus this Covid thing, we have even more time to think. I've been thinking about my boy, Caleb, and the times we had together for Christmas. Honestly , I didn't cherish those moments enough. See, at that time in my life I still thought like a teenager. Now though since it does no good to dwell on the past, I can't wait to create new memories with him! This time of year we, as Christians, celebrate the coming and birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We ( normally) come together as a family and give presents to our loved ones as the Magi did for Jesus. We feast and enjoy each others company with many family traditions. Caleb, although we aren't able to be together for a while, know this. You, my son, are such a blessing to me and your Mom! We are proud of the young man you are becoming and love you more than you realize at this time in your life. You're in my thoughts and always in my prayers. I Love you. Many inmates don't get the opportunity to ever tell their kids they love them. I thank God I have a Mother who is a follower of Christ, and understands the meaning of forgiveness, and how important it is to have both parents in the child's life. Jesus had Mary and Joseph. He stood beside his earthly father learning how to be a carpenter, even though He was God. Spending time together whether in person, over the phone, or Internet is so important. Especially during these trying times! Thank God He loved us enough to send His only Son to be born of a virgin and die in order to reconcile us humans to Himself! Remember the reason for the season! Jesus, the Messiah!

The Battle in the Night

 Nighttime. I'd say that's the most difficult time for us inmates. Maybe some of you out there in the free world feel the same? When you're tired, right before falling asleep, or right when you wake. Most times the thoughts last for moments, tonight it was an all night battle! Seeing the holiday commercials with the families all together, watching Christmas movies on the Lifetime network, it all brought on these thoughts of shame and regret. The thought of " if only". So wishing I could have a " do over". The regret of my past mistakes weighing so heavy on me it hurt. How I failed as a Husband, Father, Step Father, heck, as a man! To be able to go back in time with the knowledge I have now of who I am and what Jesus did for me, I am literally a different man! Show my son and step daughters what a real man looks like, a man of God. A true protector. Loving and gentle. Not consumed with shame and the pains of his past. The "if onlys" coursing through my mind..it was a long night y'all! But I woke refreshed! I woke with joy and peace in my soul! The God we serve as followers of Christ is not a powerless object that we must make with our own hands in order to worship or to give life with our thoughts! He is alive! His Word is alive! He is called ELOHHIM; God, Creator, Mighty and Strong. He is Jehovah/ Yahweh; LORD. Specifies an immediacy, a presence. Jehovah- Jireh: The Lord will provide. Our provider! He is Jehovah- Rapha: Our healer! He is Jehovah- Nissi; our banner, our rallying place! He is the Great I AM! Beloved, as Christians we are promised by Father God to never be alone! He said " I will never leave you or forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) We can never have a " do over". What we can have is reconciliation via Jesus Christ. He is the God of reconciliation! He did so for us humans and Father God, and He can do so with the ones we've hurt in our lives. It's because of His Word that I woke refreshed. The Bible is The Word of God. It is alive and powerful!(Hebrews 4:12) Thank God for His Word and His Grace! It's that Grace that gives Hope of the future! There will come a day when the ones we've hurt will see us again. And my prayer from August of 2016 has been they will see what Christ has done in me. If you've been feeling abandoned by God. If your past mistakes overwhelm you, cry out to Jesus! He IS the answer! To those who call Him Lord of their lives, He IS there, right there living inside you! You are never alone. You are worthy of His Love because of Christ's blood on the cross. You've repented and asked forgiveness from God right? Well then you ARE forgiven and free from shame and condemnation! (Romans 8:1) Don't let Satan hold you in your past! Jesus is your present help and future hope! Trust in Him today!

Afraid and Alone

 The Message translation of the Bible is written in such easy yet powerful terms as that anyone can understand what the Holy Spirit was saying when He spoke to the Apostles telling them what to write. In Joshua 1:9, God is speaking to Joshua, he is the successor of Moses. Remember, the Bible was written for believers. God says " Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. GOD your God, is with you every step you take." Wow! The Creator of time and space, earth and sun, is with you every step you take!? Praise the Lord! Beloved friends, take courage in these words! The God we serve cannot lie! I know at this time in particular it's hard not to be fearful and discouraged. Remember though not only what God has said, but what He has done in your life. He's saved you from the fiery pits of hell. He's given you eternal life now and forever ! His power, the very same that rose Jesus from the grave lives inside each and everyone of those He calls His child! (Romans 8:11) If you're worried right now I want to encourage you in the Name of Jesus to hold fast! Hold on to the Promises of Jesus! He said He came to give you His peace, not as the world gives ( meaning perishable / ending), but as The Father gives. Meditate on Philippians 4:6-7" Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Hard Life

 Prison is hard. Yeah I know it's not supposed to be easy! Did one ever stop and think why so many people come out of prison worse off then when they went in? Everything we sit on is hard. The plastic chairs in the Chapel, the benches in the chow hall, even the beds we sleep on, all hard. The concrete floors and cement block walls that surround us, all hard. Inmates are treated hard as well. Some staff members think it's their jobs to punish us. Beating us down with words, egging us on in order for one of us to "step out of line" and snap! Then the staff can say to their friends "see how terrible these things are! Why, they're barely human!" Yes Folks, that's how inmates are treated by many staff members. The food we are fed, oh boy... Just the smell of it is enough to gag many people. This so called "meat" smells like dog food and looks like it too. Lot's of beans and noodles, flavorless and usually undercooked. Have you ever broken a tooth on beans that weren't cooked? I've seen it happen in here! I've been called a liar a couple of times, and the first time it was the school psychologist! Thank God, I was vindicated due to my persistence and I WAS telling the truth! Daily I'm amazed at the miracles of God. How he's changing my heart and mind to be more Christlike. The old me would've rolled over and taken the 3 tickets, not tried to fight it at all. Yet Jesus has given me (and those who follow Him), not the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind! (2 Timothy 1:7) Without Jesus, I'd be dead (literally). Yet He rescued me and made me new! He is the answer to the people who say "Once a felon, always a felon!" He's making me into a man of God! If you allow He will do the same for you! Ask Jesus to come into your heart, turn your life over to Him. Turn from your sins and He will save you! He died on the cross in order to redeem you! Your sins are paid for by His blood. Call out to Him, He's waiting for you.   

The Real Deal (Part 2)

 So what does Christianity look like? If you claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, is there a masked difference in your daily actions then a non believer? How about we start with what a follower of Christ won't look like? Unforgiving, full of hate, and prideful are some of the traits that can be seen in a non believer. Psalms 130:3-4 (AMP) states "If You, Lord, should keep an account of our sins and treat us accordingly, O Lord, who could stand [before You in judgment and claim innocence]? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared and worshiped [with submissive wonder]." You see, with forgiveness comes forgiveness. All because God Almighty saw fit to forgive us. So then why shouldn't we as measly humans forgive others who have hurt us and/or done us wrong? In Mathew 5:22 Jesus tells us, "But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice against him shall be guilty before the court; and whoever speaks [contemptuously and insultingly] to his brother, [Raca (You empty-headed idiot)!’ shall be guilty before the supreme court (Sanhedrin); and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the fiery hell." Jesus goes on to say in verse 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father Who is in Heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good; and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Seems a bit harsh, right? NO! Our God is Holy and Just. His Word tells us (Proverbs 23 NASB) "For as he thinks within himself (his heart), so he is." Satan was thrown out of Heaven because of pride. Psalms 10:4 states "The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are 'There is no God'" Proverbs 11:2 (AMP) "When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame, But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind." Beloved friends, as followers of Christ our walks in the day to day grind that is life should reflect our love of Christ. That is the key! What does Christianity look like: LOVE! Jesus said in John 15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another and I have loved you." He goes on to remind us in verse 16 that He chose us! We didn't chose Him! You've seen the bumper stickers! Christianity is not a religion it's a relationship! I never really understood that until a few years ago sitting in county jail studying the Word and praying. Since Jesus first loved us, the very people who's sins nailed Him to the cross, we in turn, love Him. Walk daily in the love! Let go of the unforgiveness, hatred, and pride. Let the light of Jesus shine brightly through you as you go about you lives. Christianity is all about love! May the Lord fill you with overflowing love and peace. May your hearts be softened to receive this  free gift of mercy from the One Who Calls you out of the pits of despair. In the Might Name of Jesus, Amen! 

4 

Just be Thankful!

 I am ashamed to admit it, but yesterday I was mad at God, and even worse, I complained out loud! Making matters worse, earlier that day our Case Manager, Mr. Manns, had given a Word on being ungrateful! As inmates we had been informed that we were eligible for stimulus $ from the CARES Act, and I was looking forward to it so I could pay off court cost and ease the burden of my family who send $ every month so I can live more comfortably. How many understand that when you have a loved one in prison, you're all in prison?! Some may say, "y'all deserve to suffer" " do the crime, do the time!". I say, "Yes & Yes!" However, being locked away from society & loved ones IS doing the time and punishment enough! Having a high metabolism like I do and living off the food we're served here s not conducive to staying healthy! Most stuff I can't get past the smell to TRY and eat! Let alone the look! I digress. I received a letter from the friendly IRS stating they were taking all the money and applying it towards my child support debt and boy did I react wrong! See, as a follower of Christ, I should know better! The Word says to" give thanks in ALL circumstances" 1 Thess. 5: 16-22. It's so easy to drop the ball, to lose sight of the prize. I've been struggling since Friday with a stomach bug and whooo boy is that rough in here ( our restrooms are closed at certain points, meaning no entry!) Yet all it took was a wise man named Pete to remind me, to point out the obvious good that I had missed! My son will have an extra Merry Christmas this year because of that! I immediately repented asking God to forgive me! Beloved friends, the will of God for His children is to be thankful! Is you or someone you love struggling financially? Has Covid touched your life intimately? Are you and your spouse not talking? " Be still and know that I Am God." That is what our Heavenly Father is saying today! He gave us His only Son. He loved us that much! Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things SHALL be added unto you! Glory to God!! Hallelujah! Praise You Father! Thank You Jesus! You are worthy Father!! Take time to thank the One Who saved you. Even in our darkest times, we can and should give thanks!

My Sentence

 What I wouldn't give just to hug my son! To see him laugh and smile. Just to sit and listen to him talk. But, because of my actions, the consequences are me being apart from Caleb. 11 years is a long time behind bars. I'll be honest, until a couple of weeks ago I thought I didn't deserve it, on the grounds that the mandatory part my time is based on falsehood. However, I deserve every day I got separated from society, family, and friends. After all, I DID break the law and I regret those actions severely. I'm sorry just ain't enough the way I figure. I believe that's why I talk about abuse and victimization, and most importantly, the freedoms that only Jesus Christ can give from all of that! You see, I've been there. Living my life as a victim. I didn't realize how damaged I was until it was too late. So deep into depravity, I saw no way out. I tried over and over to stop the thoughts of lust, to stop the actions that made me stink into a deeper pit. On that night I was "tricked" into going to the police station, well it was the night I was going to lay it all on the line and talk to the one I had abused. Now I pay the price for my actions and my inactions. By allowing myself to be in situations my way of thinking was twisted. However, God was still speaking. He was there calling my name. Thank God for His love and word! How I long for the ability to speak into my son's life, as do all inmates with children. We all make wrong choices. "For all have sinned and fell short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)  John said in  1John1:9  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The Creator of the Universe says everyone who repents and accepts His Son, Jesus as Lord will be forgiven and made clean by the blood He shed on the cross! Please, give someone a second chance! Seek the face of God to soften your heart and teach you how to forgive. He forgave you. Will you too have forgiveness in you heart?

Keep the Target Steady

 Memories can be good, and bad. These days I am having a lot of great memories flood my brain. The fall leaves turning colors on the trees n the woods across the field are a great reminder to the good times of my past. I miss those times, and those people. Walkin through the woods with my friends and family. With Mandi, Brittany, and Amanda. My best friend Chett. Walking through the cornfield maze with my son and step daughters and Jerri. There wasn't always bad times wit her. I remember how she looked in her red coat. So beautiful and sophisticated I looked at her at that time and wondered why she chose me. So many good memories. Where does time go? ! I miss those people a whole lot dangit! I thank God that Jesus sent us The Comforter. With Him living inside me, it is more bearable to continue living in this world with the bad memories and the missed opportunities. The devil will try to keep us stuck in the past. All the things we've messed up, he will keep us there focused on those memories. Pretty soon they will consume our thoughts! That's why the name Target Jesus is so meaningful. We must stay focused on what is really important Our Lord and Savior, Jesus! He is what matters because it is by Him we will be judged, NOT the world, NOT Satan! Titus 2:14 talks of what God has done for those who call on Him. He has redeemed us from every lawless deed and purified us to be His possession! Glory to God! Thank you!!! Remember this ya'll, Jesus is there holding out His hand saying come to Me all who are heavy and I will give you rest.

The Real Deal (Part 1)

 If you were on trail for being a Christian, would there be a guilty verdict saying you were a follower of Christ? Does the prosecution have enough evidence to show without a doubt that you love Jesus? Sticking a Hot Wheels car in a garage doesn't make it a real car. Putting a shark costume on your cat doesn't make it a shark. The same can be said that parking your butt in a pew every week doesn't make you a Christian. Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB) The Apostle Paul writes " But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." How many of us need some of these fruits in our lives? How many of us just lied saying that we don't need any? Is your love showing? Ask a friend or loved one if you act with gentleness and patience. Those who follow Jesus have His Spirit living inside them! The same Spirit that rose Him from the grave is in us (Romans 8:11)! Maybe you're thinking "Nick, you are nuts! You can't look at a person and see if they follow Jesus." I say, why not? We as followers of Christ are called to be the salt and light throughout the Earth! Mathew 5:13-16  “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  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." If we, the Body of Christ, would submit ourselves fully to the Holy Spirit, then the world could not help but see the light whom is Jesus Christ! Folks, please allow the Spirit to mold your outer man into the likeness of Jesus. Then you will praise God when found guilty of following Christ! You'll be the real deal! The inner man will match the outer. In the next two weeks there will be a part 2 that will go over what this looks like. 

Fall the wonderful time of year!

 This time of year is hard for me and I bet a lot of inmates. For me it has been enhanced by the loss of 2 people I loved. Fall is, to me, the most beautiful time of year. Even though it is death, in essence, it is full of beauty. Watching the leaves change, feeling the cool fall breeze on my face, smelling the scent of decaying leaves, to me, that is what makes fall wonderful! It also brings back many good memories of times spent with my loved ones. Time where we would be laughing, and playing together, yes, even Aunt Frances. Shoot, there was a few times she was the start of water fights at our family reunions in KY!! In those dark times, Holy Spirit is there. See ya'll, He is living inside every single person who claims Christ as Lord and Savior. He is there reminding us of God's Word. Showing us the way we should go. Filling you with His joy and Love, and Peace. Before time began, before you were born, God chose you to be His child! He chose you to have eternal life via His Son, Jesus Christ! Ephesians 1:4b-6 Paul writes; "Because of His Love, god had already decided that through Jesus Christ He would bring us to Himself as His sons- this was His pleasure and purpose. Let us praise God for His glorious grace, for the free gift He gave us in His dear Son!" Beloved friends and family, remember to praise God! Even in times of deep despair. IN times of pure darkness where there seems to be no end in sight! God IS there! He is there holding your hand! Call out to Him! Praise Him THROUGH the storm! Praise Him with your whole being! He loves you and with that praise will come a change in your sight! Aim higher than your circumstances! Set your eyes on Jesus! He is the Author of your Hope through Jesus!

Fear is not here

 Matthew 10:28 "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One Who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Being in prison, especially during this season with the virus, there is a spirit of fear throughout this place. On top of the fear of injury that is daily occurring behind bars, the beatings, the stabbings, the rapes. Some people feel at any time this could happen to them. They live their lives daily petrified with fear. Do you? Are you in fear for your life? Do you worry about tomorrow? What could happen going through your heads constantly? I'll te4ll you what, that used to be me. Frankly it SHOULD be me, because of the crime I'm convicted of, all those things are a very real daily possibility. Yet God says, Do Not Fear! We, as followers of Christ should not fear death. Why would we?! When we die we will be with Jesus i heaven! We will see Him, the One we love face to face! The glory of god will be our light FOREVER! I say to you in the Name of Jesus, do not fear ya'll! Hold each other up. Reach out to your loved ones and friends at least weekly to see how they are doing, to encourage them. That is what being a Christian is about! Show the Love! Spread the Love! 1 John 4:18a " There is no fear i love. But perfect love drives out fear..." Love one another. Keep your eyes on the prize that is our eternal hope Who is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

No Pain too Big for Jesus

 We have a lot of time to think being locked up in prison. I've been thinking about my failures as a Dad and Step Dad. Failures of relationships too. It's frustrating to say the least because I can't communicate my feelings to the ones that I've hurt. I want to so very bad! Yet for reasons I have no control over I am stopped from doing so. A restraining order for one..and bitterness due to unforgiveness well, on both fronts actually. To reconcile these relationships would be so great! I want the people I've hurt to know, I am a changed man. I want them to know Jesus as I do! To live not as a victim but as a victor through Christ Who lives in those who give their lives to Him! To be abused by one who is supposed to protect you is so damaging. But you don't have to live as if you are damaged goods! Jesus is right there! He's saying come all who are burdened and heacy laden and I will give you rest. Those who claim Christ as Savior may not understand the power in His name. There IS power! The very power that rose Him from the dead lives in His children! The Apostle Paul said "I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength" (Phillipians 4:13) To the people I have hurt. I understand the pain you have gone through, even what you are going through. I ask you in the name of Jesus to lay those burdens down at His feet! You don't have to carry them on your shoulders anymore! I know. I was there. Now I am free. The burden of my past, the abuse I endured and even gave, is gone! No weight on my shoulders. Do I feel regret, or am I sorry for the pain I have caused? Heck yes! That's why, I say, I am sorry. That's why I try to let y'all know my thoughts and feelings. So maybe someone out there won't live their life like I did..in pain and heaviness. In fear. Jesus came to seek and save the lost! He is there. Holding out His hand. Give Him permission to come into your hearts right now and rescue you from the pits of despair!

Aunt Frances Sep.22,2020

 Boy, when you loose a family member it sure is hard! Especially being behind bars. Now, I know some may see us inmates as nothing more than hardened criminals with no feelings or regard for humanity. However, I have seen numerous men in my dorm i particular just in the past 2 months on their rear ends with their heads buried i their knees balling like babies from the pain of losing a loved one. I missed my Aunt before i got locked up even! But boy is there tons of great memories of her house in Vanlue Ohio! Holidays spent together with my cousins i the house that always smelled like a gas leak..The love was so full every time we were together as a family! Her contagious laugh..shoot, did she laugh! I love her so much! Praise God she is i Heaven with her sister (Grandma) Martha singing praises to the Father for eternity! We as followers of Jesus will see her again one day, maybe soon! For those who don't know this Jesus..what is stopping you from giving your life to the One Who died to give you life eternal?! Now is the time! We as a family, pray that that the Lord would bring us comfort and peace, and fill us with His joy as only He can. I the mighty name of Jesus we pray! My beloved cousins, know that you are all in my prayers. Heck, you're in all our prayers in this prison. The body of believers are praying for you! I love and miss you all so much!

The Disappointed God

 "Dang! I did it again!" "I've lived for years backslidden!" "God sure is mad at me now. God must be disappointed, again!" How many of us have had these thoughts? I know I have! Why do you think that is? Didn't John say in 1 John that God is love? And perfect love casts out fear? ( 1John 4:16, 18) Growing up I was scared of God! Every time a severe thunderstorm came I thought " God's mad at me for- insert sin- ." Yet Father God is NOT human! His thoughts our not like ours, His thoughts are higher! Surprise!! See y'all, we compare our Heavenly Father with our earthly father, and our human emotions. Yet God IS love! The Apostle Paul speaks about it in 1 Corinthians 13. He says Love endures long and is patient and kind. Love isn't arrogant or rude,is not touchy or fretful. Takes no account of evil done to it. Love never rejoices in injustice. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of everybody. Y'all, Love NEVER FAILS! Glory to God! Hallelujah!! The Maker of Head in and earth. The One Who knit you together I. your Mothers womb, Who knows your beginning and end, He IS Love and He loves you! Now, I'm no expert, but I believe what the Bible says! Jeremiah 29:11 AMP God is speaking and He says; " For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." Beloved friends, God knows every poor choice we will make. Yet He still is steadfast in loving us exactly where we are, waiting for us to turn back to Him! When we sin we know we must repent and ask forgiveness. God will forgive us of ALL sins if we confess to Him.(1 John 1;9)

Nick's Log: Aug.22,2020

 A miracle happened on this day. Way back in 1980 a baby was born via an emergency C-section. When the Mother to be entered the hospital, the nurses didn't believe she was even pregnant! See her child was coming 3 months before his due date! The Drs. gave a 50% chance of surviving, and if he did, he'd be in and out of the hospital most his life, or mentally handicapped. That was the first miracle of my life, and God's hand continued to stay on me 40 years later!! I was thinking back on my life today and was dumbfounded at the reckless love of God! He was there with me protecting me from sickness. Even before I asked Jesus to come into my heart in 1992. Father God was guiding me calling me to the ministry in 7th grade..I think. I have memory problems, #1 from being born premature, #2 if y'all ever meet Mom, well DNA is also where I may have gotten the issues! Love you Momma! I was in Mrs. Wolf's English class when I heard the Holy Spirit call me to preach His gospel. Yet I turned away from God and walked my own way. Practicing Witchcraft, homosexual acts, lustful acts...all the while the Holy Spirit was speaking, saying stop, come back to Me..yet I ignored Him. I listened to a point. If I hadn't, what I was accused of would have actually happened and probably much worse cuz I was consumed with lust by that point. Thank God for His Spirit! See, even through all the abuse throughout my life, the wrong decisions, the pain I caused, Jesus was there. Crying out through the Holy Spirit drawing me back to Himself because He still and always will love me! Do y'all realize no matter where you are, how far away you've gone from Jesus Christ, He STILL loves you! Jesus came to earth and died for all our sins..get this..while we were still sinners!( Romans 5:8). I'll tell you what, THAT is love y'all! Hallelujah!! Jesus meets you where we are and lifts us from the pits of sin! Cory Asbury sings a song titled Reckless Love. Verse two says " When I was your foe, still Your Love fought for me, You have been so, so good to me. When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me. You have been so, so kind to me." Look up this song and listen. It's the life story song of any one who has Jesus as Lord and Savior!

2nd Chance Citizen

 "Oh I remember when so and so was in jail all the time!" Or " I knew you back when you were drinking and sleeping around." Have you heard or said these words before? Did you know Satan wants to keep us in the past? You allowed yourself to be a mouthpiece of Satan by saying these words! Hey, I'm talking to myself here too! As humans we don't want to give second chances do we? " Well Nick you don't know how much he/ she hurt me!" Let me ask you...How much did we hurt the God that breathed the very life into us by not accepting Jesus into our hearts? He longs to have a relationship with YOU! Jesus went to the cross to die...for you to be able to have a relationship with Him so that you are justified and forgiven and made a new creation! Hallelujah!! I know what it's like first hand. I have a cousin who's been in and out of prison most his life. I always said, I guess once a felon always a felon! Are you treating anyone in your life like this? Maybe you've got an ex who is in prison for the 3rd time. You talk crazy about them to your parents or new husband and your child hears it. Yes, your child, the one whose Parent is in prison. How do you think your kid would react? Now this person who is locked up says they've changed their ways, but you think, you've heard that before! You don't want your child talking to this person! I mean you're only protecting the child right!? WRONG. If you claim Jesus as Lord, you must forgive. Even though your relationship with your ex was terminated, that doesn't mean the child's should be also! Matter of fact, you may be harming your child and causing bitterness to take root. Not bitterness toward the one in prison, but towards you! Here is a saying that I've seen proved true, " Hurting people, hurt people." All are sinners and fall short of the Glory of God, but God sent His Son, while we were yet sinners so we could have eternal life! (Romans 3:23 & 5:8) So, think about this y'all. A Holy, Righteous God, made a Way for all mankind to have an intimate relationship with Him. We, as followers of Christ are now His children! He gave us a second chance, should we not do the same for others?

Snapshot of Our Past

I just received a picture of Ms. Mandi and I from back in high school... well, 9th grade..pretty sure that's high school..Anyhow, when I first saw it I had feelings of joy and the memory of how I felt at that time hit me like a train. I'll tell you, seeing me with lots of hair on my head was a shocker, and Mandi as a blonde..well..I liked her hair natural, or purple... I guess, only cuz she likes it though. HA I never thought I'd talk about what I'm about to say..You see, Mandi was my first real girlfriend... sorry Karen...she was my first kiss, first love. I was reminded of how things used to be. The way we treated each other , with love and respect, trusting the other to not judge our secret thoughts, to not make fun of how we acted or talked, or looked. What could've been poured through my mind like a flood. Then on top of that the stupid mistakes of my past, from breaking up with her, all the way to how I treated my wife and kid/ step kids. The devil was whispering in my ear of what a failure I was. The people I'd hurt, saying they will never be healed. They'll harbor hate forever in their hearts and struggle the rest of their lives. It hurt to be reminded of the past mistakes. Thinking, man if only I'd of stayed with Mandi instead of looking for " the next best thing" and allowing the new felt desire for sexual intimacy to overwhelm and confuse me, then I wouldn't have made all the bad choices and not be locked up out of my child's life till he's an adult! It hit me right then. God spoke to my inner most being. He said, if you had stayed with her, you wouldn't have Caleb. She wouldn't have her 3 boys. She also wouldn't have the testimony of My forgiving love. She wouldn't have the relationship with Me as she has now, not having gone through her own hurts and betrayals. You wouldn't have gone through those bad choices, choosing over and over to turn and ignore My voice. You would not have hurt the people you loved, which means you would not have gone to the depths of sin that you needed to in order to have the testimony and relationship you have with Me, my beloved son. Your past pain, caused by others, the pain you caused because of that pain, without it you would never know how to relate to survivors of abuse, and the abusers! See y'all, God can and will use those hurts to bring us closer to Him! He will allow us to choose to make the wrong choices, and receive the consequences for those actions too! God chastises the ones He loves! I thank God He does! I wouldn't have such a deep, intimate relationship with Father God except by the trials I went through as a child and a man! It took my surrender and forgiveness of the people who hurt me and forgiving myself for the pain I caused, which took around a year. My friends, you can be free from your past mistakes! Jesus is the key to that freedom! Give Him your life and see!
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Words that Cut

It's been a while since I just talked about what's going on in the joint..hahaha Sorry y'all, I couldn't resist! I'll tell you what, I'm learning all kinds of new words and phrases! For instance, a CHOMO is a term used to call one a child molester. That to me is proof that ignorance runs rampant along with the " pack" mentality. A word that slanders/ cuts down another human...and yet it makes zero sense grammatically speaking! I'm no expert in grammar dangit, but even I can see there's a problem in that application! Child. Molester. Where does the CHO come into play!? Am I just stupid? But inmates and staff alike continue to throw that term like a dagger at individuals in here. I wonder if they realize how their words affect the ones they're trying to cut down? OK. So you made a wrong choice and maybe it went on for years, is there no redemption for you, but for a person who " only dealt drugs, or drove drunk taking a life, or murdered" there is redemption!? Every one of us are sinners. Jesus came to seek and save the lost!( Matthew 18:11). I didn't plan on talking about this, I was going to speak on the being fed 1.5 times a day and the atmosphere inside these walls..HA. However, as humans and most assuredly, followers of Jesus, we must always be mindful of the words we speak.James 2:12-13 gives a grave warning to His children, it says " So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgement will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgement." (NASB) As followers of Christ, we must always show mercy to those around us, even to the ones who've hurt us. Jesus said to pray for your enemy. The words that were spoken to me, even in my youth, I still struggle with to this day. The way my ex wife Jerri spoke to me still effects how I react to situations. That's one reason why I'm writing pretty much how I talk. She made fun of my accent all the time, but those words hold no power over who I am. They don't control my thoughts. So, in knowing this, I put it into practice by speaking and writing just the way I am and it don't matter if anyone makes fun of me cuz your opinion of me is exactly that...yours! My point, are your words and actions lining up with Whom you claim as Lord of your life? God is Love. If you have any bitterness in your heart due to old wounds, you must be willing to release them to God and allow the Holy Spirit to heal your broken heart and mind. Then you will be free! " Let your speech at all times be gracious( pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [ so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [ who puts a question to you].Col.4:6 (AMP)

Sept. 11th, 2001

 A day that will be remembered for generations. I'm not one to commemorate past events. Only because I don't remember the past! However, I do remember where I was that horrid day. My best friend and I were on the eastern side of PA at a park when the first tower was struck. We had no cell reception, so my Mom was getting really worried cuz she couldn't get a hold of me. When we did what we went there to do, we saw on the TV the hateful acts of terror. We then high tailed it back home in record time. As a follower of Christ we are called to forgive. We are called to not only love our enemies, but pray for them! Islam is a religion of peace. Yet the few who took over those planes twisted their religion and used it to justify the murder of all those people. Did you know there was a guy in the Bible who did the same thing? He went and dragged people out of their homes, sentencing them to prison and death by stoning! He thought in his own prideful mind that he was doing God's will! The first martyr in the Bible was Stephen. " ..Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul" . " And Saul approved of their killing him." (Act7:58b & 60b) Y'all that man was the Apostle Paul! He met Jesus on the road to Damascus and was forever changed from the killer, Saul, to the Apostle Paul. God can change you and redeem you! If He calls you, He will use you! Those evil things you've done, or endured, God will use for your good! As Paul wrote in Romans 8:35-39, Absolutely nothing can ever separate us from the Love of God who are in Christ! (paraphrased) In verse 28 he states " And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Glory to God! Even through the storms in life, God is there! That terror filled day those many years ago, He was there. Giving comfort, and taking His children home to live with Him eternally! Are you offended? Are you bitter at that ex? Do you hate that abuser? Forgive quickly. One thing September 11, taught me was to forgive. And do it fast, because we really don't know how long we have on this earth!

Faith is the Victory!

Hebrews 11:13-16 says; " All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had an opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." The people who are referred to in this text were, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Abraham, whose name was changed from Abram when God promised him he'd be the father of many nations. See, Abraham was 100 years old and had no children by his wife. Yet he trusted in God's Word. He knew God's Word was His bond. Even though Abraham didn't live to see the many nations, God delivered, and continues to deliver on that covenant daily. Anytime a person says " YES" to Jesus as Lord and Savior, they are added to the spiritual ancestors along the line of Abraham. Our very salvation is faith! What is faith you may ask? The Word says it plainly in Hebrews 11:1" " Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:7 " we live by faith not by sight." Although we didn't see Jesus on this earth in bodily form. We never sat at His feet to listen to Him teach, preach and heal. Not seeing Him be beat, bleeding and crucified. Or saw Him be risen from the grave, yet we believe! That's the faith that saves you! That's the faith that moves mountains!: Marriage on the rocks? Trust in Jesus! Addiction you can't break? Trust in Jesus! Feeling like you're stuck in a deep pit of despair? Trust in Jesus! Faith y'all! Faith IS the Victory that overcomes the world! Glory to God!! There's nothing we can do to save ourselves. Only Christ has the power. No ritual or work of our hands! Put your trust in Jesus right now! He's holding out His nail pierced hand for you to take it and be free!

For the Children

 "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."(Luke 6:45 NIV) So, I just sent a letter to my son via my Mom and Jpay. Why would I not send it to him directly? #1 he doesn't have a jpay account, #2 if I mailed it USPS, he more then likely would never receive it. My buddy Tim, has a son. They were very close before he got locked up. Did everything together. Then the Grandparents took physical custody of his son because of Tim's incarceration. They do not want his son to have a relationship with his Father. When he moved in, ( the son) he told his Grandparents he wanted to talk to his Dad. Yet, they refuse him the opportunity and continuously speak negative about Tim, in front of and to him. Sadly, I can relate. My son told me long before I got locked up ,( he's 12) Mommy doesn't want me to come over/ talk to you. Now, years later he has asked me why I don't talk to him more often. I tell him to talk to his Mom. I won't tell him what has been going on since I left her. How she is poisoning his mind against me. Why not if it's true? Because, I will NOT talk bad about his Mom. I have never done so in front of him, within earshot, nor have I acted in a negative manner when speaking about her. This kind of thing happens far too often y'all! It hurts us inmates! I wonder, is that the goal?! Let me enlighten you. It also hurts you, ( one's keeping the child away) AND your children! That verse in Luke, is a perfect explanation of why this occurs. Don't give me the " I'm protection my child junk!" If they are the victim, then you could at least monitor communication. They need time to heal before speaking with their abusers of course The issue is the heart! When you are hurt, you hurt others. When you don't forgive, anger turns to bitterness, and then resentment. It comes out in your daily life. Your actions, speech,reactions to certain stimuli. I know this from personal experience dangit! I was addicted to porn. Consumed with lust. It manifested itself with me allowing unhealthy and inappropriate things to happen in the house I lived in. The unforgiveness I held for my Dad ate at me and felt like a weight every day! Are you keeping your child away from their other parent because of incarceration or infidelity? If you claim Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I beg you in the name of Jesus, repent! Don't live your life like I did! Claiming Jesus as Lord, yet engulfed in lust, anger,resentment! It is a burden you don't have to carry! Jesus already bore it on the cross at Calvary! Please, think about your heart. Think about your children's heart. They may only tell you what they know you want to hear! Kids are more observant then we give them credit for and they don't want to make you upset. I've seen that too. We must watch and listen to our word's. Encourage a relationship with the other parent. My tone is not angry. It is imploring. This is a wake up call! Unless your child would actually be injured by the other person, the only real reason for keeping them apart is truly your own anger and hurt!

Please view this Ted Talk explaining what children go though being the center of Parental Alienation 

You'll See What You'll See

Jerri used to be driving down the road and then when she noticed I was watching her, cuz yes I did, she was beautiful and my wife...well, I'd see her right eye closed and she'd appear to be driving blind! We'd be coming up to a stopped car and she'd wait longer than normal to brake...she got me with that every single time! See y'all, to my eye and my way of thinking, she was actually driving blind! Since I can only really see out of my right eye it never occurred to me that she still had one eye open!! I'd be freaking out beside her while the kids played along with her from the backseat. Most the time our perspectives on people are only surface deep. We see how they talk or act and come to conclusions based on those facts. Do you realize many people are only acting like Christians just like Jerri acted like she drove blind? 1 Samuel 16:7 says" But the LORD said to Samuel ' Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance , but the LORD looks at the heart'." As we travel down the road of life, we may see many to our left and right who seem to have life all figured out, or maybe they're struggling just to get out of bed, yet we don't see their struggles because they put on a front. We can't see the secret sin, the addiction, lust, bitterness, or unforgivness that resides deep inside them. Be on your guard my beloved friends so that we don't pass judgment on the people we come in contact with daily! The moment we judge, is the moment we ourselves will be judged by the same measure! The Apostle Paul said to work out your salvation with fear and trembling ( Philippians 2:12). As I said in an earlier post, ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and root out any sin. We must be wiling to allow the sin to be cut off, torn out root and all! Stay in the Word y'all! And may the Lord our God bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you!

Is Your Heart Hard

Sitting here thinking about the past, I've failed so much it hurts! Watching the movie titled " Wonder" literally made me tear up. It reminded me of how I was treated in school, the hurtful things kids ( then adults) would say and do. I saw the family dynamics and was heartbroken at my failures as a Husband, Father, and Step Father. I can't even tell the ones I've hurt the most how much I regret my actions and inactions. The fact that I am sorry for putting them through hell . That nothing is the fault of anyone I've hurt but my own. I long to reconcile with those people I've wronged. How does one do that? I mean you can't just force your way into a persons life who don't want you there cuz of the wounds you caused! All you can do is repent, ask forgiveness, and seek reconciliation when the time is right. Just because you are forgiven doesn't mean it's healthy to jump right back into their lives. We, as followers of Christ are the ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18) and it is the love of Christ in us that compels us to seek it. We should point the way of reconciliation to God the Father and seek it out with the ones who've wronged us. Why is it that I should forgive ( insert name), they hurt me so much! We are in danger of our hearts becoming hardened and our ears deaf to the Will of God by allowing unforgivnesss to reside within our hearts! Oh yes, many will say I've forgiven, yet still they hurt and feel the weight on their shoulders! Hurting people, hurt people. I've seen it first hand. In the way I've reacted to certain situations and in the way the people I love act even to this day. I prayed daily for over 3 years that God would heal the ones I hurt the most (http://www.targetjesus.org/2020/06/to-all-ones-i-have-hurt-originally.html), for their salvation, and for them to live a victorious life in Christ. Yet all you have to do is ask God and you've received it! Yes, I seek forgiveness for my sins from the people I've wronged. I want to start a new chapter. We can't take back words or actions, but we can learn from and change who we are because of the Holy Spirit inside us! Final words: Seek the Lord to reveal any wounds you may be harboring, but be ready to allow Him to do His work and uproot those things! That is how healing begins!

Your Crime is Worse Than Mine

"It's sad to hear guys speak proudly about their crime compared to other crimes. It is no secret that many people feel that sex crimes are the worse, that those people should be dealt with accordingly, Wow how pious and judgmental some people are, like their crimes didn't affect people, whatever, there are no victimless crimes. What people don't think ( because it takes the spotlight off them) about is the wide spread effect of the drugs they sold and what those drugs did to families, the prostitution that happened to keep ones addiction fed, the disease that spread because of what they allowed their bodies to go through just to get that next high. The theft, hurt and alienation it caused their families. The damage is incalculable." As I read these words written by Chaplain Rioux, it struck me how true this statement is! Have I been doing this very thing? Do you? Let's take a moment to look at ourselves through the eyes of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to show you any hidden sin, and allow the Spirit to deal with those sins. See y'all, this is where most people hit the brakes. We ask God to search our hearts and " Oh Father help me with this addiction or that problem" then we pick the reigns of our lives back up and try to control it with our own will power! My beloved friends, we must leave our sins at the feet of Jesus! Don't you think the One Who created the Heavens, earth, and you has the power to take you from a sinful rag of a human to a new creature with a robe of pure white!? God loves you! Yes we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God( Romans 3:23) But Jesus came and rescued us! He died while we were sinners! Jesus will meet you where you are. He met me in the county jail, even while I planned to take my own life because of the people I'd hurt. I guarantee putting your trust in Jesus will change not only your way of thinking, but your very life! Is there anything stopping you from giving Jesus Christ the reigns if your life?

Victory In Jesus!

"I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from Glory. How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me; I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood atoning, then I repented of my sins and won the victory." I grew up singing this hymn in Church. Never really thinking about the words. Sure, I got excited belting out the chorus" There's victory in Jesus, my Savior forever..." not knowing how true those words were to me. I figured, " Well since I asked Jesus into my heart I'll spend eternity with Him!" and that was it. Folks, do you realize there's more to being a Christian then eternal life? Jesus bled and died to atone ( make right, by paying the penalty) for our sins! He was beaten for our iniquities ( sin, wickedness). Isaiah 53:5 says " But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed." ( NASB) The Amplified Bible states " healed and made whole." Glory to God! Are you living a victorious life? You ask, " What does that look like?" No longer are you living in the past of your hurts and addiction! God died for all! For you and the people who hurt you! He forgave the very people who were murdering Him on that cross! Jesus says in Luke 17:3" Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him." Verse 4 states " And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying I repent, forgive him." Now, this is just one of many things we, as followers of Jesus have victory over! We forgive, let go of the offense that causes you heart ache! Do you struggle daily with an addiction? Food, drugs, sex, porn. lying? There's victory in Jesus! How about your self image, depression, sickness or disease? There's victory in Jesus! He bore all of these on Himself while nailed to the cross, He then went to hell and overcame them all! If you've never given your life to Jesus, what us stopping you from doing so right this minute?! You are healed by the blood He shed on Calvary's Hill! Therefore, you don't need to hold onto those hurt, pains, addictions, or disease! Lay them at the feet of Jesus as you make the decision to follow Him the rest of your life! The one thing I've learned recently is that we really never know when our time is up. Will you spend the rest of your days living a peace less , joyless life? Or will you seek the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10!? Choose Life my beloved friends...choose Life!

Abused? Try Jesus!

So I'm sitting here watching the Dr. Phil show. There's a woman on the show talking about her being molested by her Dad starting at the age of 7 till the age of 14. She says she still has feelings of blame for the abuse. Her Dad on the other hand, says she seduced him and since he never forced her it was consensual! For any child victims of sexual abuse. Even if you are the one who first touched an adult or you are the one who had the adult touch you....you are NOT to blame!! This guy on TV is saying he takes full responsibility, yet in the next breath he says she shouldn't play little Ms. Innocent! I'm sorry, but that shocked me! Personally, I DO take responsibility for my actions and inaction. I deserve to be in prison. I'll say that till I die. The way the accusations were said were half truths, but that's OK! As an adult, it is always your duty to protect children from everything that could harm them. I failed by not stopping certain behavior from the first time I knew it occurred. Being predisposed to that type of behavior by my upbringing and consumed with lust, by never talking about anything that happened to me, it allowed my thinking to be skewed. I thought that's what love was. Thank God for His Word! By giving my life completely to Christ, my mind was cleared and is being transformed daily via His Word! That is what's healed my mind and heart. God has already healed those who call on His Name! Victims, this healing is there for you too. Don't live your life as a victim. Don't live your life as a defeated individual. Yes, you had something horrible happen to you! Romans 8:28, Paul says " And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,to those who are called according to His purpose." Does this mean God wanted you to be hurt? Heck No! If I'd never been abused, I would have no idea really how it can affect a persons way of thinking! Or how to help another victim. God allowed me to go through the years of abuse in order for me to be able to emphasize with others! Because of that, I can declare with the authority of Jesus Christ, there is Hope for the hurting children and adults! Number one, if you've been abused in any way, TELL someone! If they don't believe you, TELL someone else! Number Two, if you've given your life to Christ, He is there. His Spirit, the Holy Spirit lives inside of you! Praise God! You're one step closer to receiving the healing that Jesus's blood on the cross offers! The Bible says, in Isaiah 53:4A " Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried;" and " by His stripes we are healed." YES! Did y'all see that!? We ARE healed! Hallelujah!! If you haven't chosen Jesus as your Lord and Savior, what is stopping you right now? Put your trust in Him and you are healed! Will that mean all the pain, anger, fear, and shame will be immediately gone? No. We are humans, and in order for our hearts and minds to heal it may take some time because even though we are healed, if God were to take all those things away, how many of us would soon forget what God has done? It's easy to live in the past. Don't be stuck there! The past can't change, but praise God your present and future can! Choose Jesus: choose healing and life! Jesus said , this is the Amplified version of the Bible; "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me. because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised,crushed, and broken down by calamity], To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [ the day when salvation and free favors of God profusely abound]. Luke 4:18-19. Please don't spend another second feeling crushed by the wounds of the past! Cry out to Jesus, He's waiting for you!

Christian Love and Homosexuality

1 Corinthians 1&2"I may be able to speak the languages of men and even of angels, but if I have not love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains- but if I have not love, I am nothing.....Verse 13 " Meanwhile these three remain; faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love." Oh yes...love! The very core of Christianity! Y'all, I wrote a short time ago about the recent Supreme Court decision to include people who claim LGBTQ. I'm going to dig a little deeper, and maybe clarify our stance as followers of Jesus. Some may say " All you Jesus freaks are hate filled! You dare judge me!? Doesn't your Bible say don't judge!?" Ahh my beloved friends, indeed our Bible says that! Let me assure you as followers of Christ are not passing judgement! If any seem to be doing so, they have forgotten what Paul said about love! Can we be offended? Certainly! Psalm 97:10 says to hate evil! Does that mean we, as followers of Jesus hate murderers, rapist,drug dealers, and homosexuals? Heck NO! See y'all, many of us don't know how to speak in love, especially to the hurting and the lost. Some Christians even hold on to the offense they feel toward the sin and it comes out in their actions towards the individuals. But without love, it's all a bunch of noise! You see, to God, it doesn't matter what sin you may have, or are committing because all sin IS sin! When you break one law you've might as well broken them all! But God! Yes, but "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NASB) The Bible is clear on sin. As followers of Christ, it is our duty to present the Gospel ( Good News) of Jesus Christ in love. Then the Holy Spirit and the Word can do Their work in the hearts of the men and woman. It's not our job to convince anyone of their sin! If the Word is received by the people and not snatched away by Satan or fellow man, then another will come and water that seed with the Word of God. I will never force anyone to believe as I do, to live a Christ like life. My job as a preacher ( to proclaim) of Jesus, is to present the Word. Jesus is the only One Who can and will judge. And folks, He most certainly will! He's coming back to judge the world! He gave up His life so that you can be freed from the chains of sin and death! Because death is exactly what we deserve for not following Jesus. But hey, you have a choice! Will you continue to serve your own self, your flesh? Keeping silent and even condoning blatant sin!? Or will you choose life?! Jesus says in John 10:10" The thief (satan) comes to only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they ( you/ us) may have life, and have it