True Treasure

On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his famous (or infamous) 95 theses to the door of the church at Wittenburg, Germany. While most of the 95 protested abuses by church leadership and the selling of indulgences, there is one that might be considered the most vital of all. Number 62 of those 95 thesis says simply:

"The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God."

In this Luther could not have been more right.

Thinking About James

Been thinking a lot about James. Not James, my daughter's boyfriend (Sorry, man) - but the Epistle of James in the New Testament. Tonight our home Bible study group begins a new study in the Book of James. We'll walk through it together over the next number of Wednesday evenings - verse by verse.

James was the half-brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55-56). Can you imagine growing up with Jesus as your older brother? No pressure there, right?
But the thing that strikes me about this man named James is the name by which, according to early church tradition, some referred to him: Old Camel Knees. It was said that he spent so much time in prayer that his knees became hard and knobby and calloused, like those of a camel.

Old Camel Knees. Wouldn't it be great to earn such a moniker today? I'm looking forward to our study together.

There Are Thieves In the Prison

For years, we have made greeting cards for all occassions available in the chaplain's office for the inmates. They've been welcome to come and get cards anytime to send out to family and loved ones. We purchase the cards from a ministry in Missouri and keep a card rack filled - much like a Hallmark store. It's a great ministry tool: Many use "getting a card" as an opportunity to speak with me about all kinds of issues in their lives.

But lately we've had a problem. It began as a nuisance, but has become a real sore spot with me. Somebody is coming in and stealing all of the envelopes that go with the cards. So now we have hundreds of cards with no envelopes.
It has become such a problem that I have had to stop making cards available for the inmates. No more birthday cards for children. No more anniversary cards for wives. No more thank you's or thinking of you's.
I hate having to do that. I hope it's only temporary. It really is hurting me more that it hurts them. (Remember when your parents used to say that before they punished you?)

What baffles me about the whole thing is this: Why steal from someone who is willing to give you whatever you want? Is the mindset of prison 'gameplaying' and manipulation so deeply ingrained in some that they just can't recognize when they don't have to do that to get what they need?

Maybe you're thinking I'm being mean. It's only envelopes, right? Just paper. But there's a principle at stake here. These men are here in this place because of this same mindset. And soon (very soon for some) they'll be getting out of this place. I'm hoping maybe this will help someone to see that they don't have to steal - they just have to ask.

And as soon as I can figure out the solution to "the great envelope dilemma" here at Charlotte Correctional Center I'll make the cards available again.

What a Week!

Last week will go down in the annals as one of my best weeks in a long, long time. Maybe you missed me during my prolonged absence form the blog scene? (Okay. Maybe not.)

After graduating a group of dads from our Father Accountability Program at the prison on Monday evening, I took the rest of the week off to tend to pressing matters. Our granddaughter, Olivia, spent most of the week with us as her mom and dad were out of town for a conference. Grandpa and Grandma played, and sang, and read more Little Golden Books last week than we have in years. I enjoyed every minute. I'd forgotten how much fun a little one can be. I watched as she tried new things and investigated everything within her reach and line of sight. I laughed as we made games of everything from meal time to nap time. And sans medication, my blood pressure was lower than it's been in years.

After we took Olivia to her other Grandparents' on Thursday, Sharon and I made for the NC mountains on Friday to see our Emily, view the colorful Fall foliage, take in and Appalachian State football game, and enjoy our time together.

All in all, a great week for me!

The Sad Reality in America and in the Church

"We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings to be fruitful."
~ C.S. Lewis

A Preacher Moment

Every now and again a preacher has one of those moments when something comes out of his mouth that amazes everyone. (A bit presumtuous? Perhaps) Here's what I said from the pulpit recently in one of those "preacher moments" that shocked me when it slipped out:

"There is a difference between trusting God - and trusting in my expectations of God."

Good stuff, huh?

A Guaranteed Investment Strategy

The US and world financial markets are in a crisis not seen since 1929. With our 401K's and other investments losing value by the minute, there would seem to be only a few really safe investments we can make. By investing in these precious commodities, we can be assured of future wealth beyond our imaginations.

What are these rock-solid investment strategies? Your marriage and your children.