[To view in a browser, visit this Link]
To my Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Our God loves us with an incredible, all-encompassing, selfless love. We call it agape love – a sacrificial love perfectly displayed through Jesus' willingness to go to the cross for each one of us. God demonstrates this completely selfless love for us, and He wants us to exercise it for one another. He reminds us throughout scripture to “love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13.34), “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22.39), “love your enemies” (Lk 6.27), and “let all you do be done in love” (1Cor 16.14).
I think the best test to see how you're doing with agape love is taking care of a baby or a new puppy. They are completely dependent on you. It's exhausting to take care of all their needs while putting your own needs aside. And they can't repay the effort – this kind of loving care is a one-sided transaction. Just like God towards us.
My wife and I are currently undergoing such a test. On Saturday we rescued a sweet 8-month old German shepherd puppy surrendered from an Amish puppy mill. Her previous name was #5. This pup had a rough start to life, with exactly zero training, so it's been a challenge. But we're pouring our hearts into making the rest of her life as good as it can be.
I'm reminded of God's selfless, agape love for me every time I get up to let her out (even at 3AM in the rain), or re-arranging our schedules for one of us to be home with her until we complete crate training. Our lives have been completely impacted, yet it's such a great lesson. God loves us so much more than we could ever love this puppy.
Thank you for demonstrating your love for inmates who are blessed by your prayers, yet will probably never repay the effort. You are practicing agape love, and that makes God happy. Let's all do our best to continue following His will to love one another. God's blessing upon you and yours this week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (Inmate 1-on-1 sessions):
- Troy– my wife's car died, making it difficult to get to work at the diner. I'm frustrated being in here and not able to take care of things for her. Pray my court date on 9/1 goes well with charges dismissed. I have no peace in here, my cellmate won't leave me alone even when I tell him to. He's really testing me to my limits, but I thank God for working on my heart because in the past I would have already taken care of him my own way (and gotten into much more trouble).
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (6:00pm Monday service):
- David– for all the men here tonight, my kids, my grandkids, and my court date coming up Oct 8- pray I can get out and get help.
- Jacob– my daughter started kindergarten today, praying the Holy Spirit gives her strength and confidence- she was scared to do this without me there.
- Steve– for my 2 yr old son to be OK and safe out there, and for my baby's mama to be provided for while I'm in here.
- Maurice– for my health, it's not looking good.
- Matthew– for my kids, my health, and my freedom.
- Bryan– my oldest son (14) is planning to get baptized, I pray the Holy Spirit will grace him with wisdom and understanding to make the right decisions in life. I pray for my miserable self, fallen so far from God and headed towards the fires of Hell. And for all our families and loved ones. [NOTE: during the prayer, I assured Bryan and all the men that no one is too far from God's love and forgiveness if we put our trust in Him as Lord and Savior].
- Patrick– for this world. I never used to take this stuff seriously, then I read the comic book Bible [an illustrated Bible for adults available to inmates] and things are different. I'm not sure, but I know things are different because I never cared about all this stuff before.
- Erwin (volunteer)- for my wife Rena's health issues, and my sister Elwyn's battle with cancer.
- Dan (volunteer)- thankful that my brother-in-law John is a growing Christian – he's the one we prayed for over a year, and pray for all new Christians to continue on their path towards God.
- Jim (volunteer)- for everyone in this prison to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
- Phil (volunteer)- for the family of my neighbor Brittney (32) who died from brain aneurysm last week. Her father was a believer and passed away earlier this year, don't think she was a believer. Pray she knew the Lord before closing her eyes in death, and that her family would open their eyes and pursue Jesus.
- Jose (volunteer)- for the people of Nepal suffering from the tragic massive flash flood that killed hundreds with hundreds more missing.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (7:30pm Monday service):
- Rick – Continued healing and good reports for our brother, volunteer Bill Harkins undergoing cancer treatments.
- Ariel– freedom, fairness in court system, family (brother, sister, mom), forgiveness for my father, new direction, more desire, more peace, my friend (Daniel) that helped me find a lawyer
- J.D.– family and kids, Chris (lost his daughter), everybody that's struggling, find path to God
- Greg– feeling trapped, turn to God and find freedom, family's well being
- Troy– wife (Beth), son (Tyson), daughters (Stephanie/Lexus), brother (Jimmy), sister (Debbie), court on 9/1 and that God is with me, strengthen me, my dog (Ruckus)
- Mike– wife (Robin), daughter (Hanna), sons (Michael/Gavin), forgiveness
- Anthony– mom (struggling with money), sister, strength, relief, peace, brother (Angel), friends
- Jih– president, church in America to rise up and lead the way for Christ
- Edgar– family
- Andy (volunteer)- unsaved family members
- Matt (volunteer)- family, keep my eyes on the Lord and be uncommon
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- For all Volunteers ministering in Chester County Prison.
- For the Warden and leadership at CCP, that ministries continue to find favor with them.
- For Chaplain Rhonda, in her ministry to female inmates, staff, and families.
- For Chaplain Heinrich, in his ministry to male inmates, staff, and families.
- For Chaplain Jack Crans, leading chaplaincy at Chester County Prison among both inmates and prison leadership, and for his personal strength and healing from cancer.
- For the Families of each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- For Onesimus Ministries Board of Directors, grant them wisdom and insight for the future of this ministry.
- For the planning and all to go well with Onesimus Benefit Dinner at Green Street Grill on Nov 13.
- For Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations throughout Chester County.
If this email was forwarded to you and you'd like to subscribe, click HERE.
