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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I can’t help thinking about that poor dumb squirrel who met his demise because of hesitation and indecision. I was on my way out to the prison last Thursday on my motorcycle, and as I came up over a rise in the road, there was a squirrel in the middle of my lane. At 45mph I had to make a split-second decision, and did my best to avoid him by steering to the right and bracing for impact. As my front tire whizzed by him, I had a sense that tragedy was avoided, but then ka-thump! That poor dumb creature dove under my back tire. I didn’t look back, and felt horrible, apologizing to God for ending his life.
What killed him? Hesitation and indecision killed that squirrel. I think we can all learn a lesson about preparedness from this. God’s Word certainly reminds us plenty of times to be ready – for Christ’s return, for our death, to explain the reason for our hope – we must be prepared for what may come next in life. Are we? Proverbs 16:9 tells us “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps”. We can make plans, but need to be flexible for what God may have in store for us. We must decide to seek and follow God’s will, without hesitation and without indecision. We don’t want to end up as roadkill on the journey of life.
Thank you all for deciding each week to support this ministry in prayer – the chaplains, the inmates, the volunteers, the staff, and all their families. Covering all of them in prayer is no small matter – it’s vitally important to the wellbeing of this ministry. Thank you for your ongoing partnership. You are a blessing to all of us, and we pray God will bless you and your families in return. Have a wonderful week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):
- Sean– for my daughter Morgan, and to get a court date soon. I want to finish up this part and get home.
- Mike– I want to know God’s specific purpose for me, and learn the lessons He’s got for me. I know I need to “get off the porch” and start living the life He wants me to.
- Javier– family, especially my daughter (Alessiram).
- Manuel– my court date on 9/23, my family, my wife (Adriana) and daughter (Sophia).
- Eugene C– for the Lord to send more laborers for the field.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Jim M– for our brother Jose to have a full recovery from his physical issues, and for my upcoming knee surgery on 10/13. Very thankful we have Andy to fill in for music.
- Darrell– I need a good injury lawyer, hoping that my appointment with a counselor next Monday will get me one. I also want a haircut.
- Billy– for everyone’s upcoming court dates.
- Dan T– for the right opportunity and the right words for my Brother-in-law to finally accept Christ.
- Rick C- for the salvation of our family members and friends not walking with the Lord.
- Erwin– thankful for my wife Rena’s progress in recovering from back surgery, and prayers for continued progress toward full recovery.
- Tim– thankful that I’m getting out tomorrow. [We took the opportunity to pray for each of the men as they leave prison to not leave behind the progress they’ve made here, and for wisdom to make better choices, like staying on the new path God has for them.]
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Frankie– for my mom and uncle battling cancer, and for all the guys in here.
- Bo– for my significant other to accept Christ as her Lord and Savior, and for all the men in here and their families.
- John– that court goes well and I get out tomorrow.
- Dave– Sept 25 coming up is a hard day- anniversary of my son’s death. And my daughter just committed suicide back on 8/28. I need to get out of here to tend to my grandkids – my daughter has 2 boys.
- Chris– for everyone in here, and hoping to get a court date soon. Also pray for successful treatment in here, and get home to my kids soon. Also pray for my 3 kids.
- Scott– for all the men in here, and for my girl at home.
- Ryan S– my brother-in-law gets out of rehab tomorrow and heads to a halfway house. Pray for family reconciliation, there are lots of issues with him back in our lives.
- Matt R– health for my in-laws.
- Andy D– salvation for my brother and sister, and for their families.
- Bill H– for Scott, my Jewish friend, to accept Christ.
- Rick C– for my wife and her Mom (92).
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- Chaplain Rhonda and all the female inmates and staff within her mission field.
- Chaplain Heinrich and all the male inmates and staff within his mission field
- Chaplain Jack Crans and the entire chaplaincy program, and the prison leadership within his mission field.
- All volunteers ministering to the male and female inmates at Chester County Prison.
- Protection for the families that support each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- For Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations in Chester County ministering to recently released men and women.
If you’d like to find out more about mentoring and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison, drop us a note at outreach@onesimusministries.org.
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