Journal: August 12, 2010

This is Thursday and the Lord has given a truly blessed day to me. After morning devotions and hearing Pastor MacArthur on the radio preaching about heaven, the Lord let us outside to the yard where many of the Spanish brothers were gathered. This is the group of men who are being discipled by brother Joseph Torres, an inmate who was a pastor in the L.A. area. I was allowed to preach to them so I taught on the doctrine of reconciliation for about an hour. Brother Torres translated. Then brother Damian taught on true Christianity as opposed to easy believeism. Thus, the whole mourning was saturated with the Word of God, and this is a gift form God because ewe might not have been able to come outside today at all. This evening at our evening yard devotional, brother Mario brought a strong message on the need to study to show oneself approved. There were about 18 men in attendance. Afterward, in the building, we had a prayer session during which we prayed for our wives (and former wives). Brother David S.’s wife is still with him, but brother Joseph’s and mine are not.

Journal: August 11, 2010

This was a very blessed day I did Greek with brother Seth in the morning, after my personal devotions. In the afternoon, I was able to disciple brother Samuel, then preach to the Spanish brothers who are being discipled by brother Torres. I taught on Acts 10:34-48. Tomorrow I will again have the privilege of addressing them with the Word. My sermon will be on the doctrine of reconciliation.

Tonight we had nearly 20 men at our yard service. Brother Joseph taught on being in the (spiritual) battle. We battle constantly the flesh, the world and the devil, he taught. Please pray for the lost here as there are many who need Christ.

Journal: August 5, 2010

We held a yard service this evening headed by brothers Danny and Terry. It was a wonderful time of praise. At least forty attended. Many are lost but in some sense seeking the Lord, though the Scripture says there are none who seek God (Romans 3). Perhaps God is drawing them. The prison has canceled all evening chapel services and Bible classes so we must meet outside. We prayed for our families and trust God will provide for them, protect them and comfort them.

Journal: July 21, 2010

Our yard devotional service in the evening is growing. The goal is to “feed the sheep” in an atmosphere of love and fellowship. The men are attending and I believe they are being fed. There is usually from 15 to 20, and most are truly born-again. I selected 10 different men to rotate as speakers. This is giving them opportunity to speak before others. My only desire is that they bring “solid food.” Seth and Tom are among them. They themselves are growing in their own faith as they rise to the task. The Lord is blessing us in so many ways.

Journal: July 13, 2010

Dear Friends,

It has been a wonderful day in the Lord! I was able to go to the yard this morning and enjoy a nice morning before the heat came. It was 97 today and will be 106 in a few days. This goes on through August. I am grateful for the swamp cooling and my fan.

I spent the late morning preparing for my sermon I was able to give in the afternoon. I spent quite ea bit of prayer on it both praying God would direct me in preparing it and that He would touch the hearts of the men who would hear it. It was based on 2 Cor. 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you.” But the sermon was on how we can hinder this all-sufficient grace by having three wrong attitudes (sins):
1) an unthankful heart (not thanking God for this trial);
2) a complaining spirit; and
3) not being prayerfully dependent on the Lord.

The Lord blessed the sermon from what the men said and I am grateful.

Then this evening, one of the brothers who was to give the devotion on the yard, could not, so I substituted for him bringing a message on how to deal with anger. This of course, has been an area I have needed to grow in, but the Lord gave me wisdom through His word.

This morning, at 4:30am, brother Tim was taken away and it was a sad time. He will go to another prison and we will not likely see him ever again until heaven. He has been a bright spot on this yard for nearly 5 years.

Last evening, we all gathered on the yard to pray. There were about 17 of us and we prayed for our families (mine included) and for many other things. Some of the men are going through such tragedies, but their spirits are still very sweet in the Lord. I am thankful God placed me around such wonderful brothers in the Lord. Though I long to be free and with my family, I am grateful to the Lord for all He is doing in here., in my own heart, and on this yard for His glory.